Hardwick Evaluating Multiple GTE-Am Options for Le Mans

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Ryan Hardwick is evaluating multiple options for his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut next year, with this year’s IMSA WetherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class runner-up ideally wanting to sample all three available GTE-Am car options before making a final decision.

Hardwick, who drove a Proton Competition Porsche 911 RSR-19 following last month’s European Le Mans Series season finale in Portimao, is turning laps in Sunday’s FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test in the No. 777 D’Station Racing Aston Martin Vantage GTE.

The 42-year-old Bronze-rated driver earned an entry into next year’s French endurance classic by winning IMSA’s Bob Akin Award in GTD, and despite his links to Porsche, has not made a decision on the car and team that would operate his entry.

“I had planned on evaluating as many of the options as I could for Le Mans,” Hardwick told Sportscar365.

“Obviously I tested the RSR first with Proton at Portimao after the ELMS race. That was a good test.

“I got connected to TF Sport. I have a high respect for them and obviously have always followed Ben [Keating] and his career and he’s had a lot of success here so I was intrigued by the team and the car and wanted to give it a shot.

“That’s why I’m here.”

Hardwick said he’s placing a “serious focus” into his Le Mans debut and wants to get first-hand experience of the available options.

“This test is mainly for Le Mans with the GTE,” he said. “Even the RSR is quite different from what I’m used to driving, the GTD. I just wanted to try it.

“I’ve [also] been invited to test with Ferrari. It depends on how this test goes but I’m interested to try the Ferrari and I’d like to try all three if I could to try and make the best decision.

“Next year’s Le Mans is a serious focus for me. Obviously with it being the 100th year anniversary and being my first time, I want to give it every effort I can to not only just drive but compete and do well.”

While not yet confirmed, Hardwick indicated that he intends to continue with Wright Motorsports in a new Type-992 Porsche 911 GT3 R in the WeatherTech Championship next year.

It comes as the Ohio-based team expands into a two-car operation with the addition of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge GS champions and Alan Brynjolfsson and Trent Hindman in a second GTD entry.

“I haven’t worked out everything but for IMSA but I expect to be back,” Hardwick said. “We’re still working through some details but it will be with Wright and it will in a Porsche.”

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