Corvette Racing has confirmed that it has signed Jordan Taylor to become a full-season GTLM driver for the first IMSA season of competition for the C8.R. He will race alongside Antonio Garcia in the #3 seat previously filled by longstanding factory man Jan Magnussen.
This marks the first time in almost a decade that Corvette Racing has made a tweak to its full-season factory line up.
Taylor has previous experience as a driver for Corvette Racing, having been part of the team’s endurance lineup from 2012-2017, competing at select IMSA rounds and at Le Mans (winning the GTE Pro class in 2015). Garcia and Taylor were endurance teammates in 2012-14 and again in 2017.
“It’s a huge honour to be back with Corvette Racing for 2020 and part of the full-season line-up,” Taylor said. “I’m very proud to be joining one of the most successful teams in sports car racing history and to represent the Corvette and Chevrolet brands. I was very fortunate to spend six years with Corvette in the endurance races driving both the C6.R and C7.R.
“Now being back with the brand new C8.R is really special. I am especially happy to be back driving alongside Antonio, who I believe is one of the best GT drivers in the world. I know I will have a lot to learn over the next few months leading to Daytona, but I’m ready and looking forward to the challenge of GTLM.”
This news means that Jordan Taylor will no longer race with Wayne Taylor Racing in the DPi class.
“I want to congratulate Jordan on being named a factory driver for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing,” a statement from Wayne Taylor said. “As a father, I can’t express how proud I am to have both my sons in factory rides and, even though they are no longer with Wayne Taylor Racing, I can only wish them well. Our new driver line-up for the 2020 season will be announced in the coming days.”
In the team’s second car, the #4, Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner return for a ninth consecutive season, Gavin the team’s longest-standing driver, back for a 19th consecutive season. This quartet of drivers is highly experienced in IMSA competition, with 102 race wins and 13 championships combined.
“It’s another honour to represent Chevrolet and Corvette Racing again in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship,” Gavin said. “If you had told me back in 2002 when I first joined the program that I would continue for 19 years, I’d never believe it. I’m appreciative of the confidence that everyone at Corvette Racing has in me, and I’m absolutely delighted to be back with Tommy now in the Corvette C8.R. It’s a wonderful car to drive and is a huge step forward for Corvette Racing.
“Tommy and I have been together for many races and many seasons. Certainly, last year was full of misfortune and things not going our way. The great thing about Corvette Racing is that we always try to take that next step above our competitors, and I think we have an excellent chance to do that with the C8.R.”
The two crews will race together as a full-season quartet for the first time at the Rolex 24 Hours next January. Corvette’s 2020 endurance drivers are yet to be named.
Featured image courtesy of Corvette Racing
