It didn’t take long for the German youngster to get familiar with the new machinery. He showed great pace in the practice sessions, and the trio qualified P2 in Pro-AM for the 12-hour race, securing 10th spot on the 34-car grid for the #88 McLaren.
Benji was chosen to take the start, and the ROFGO Junior didn’t fail to impress. It only took him a few corners to take the class lead, and he soon found himself in second place overall, showing no sign of having never raced the McLaren before. He was flying through the entire opening stint before passing the wheel to West, who did a stellar job just like Kirchhöfer, making no mistakes and staying in the leading pack for the entire twelve hours.
The race was interrupted by several full course yellow periods and a completely unexpected rain shower around the third hour, but none of these could slow the #88 squad down.
Benjamin drove like a champion throughout the entire race, including a battle with F1 ace Kevin Magnussen in the closing stages of the 12-hour race. Goethe managed to fend off the 30-year-old Dane to cross the line P6 overall and claim second place in Pro-AM.
This brings the ROFGO Junior driver’s 2022 season to full circle. He started the year on the podium at the Dubai 24 and amassed a total of four victories, 11 podium finishes and three pole positions in 19 races. He won the iconic Spa 24, made his race debut at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, secured his Permit for the 24H and became a double GT World Challenge Europe champion.
Benjamin Goethe:
“P2 at the end of the Gulf 12 Hours! It’s a positive result for my first weekend in the McLaren and with this team. Obviously, we would’ve liked to win and we had good pace to challenge for the win, but we will take a podium. I am very happy, and I’d like to thank everyone at Garage 59 and McLaren for this weekend.”
Stuart Hall, Motorsports Director, ROFGO Racing:
“Benji finished what has been an outstanding 2022 in style at the weekend. With a new car and a new team to adapt to, he once again showed his class. second in pro-am is a fantastic way to complete the year. Big thanks to Garage 59 for making us feel so welcome.”