Larbre Rules Out GTE-Pro Corvette for 2016

Photo: John Dagys

Larbre Competition has ruled out a move to the GTE-Pro class in next year’s FIA World Endurance Championship, with the French squad now focused on a potential two-car effort in GTE-Am.

The Jack Leconte-led squad had been exploring a number of different options, including a possible joint effort with Wayne Taylor Racing, that would have seen brothers Ricky and Jordan Taylor at the wheel of a 2016-spec Corvette C7.R for all of the regular-season WEC rounds.

A second deal, involving another GM factory driver, and two WEC GTE veterans, was understood to had also been in the works.

However, Leconte has told French media that he’s given up on prospects of a GTE-Pro program, after not being able to source a new Corvette, which is required per 2016 WEC GTE-Pro rules.

“Initially, we wanted to run one car in GTE-Pro and one in GTE-Am, but GM’s board has decided otherwise,” Leconte told la Nouvelle République. “So we will stay in GTE-Am but with the desire to run two Corvette C7.Rs.

“We’re working on this route, including being in contact with a French driver.”

Paolo Ruberti, Gianluca Roda and Kristan Poulsen piloted the team’s solo GTE-Am class Corvette this year, in what turned out to be one of Larbre’s most challenging seasons yet with no podium finishes.

A second 2015-spec Corvette is understood to be available, as both of the factory Corvette Racing entries have been replaced by new C7.Rs for next year.

Prospeed Competition plans to run one of the ex-Pratt & Miller cars in the European Le Mans Series under the Team AAI banner.

John Dagys

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