Chaz Mostert’s long-time right-hand man stepped back from Supercars at the end of 2023 and has returned to his roots in GT and endurance racing.
DeBorre is the technical director for GT World Challenge Australia Ferrari squad ARGT and has now extended his Prancing Horse connections to Europe.
He’s signed on as lead engineer for UK-based JMW Racing’s Spa 24 Hour effort and is also set to join the team at selected GT World Challenge Europe events.
“We have the opportunity to race against great teams like WRT at the Bathurst 12 Hour once a year,” DeBorre told Speedcafe.
“We want to bring ARGT up to the same level as those guys. The way to do that is to see them in action and race them abroad.”
DeBorre had alerted Ferrari of his intentions and was subsequently recommended to JMW’s team principal Tim Sugden.
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The duo happen to be longtime friends having worked together at Porsche during the early days of DeBorre’s career, before he settled in Supercars in the mid-2000s.
“It took all the little pieces to fall into place with my calendar and their calendar,” he said.
“It was pretty last-minute. I hopped on a plane and came over.”
DeBorre is also locked in for the three-hour Nurburgring and Portimao GT World Challenge Europe races.
For now the focus is on Spa, where JMW’s four-driver line-up of Thomas Kiefer, Rolf Ineichen, Tim Heinemann and Pierre-Louis Chovet will contest the Bronze Class.
DeBorre is busy learning the various regulations unique to Spa, while also keeping an eye on the forecast for its typically fickle weather.
The biggest challenge, though, is the sheer length of the race.
DeBorre has a fair idea of what he’s in for, having tackled an array of 24 hour races during his early days in the sport including Spa, Daytona and Le Mans.
“I’ve done plenty of them before, but I’m old now, so it’s going to be a challenge!” he said.
“The race obviously starts at 4:30 in the afternoon on Saturday, but you’re at the track from eight in the morning.
“So it’s not a 24-hour race, it’s a 38-hour race by the time you get through it all and pack everything up.
“It’s pretty mental, but it’s exciting. I’m genuinely looking forward to it.
“I could be a glutton for punishment but I like these challenges.
“The jet lag should help, I’ll be sharp as a tack at two in the morning!”
The Spa 24 Hour field includes Supercars co-drivers Bayley Hall and Bryce Fullwood, who both picked up late deals to compete.
Both flew to Spa after racing at Hidden Valley, while DeBorre was at Sydney Motorsport Park last weekend running son Ryan in Formula Ford.
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