With the exception of the 2004 season, Spyker has been a permanent fixture at Le Mans and in the larger Le Mans Series since 2002. But this year looks set to be another exception as the Spyker Squadron is apparently opting to sit out the season.

@funkmasterflex

The reason? To develop a new race car. Because the works team reportedly feels it has taken the existing Laviolette GT2-R to the limits of its potential, focus has shifted to turning the new C8 Aileron into a new challenger.

The Aileron is both longer and wider than the model it replaces, giving the Squadron more to work with. The car is being prepared for the GTE category that replaces the GT2 class, with potential for GT1 and GT3 versions to be commissioned by privateer teams for other series.

We’ll be anxious to see if reports that the Aileron is switching to Corvette ZR1 power will translate to the race track as well when the Aileron GT set to hit the grid in 2012.