Corvette Racing driver Jordan Taylor has opened up on ‘bittersweet’ feelings as this weekend’s Petit Le Mans marks his final with the General Motors manufacturer before his return to his father’s GTP team next year.
Through a statement on X formerly known as Twitter, the 32-year-old GTD Pro driver shared his heartfelt thoughts prior to the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season finale at Road Atlanta.
He previously drove in his father’s Wayne Taylor Racing outfit from the 2014 Daytona Prototype era, to the 2019 season which marked the final year before WTR moved to Acura machinery.
He has competed with Corvette Racing since the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours, where he drove in the C6.R with current teammate Antonio García and former long-time GM factory driver Jan Magnussen.
“The start of a bittersweet weekend, my last with Corvette Racing,” the 2015 GTE Pro Le Mans winner said.
“The journey began in 2012. I was 20 years old with just a few full years of GT racing under my belt and drafted in to be the third driver for the endurance races.
“Looking at my pictures like the one above (a photo of a young J. Taylor in his Corvette race suit) still puts a knot in my stomach.
“It reminds me of the person I was. Memories of the lack of confidence i had both inside the car and out. The feeling of not belonging, the insecurities, and the fact I didn’t feel deserving to be in the position I was in.
“It was a huge leap of faith by Corvette Racing to put me in the car. Coming into a championship-winning, fan-favourite with absolute monster drivers.
“To say it was intimidating would be an understatement.
“It took time, but pushing through the discomfort and breaking out of that shell of insecurity was the best thing that ever happened, and I have to thank this group for that.
“Being surrounded by amazing teammates [in] those first few years – Antonio [Garcia], Jan [Magnussen], Olly [Gavin], Tommy [Milner] and Richard [Westbrook] – an amazing crew and an unbelievable fanbase, I’ve grown into a person that I can be proud of.”
For the 10-hour endurance race this Saturday 14, he will compete with fellow full-season driver Garcia and endurance driver Milner in the pursuit of a GTD Pro-class victory.
Corvette Racing are set to continue in sportscars from 2024 with the ZO6 GT3.R package, as Taylor is set for a return to Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti.
With three overall 24 Hours of Daytona wins, two 12 Hours of Sebring wins and two Petit Le Mans victories, plus 12 IMSA race wins at Corvette, Taylor looks to expand on his highly successful racing record into the top-tier GTP era which began this year.
The entry list for the 2024 IMSA season is set to be confirmed in an announcement later this week, and he is expected to drive the #40 Acura ARX-06 with teammate Louis Deletraz, as their third and fourth (Daytona 24) drivers are yet to be confirmed.
Next year’s IMSA WeatherTech campaign will commence with the Roar Before the 24 on 19-21 January, and the 61st edition of the 24 Hours of Daytona on 27-28 January.
