Ginetta-Zytek LMP1 for team LNT at Petit

Ginetta-Zytek LMP1

Team LNT will make its American Le Mans Series return – and first foray into prototype competition in North America – with a Ginetta-Zytek LMP1 entry for Petit Le Mans powered by the Totally New MAZDA6, team officials announced today. It joins Corsa Motorsports’ P1 entry for two Zyteks on the grid for the American Le Mans Series’ cornerstone event.

Danny Watts (under management with LNT) will again drive for Team LNT with the yet unnamed second driver said to be one of considerable “experience and speed."

Team LNT’s last appearance in the American Le Mans Series was a fifth-place GT2 showing in 2006 with a Panoz Esperante GTLM. That was a precursor to a class victory at Le Mans, the first for the team and the Panoz brand at the world’s greatest auto race.

The new Ginetta branding of the Ginetta-Zytek LMP car is symbolic of the recent announcement that Bill Gibson (Zytek founder) and Lawrence Tomlinson (Ginetta’s Chairman) now have an equal controlling interest in Zytek Engineering.

Tomlinson's Zytek involvement has accelerated several development areas such as the new Zytek LMP2 engine and a new 4.5-liter LMP1 engine that will form the basis of the recently announced hybrid project with Steve Pruitt’s Corsa Motorsports.

“Several new and exciting projects have been kick started by the new relationship" said Tomlinson. “Both companies will complement and strengthen their presence in International Motorsport with Ginetta benefiting from the high-end technology filtering down into its road and race cars.

“Zytek Engineering is one of Britain's best kept secrets with a hugely talented staff vastly experienced in varied automotive technologies. We believe this partnership will assist Zytek Engineering in becoming a much more visible force, demonstrating its abilities across a broader automotive range," Tomlinson continued. The end result of the new on-track race team and development program between Ginetta and Zytek Engineering will assist road car innovation and manufacturing."

Team LNT’s previous LMP entry was a “one off" LMP2 Zytek at Silverstone exactly 12 months ago. That effort resulted in pole position, fastest lap and second place having dominated the race early on with Watts and Tom Kimber-Smith at the wheel.

The exciting new project will not be the first time the Ginetta brand has been launched at a major International event, with a Ginetta G4 having competed at Sebring in 1965.

Petit Le Mans powered by the Totally New MAZDA6 is the 10th round of the 2008 American Le Mans Series. The 1,000-mile/10-hour race is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. Saturday, October 4 from Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga. SPEED will televise the race live with XM Satellite Radio airing live race coverage throughout the day on Channel 166.