Stick a fork in the Viper program?

SRT Motorsports will not take part in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, Sportscar365 has learned.

Multiple French reports have indicated that the Detroit automaker has pulled its two-car factory GTE-Pro effort, ahead of next month’s deadline for the final entry deposits.

The Viper made its return to the twice-around-the-clock French endurance classic last year, as the first year of a planned multi-year program.

However, lower-than-expected sales of the V10-powered sports car recently forced the temporary closure of its production plant in Detroit, likely prompting a tightened budget on its motorsports programs.

The pair of Riley Technologies-built Viper GTS-Rs were due to be driven by Dominik Farnbacher, Marc Goossens, Rob Bell (No. 93) and Jonathan Bomarito, Kuno Wittmer and Jeroen Bleekemolen (No. 94).

As a result, the first two GTE reserve entries, the No. 66 JMW Motorsport Ferrari F458 Italia and Team Taisan’s Ferrari, will soon be confirmed for the race.

SRT’s withdrawal leaves Corvette Racing and Dempsey Racing-Proton, plus the FIA WEC season-long 8Star Motorsports squad, as the only American efforts in this year’s race.

No word has been given if there will be any effect on its TUDOR United SportsCar Championship program, although both cars are entered for next month’s round at Long Beach. Sportscar365