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American LeMans
ALMS: Sebring Preview
A car-by-car preview of the 35 teams taking part in the season-opening Twelve Hours of Sebring.
John Dagys  |  Posted March 16, 2010   Sebring, FL
Enjoy a car-by-car preview of the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. (John Dagys)
When the American Le Mans Series first announced its complete class overhaul for 2010, there were a few early skeptics. Amid the continuing troubled economic times, questions on the Series’ wholesale changes arose without definitive answers. Will there be an influx of new LMP teams? Would the new Challenge categories just be field fillers? Could the Series maintain its highly competitive and highly entertaining GT2 class?

Fast-forward to present times, it’s hard to find this ‘doom and gloom’ that some had predicted. Instead 35 cars are ready to kick start the 2010 ALMS season with Saturday’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the race’s largest turnout in three years.

While there’s undoubtedly some notable absences, Audi Sport being one of them, this year’s entry boasts one of the most diverse fields in the race’s 58-year history. With an influx of new cost-effective LMP and GT Challenge machinery, increased competition in the already packed GT2 class and a handful of European Prototype specialists in LMP1, there’s no shortage of story lines.

Before the green flag drops on Saturday (10 a.m. ET, SPEED), enjoy an in-depth, car-by-car look at this year’s starting field.

LMP1

Made up of a slim six car field, Sebring marks the first of two ALMS race that both LMP1 and LMP2 run separately, per the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s regulations. With a combined, performance balanced, LMP division beginning at Round 2 in Long Beach, prototype teams will run to full ACO specification here this weekend, aside from a few minor exceptions, including the allowance of E85 and biobutanol fuels, which are not used in Europe.

With four teams - Drayson Racing, AutoCon Motorsports, Team Peugeot Total and Aston Martin Racing - all with entries to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, much of their focus will be on using this weekend’s race as preparation for the twice-around-the-clock June classic.

8
Drayson Racing
Lola B09/60 Judd
Paul Drayson - Jonny Cocker - Emanuele Pirro

Following a late-season debut in the prototype ranks last year, Drayson Racing embarks on its first full campaign with its Lola B09/60 Judd. Upgraded to 2010 specification over the winter, the LMP1 challenger is one of the more welcome additions to the ALMS grid.
Drayson Racing. (John Dagys)

The Dale White-led crew posted encouraging results in the inaugural Asian Le Mans Series rounds in Okayama Japan in November, with Jonny Cocker claiming the overall pole and teaming with Paul Drayson for a fifth place finish in the championship. More importantly, the team took top honors in the Michelin Green X Challenge in Asia. With a move to cellulosic E85 fuel for the 2010 ALMS season, Drayson Racing will likely be a regular factor for Green X Challenge wins in the States, too.

Joining Drayson and Cocker at the wheel of the No. 8 Lola-Judd in the long-distance events this year is none other than Emanuele Pirro. The former Audi factory driver, a five-time winner at Le Mans, brings a decade’s worth of prototype experience to the still relatively new prototype organization. Pirro’s large knowledge database will certainly be one of the team’s major assets for its 2010 program.

While it’s unclear where Drayson Racing will exactly stack up to the factory LMP1 squads at competition, expect the British crew to be regularly fighting for poles, and potentially podiums in the regular season races.

12
AutoCon Motorsports
Lola B06/10 AER
Bryan Willman - Tony Burgess - Pierre Ehret

Returning for another year with its tried-and-trusted Lola B06/10 AER, AutoCon Motorsports is one of the smallest teams in the paddock, yet a fan favorite. The California-based squad owned by former Trans-Am star Michael Lewis capped off its 2009 season with a well-deserved fourth place overall (third in P1) result at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

While it will be tough to repeat that result here this weekend, Lewis and the gang will be trying their best. GT veteran Pierre Ehret makes his first prototype appearance in more than eight years as part of a limited-season program with AutoCon. The team was also awarded with an invite to Le Mans this year, marking their second appearance in French classic in the last three years.

37
Intersport Racing
Lola B06/10 AER
Jon Field - Clint Field

Intersport Racing expands its operations for 2010, fielding an Oreca FLM09 in the newly formed LMPC category, while maintaing its single-car Lola-AER effort in P1. The father-and-son pairing of Jon and Clint Field surprised many throughout last season, notably with Jon’s mega opening stints which put the Ohio privateers in the overall lead on a few occasions.

While they won’t have the pace to match the Peugeots or even Aston Martin, Intersport will be aiming for a solid top-10 result overall to start its season off on the right foot.

However, a devastating crash on Monday has left this entry in question, as its spare chassis is currently still in its Ohio shop.

07
Team Peugeot Total
Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP
Marc Gene - Alexander Wurz - Anthony Davidson

The first of the real contenders for the overall win. It’s a mystery why the French Lions aren’t using the driving services of Stephane Sarrazin or Franck Montagny, arguably the two quickest pilots in the team’s nine-driver lineup. But without the pressure of Audi, perhaps Peugeot doesn’t need the outright speed to get the job done.
Team Peugeot Total. (Peugeot Media)

Former AMR factory driver Anthony Davidson takes David Brabham’s seat in the Le Mans-winning lineup, which will likely play a supporting role here this weekend. With being the newcomer, Davidson will be racking up as many miles in the diesel-powered prototype as possible prior to Le Mans.

With two previous Sebring appearances and no wins, anything other than a victory for Peugeot will be a huge disappointment. No matter how much the team says they only come to Sebring for preparation for Le Mans and that the ultimate objective isn’t the win, everyone is out there to win, and Sebring is the final piece of the endurance puzzle Peugeot has yet to bag.

08
Team Peugeot Total
Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP
Pedro Lamy - Sebastien Bourdais - Nicolas Minassian

The No. 08 car will likely be Peugeot’s lead lion. All three drivers have plenty of experience on the bumpy airfield circuit and should take no time to get back up to speed after what’s been a long off-season for the factory squad. Bourdais was a star here in last year’s race, as one of the only drivers to take Turn 1 flat-out in a prototype. While those type of courageous tactics may not be condoned this year by team director Olivier Quesnel, it will be hard slowing down these three stars.

007
Aston Martin Racing
Lola B09/60 Aston Martin
Stefan Mucke - Harold Primat - Adrian Fernandez

After a four year absence, Aston Martin Racing returns to Sebring, but in the P1 category with its Lola-based Aston Martin prototype. Entering its second year of competition after winning the European-based Le Mans Series championship, the factory Prodrive squad has hand-picked a selection of international classics for its 2010 campaign.

With new hire Adrian Fernandez joining the fray after the closure of his Fernandez Racing stables, adding Sebring, along with the Series’ next stop in Long Beach, Calif., to AMR’s schedule made financial sense. Fernandez joins Harold Primat and team ace Stefan Mucke, who was a late call-up replacing Chris Buncombe for the race.
Aston Martin Racing. (John Dagys)

Despite being the quickest prototype at last month’s test, AMR has a lot of work cut out for them. A severe accident with Primat at the wheel cut their test short by a few hours and left the crew with an enormous rebuild prior to race week.

While there was no permanent damage sustained to the Lola chassis, there are still questions of the car’s ultimate pace to the Peugeot diesels. It will undoubtedly slot into the top-three, but how far behind, if any will it be to the French Lions? Revised diesel/gasoline equivalency regulations for this year should bring the two types of power plants closer in line, but by how much? The late addition of Mucke will help their chances, but will it still be strong enough to challenge for top honors?

LMP2

The second-tier prototype division ironically boasts three of the season-long favorites for the combined LMP title. Due to the ACO’s enforcement of Sebring and Petit Le Mans being run to ‘full’ specification, these P2 contenders may be the odd teams out at the season-opener. But as proven in the past, don’t count them out for an upset in the overall result.

Like their big brothers, exceptions have been made to the ACO rules for this event, allowing P2 machines to continue essentially in 2009 IMSA specification in efforts of cost containment. These provisions include a 25 kg weight break and the allowance of the 2000 mm full-width rear wing with a 20 mm wicker-bill.

Regulations aside, the fight for P2 honors could easily be just as competitive, if not more so, than the battle for the overall win. And if attrition takes its toll up front, one of these three teams could easily slip by for the overall victory.

1
Patron Highcroft Racing
Honda Performance Development ARX-01C
David Brabham - Simon Pagenaud - Marino Franchitti

Defending LMP1 champions Patron Highcroft Racing return to LMP2 with its trusty Honda Performance Development ARX-01C. After a season with the technically complicated and less-developed Acura ARX-02a culminating with Acura's pullout of factory support, moving back to its 2008 race-winning P2 machine came as the most logical choice.
Patron Highcroft Racing. (John Dagys)

With 2010 aerodynamic upgrades from Wirth Research due by the next round at Long Beach, the team's overall package for Sebring is the most proven out of the three P2 entries. In fact, it's hard to find a stronger driver lineup anywhere in the entire field. Full-season pilots David Brabham and Simon Pagenaud are joined by rapid Scotsman Marino Franchitti, who was a star in Dyson Racing's Lola-Mazda last year.

If not for the separate prototype categories for Sebring, Highcroft could have been a legitimate contender for the overall win. They still could be, however, if the Peugeots or Aston Martin stumble. While the Duncan Dayton-led team has yet to take top honors any of the major enduros, Sebring will be their best shot yet.

6
Muscle Milk Team Cytosport
Porsche RS Spyder
Greg Pickett - Klaus Graf - Sascha Maassen

After a mid-season entry last year, Team Cytosport embarks on the full nine-round championship with its proven Porsche RS Spyder. And what better place than to start off than Sebring? Penske Racing took the RS Spyder to the overall victory here three years ago, and while that might be a tough feat for the California-based privateer squad, a solid result is not out of the equation.

There's no question of the car's speed, especially with Klaus Graf at the wheel. Impressive, almost heroic, come-from-behind drives were the norm for the veteran German driver last year, which helped propel the team to four podium finishes in four starts. Add in the near-endless knowledge base of former Porsche works driver Sascha Maassen, who joins Graf and team owner Greg Pickett for Sebring, and the trio could certainly be knocking on the door for the P2 class win.

16
Dyson Racing
Lola B09/86 Mazda
Chris Dyson - Guy Smith - Andy Meyrick

Dyson Racing. (John Dagys)

After an up and down 2009 season which brought two class wins, Dyson Racing returns with a downsized program, going from two full-time Lola B09/86 Mazdas to just one. Marino Franchitti and Butch Leitzinger, who were the stars in the No. 20 machine last year, were let go to find rides elsewhere, leaving Chris Dyson and Guy Smith to pilot the No. 16 entry. They're joined by former Kolles Audi pilot Andy Meyrick for the enduros.

Off-season engine developments to the AER-tuned, Mazda MZR-R power plant should help improve reliability, which was the car's major downfall last year. Added with a move to Dunlop tires, which have been ever-improving in Europe, and its unclear where Dyson will stack up at Sebring. One thing's for certain: They're much better prepared than one year ago, when both cars retired just hours into their debut race.

LMPC

The first of the new cost-effective ‘Challenge’ categories, LMPC features six identically built Chevrolet-powered Oreca FLM09 prototypes. Run in Europe as part of the Formula Le Mans championship, these purpose-built race cars share a remarkable resemblance to a purebred prototype, but can be run at a fraction of the cost.

No less than six teams with seven cars have signed up for the new formula, with six making it to the grid for the season-opener. Reliability concerns, primarily with the car’s carbon-fiber brakes and other cost-effective components, could become an issue in the 12-hour race, as these cars were initially built to compete in one-hour sprint races in Europe. But French constructor Oreca has released an ‘Endurance Kit’, which many hope will alleviate any potential problems.

The new category, which will be a part of the entire nine-round season, has already exceeded the Series’ initial expectations, with more teams set to enter the Series throughout the year.

11
Primetime Race Group
Oreca FLM09
Joel Feinberg - Kyle Marcelli

One of six LMPC cars entered, the Hollywood, Fla.-based squad steps up from two years in the GT2 ranks with a Dodge Viper Competition Coupe. Team owner Joel Feinberg and 20-year-old Ontario-native Kyle Marcelli spent 2009 fighting each other in IMSA Prototype Lites and now team up for an attack on the inaugural LMPC championship. Feinberg, who ended claiming the Lites title while also steering his Viper in GT2, has never hidden his desire to go ALMS prototype racing and now gets his big chance.

With IMSA mandating a Pro/Am driver lineup, the pairing of Feinberg and Marcelli appears to be one of the strongest in class. The team has taken a two-driver approach for Sebring, a strategy which succeeded when fielding its Viper in the 12-hour enduro.

36
Genoa Racing
Oreca FLM09
Andy Wallace - JR Hildebrand - Tom Sutherland

The veteran Atlantic Series squad has taken refuge in LMPC and is hoping to make a big splash in its race debut. Led by veteran open-wheel engineer Thomas Knapp, Genoa has banked on a driver lineup of youth and experience for Sebring. After being brought in to help shakedown the Oreca FLM09 prototype, veteran road racer Andy Wallace returns for the race and is joined by 2009 Indy Lights champion JR Hildebrand and fellow Californian Tom Sutherland.
Genoa Racing. (John Dagys)

Hildebrand got his first taste of a prototype last month at the test and quickly adapted to the Chevrolet-powered machine. Second-generation racer Sutherland is no stranger to the Series with occasional starts in the GT ranks, but makes his prototype debut. Adding Wallace's vast LMP experience and veteran mentality completes the perfect balance. Don't be surprised to see this very potent trio in victory lane.

55
Level 5 Motorsports
Oreca FLM09
Scott Tucker - Christophe Bouchut - Mark Wilkins

The first of two entries from the Wisconsin-based team, Level 5 Motorsports expands its sportscar program to include LMPC for 2010. As seen in its star-studded Rolex 24 lineup, there's no shortage of driver talent here. Team owner Scott Tucker is joined by season-long co-driver Christophe Bouchut, with GRAND-AM veteran Mark Wilkins rounding out the lineup for Sebring.

The David Stone-led effort, which also has entries in GRAND-AM and Ferrari Challenge, was a late addition to the ALMS ranks, but make no question Level 5 is here to win. Much of that will be dependent on how quickly gentleman driver Tucker can come to grips of the spec-racer. But he’s already gained extra experience at the wheel of a similar Oreca FLM09 in Europe in the Formula Le Mans Winter Series.

89
Intersport Racing
Oreca FLM09
Mitch Pagerey - Brian Wong - David Ducote

As the first team to officially announce its LMPC program in October, one would think the Ohio-based squad has the biggest advantage heading into Sebring, but that's not necessarily the case. With all teams not allowed for the Oreca FLM09s to turn a wheel until the Sebring Test last month, everyone started on equal ground.

While both Mitch Pagerey and Brian Wong have impressed in their time in Patron GT3 Challenge, they have yet to make their mark in LMPC. Third driver David Ducote, brother of occasional ALMS racer Chapman, joins the team for the enduros and will also compete in Prototype Lites.

95
Level 5 Motorsports
Oreca FLM09
Scott Tucker - Ryan Hunter-Reay - James Gue

Scott Tucker loves to race so much he's entered a second LMPC just to gain extra seat time. IMSA adjusted the regulations to allow Challenge gentlemen drivers to drive two entries in a race, which was previously prohibited class-wide. This has allowed Tucker to be listed on both of the team’s entries, and will score points in the highest finishing car, provided he drives both.

Tucker is joined by open-wheel star Ryan Hunter-Reay and sportscar veteran James Gue in the No. 95 machine, which was a late addition to the entry list. Despite Hunter-Reay's proven ability, the team's sister car boasts a stronger lineup. But in a 12-hour race, the theme in LMPC will likely be survival.

99
Green Earth Team Gunnar
Oreca FLM09
Christian Zugel - Gunnar Jeannette - Elton Julian
Green Earth Team Gunnar. (John Dagys)

One of the early supporters of the category, Green Earth Team Gunnar’s official plans didn’t surface until shortly before the Winter Test. Nonetheless, the Kevin Jeannette-owned team has high hopes in what’s their first full-season foray into the ALMS.

Historics racer Christian Zugel and Kevin’s son, Gunnar, are full-season drivers and are joined by Elton Julian for the enduros. While the team’s background up until now has primarily been in Historics, the Jeannette’s have hired some experienced staff, including former Risi Competizione engineer Mark Shomann.

GT2

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s certainly the theme in GT2. After one of the most competitive seasons in the Series’ 12-year history, the production-based machines return for what is shaping up to be an even more larger battle in 2010. Fourteen entries have been entered representing six manufacturers, including the debut of the Scott Sharp-owned Extreme Speed Motorsports outfit and the full-season entries by the Corvette Racing and Jaguar RSR factory squads.

3
Corvette Racing
Corvette C6.R
Jan Magnussen - Johnny O’Connell - Antonio Garcia

Corvette Racing burst onto the GT2 scene mid-season last year and embark on a full 2010 campaign. The transition into the highly competitive category has made GT(2) a five-horse manufacturer race, joining entries from Porsche, Ferrari, BMW and newcomers Jaguar.

Off-season developments to the Corvette C6.Rs include a move to an all-new 5.5-liter V8 engine after using a downsized version of its GT1 power plant last year. With the team electing to forgo the official Winter Test and conduct a private test at Sebring the week prior, the Pratt & Miller organization appeared to be playing the game of tactics prior this weekend’s season-opener.

With one win to their credit in 2009, the No. 3 machine of Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen could have a slight upper hand over their sister car for the championship. But Magnussen and Flying Lizard Motorsports driver Jorg Bergmeister are under a two-race probation following their actions in the season-finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The heated two-way battle ended with the Corvette hard into the wall and Magnussen ailing with a broken tailbone from the 52G impact. Fully recovered during the off-season, the speedy Dane will likely be hoping to fly under the radar for the first two rounds.

4
Corvette Racing
Corvette C6.R
Olivier Beretta - Oliver Gavin - Emmanuel Collard

Corvette Racing. (Richard Prince/GM)

The second Corvette Racing entry features newcomer Emmanuel Collard, who replaces Marcel Fassler for the endurance classics. The veteran Frenchman, who was originally one of the candidates to fill the same seat some six years ago, was arguably one the quickest drivers at the wheel of a Porsche but was hit by the German factory's downsizing.

Collard's new home puts him in what many say is the car to have in GT(2), especially after last year's impressive debut. But the competition aren't likely standing still and the 2010 season could be Corvette's toughest yet.

17
Team Falken Tire
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Bryan Sellers - Wolf Henzler - Patrick Pilet

Following a three-race program last year, Team Falken Tire steps up to a full-season effort with a brand-new 2010-spec Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Led by veteran team manager Rod Everett, this ambitious program has gained the seal of approval from Porsche, which has loaned works drivers Wolf Henzler and Patrick Pilet for Sebring.

With Henzler and Bryan Sellers slated to compete for the full championship, the team is likely to be a darkhorse for Sebring and beyond. Success will hinge on tire development, and solid progress was made at the Sebring Winter Test last month. Don't count Team Falken out of a top-five finish.

40
Robertson Racing
Doran Ford GT
David Robertson - Andrea Robertson - David Murry

Back for their third season with the Doran-built Ford GT, Robertson Racing has had one busy off-season. Following their late-year trip to Japan for the Asian Le Mans Series, the Dick Barbour Racing outfit was forced to rebuild the mid-engined supercar after a heavy accident in a club race in January.

Led by team manager Andrew 'H' Smith and chief engineer Lee Penn, the crew completed the ground-up rebuild in less than five weeks. Equipped with minor developments, including a relocated fuel filler and swan-neck design wing mount, the Ford GT is the only GT2 car allowed to compete with its larger IMSA restrictor at Sebring.

The added horsepower helped David Murry storm to the class pole at Petit Le Mans and put on an impressive performance in the end-of-year Asian Le Mans Series races. While his co-drivers, husband-and-wife team owners David and Andrea Robertson, won't be able to match Murry's pace, the trio will be looking for a trouble-free run. A repeat of their seventh-place finish here last year is possible again if attrition comes into play.

A heavy crash in testing on Monday has further delayed this hard-working team, now with the goal of returning to the track Thursday evening.

44
Flying Lizard Motorsports
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Darren Law - Seth Neiman - Richard Lietz
Flying Lizard Motorsports. (John Dagys)

Returning after scoring its second consecutive GT2 championship, Flying Lizard Motorsports is one of four legitimate teams that are favorites for the class win. The Sonoma, Calif.-based squad has retained its 2009-spec chassis but receive Porsche's yearly upgrades, including wider front tires that brings the 911 GT3 RSR in line with its competitors.

Darren Law partners with team principal Seth Neiman for the entire season and is joined by Porsche works driver Richard Lietz for Sebring. While as not of a lineup as its sister Porsche, the No. 44 car can't be counted out for a top-five finish.

45
Flying Lizard Motorsports
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Jorg Bergmeister - Patrick Long - Marc Lieb

Defending class champions Jorg Bergmeister and Patrick Long return to defend their crown and are joined by fellow Porsche factory driver Marc Lieb, who has become the team's regular endurance pilot as of late. Like Magnussen, Bergmeister is on a two-race probation from the season-ending scuffle.

A switch to cellulosic E85 fuel for 2010 for both cars is likely to yield a slight performance advantage, but with Corvette also using the alternative fuel, the move might just put them on level playing ground with the Pratt & Miller squad.

Bad luck has bitten the Lizards at Sebring in the past, but this potent trio, along with a proven car, puts the No. 45 car as one of the favorites for the class win.

61
Risi Competizione/Krohn
Ferrari F430 GTE
Tracy Krohn - Nic Jonsson - Eric van de Poele

Krohn Racing and Risi Competizione have continued their successful partnership following their third place class finish at Le Mans last year. The unchanged lineup of Tracy Krohn, Nic Jonsson and Eric van de Poele return with a brand-new Ferrari F430 GTE chassis, which Risi took delivery of just last month.

Completing a successful shakedown near its Houston shop, the new car has proven to be a significant step forward. Weighing in 100kg heavier, but producing approximately 9 percent more power and sporting wider Michelin tires, Ferrari's new evolution could be the winning package for 2010.

While it's unlikely we'll see this lime green-wrapped machine in victory lane, its sister car certainly has the best shot of the four Prancing Horses entered.

62
Risi Competizione
Ferrari F430 GTE
Jamie Melo - Gianmaria Bruni - Pierre Kaffer

Endurance experts Risi Competizione will be looking for their second consecutive Sebring victory and to continue its streak of wins in the endurance racing classics. That record, dating back to Le Mans 2008, has put the Houston-based squad as odds-on favorites yet again this weekend.
Risi Competizione (John Dagys)

With the mid-engined supercar upgraded to GTE-spec, along with Jamie Melo and Gimmi Bruni – arguably the strongest pairing in the GT category – teamed with 2009 full-season driver Pierre Kaffer, Risi has all of the ingredients for success. The question remains if any other team could get in its way. A strong performance at the Winter Test, quickest in all four sessions, gives the team plenty of momentum to ride into the race with.

75
Jaguar RSR
Jaguar XKRS
Paul Gentilozzi - Marc Goossens - Ryan Dalziel

Following a problematic start to its factory campaign at the season-ending Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca round, Jaguar RSR begins its full-season program with is self-built Jaguar XKRS. The GT2 contender, which some have said resembles the build of Paul Gentilozzi's championship-winning Trans-Am cars, is a brand-new chassis which was constructed during the off-season after the lessons learned from its first model.

Team owner Gentilozzi is joined in the cockpit by full-season drivers Marc Goossens and Ryan Dalziel for Sebring. Hope of a second car being fielded for the season-opener faded following the team's rocky Sebring Winter Test, where the singleton XKRS completed just 38 timed laps over the two days. But a considerable amount of additional mileage was completed later that week following the conclusion of the official test.

There's no hiding the fact the car's lack of pace, and Gentilozzi and company will simply be aiming for a finish and move onto Long Beach. It's already shaping up to be a tough season for RSR, and the green flag hasn't even dropped on the first round.

90
BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team
BMW E92 M3
Dirk Muller - Joey Hand - Andy Priaulx

Returning to the site of its debut last year, BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team has come a long way. A double DNF, with one of its E92 M3s not even getting off the grid, was certainly the low point in the factory squad's first season. Now with a proven package and a successful 12-hour simulation at Sebring under its belt, look for the two Bimmers to shine.

The most visible change for 2010 comes in a reshuffle of its driver lineup. Dirk Muller moves to the No. 90 car to partner Joey Hand, while Tommy Milner teams with Bill Auberlen in the No. 92 entry. It's a move that has certainly shaken the continuity, ending Auberlen and and Hand's longtime partnership. But change can sometimes be a good thing, and that was likely BMW's approach to the shakeup.

Muller and Hand are joined by WTCC ace Andy Priaulx for Sebring following his debut at the Petit Le Mans in October.

92
BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team
BMW E92 M3
Bill Auberlen - Tommy Milner - Dirk Werner

BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team. (John Dagys)

With the aforementioned revised lineup, the pairing of BMW veteran Bill Auberlen and a still youthful 24-year-old Tommy Milner could produce some fireworks. Both had impressive drivers on numerous occasions last year and will look to build on that.


The only setback for the entire team may come with revised GT(2) regulations for 2010, featuring a tighter conformity to the ACO rulebook. BMW loses its restrictor advantage it enjoyed for most of 2009, which could make a huge difference, especially at a track like Sebring. Yet with it being a 12-hour race, these changes will unlikely have a huge affect until Long Beach.

01
Extreme Speed Motorsports
Ferrari F430 GTE
Scott Sharp - Johannes van Overbeek - Dominik Farnbacher

Making its Series debut, the Scott Sharp-owned squad has come a long way since the team’s initial announcement in October. Originally with plans to run a single Ferrari F430 GTE for Ed Brown, Extreme Speed quickly expanded to an ambitious two-car effort, with Sharp himself moving into the driver’s seat and pairing with Flying Lizard Motorsports stalwart Johannes van Overbeek. The duo is joined by GT ace Dominik Farnbacher for Sebring. The German is fresh off capturing a win and title in the inaugural Asian Le Mans Series piloting a Ferrari, which he calls his favorite car.

Sharp has taken a realistic approach at his team’s debut. Objective number one is for both cars to finish, and if they don’t hit trouble, the chances of a top-five are quite realistic. And with a rock solid crew led by former Brumos Racing crew chief Derek Granison, Tony Leith from Fernandez Racing and open-wheel veteran engineer Steve Challis, there’s no doubt this team of the team’s ability. It just might take a race or two for everything to jell.

02
Extreme Speed Motorsports
Ferrari F430 GTE
Ed Brown - Guy Cosmo - Joao Barbosa

While car No. 01 is a brand-new chassis, the No. 02 machine piloted by Ed Brown, Guy Cosmo and Joao Barbosa is actually the former Corsa Motorsports F430 GT upgraded to 2010 ‘GTE’ specification. Patron CEO Brown makes the step up to GT(2) after a year in GT Challenge and is partnered with Cosmo for the full season. Rolex 24 winner Barbosa rounds out the lineup for Sebring and Petit Le Mans.

The No. 02 car will likely play second fiddle to the No. 01 but still features a solid pro-am lineup. With the goal of getting both cars to the finish, all three drivers can’t afford to make mistakes or let the pressure get to them in the team’s debut race.

GTC

The fifth and final category at Sebring, GT Challenge steps up to a full-season campaign following a successful five-race trial run in 2009. Open to a variety of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, this cost-effective category has welcomed back two of the sport’s most accomplished GT teams, Alex Job Racing and TRG.

With more teams expected to join post-Sebring in the Series’ sprint races, GTC is expected to again feature a mix of professional and gentleman drivers. As per IMSA regulations in LMPC, the other Challenge category, two professionals cannot share the same car, which is aimed at providing a more level playing field for drivers working their way up the sportscar ladder.

23
Alex Job Racing
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Bill Sweedler - Romeo Kapudija - Jan-Dirk Lueders

The first of three Alex Job Racing-entered cars. Bill Sweedler, who spent last season at the wheel of ORBIT Racing’s Cup entry, moves over to the former ALMS championship-winning squad, pairing with Romeo Kapudija for the season. German Jan-Dirk Lueders joins the duo for Sebring.

With the majority of GTC teams utilizing Porsche’s new 2010-spec Cup model, driver talent and team preparation will likely shine through, and you can’t get any better than AJR.

32
GMG Racing
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Bret Curtis - James Sofronas - Andy Pilgrim

GMG Racing. (John Dagys)

After testing the waters for one race last year, the James Sofronas-owned squad takes up the GT Challenge. An expansion of the California team’s program, which will continue to include Porsche entries in World Challenge, GMG Racing will have a busy season ahead of themselves.

Gentleman driver Bret Curtis will join Sofronas for the full season, with GT veteran Andy Pilgrim coming on board for Sebring. The former Corvette factory driver adds the much-needed ALMS experience to the team, albeit for one race.

63
The Racers Group
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Henri Richard - Duncan Ende - Andy Lally

TRG makes its Series return after what seems to be an eternity. A quick glance of the record books indicates their last appearance was Sebring 2005, which is still some five years. Since then, the Kevin Bucker-led squad have gone onto championships in GRAND-AM and an ambitious NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program with Bobby Labonte.

While it’s unclear whether this is a full-season entry, the GTC formula is a perfect fit for the team, which generally fields a handful of Porsche Cup cars for customers at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Henri Richard and Duncan Ende team up with TRG veteran Andy Lally for Sebring.

69
WERKS II Racing
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Robert Rodriguez - Galen Baker - Cory Friedman

Little is actually known about this team, which appears to be supported by occasional GRAND-AM competitor Autometrics Motorsports. After making one start last year at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, WERKS II Racing moves into a full-season program for 2010. Robert Rodriguez and Galen Baker are joined by Cory Friedman for the 12-Hour.

80
Car Amigo - Alex Job Racing
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Ricardo Gonzalez - Luis Diaz - Patrick Kelly

A last-minute addition to the Alex Job Racing stables gives one of the Series’ top drivers a full-season ride. Reigning LMP2 co-champion Luis Diaz will make his GT debut with fellow countryman Ricardo Gonzalez and Patrick Kelly. While it’s not the ideal opportunity for the Mexican star driver, Diaz has a seat with one of the finest teams in the business.

81
Alex Job Racing
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Juan Gonzalez - Butch Leitzinger - Leh Keen
Velox Motorsports. (John Dagys)

Alex Job’s third entry, which is likely the team’s strongest. After Dyson Racing’s downsizing, Butch Leitzinger had nowhere to go. Much in the same situation as Diaz, the the prototype veteran has landed on his feet with a full-season ride helping coach driver Juan Gonzalez. 2009 GRAND-AM Rolex GT champion Leh Keen joins the duo for Sebring. With the proven quantities of Leitzinger and Keen, one would label this car the favorite for the class win.

88
Velox Motorsports
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Shane Lewis - Gary Vento - Lawson Aschenbach

While the No. 81 AJR is favorite, Velox Motorsports’ entry is just behind. Shane Lewis and Gary Vento will pilot the Patron-sponsored machine for the full season and are joined by road racing hot shoe Lawson Aschenbach. It will be interesting to see how the combination of Lewis-Aschenbach fairs with Leitzinger-Keen, or even Sofronas-Pilgrim. There are certainly some star drivers in this class, but evenly distributed thanks to the Series’ Challenge rulebook.

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