Record ALMS LBGP entry list
The field for Long Beach is the largest for a standard-length race in the Series since 2003 and is also the biggest at the circuit for the Series since its first race there in 2007.
“We were blessed with a fantastic field of world-class competitors at Sebring, and they certainly did not disappoint," said Scott Atherton, Series President and CEO. “As we move on to the biggest and most strategic market for our series – southern California – we have been overwhelmed by entries, both the quantity and quality. There is no question we will have a record-breaking field for our fourth-annual event through the streets of Long Beach. I am confident that the tens of thousands of spectators in attendance at America’s premier street race will witness a great race among the world’s best sports cars, teams and drivers."
The Series’ fourth consecutive visit to the 11-turn, 1.968-mile historic Long Beach track will boast a number of new features. First and foremost is the debut of the Series’ combined LMP class. Five separate marques will fight for overall victory – Aston Martin, Lola, Mazda and Porsche. Adding to the mix is the inclusion of two exotic closed-top prototypes: Drayson Racing’s E85-powered Lola-Judd and Aston Martin Racing’s Lola-Aston Martin with its screaming V12 production-based engine.
Another new addition to Long Beach is the first-year LMP Challenge class featuring ORECA’s FLM09 prototype. Seven FLM09s are entered after a successful opening race last weekend at the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida, where the ORECA-built racers passed their debut with flying colors.
Among the highlights on the entry list are two cars for Level 5 Motorsports, the class winner at Sebring, and G-Oli’s Green Earth Team Gunnar. There is one new entry – PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports for prototype expert Johnny Mowlem and Tom Papdopoulos.
The GT class is its usual spectacular self – double-digit entries representing six manufacturers (BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Jaguar and Porsche). Risi Competizione’s duo of Jaime Melo and Gimmi Bruni enter as the championship leaders after another Sebring victory for the Ferrari F430 GT. Of course the list of challengers is extensive including Corvette Racing’s two Corvette C6.Rs (making their first Long Beach start in the class), JaguarRSR’s Jaguar XKRS and two cars each for BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team (second and third in class at Sebring) and defending Series and race champion Flying Lizard Motorsports.
A nine-car field for the GT Challenge class will be part of the Long Beach grid with new additions from 911 Design (Loren Beggs/Doug Baron) and Black Swan Racing (Tim Pappas/Jeroen Bleekemolen). Sebring class-winner Alex Job Racing leads the GTC contingent with three cars – one ounder the Car Amigo-Alex Job Racing banner.
The Tequila Patr¢n American Le Mans Series at Long Beach is the second round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patr¢n. The race, set at the historic Long Beach street circuit, is scheduled for 4:40 p.m. PT on Saturday, April 15 with coverage on SPEED set for 8 to 10 p.m. ET. Live radio coverage will be available on American Le Mans Radio presented by Porsche – a production of Radio Show Limited – as well as Sirius and XM. Visit the Series’ schedule page for ticket and accommodation information. Live Timing and Scoring, track schedule, entry list and much, much more will be available on Racehub at www.americanlemans.com.