Ricky Taylor named ORECA Technology reserve driver for the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans

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1 June 2021 - 0 views

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With 24 ORECA chassis entered in the LMP2 class at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans on 21-22 August, the ongoing effects of the global health crisis and an intense race week, ORECA Technology is leaving nothing to chance. The constructor has recruited Ricky Taylor as a reserve driver if need arises within any team fielding an ORECA 07 in the race.

For race week and the 89th 24 Hours of Le Mans including the test day, free practices and qualifying sessions, ORECA Technology is making available Ricky Taylor, one of the most talented American drivers of his generation, to the 19 teams entering an ORECA chassis.

Taylor has taken the start in the race six times, most recently in 2019 at the wheel of Jackie Chan DC Racing’s ORECA 07. He became a two-time IMSA champion last year with Acura Team Penske, boasts two Rolex 24 at Daytona wins in 2017 and 2021, one at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2017 and one at Petit Le Mans in 2014. Taylor is an ideal candidate to step in if the withdrawal of a driver were to occur.

At the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans, Patrick Pilet replaced Dwight Merriman in IDEC SPORT Racing’s #17 ORECA at a moment’s notice. This year, ORECA Technology will provide its teams optimum support by having an experienced and effective driver on site and at the ready.

Ricky Taylor: “Over the past 4 years the work between Acura and ORECA has seen some great success, thank you to Acura and WTR for releasing me for this event. It has been wonderful to build the relationship with such an accomplished constructor. I’d also like to thank Mr. De Chaunac for having me. ORECA has an amazing history at Le Mans and it’s an honor to be named as their reserve driver.”

ORECA Group Customer Racing Program Manager Anthony Megevand: “We strive to support our teams at the highest level, and given the context this year, we have decided to make available a reserve driver for the 2021 24 Hours. Bringing on Ricky quickly became a no-brainer. He has everything a driver needs to do Le Mans. He has experienced the race, he knows the ORECA 07, he is fast and has excellent adaptability. Ricky is a top-notch athlete and someone we greatly admire as a person. We are truly fortunate to have such a talented driver like Ricky with us and thank both Wayne Taylor Racing and HPD for agreeing to release him for this event.”