WTR Confirms Briscoe, Van der Zande; Dixon for Enduros

Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA

Ryan Briscoe will replace Jordan Taylor at the wheel of Wayne Taylor Racing’s Cadillac DPi.V-R, with Renger van der Zande returning for the full season and Scott Dixon joining the Cadillac DPi squad for the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races.

The team formally announced its 2020 lineup on Friday that also includes Toyota LMP1 ace Kamui Kobayahi for the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona.

As reported by Sportscar365 in September, the veteran Australian, who is managed by WTR co-owner Max Angelelli, had been linked to a return to prototype competition following the conclusion of the factory Ford GT program.

The 38-year-old will join Dutchman van der Zande, whose seat had been under some doubt in recent months, for the full ten-round championship, which kicks off in January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Briscoe is no stranger to the Indianapolis-based team, having made four previous Rolex 24 starts with WTR, the most recent coming in 2012.

“I’ve always had so much respect for the organization,” he said. “They’ve been so successful and are one of the most committed teams in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship.

“It’s an honor to join them as one of their full-time drivers. The Cadillac DPi is a fantastic machine and I can’t wait to drive it.”

Van der Zande, meanwhile, continues for a third consecutive season with the team.

“This team is all about continuity and repetition, doing things better and better every time you do them,” he said. “That’s why there are so many people with this team who have been there for 10-plus years, some over 15 years.

“That’s also what makes this team good, makes it great.

“Obviously we’re working on having great success in 2020. I’m happy to continue, happy to move forward, and this definitely feels like my American home.”

Dixon, who was Briscoe’s Endurance Cup teammate at Ford Chip Ganassi Racing, has been given permission from both CGR and Honda to undertake the long-distance races for the team in its Cadillac DPi.V.R.

“With the Ford GT program coming to a conclusion in 2019, the opportunity with Wayne Taylor Racing became available, and it’s something I’m really excited about,” the Kiwi said.

“I’ve always loved racing Prototypes and to get back to the top class is something I’m looking forward to, for sure.

“Wayne and his team run a very strong program and have been proven contenders for years, now.

“Ryan and I obviously have a long history together, so I think that will be important, as well, to get a fast start. I’m looking forward to teaming up with Renger and Kamui and hope to contribute to the overall success of the No. 10 car.”

Kobayashi, meanwhile, was confirmed earlier this year as the first driver in the team’s Rolex 24 at Daytona title defense.

Taylor: “Some of the Biggest Ever Changes” Made to Team’s Lineup

Wayne Taylor believes the addition of Briscoe and Dixon has resulted in one of the most biggest changes to its driver lineup ever.

It comes on the heels of Jordan Taylor’s departure, who had been with his family-owned team for the last seven years.

“Ricky [Taylor] left two years ago and Jordan’s been with us since forever, it seems like,” Wayne said. “With him leaving, we’re in some ways starting with a clean sheet of paper.

“Renger has been with us for two years and he has done a good job. Ryan and Max and I have always worked together, so there is a lot of familiarity there.

“For the longer races, we’re excited to have Kamui back to help defend our Daytona championship, and Scott Dixon certainly brings us a fresh, new look to the team with a history of winning races and championships.

“The team is looking forward to some change. You’ve got to have change in life and I think this is a good time.”

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