Canadian team 13 Autosport has announced an expanded programme for the 2027 racing season, centered around a continued full-season programme in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class, a return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, and a first entry in the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour on 14 February.
The core trio of 13 Autosport owner/driver Orey Fidani, Corvette Racing factory driver Matt Bell, and endurance specialist Lars Kern return for the 2027 IMSA season. Fidani and Bell will drive full-time in the #13 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R Evo, joined by Kern throughout the five-race Michelin Endurance Cup.
13 Autosport is also evaluating the possibility of adding “additional European events” to its expanded programme, though no further details have yet been revealed.
Fidani won the Bob Akin Award for the third year in a row, granting him and his team an automatic invitation to Le Mans in the LMGT3 class. He and Bell finished fifth in the IMSA GTD Drivers’ championship, with best finishes of third at Indianapolis and fourth at Daytona.
“I’m incredibly proud of this team and everything we’ve accomplished together,” said Fidani. “We have a special group of people at 13 Autosport, and what we achieved this year is a reflection of how hard everyone has worked. Winning the Bob Akin Award again, finishing fifth in the GTD Championship and earning another opportunity to go to Le Mans are things we’re very proud of, but we’re not done.
“There’s a lot more we want to accomplish together, and I’m really excited about what we have planned for 2027.”
“It’s great to be continuing with Orey and 13 Autosport into the 2027 IMSA season,” Bell said. “We’ve built a great group of people here, and I love driving with my teammates and working with this team. I’m really happy that we get to keep everything going and hopefully have another shot at some big wins in IMSA and another journey to Le Mans.
“We’re also looking a little further afield next season and adding some special races to the 13 Autosport programme. The opportunity to race at Bathurst is incredibly exciting, and there are some other things we’re looking at in Europe as well. It’s a really exciting time for 13 Autosport, and I’m glad to be part of it.”
Kern is also slated to be part of 13 Autosport’s third trip to Le Mans in June, hoping for better fortune than the team suffered when it was the first retirement from the race after just 61 laps.
“I just hope we never stop doing what we’re doing here,” said Kern. “Orey, Matt and the entire 13 Autosport crew have become like a second family to me. I enjoy this journey so much, and going back to Le Mans is the cherry on top.
“Now I just can’t wait to get into the Evo version of our Corvette Z06 GT3.R and do it all over again. Let’s make 2027 a great season and create even more memories together.”
Andrew Wojteczko, whose AWA team was purchased by Fidani after the 2025 season, will continue as a consultant to the team, while Competition Director Jeff Braun departs after a successful three-year tenure headlined by a GTD class victory in the 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona, along with three Bob Akin Awards.
Images © Jack Webster / Dailysportscar.com
