Dennis Olsen will be a father for the first time in the near future. Therefore, the former DTM driver will not participate in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup in Jeddah. Ben Barker takes his place in the Proton Ford Mustang GT3.
The GT World Challenge Europe will also take part in its 2024 season finale in the desert: On November 30, the fierce GT3 championship will take place in Jeddah, for the first time in Saudi Arabia. Proton Racing fields its Ford Mustang GT3 with starting number 64 in the six-hour race, which is run in the dark.
At the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, considered the fastest road circuit in the world, Ben Barker is new to the Proton GT World Challenge team. He supports regular drivers Christopher Mies and Frédéric Vervisch and replaces Dennis Olsen, who, however, has a good reason to predict the end of the season: The Norwegian – who is linked with a commitment to the DTM in 2025 – will be a proud father this time. !
Michael Ried, team owner and technical director of Proton Competition: “This race in a new country and on a new track for us marks the end of an exciting first season of Proton Competition in GT World Challenge Europe. I hope that we will be able to finish the Mustang GT3 successfully.
Christian Ried, owner of the team Proton Competition: “The best always comes last – at least when it comes to the track where the end of the season will take place. The Jeddah Corniche circuit is probably the fastest road circuit in the world. Its 27 corners require maximum attention from the drivers and give them almost no rest, despite all the difficulties, I am sure that they will also have a lot of fun.”
Christopher Mies (Ford Mustang GT3 #64): “The Jeddah track is a big challenge. In any case, it seems very difficult in the simulator. I hope that we can finally put an exclamation mark in this year-end race. The whole team has had a tough year with all the different programs. It would be nice if we could reward the boys and girls with a platform for their self-sacrificing work and reap the fruits of our collective efforts.”
Frédéric Vervisch (Ford Mustang GT3 #64): “Without a doubt we have made great progress this season. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to capitalize on this in the competition as much as we would have hoped. But let’s see, maybe we can put an exclamation point on this special season finale.
Ben Barker (Ford Mustang GT3 #64): «It’s exciting for me to drive in Jeddah for the first time. It will be a big challenge, but definitely a lot of fun, especially in the dark. I look forward to teaming up with Chris and Fred in what is sure to be a very exciting season finale.”
