SMITH CLAIMS McLAREN TROPHY EUROPE CLASS VICTORY ON MISANO DEBUT

Paddock Motorsport added yet more silverware to its ever-growing McLaren Trophy Europe collection at Misano last weekend, with Mark Smith making an impressive guest appearance to secure the team's first Am class victory of the 2026 season.

Taking a break from his British GT campaign, the American driver stepped into Paddock Motorsport's third McLaren Artura Trophy Evo for his series debut. Faced with the challenge of learning both the car and the 2.6-mile Misano circuit for the first time, Smith adapted quickly and immediately demonstrated impressive pace.

After a productive build-up during practice, Smith qualified second in the Am class for Saturday's opening race, despite continuing to familiarise himself with the McLaren Artura Trophy Evo around the demanding Italian circuit.

Racing in searing temperatures, Smith made a sensational start, gaining five positions on the opening lap to seize the Am class lead. Despite later receiving a track limits penalty, his pace at the front proved more than enough to maintain his advantage, taking the chequered flag to secure a commanding class victory on his McLaren Trophy Europe debut and Paddock Motorsport's first class win of the season.

Smith continued his impressive form on Sunday, once again qualifying second in class before battling at the front throughout the second race. After taking the early Am class lead, he slipped behind Cedric Leimer following a moment at Turn One but recovered well to finish second in class, completing an outstanding debut weekend with a victory and a runner-up finish.

Reflecting on the weekend, Smith said:

"I think it was a really successful weekend. There was a lot to learn with it being my first time in the Artura and at Misano. I glazed the brakes early on, so I was fighting the car a little on Friday and Saturday, but to come away with the class win after that was fantastic.

"For Sunday we changed the brake calipers and that gave me much more confidence under braking. I was really happy with my pace and driving until I made a bad decision going into Turn One when I misread what Eric was doing. Apart from that, it was a great weekend. To leave with a class win and second place on my debut is something I'm really pleased with."