Despite having had two solid results so far in this year’s TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, SRT Viper has withdrawn from the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The announcement comes amidst reports that Chrysler are suspending production of the road going Viper for a few months because of slow sales.
“We regretfully and respectfully decline to participate in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. “We are honored to once again be invited by the ACO to compete in this historic event, and they were the first to be informed of our decision. We will remain focused on our North American racing program in 2014.”
Indeed their first of taste of Le Mans in more than a decade last year left a poor taste in the mouth for many with eighth and ninth the best the squad could manage in LMGTEPro.
“We are sorry to learn that SRT Motorsports has withdrawn from the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Vincent Beaumesnil, the ACO’s sports director. “Viper had a lot of success in the GT class of our race back in the ’90s and their return last year was very promising. There’s no doubt that come 2015, SRT will certainly find its way once again to the Le Mans track and we will be happy to welcome back this highly valued competitor.”
A formal announcement is expected from the company soon but their campaign in the TUDOR Championship is expected to be unaffected.
