Porsche dumps support of Flying Lizard team

One of Porsche's most successful GT teams will no longer serve as a development partner for the German manufacturer.

Porsche announced Friday that it will discontinue its factory supported program with Flying Lizard Motorsports, as development of the 997-model Porsche 911 GT3 RSR winds down ahead of the 991-model GT contender, which will make its North American debut in 2014.

The Sonoma, Calif.-based team, a two-time ALMS GT class champion, as well as three-time drivers' championship-winning squad, had been Porsche's North American development partner since 2007.

“Team owner Seth Neiman and his entire Flying Lizard Motorsports organization have helped both Porsche Motorsport and all our customer teams around the world by being our development partner in the U.S.," said Jens Walther, President of Porsche Motorsport North America. "Together we have won multiple championships in the ALMS.

"The team has assisted in testing everything from new engines and transmissions to the latest aero package we introduced earlier this year – all to improve the car for everyone. In the midst of all that, they won three straight ALMS GT championships in the most competitive class in sports car racing. We thank Seth and his team for that service, and hope their racing plans going forward continue to include Porsche," Walther said.

Team Principal Seth Neiman issued the following statement:

"I and the entire Flying Lizard family would like to thank Porsche for their support and partnership over the last nine years. Together we have worked hard and have learned to rely on each other in critical moments, of which there have been many throughout our 100 races and multiple GT championships.

"Joerg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Hartmut Kristen, Jens Walther, Uwe Brettel, Alwin Springer, Roland Kussmaul, Hans-Georg Breuer and many others at Porsche get our special thanks, along with the numerous Porsche employees and affiliates in Germany, Atlanta and Southern California who have been an integral part of our team, and with whom we have become close friends.

"Flying Lizard remains committed to sports car racing, and we look forward to announcing details of our 2013 racing program later this year."