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Rebellion Set to Forgo Rolex 24; LMP1 Decision Looming

Rebellion Racing rules out Rolex 24 Daytona program for 2018; decision pending on possible LMP1 program…

Photo: Peter Burke/IMSA

Rebellion Racing is unlikely to return to the Rolex 24 at Daytona, as the Anglo-Swiss squad focuses on its yet-to-be-decided 2018/19 FIA World Endurance Championship program, according to team manager Bart Hayden.

Hayden revealed to Sportscar365 that it has no active plans to compete in January’s Florida endurance classic, following a limited season IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship program this year.

The team fielded a solo Oreca 07 Gibson at Daytona, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Motul Petit Le Mans, with the LMP2 chassis having been sent back to its UK base following last month’s season finale.

Hayden, however, would not rule out a return to the WeatherTech Championship later in the season, potentially as early as Sebring in March.

LMP1 Decision by December

A decision on whether the team will step up to LMP1 competition in the WEC’s ‘Super Season’ will likely be taken by next month.

Despite reports linking the team to a two-car ORECA effort for next year, Hayden said they have yet to finalize its program, which would either be in LMP1 or LMP2.

The team made the switch to LMP2 competition this season as part of an initially planned two-year program, although has been up for re-evaluation in the wake of a restructured top prototype class following Porsche’s announced withdrawal from LMP1 competition.

A number of teams have since committed to LMP1 for 2018/19, including Manor and DragonSpeed.

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

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