Cameron Shields bookends LMP3 Daytona 24 podium

Aussie Cameron Shields was a critical factor in helping Performance Tech Motorsports grab a 24 Hours at Daytona podium in the LMP3 class.

The team was made up of Shields/John DeAngelis/Christopher Allen/Connor Bloum, with Shields performing both the opening and closing roles.

The Toowoomba born racer was competing at his second Daytona 24 in the LMP3 class, and stood up for the team when it mattered.

“It was a really wild race, we just kept pushing lap after lap and we were eventually able to maintain P3,” said an elated Shields. 

“I’m just so happy we were able to accomplish this as a team. We’ve worked really hard to get the car running and it was a fantastic result in the end.” 

Cameron Shields (far right) celebrates with the Performance Tech Motorsports team with their class P3 at the 24 Hours at Daytona

Like the rest of the LMP3 field, the race wasn’t without its mechanical challenges for the PTM team.

Shields had to deal with brake and clutch issues throughout his closing stint, but powered through despite the potentially disastrous problems. 

Opening up the race in the #38 Ligier JSP320, Shields started third on the class grid, and 18th overall, as he navigated the tricky start in the 61 car field.

Shields put the #38 into P2 during his first stint, as the LMP3’s spread throughout the GTD field, with many experiencing mechanical issues throughout.

After DeAngelis nursed the car into the night on debut, Bloum took control of the Ligier through the difficult late night shift, and into the early hours with great stamina.

Shields crosses the line for hard fought P3 in the Daytona 24 after battling mechanical issues throughout the final stages

VLN Nürburgring Endurance Series racer, Allen, took multiple shifts in his Daytona 24 debut, doing well in the familiar heavy traffic.

Shields was then given the task of closing out the hard fought American classic, and showed rapid pace and poise to shut the door on the nearest AWA LMP3 challenger.

The team finished outright 31st, completing 721 laps, +12 laps from the class winner, and four laps behind the P2 getter. 

Shields also competed for PTM racing last season in the IMSA championship, helping the team get podiums at the 12 Hours of Sebring, and the 6 Hours at Watkins Glen.

The Queensland born racer will again compete in the LMP3 class for PTM this season, with the 12 Hours of Sebring in Florida, on March 16-19.

Shields moved his talents to US in 2019 to compete in the USF2000 championship in the open wheelers, before graduating onto the Indy Pro 2000 championship in 2021, prior to taking on the IMSA Sports Car circuit.

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