Wayne Taylor Racing and 13 Autosport part of a massive GM effort for June’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The entry list for this summer’s 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans was released February 19. On the 62-car entry list were some familiar teams to American sportscar followers. IMSA stables Wayne Taylor Racing and 13 Autosport (previously ran as AWA) will be making the journey back to France to be part of the biggest endurance race in the world.

Differing Debuts

Both teams made their debuts in the French classic last year with mixed results. Fidani and his team, under the AWA banner, finished tenth in the LMGT3 class with their Corvette, three laps off the winner. Wayne Taylor Racing, on the other hand, retired in the middle of the night due to engine troubles with their Cadillac Hypercar. Both team owners are eager to build on last years’ experience.

“[WEC] is a different championship with different rules and regulations, it doesn’t feel second nature the way it does in IMSA,” says Orey Fidani, Team Owner of 13 Autosport, to GT REPORT. He goes on to add, “While we were no strangers to endurance racing…we had more elements to take into account.”

Speaking of not being a stranger, Wayne Taylor is no stranger to Le Mans. He has competed in the race as a driver on 13 occasions. But bringing his team to the race was a completely different experience. “Everyone on the team was learning,” Taylor says. “It is difficult to make a lot of changes as fast as you can than in IMSA,” he said speaking on the massive size of the lap at Circuit de la Sarthe. Another aspect Taylor spoke on was the time invested, “The length and time you are over [in France] is long and hard. It’s high pressure from the moment you land in Paris to the time you leave…it’s all a rush.”

As far as what will carry over for this year, Fidani says it’s all about the little things. “Small efficiencies in execution can translate into big gains over 24 hours, and we know we can come into this year with more clarity.”

A Serious Showcase

Both squads return as part of a huge presence for GM in this year’s Le Mans. The American manufacturer will be represented by a total of seven entries. WTR gained the automatic IMSA entry after Porsche pulled out of WEC leaving the Penske team unable to use their invite. WTR joins Hertz Team JOTA to give Cadillac three entries in the Hypercar category. “We have had such a long relationship with GM and Cadillac…everybody has been so supportive of Wayne Taylor Racing. It’s a real honor and huge responsibility which people don’t understand,” Taylor said.

13 Autosport will once again join TF Sport (pictured here) in fielding Corvettes in this year’s Le Mans

13 Autosport returns after Orey Fidani earned the Bob Akin Award for the second consecutive year. The invite, given to the top Bronze-rated GTD driver over the season, boosts Corvette’s LMGT3 count to four (a first since the 1960s). 13 Autosport will join TF Sport with their two WEC entries and a third Le Mans only entry in collaboration with the Asian JMR outfit. Fidani is honored to help fly the GM banner: “To be aligned with General Motors at Le Mans is something we’re extremely proud of. GM has such a deep history at this race, especially through the Corvette program, and being part of that global effort is significant for our team.”

One Team

In both categories, General Motors has their entries combine under a united One Team Philosophy. “One of the big things Eric [Warren, GM Vice President of Global Motorsports Competition] said to me…the goal of GM and Cadillac…that there is going to be three teams…it was important to them we were one team,” Taylor said.

Wayne Taylor Racing joins Cadillac HERTZ Team JOTA flying Cadillac’s banner at Le Mans in 2026 Photo Courtesy: Cadillac Racing

Taylor was very complimentary of his WEC counterparts in following GM’s ethos. “[Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA] played a big role last year in helping ourselves get sorted out,” Taylor recalled. “Every single lap we know what our partners are doing on track…we very much work hand in hand with them.”

Fidani spoke equally highly of TF Sport – Corvette’s WEC entrant, “There’s a natural camaraderie and a lot of collaboration when you’re representing the same manufacturer and platform in the Corvette program.” The synergy flowed between the teams throughout race week. “Open dialogue, shared understanding of the car, mutual respect across the board…it is great to have them as a resource,” Fidani said of the working partnership.

Representing IMSA

While Wayne Taylor Racing and 13 Autosport will be far from the only teams representing IMSA at Le Mans, representing the sport is a badge both wear proudly.  “As a driver and an owner, I have been a part of IMSA for over 30 years. As proud as I am to represent GM and Cadillac, the same goes for IMSA,” says Taylor.

AWA’s Canadian Themed Livery from the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours Photo Courtesy: Team AWA

As for the Canadian Fidani, there is added national significance. “Representing Canada on the world stage is such an honor, and it is incredibly meaningful to all of us. We’re proud to carry that flag and showcase our roots in the biggest endurance race in the world. We have a great deal of talent and professionalism coming out of Canada and IMSA competition, and it’s important to us to make it known.”

2026 Expectations

Now that both teams have shaken off the first year gitters, both owners have one goal in mind for this year. “The goal is always to win. We’re not just here to show up, we’re here to compete and fight at the front,” Fidani remarks. “I think we were all happy with a top 10 finish in our first outing last year, but we’re hungry for more.” Taylor’s expectations are no different. “For the amount of preparation my team and Cadillac have put in, Cadillac wouldn’t be going if they didn’t think we could go and win this race. We are going to do everything possible to put ourselves in position to win.”

Spoken like true racers.

On the talent front, both teams have unchanged driver lineups. WTR has the Taylor brothers, Ricky and Jordan, joined by Filipe Albuquerque in the #101 Cadillac. At 13 Autosport, in addition to owning the car, Fidani will be the Bronze rated driver in the #13 Corvette. German Lars Kern returns at the team’s Silver rated driver with British veteran Matt Bell completing the trio.

Same drivers, same machinery. Things look well for both teams to improve on their 2025 showings. But, in closing, Orey Fidani said it best, “Anything can happen at Le Mans.”

The aforementioned busy schedule begins with Scrutineering (Inspection) on June 5 with the Official Test Day June 7. Official race week activity begins Wednesday, June 10 with practice and qualifying. The spectacle of on and off-track festivities culminate with the 24 Hours June 13-14.

Featured Image: The Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans