Driver Spotlight: Ricky Taylor

Driver, No. 10 Konica Minolta Wayne Taylor Racing Corvette DP

Follow: @RickyTaylor_10

How different was it to drive a P2 car in Le Mans versus a DP car in the TUDOR Championship?

“The car was very different. It felt much more like a single seater. Very light, a lot of downforce but at the same time quite a lot less power. The driving style was quite different as it was much more momentum driven. I really had a lot of fun with the car, especially the Porsche Curves where the car was extremely quick.”

Tell us a little about your time in Le Mans and how your race went…

“We really struggled for pace all week and were consistently off of the front runners. Our plan was to just stay consistent and limit mistakes as we knew we wouldn’t have the pace. The car ran perfectly for the entire 24 hours. I had a blowout on Mulsanne in the middle of the night which cost us about 10 or 11 laps but there was nothing we could’ve done to prevent that. I was in the rain for both times that it rained and that was one of the most difficult conditions I’ve dealt with at Le Mans, going even 60kph was a challenge in the wet on slicks.”

What kind of challenges does Watkins Glen present as a track?



“Watkins Glen is the fastest track we go to in terms of cornering speeds. Although it is such a high speed circuit, it requires a lot of focus and the car must be placed very precisely. This year, more than years past, it will be physically challenging as our new updates will increase g-forces in the corner and put a lot more load through the driver which is the reason a lot of teams are opting for three drivers.”

How much more physically demanding is an endurance race versus a 2.75-hour race?

“Surprisingly it is not much more demanding as the intensity of a sprint race is so high and the pressure to be at the front is so much more important. We also are able to take longer breaks with three drivers which is nice.”

What’s your most memorable family vacation?

“Probably going to Le Mans in 2001 and 2002 to watch Dad race with Cadillac. Jordan and I would sit in the GM hospitality for hours and hours watching timing and scoring. I remember jumping on the beds with Jordan during the night of the race only to have Kelly Collins come in the room and tell us we had to go to sleep. It is funny now because Johnny O’Connell, who drives with Jordan sometimes, called us “the mini me’s”.