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Le Mans / ALMS
ALMS: BAR1 Planning Expansion To P2
SPEED.com Exclusive: Brian Alder-led ALMS Prototype Challenge team closing in on partial-season P2 program for 2013...
BAR1 Motorsports is poised to expand to the ALMS P2 ranks, possibly as early as next year. (Photo: John Dagys)
While there's uncertainty over the long-term class structure for sports car racing in America, Brian Alder and his BAR1 Motorsports team appear to be hedging their bets for the future.
Alder, the former Intersport Racing team manager who now runs the Merchant Services-backed American Le Mans Series PC operation, has revealed plans to expand to the P2 category, potentially as early as next year.
"It's always been our goal to run a few years in Prototype Challenge and then move up the ranks," Alder said in a SPEED.com exclusive interview. "One of the biggest things is that we want to go to Le Mans and obviously the PC cars can't run there. So you have to look at other options in a two or three-year plan."
Following an encouraging debut season in PC, which delivered multiple pole positions and podium finishes in the highly competitive spec-prototype category, the Ohio-based team is focused on returning with a two-car full-season attack, aimed at securing the class championship.
However, Alder is also closing in on a P2 program, that would see the team dip their toe in the water in the cost-capped prototype ranks.
"We were further down the road looking at P2 before the merger was announced," Alder said. "And once that was announced, just like everybody, we took a step back and wanted to wait and see what was going to happen.
"We started entertaining the idea again around Petit Le Mans since all of the manufacturers were there with all of the different P2 cars. We talked to a lot of people, trying to get the idea of budget."
Alder says that a partial P2 program next year, that would include races at Sebring and Petit Le Mans, is nearly 75 percent certain, while he hasn't completely ruled out a full-season effort either, if the right pieces fell into place in the coming weeks.
As for the car, BAR1 would go with the Oreca 03, a proven winner in FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series, although the French chassis has yet to establish itself in the ALMS with a U.S.-based team.
The team is looking to lease the car at first, with an option to purchase it for 2014, should the unified class structure accommodate P2 cars.
"I think it's safe to say that we want to stick with Oreca," Alder said. "It's the same chassis as the PC car; we're familiar with it. The P2 car is the next step in the process. We haven't officially locked on anything, but if something was to happen, it would be with the Oreca.
"There is a possibility we can do a full year if we get a big commitment and if the right guys want to lock in. But for now, we want to be realistic and not take our eye off the PC goal. That's the number one focus for next year."
Fueling the step up to P2 are the Downs brothers - Matt, Antonio and Lucas - regulars with Merchant Services BAR1, who one day aim to race at Le Mans. Alder also holds a special place in his heart for the famed twice-around-the-clock enduro, having been a part of Intersport's P2 class-winning effort in 2004.
While a bid at Le Mans for next year has been ruled out, it appears Alder and the BAR1 squad could be laying the groundwork for a potential effort in 2014.
Further details on the team's 2013 PC program, including driver lineup is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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
Alder, the former Intersport Racing team manager who now runs the Merchant Services-backed American Le Mans Series PC operation, has revealed plans to expand to the P2 category, potentially as early as next year.
"It's always been our goal to run a few years in Prototype Challenge and then move up the ranks," Alder said in a SPEED.com exclusive interview. "One of the biggest things is that we want to go to Le Mans and obviously the PC cars can't run there. So you have to look at other options in a two or three-year plan."
Following an encouraging debut season in PC, which delivered multiple pole positions and podium finishes in the highly competitive spec-prototype category, the Ohio-based team is focused on returning with a two-car full-season attack, aimed at securing the class championship.
However, Alder is also closing in on a P2 program, that would see the team dip their toe in the water in the cost-capped prototype ranks.
"We were further down the road looking at P2 before the merger was announced," Alder said. "And once that was announced, just like everybody, we took a step back and wanted to wait and see what was going to happen.
"We started entertaining the idea again around Petit Le Mans since all of the manufacturers were there with all of the different P2 cars. We talked to a lot of people, trying to get the idea of budget."
Alder says that a partial P2 program next year, that would include races at Sebring and Petit Le Mans, is nearly 75 percent certain, while he hasn't completely ruled out a full-season effort either, if the right pieces fell into place in the coming weeks.
As for the car, BAR1 would go with the Oreca 03, a proven winner in FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series, although the French chassis has yet to establish itself in the ALMS with a U.S.-based team.
The team is looking to lease the car at first, with an option to purchase it for 2014, should the unified class structure accommodate P2 cars.
"I think it's safe to say that we want to stick with Oreca," Alder said. "It's the same chassis as the PC car; we're familiar with it. The P2 car is the next step in the process. We haven't officially locked on anything, but if something was to happen, it would be with the Oreca.
"There is a possibility we can do a full year if we get a big commitment and if the right guys want to lock in. But for now, we want to be realistic and not take our eye off the PC goal. That's the number one focus for next year."
Fueling the step up to P2 are the Downs brothers - Matt, Antonio and Lucas - regulars with Merchant Services BAR1, who one day aim to race at Le Mans. Alder also holds a special place in his heart for the famed twice-around-the-clock enduro, having been a part of Intersport's P2 class-winning effort in 2004.
While a bid at Le Mans for next year has been ruled out, it appears Alder and the BAR1 squad could be laying the groundwork for a potential effort in 2014.
Further details on the team's 2013 PC program, including driver lineup is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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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