Pro-Am Leads IndyKA 500 Before Late Penalty

Following the heartbreak of the Trackday Championship finale, PRO-AM Racing quickly turned their attention to Sunday’s IndyKA 500. With a formidable driver lineup featuring Oliver Furnell, Josh Benson, Louis Harvey, and Richard Jepp, the team was brimming with confidence. Louis, in particular, carried extra momentum, returning as part of last year’s IndyKA-winning crew. However, motorsport is rarely straightforward, and qualifying threw an early curveball. The KA struggled to find pace, managing only P19 of 33, nearly a second off the leaders. The culprit? A stretched throttle cable, which limited power to just 75%.

Working late into the night, the team identified and adjusted the issue, but with no opportunity to fully test the car before race day, hopes remained cautious. Unfortunately, as the race unfolded, it became clear the throttle fix hadn’t been a complete cure, and the KA still lacked outright power.

Race day brought clear skies and dry conditions—a far cry from the torrential downpour that defined last year’s event. With the throttle issue lingering, PRO-AM Racing leaned on strategy, speed, and teamwork to claw their way through the field. Richard Jepp opened the race with a determined stint, pushing the car into P10 by Lap 90. A perfectly timed safety car during Josh Benson’s stint proved to be a game-changer. While rivals pitted under green flag conditions, PRO-AM Racing’s early stop gamble vaulted them into P3.

Louis Harvey took over next, delivering a heroic stint despite the car’s ongoing power deficit. His consistent lap times and composure under pressure kept the KA at the sharp end of the field. By Lap 225, after another safety car pit stop out of sync with the front runners, they were leading the race, a testament to smart calls from the pit wall and quick driver changes.

Following Louis Harvey’s incredible stint, Oliver Furnell took over the wheel for a crucial middle segment of the race. With track limits penalties looming from earlier stints, the pressure was on for Oliver to keep the car clean while maintaining pace. Rising to the challenge, he delivered a masterful drive, avoiding a single off-track excursion. His smooth, consistent laps showcased both his growing experience and composure behind the wheel, quickly cementing his status as a veteran KA racer. By Lap 344, victory seemed within reach, with the team’s meticulous strategy looking set to overcome the lingering performance issues.

But motorsport’s unforgiving nature struck again. During the final pit stop, a momentary lapse saw the car remain running during refueling, breaching safety regulations. The penalty was swift and severe: a 2-lap deduction that dropped the team from P1 to P4. With the lingering power issues limiting pace, the team fought valiantly but ultimately crossed the line in P5.

Without the penalty, the team would have claimed victory by a comfortable 26-second margin—a sobering “what if” moment for everyone involved.

“Endurance racing is about perseverance, preparation, and learning from the tough days,” said team principal Scott Thompson. “We came so close despite battling power issues all weekend. The drivers and crew were outstanding, and while the result hurts, the teamwork and spirit we showed give us plenty to build on. We’ll come back stronger next year.”

Despite the disappointment, PRO-AM Racing’s resilience and sharp strategy stood out. It was a bittersweet end to a challenging weekend, but the team leaves Brands Hatch with heads held high, knowing they overcame adversity to put themselves in contention. The lessons learned and moments of brilliance will fuel their determination heading into the 2025 season.