Ricky Taylor Joins DragonSpeed for Barcelona Season Opener

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Ricky Taylor will make a cameo appearance in next month’s European Le Mans Series season-opener in Barcelona with DragonSpeed, which has committed to a full-season effort in LMP2.

The reigning IMSA DPi champion and Rolex 24 at Daytona winner will join Hendrik Hedman and Ben Hanley at the wheel of the team’s Oreca 07 Gibson for the April 18 event at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Additional ‘guest’ drivers will take the seat for the remainder of the six-round ELMS season.

“I’ve always admired DragonSpeed’s accomplishments on and off the track, so I’m excited and grateful for the chance to join the team alongside Henrik and Ben,” said Taylor.

“My ELMS debut will let me combine my enjoyment of racing LMP2 with a shot at the top step of the podium as part of a team that’s been there many times.”

DragonSpeed’s newly confirmed ELMS effort comes in addition to its FIA World Endurance Championship program with Hanley, Hedman and Juan Pablo Montoya, also in the LMP2 Pro-Am subclass.

“Our ELMS program is really designed to support our WEC effort,” said team principal Elton Julian.

“Carrying over a Bronze-plus-two-pros lineup to the ELMS will help sharpen our WEC Pro/Am campaign in terms of driver preparation, race strategy, and acclimating to the new spec Goodyear tires.

“Having the ELMS prologue and first round at Barcelona is a bonus, given that our shop is just five minutes from the circuit.

“The ELMS races are also a perfect way for us to bring some great drivers into the team as ‘guest stars’ with an eye on our ambition to compete at the top level of global sports car racing.”

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