Rahal to get behind the wheel again at Sebring

The offseason really is one of racing’s greatest misnomers. As soon as the 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patr¢n ended at Road Atlanta last month, thoughts turned immediately to the 2011 season. But for many, like Bobby Rahal, 2010 isn’t quite finished.

Rahal has one more prime weekend of racing left in the season – the Legends of Motorsport finale December 3-5 at Sebring International Raceway. Not only is Rahal driving two cars at Sebring, he also is a founding partner of the Legends series – a collection of premium historic racing events and related lifestyle experiences staged at renowned North American venues.

Rahal will saddle up in a 1969 Brabham BT29 (Classic Monoposto) and a 1963 Lotus 23B (USRRC). He was set to drive a 1970 Chevron B16 in the FIA Championship of Makes but ceded to event Grand Marshal and two-time Sebring 12 Hours winner Brian Redman.

“Sebring has always been a special place for me," said Rahal, who won the Sebring 12 Hours in 1987 driving a Porsche 962 with Jochen Maas. “I've gone from watching my dad race there, to racing and winning at Sebring myself. Most recently, I've returned as a team owner and even had the privilege of watching (son) Graham race at Sebring. I'm looking forward to getting back in the driver's seat for the Legends of Motorsports weekend in December. Historic racing has been a passion of mine for many years and the Legends of Motorsports project has been very rewarding for me."

It will conclude a season that has seen a successful launch of the vintage racing program along with the GT team and manufacturer championships for BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team. RLR’s BMW M3 GT won in class at Road America, and at least one Rahal entry finished on the podium in the first eight ALMS races of 2010.

“This was a busy year, balancing my RLR responsibilities with running a new historic racing series," Rahal said. “But with the GT team and manufacturer championships now in hand, a weekend behind the wheel at Sebring is the perfect way to cap off 2010."