Carrera Cup Champion Yardley in Muehlner Lineup for Rolex 24

Photo: Jessica Johnk/Porsche

Newly crowned Porsche Carrera Cup North America champion Ryan Yardley has been named in Muehlner Motorsport’s proposed effort for January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

As first revealed by Sportscar365 earlier this month, the Belgian squad has indicated plans to take part in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener after a three-year absence with a new Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo.

Yardley, who expressed ambitions of graduating into to WeatherTech Championship competition next year, would be joined by David Musial Sr. and Jr. plus Peter Ludwig in the GTD class effort, which is subject to entry confirmation by IMSA.

“We have been preparing this project for several years and we’re incredibly proud to finally go racing with this car and such a strong driver combination,” said team owner Bernhard Muehlner.

“Returning to Daytona in GTD is a big moment for us.”

Muehlner said the car will be shipped to Europe following the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener to take part in both the Nürburgring 24 and CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, with potential additional GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup races under evaluation.

As is the case in WeatherTech Championship competition, Muehlner’s entry for Spa would be subject to entry confirmation by SRO Motorsports Group, in an event that is also regularly over-subscribed.

The team also plans to contest the Michelin 24H Series Middle East Trophy with Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, which occurs on the two weekends prior to the Rolex 24, with the 24H Dubai set to clash with the mandatory Roar Before the Rolex 24.

“Having our 992 cars in Abu Dhabi and Dubai while we’re also heading to Daytona is a huge challenge for the whole team,” said Muehlner.

“Luckily, we’ve built a broad infrastructure over the years that allows us to handle programs like this successfully.”

Muehlner previously told Sportscar365 plans of also returning to VP Racing SportsCar Challenge next year with up to two Duqueine D08 Nissans, which will continue to be eligible in the series despite the introduction of latest-generation LMP3 machinery.

The entry list for the Rolex 24, which is expected to feature a capacity 61-car field, will be released early next month.

Source: Sports Car 365