Alex Job Racing switches form Porsche to Lotus in ALMS

Alex Jobs Racing Lotus

Motorsports and Alex Job Racing are joining forces to compete for the American Le Mans Series GT (ALMS) championship beginning in 2012. The team will be known as Lotus Alex Job Racing (AJR). The factory-endorsed sports car team will focus its primary efforts in North America.

Lotus AJR will campaign the 2012 Lotus Evora GTE car beginning with the Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix the weekend of April 14th.

"I am excited to announce the racing partnership between Lotus and Alex Job Racing in North America," Alex Job, team principal of Lotus AJR said. "Our efforts and ability to attract Lotus is a testament to the hard work that AJR has put in over the past several years. This partnership, along with our key sponsors WilliamRast, Battery Tender, and Yokohama represent a new chapter for our seasoned organization and for the ALMS.

Bill Sweedler, Townsend Bell, and Colin Dyne (CEO, William Rast) played the key role in forging this long-term relationship with Lotus. We collectively look forward to representing this iconic sports car brand for years to come in GT racing."

"We are focused on winning," Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus, said. "Alex Job has one of the best records in sports car racing. We look forward to working together and developing a top-tier team over the coming years. Racing is a core component of the Lotus brand, and we are thrilled to have this new partnership to further enhance our winning racing heritage."

Job has confirmed that IndyCar driver Townsend Bell will be joining the team and partnering behind the wheel with two-time ALMS Founders Cup winner and AJR driver Bill Sweedler.

"We are delighted to welcome Townsend to the Lotus AJR family," Job continued. "Townsend comes from a distinguished career in IndyCar and open-wheel racing in the U.S. and Europe. His natural speed and personality will make for a successful partnership with Lotus AJR, Battery Tender, Yokohama, William Rast, and seasoned AJR co-driver Sweedler.

Bell's racing pedigree boasts an Indy Lights Championship in 2001, and Rookie of the year in 2000. He finished fourth in the 2009 Indy 500 and was the first American to have a podium finish in the FIA Formula 3000 Series.

"I am really excited about 2012 and driving with Townsend," Sweedler said. He will be a strong addition to the team. I had a fantastic time working with AJR for the last couple of years and am honored to continue as one of their drivers. Alex and his team run a first class operation just like Lotus. It will be a strong partnership."

"Having the chance to represent such a great brand like Lotus is simply awesome," Bell said. "The fact that I get to work with one of the best teams in sports car racing is icing on the cake. I'm really fired-up to work with Alex, Bill, and my good friend Colin Dyne from William Rast in what will undoubtedly be a great adventure. Time to buckle up!"

Scott Atherton, president and CEO ALMS, welcomes the new GT entry to ALMS competition.

"This is doubly good news for the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patr¢n," Atherton said. "It's a pleasure to welcome the Lotus brand and their spectacular Evora to the most competitive GT class of racing in the world. But to have this factory-backed effort spearheaded by Alex Job – one of the most successful team owners in ALMS history – assures that this truly will be yet another championship-caliber entry to the GT class. I know that fans at each of our events will be enthralled when the AJR Lotus, complete with its iconic livery and Battery Tender sponsorship, hits the track."

Lotus AJR will carry sponsorship from Battery Tender, William Rast and is a Yokohama tire supported team for 2012.

Alex Job Racing is one of the most successful teams in sports car racing. The team's resume includes: ALMS GT series championships in 2004, 2003, 2002; a record 22 consecutive ALMS GT pole positions; two-time 24-Hour of Le Mans GT class winners; Seven 12-hour of Sebring wins in 2010, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999 and 1995.

The ALMS GT Class is production-based, moderately-modified two-wheel drive race cars comprise the GT class – BMW M3, Corvette C6.R, Ferrari F458 GT, Ford GT-R, Jaguar XKR GT, Lotus Evora and Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. The GT cars share many similarities to their showroom brands. With top speeds of up to 180 mph, these elite GTs produce between 450-500 horsepower and have a minimum weight of 1,145 kilograms (2,480 pounds). All GT race cars have green Leader Light System race position lights and green car numbers.