Wayne Taylor Racing Prepares for Le Mans Debut Amid Season Challenges
Le Mans, France – Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR) is gearing up for its inaugural entry into the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans, despite a turbulent start to the 2025 IMSA season. Team principal Wayne Taylor characterized the early season as "absolutely terrible," but remains optimistic as preparations intensify.
The team, fielding the No. 101 Cadillac V-Series.R, features brothers Ricky and Jordan Taylor alongside co-driver Filipe Albuquerque. "It’s the team’s first time there," noted Jordan, emphasizing the complexities of logistics, regulations, and vehicle performance.
Jordan Taylor has prior Le Mans experience, securing a victory in the LMGTE Pro class with Corvette Racing. His focus is now on a comprehensive simulator test scheduled before the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, which occurs one week prior to the Le Mans test day. “We’ll split the simulator sessions between Italy and America to maximize our preparation,” he stated.
The collaboration under the “one Cadillac” ethos promises to bolster WTR’s performance. The team will leverage data and insights from Cadillac’s other entries, Action Express and Hertz Team JOTA, both seasoned participants in the Hypercar category. "This collective data will essentially give us the experience of a four-car team," Jordan explained.
As the team prepares for Le Mans, Ricky emphasized the importance of the upcoming Detroit race as a potential catalyst for turning their season around. He highlighted shared learning opportunities with seasoned teammates, noting that while the Cadillac program has updated its data systems, the team remains equipped with experienced personnel.
In logistics, WTR is shipping a new Dallara chassis (No. 023) to France, along with ample spare parts. "We know what we’re going with," Wayne confirmed, noting that around 80 team members will be traveling. He is confident in the resources allocated for the race. "Le Mans is big and difficult to navigate, but we have everything under control," he said.
Reflecting on the significance of the entry, Wayne Taylor, a class winner at Le Mans in 1998, remarked on the long-awaited opportunity to represent Cadillac. “When they asked me to apply for the entry, I was pleasantly shocked that they accepted us,” he recalled. "We’re going there to try and replicate what we did at Daytona," he concluded, acknowledging Cadillac’s commitment and support in this challenging endeavor.
With Le Mans drawing near, WTR faces the dual challenge of overcoming a rocky season while preparing for one of motorsport’s greatest tests. The team aims for a podium finish, underscoring their dedication and readiness as they embark on this monumental journey.
