Lamborghini's Huracán could tear up the Le Mans track in 2018

By Ronan Glon August 18, 2016

2016 Lamborghini Huracan LP-580-2 — Ronan Glon/Digital Trends

Endurance racing seemingly gets more and more interesting every year. Porsche made a long-awaited comeback three years ago, Ford finally returned to the sport this year after a decadeslong hiatus, and a new report claims that Lamborghini is preparing to make its World Endurance Racing (WEC) debut in time for the 2018 season.

The push to compete in the WEC allegedly comes from new CEO Stefano Domenicali, a dyed-in-the-wool motorsport enthusiast who spent decades working for Ferrari’s Formula 1 team. At his request, a handful of engineers are busily transforming the mid-engined Huracán (pictured) into a world-class WEC racer. The project is secretly taking place at the company’s factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, with input from famed Italian engineering firm Dallara.

The connection between Dallara and Lamborghini isn’t as random as it might initially seem. Raging Bull aficionados will undoubtedly remember that Gian Paolo Dallara, the man who founded the company that bears his name in 1972, helped Lamborghini design the original Miura in the 1960s.

The Huracán is being designed to compete in the WEC’s Grand Touring Endurance (GTE) category, meaning it will need to fend off competition from similarly-modified Ford GTs, Chevrolet Corvettes, Porsche 911s, and Ferrari 488 GTBs. A WEC entry means that Lamborghini’s smallest and most agile model will compete in high-profile events such as the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans, held annually in France.

Read more: Lamborghini’s Italian Tour is the ultimate weekend getaway for car and food lovers alike

Lamborghini has categorically ruled out taking on Mercedes-Benz, Renault, and Ferrari in Formula 1, but the company hasn’t commented on the rumored WEC entry. However, Lamborghini president Andrea Cordovani conceded that “one cannot think of a brand as Lamborghini without motorsport,” according to website Motorsport.

If the rumor is accurate, we’ll find out more about Lamborghini’s plans to race in the WEC in the coming months.

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Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…

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