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Wayne Taylor: “No Firm Deal” on 2021 DPi Manufacturer

Wayne Taylor in discussions with “three or four” manufacturers for 2021 and beyond…

Photo: Brian Cleary/WTR

Wayne Taylor says that he currently has “no firm deal” with a manufacturer for the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, amid increasing speculation that Wayne Taylor Racing could make the switch from Cadillac to Acura.

The longtime GM entrant, whose contract with the manufacturer is up for renewal at the end of this year, has revealed that he’s in discussions with “three or four” different OEMs for either next year or when the LMDh platform debuts.

Speaking with Sportscar365 Saturday at Road America, Taylor said he’s focused on committing to a long-term partnership that would take his team to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“Presently I’m under contract with GM,” Taylor said. “I’ve certainly been approached by three or four different car manufacturers but there’s no firm deal out there.

“If you want to be the closest, my closest [option] is with GM.

“I’ve been with them for 28 years. All of those guys have been good to me over the years and have been good to my kids. Loyalty is a big thing.”

While not acknowledging discussions with Acura, Taylor admitted it would be a “great offer” if he could have his son, Ricky Taylor, back at WTR in the future.

Despite Ricky currently driving for Team Penske, Sportscar365 understands the 30-year-old, as is the case with defending IMSA DPi champion Dane Cameron, is contracted to Honda Performance Development.

It was announced last month that Acura will part ways with Team Penske at the end of the year, opening the door for the likelihood of multiple Acura-supported DPi teams in 2021.

Wayne indicated he will likely have a decision on his team’s future by the end of the month, once the finalized LMDh regulations are released.

“As soon as that day is done I’ll know exactly where I’m going,” he said.

He said a funded effort to take his team back to Le Mans would be one of the determining factors.

“For me personally it is, very much so,” Taylor said. “I can’t go there without anybody that’s going to be in a financial position to fund it properly because it’s the world’s stage.

“I think we can do it. It just depends on money.

“Right now it’s difficult times given the fact that nobody really knows what’s going on in the world with this virus. The virus affects sponsors and car manufacturers.

“Everybody’s scrambling to try and find security with that.”

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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