Le Mans Invitations Include ALMS’ Finest

Sports car fans in America will have plenty to cheer for at this year’s 80th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Once again, the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patr¢n is well represented on the entry list for the world’s greatest motor race. A two-car invitation to Dyson Racing and five American GTE invites highlight the U.S. contingent released today by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest – the sanctioning body for Le Mans.

The revolutionary DeltaWing from Highcroft Racing is entered as the race’s 56th entry – a spot reserved for cars displaying innovative technology. DeltaWing will showcase a unique concept demonstrating ultra-efficient performance with half the weight and horsepower of a traditional racing car.

The FIA WEC and Sebring A stellar entry list was announced today by the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for the 60th Anniversary Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida. America’s premier endurance race runs on Saturday, March 17, and will mark the debut of the new world championship.

“Competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a dream for many teams and drivers and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patr¢n continues to provide a direct path to fulfillment of that dream for our participants," ALMS President and CEO Scott Atherton said. “We could not be more proud to see Le Mans entries for some of our best: Dyson Racing, Level 5 Motorsports, Corvette Racing and Flying Lizard Motorsports, on the 2012 Le Mans invitation list.

"The involvement of the revolutionary DeltaWing is expected to be one of the biggest newsmakers in Le Mans history. There is no doubt all of them will represent the American Le Mans Series well in the world’s most recognized race."

Dyson Racing earned its two entries by winning the ALMS’ LMP1 championship and the LMP portion of the MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge. Chris Dyson and Guy Smith are listed as a driver in each of the team’s Mazda-powered Lola coupes. In front of a worldwide audience, Dyson Racing will go head-to-head with high-profile hybrid entries, two each from Audi Sport Team Joest and Toyota. In addition, Joest and Audi Sport North America will each enter one diesel-powered Audi R18 TDI.

Corvette Racing and Flying Lizard Motorsports each have two cars entered in the GTE ranks. Corvette – racing a Corvette C6.R – will look to defend its Le Mans GTE Pro victory from 2011, which earned the team one entry. A runner-up finish in the ALMS GT championship gives Corvette its second invitation.

Flying Lizard has one Porsche 911 GT3 RSR entered in GTE Pro and another in GTE Am – a category mixing professional and gentleman drivers. Krohn Racing, a familiar face to ALMS followers, s part of the GTE Am field as well with a Ferrari F458 Italia.

In LMP2, Level 5 Motorsports has one entry for winning the Series’ class championship in 2011. Starworks Motorsports also will represent the U.S. – both with an HPD ARX-03b prototype.

A global audience also will witness the first head-to-head meeting of hybrid entries with two each from Audi Sport Team Joest and Toyota. In addition to a pair of hybrid Audi R18 coupes, Joest and Audi Sport North America will enter one diesel-powered Audi R18 TDI each.