Dempsey Proton to Field GTE-Pro Porsche for Lietz, Christensen

Porsche will continue in both the GTE-Pro and GTE-Am classes of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship season, with Dempsey Proton Racing stepping up to field a single Porsche 911 RSR in GTE-Pro.

Porsche confirmed Saturday night at its annual Night of Champions event in Weissach that newly crowned GTE-Pro driver’s champion Richard Lietz will have the chance to defend his title, again co-driving with Michael Christensen in the Proton-run 911 RSR.

The Proton effort, as previously revealed by Sportscar365, effectively replaces the two-car factory Porsche Team Manthey WEC operation, which as reported, will not return in 2016.

While Porsche’s full-season GTE-Pro presence will drop from two cars to one, the manufacturer will still have three cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the Porsche North America squad adding two extra cars to the race.

Proton, meanwhile, will also continue for another season in the GTE-Am category, but likely without Patrick Dempsey.

Dempsey, who competed in a majority of the WEC rounds this season but missed the Six Hours of Bahrain, could drive selected races when his filming commitments allow. He continues as a team partner.

The full lineup for the GTE-Am entries will be announced at a later date.