Exclusive: Taylor Brothers Team up in WTR Corvette for 2014

Photo: Brian Cleary/GRAND-AM

It will be an all-family affair at Wayne Taylor Racing next year, as Sportscar365 has learned that brothers Ricky and Jordan Taylor will join forces in their father’s Corvette DP in the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

Following an impressive first full season in prototype competition that delivered five wins en route to the DP championship, 22-year-old Jordan will remain at the wheel of the Dallara-chassied entry, teamed with older brother Ricky, who returns to WTR after a one-year stint with Spirit of Daytona Racing.

Having driven for his father’s team from 2010-12, Ricky Taylor fills the seat of longtime WTR driver Max Angelelli, who moves into the role as a third driver for the endurance races, beginning with the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona.

According to Wayne Taylor, the chance to put his two sons behind the wheel of a championship-contending car was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

“This a dream situation for me and I want to thank Chevrolet, Velocity WorldWide and Toshiba for making this happen and allowing me to run both boys next year,” he said. “Quite honestly, this opportunity might never ever come again for me. I just think that’s going to be a great thing for the fans and for the series.

“I have to thank Max also for making the decision to stand down to make it available for Ricky. He’s an integral part of my organization. He’s not only my partner but he will play a big role in the beginning of the season with the two endurance races straight off the bat.

“And I also have to thank everybody at Spirit of Daytona Racing for having Ricky all this year as he learned a lot from the team. I think we’re going to be really strong.”

Although having been rivals on the track last season, Ricky and Jordan have previously driven together on three occasions in the 2009 Rolex Sports Car Series season, sharing the wheel of Beyer Racing’s Riley-Chevy DP.

“It’s definitely a whole new level now,” Ricky Taylor said. “Those were really [Jordan’s] first two races in a Daytona Prototype so he was just getting up to speed. These days, he’s the guy to beat.

“It will be nice to drive to him. We get along really well. I think everybody will be wondering about a sibling rivalry but I think we know that if we’re going to get a good result, we’re not going to fight each other. I think we’re both looking forward to it and make a great team, especially with Max at the long distance races.”

The Taylor brothers have enjoyed a high rate of success within the WTR organization.

Ricky earned seven victories and 10 poles in his first three-year stint, including two runner-up finishes in the DP championship, while Jordan claimed five wins and three poles en route to the DP title this year.

“It’s going to be special having Ricky on the team and come back home to where he grew up,” Jordan Taylor said. “We’ve always talked about doing it together and having a whole family team. It’s nice to have it all come together like this.

“I don’t think we wanted to do it initially because we both wanted to prove ourselves on our own. I think Ricky did that pretty early on. He had that one year with seven poles and a lot of wins. For me, winning the championship with the team was a good way to solidify myself as a driver, and not just a driver’s son.

“It’s cool that we both have success and can both now have a reason to drive together for my dad’s team, not just being a couple of kids driving for their dad and taking it the easy way.”

Wayne Taylor confirmed the team will again focus its efforts on a single-car operation next year, despite having worked hard to secure funding for a second Corvette DP entry.

It’s understood Spirit of Daytona has already secured its 2014 driver lineup and is expected to be announced early next week.

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