CORE autosport Ceases Operations

Photo: CORE autosport

Longtime championship-winning organization CORE autosport has ceased operations after 13 years of competition.

The Jon Bennett-owned operation recently won the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship LMP3 title with Bennett and co-driver Colin Braun in a Ligier JS P320 Nissan and had amassed 15 championships across driver, team and Michelin Endurance Cup categories since its formation in 2010.

While having entered cars in nearly every category of IMSA competition, including the DPi, LMP3, LMPC, GTLM and GTD classes in the WeatherTech Championship, the Rock Hill, S.C.-based team was best known for its factory partnership with Porsche from 2014 to 2020 that delivered numerous wins and championships to the German manufacturer.

In addition to Porsche’s overall triumph at Petit Le Mans in 2015, CORE had also scored overall WeatherTech Championship victories at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and Road America with an Oreca 07 Gibson in 2018 that was driven by the Pro-Am pairing of Braun and Bennett.

CORE had also ventured into the DPi class with the Nissan DPi package prior to refocusing its efforts to LMP3 in recent years, where it completed its final race in last month’s season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

“From towing a race car to SCCA races in 1992 to winning races in IMSA’s top prototype class with Colin Braun in 2018, I have had an amazing, dreamlike experience in the sport I love so much,” Bennett said.

“This was a tremendously difficult decision, but as life outside of racing continues to take my focus away from the driver’s seat, I recognize that it’s time to bring this wild ride to an end.

“Thank you to Colin Braun who dedicated 10 years of his career to deliver flawless, world-class speed to CORE autosport.

“Colin’s speed and spirit enabled our team to achieve great success and multiple championships in IMSA. Most of all, I gained a wonderful, life-long friend.

“Thank you, Morgan Brady, Jeff Braun, Brian Colangelo and all of the CORE autosport team for the tireless pursuit of perfection and excellence. Our on-track success originates from the pit wall and the endless hours of preparation.

‘Thank you to Porsche Motorsport for the honor of representing their brand for seven seasons. Under the leadership of Morgan Brady, CORE and Porsche collaborated to add many memorable victories and championships to Porsche’s long history of excellence.

“I was a fan of IMSA during the fire-throwing GTP days of the early 1980s and it has been an honor to be an IMSA competitor for the past 13 seasons. Thank you, IMSA, for all of your support.

“Now, it’s time [once again] to unclip the HANS device and become a spectator. I look forward to the rebirth of GTP factory prototype racing and the spectacular season ahead for IMSA.

“I will be there, just behind the chain link fence, watching with the excitement of a child.”

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