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Le Mans / ALMS
ALMS: Alex Job Inks Lotus GT Deal
Team principal Alex Job confirmed that IndyCar driver Townsend Bell will partner with AJR driver Bill Sweedler, beginning at Long Beach...
The black and gold Lotus colors will also be seen in the ALMS with Townsend Bell and Bill Sweedler representing the marque on behalf of Alex Job Racing. (Photo: AJR)
Lotus will be represented on the American Le Mans Series grid, following today’s announcement that Alex Job Racing will field a factory backed Evora GTE in the highly competitive GT ranks this year.
The veteran Porsche squad, which earned GT class championships from 2002-2004, will re-enter the premier production-based category after three seasons in the GTC class.
Bill Sweedler will step up to the GT category, joined by IndyCar ace Towsend Bell in the Yokohama-shod Lotus, which will debut in the series’ second round of the season at Long Beach in April.
"I am excited to announce the racing partnership between Lotus and Alex Job Racing in North America," said Job. “Our efforts and ability to attract Lotus is a testament to the hard work that AJR has put in over the past several years.
“This partnership, along with our key sponsors WilliamRast, Battery Tender, and Yokohama represent a new chapter for our seasoned organization and for the ALMS.
“Bill Sweedler, Townsend Bell, and Colin Dyne (CEO, William Rast) played the key role in forging this long-term relationship with Lotus. We collectively look forward to representing this iconic sports car brand for years to come in GT racing."
Considered one of the most successful teams in ALMS history, AJR brings a record of 39 series victories, three class championships and 22 consecutive GT pole positions, not to mention seven victories at Sebring, to the plate for the new factory effort, to be run under the Lotus Alex Job Racing banner.
"This is doubly good news for the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón," said Scott Atherton, ALMS President and CEO. "It's a pleasure to welcome the Lotus brand and its spectacular Evora to the most competitive GT class of racing in the world.
"But to have this factory-backed effort spearheaded by Alex Job – one of the most successful team owners in ALMS history – assures that this will be yet another championship-caliber entry to the GT class. I know that fans at each of our events will be enthralled when the AJR Lotus, complete with its iconic livery and Battery Tender sponsorship, hits the track."
The Lotus Evora GTE debuted in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup last year in the hands of Lotus Jetalliance, yet achieving mixed results. Further developments were made during the off-season, particularly with the 4.0-liter Toyota V6 powerplant, a department which was lacking in 2011.
"Alex Job has one of the best records in sports car racing,” said Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus. “We look forward to working together and developing a top-tier team over the coming years. Racing is a core component of the Lotus brand, and we are thrilled to have this new partnership to further enhance our winning racing heritage."
In addition to the AJR Lotus effort Stateside, Lotus will campaign a single-car effort in the European Le Mans Series under its own banner, although the factory car does not yet have a confirmed entry for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
The veteran Porsche squad, which earned GT class championships from 2002-2004, will re-enter the premier production-based category after three seasons in the GTC class.
Bill Sweedler will step up to the GT category, joined by IndyCar ace Towsend Bell in the Yokohama-shod Lotus, which will debut in the series’ second round of the season at Long Beach in April.
"I am excited to announce the racing partnership between Lotus and Alex Job Racing in North America," said Job. “Our efforts and ability to attract Lotus is a testament to the hard work that AJR has put in over the past several years.
“This partnership, along with our key sponsors WilliamRast, Battery Tender, and Yokohama represent a new chapter for our seasoned organization and for the ALMS.
“Bill Sweedler, Townsend Bell, and Colin Dyne (CEO, William Rast) played the key role in forging this long-term relationship with Lotus. We collectively look forward to representing this iconic sports car brand for years to come in GT racing."
Considered one of the most successful teams in ALMS history, AJR brings a record of 39 series victories, three class championships and 22 consecutive GT pole positions, not to mention seven victories at Sebring, to the plate for the new factory effort, to be run under the Lotus Alex Job Racing banner.
"This is doubly good news for the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón," said Scott Atherton, ALMS President and CEO. "It's a pleasure to welcome the Lotus brand and its spectacular Evora to the most competitive GT class of racing in the world.
"But to have this factory-backed effort spearheaded by Alex Job – one of the most successful team owners in ALMS history – assures that this will be yet another championship-caliber entry to the GT class. I know that fans at each of our events will be enthralled when the AJR Lotus, complete with its iconic livery and Battery Tender sponsorship, hits the track."
The Lotus Evora GTE debuted in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup last year in the hands of Lotus Jetalliance, yet achieving mixed results. Further developments were made during the off-season, particularly with the 4.0-liter Toyota V6 powerplant, a department which was lacking in 2011.
"Alex Job has one of the best records in sports car racing,” said Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus. “We look forward to working together and developing a top-tier team over the coming years. Racing is a core component of the Lotus brand, and we are thrilled to have this new partnership to further enhance our winning racing heritage."
In addition to the AJR Lotus effort Stateside, Lotus will campaign a single-car effort in the European Le Mans Series under its own banner, although the factory car does not yet have a confirmed entry for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
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