Era Motorsport IMSA drivers Kyle Tilley and Dwight Merriman will be contesting the 24 Hours of Le Mans with IDEC Sport, the team has announced. The pair will drive the #17 ORECA 07-Gibson with British driver Jonathan Kennard.
Tilley and Merriman teamed with IDEC Sporting Director Nicolas Minassian at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January, which planted the seeds for the partnership between the two teams.
“Participating in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the same year is just fantastic,” said Era Motorsport owner Tilley. “It’s an exceptional opportunity to be able to do the 24 Hours of Le Mans with such a great team.
It’s the biggest car race in the world, and we get to be part of it! I am still a little speechless.”
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d be running the 24 Hours of Le Mans in our first year of professional sports car racing,” added Merriman. “Kyle has been a great leader in what has been a crazy year.
We’re going to make the most of this opportunity with IDEC Motorsport and Jonathan Kennard.”
The Le Mans appearance will likely mean that Tilley and Merriman will not be able to compete in the IMSA rounds at Watkins Glen and Mid-Ohio, as COVID-19 restrictions mandate a self-quarantine period to be allowed into the country.
“We are very pleased to announce today the arrival of Kyle Tilley, Dwight Merriman, and Jonathan Kennard to IDEC SPORT for the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2020,” commented IDEC SPORT President Patrice Lafargue. “I know that we share the same values in motorsport. They are professional, passionate, and eager to learn.
Like us, they obviously want to get the best possible result at the 24 Hours of Le Mans while remaining humble.
We intend to make this new adventure a success. We are proud of the trust that Dwight, Kyle, and Jonathan have placed in us.”
