WEC: Riley Viper in for Le Mans

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The No. 53 SRT Viper GTS-R entered by the Riley Motorsports-Ti Automotive squad will be on the grid after all for the Le Mans 24 Hours on June 13-14. The car, which was listed as an alternate on the original entry list, will take the place left vacant by the withdrawal of the No. 39 Morgan Evo-SARD, originally entered by the Sard Morand team. The Viper's last outing in the Le Mans 24 Hours was in 2013, when SRT Motorsports fielded two GTS-Rs.

The only driver officially nominated for the Viper is Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen, although the team said when it lodged its reserve entry in February that Ben Keating – who co-drove the Riley-Ti Viper GT3-R to the GTD class victory at the Rolex 24 at Daytona (ABOVE, Marshall Pruett photo) – would also be on the driving team if its entry was approved. Bleekemolen, who co-drove to a 2008 LMP2 class victory at Le Mans, also won two GTD races last year with Keating in the IMSA TUDOR Championship.

“The 24 Hours of Le Mans is always a highlight on the calendar,” Bleekemolen said. “The atmosphere during race week, and to drive the track itself, is just amazing. I have many great memories of the race but winning there stands out. To be on top of the podium with all the fans in front of you is a special feeling. I hope to be able to get another win at Le Mans.”

The Le Mans test day is set for Sunday, May 31. All those entered for the race are eligible to run in this free practice session as well as the two current reserves in the Prototype category (the No. 44 Ibanez Racing ORECA 03R-Nissan and the KCMG ORECA 03R-Nissan). There are two reserves in LM GTE (the No. 60 Formula Racing Ferrari 458 Italia and No. 86 Gulf Racing UK Porsche) and two additional Ferraris run by AF Corse (Nos. 81 and 82).

As the new LM P3s are allowed to take part in the test day but not in the 24 Hours, the two LNT Ginetta-Nissans have been selected with the Scuderia Villorba Corse as a reserve. It will be allowed to participate if a place becomes free in the pits.