RACING TEAM TURKEY BROUGHT THE #34 CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R HOME IN SIXTH PLACE AT THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, COMPLETING THE FULL RACE DISTANCE ON THE LEAD LAP IN A CLEAN, PENALTY-FREE RUN.
Racing Team Turkey brought the #34 Corvette Z06 GT3.R home in sixth place at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, completing the full race distance on the lead lap in a clean, penalty-free run. The result marks the team's strongest finish of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season so far.
Starting from the back of the LMGT3 grid after a controversial qualifying penalty, the trio of Salih Yoluc, Charlie Eastwood and Peter Dempsey fought their way through the field over the course of 24 gruelling hours to secure a solid P6 result.
CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R #34 ON THE CIRCUIT DE LA SARTHEAgainst the Odds
The weekend did not begin as the team had hoped. A qualifying penalty forced the #34 Corvette to start from twenty-fifth position — dead last in the LMGT3 class. From there, the team executed a disciplined race strategy, working through traffic and steadily climbing the order across all four stints of the day-night-day marathon.
"We gave it everything. P6 is not the result we were after, but I believe we maximised what we had. Starting last after a very unfair penalty did not help, but we kept our heads down and raced clean for 24 hours. Huge congratulations to the #33 crew for a deserved class win — they were outstanding all weekend. All our hard work is aimed at raising our flag to the top step of the podium, and we will get there sooner than later."
— Salih Yoluc
Dempsey's Dream Realised
For Peter Dempsey, the 24 Hours of Le Mans was a career-defining moment. The Irishman improved with every stint and showed strong pace in the closing stages of the race.
"I still cannot put this into words. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would race at Le Mans. We did not come away with a podium, but the effort this team put in from start to finish was extraordinary. P6 on the lead lap with a penalty-free race was everything we had. Every stint I drove, I found more speed — the pace was strong towards the end. I made sure to take it all in because moments like this do not come around often."
— Peter Dempsey
Eastwood: Fighting Through the Field
Charlie Eastwood, who has previous Le Mans experience, highlighted the team's battling spirit throughout the twice-around-the-clock race.
"Le Mans is always special. Starting P25, we fought our way through the entire field to finish P6 after 24 hours. That is what this team is about. Congratulations to the #33 crew — a well-deserved class win."
— Charlie Eastwood
THE TEAM CELEBRATES COMPLETING THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANSIn a proud moment for the Corvette programme, the #33 sister car — also run under the TF Sport banner — claimed the LMGT3 class victory. The result underlines the competitiveness of the Corvette Z06 GT3.R package and gives Racing Team Turkey confidence heading into the second half of the season.
The team now turns its attention to Round 4 of the 2026 FIA WEC season — the 6 Hours of São Paulo at Interlagos on July 12.
