Halliday relishes Aston Martin role

Living in London, the Aston Martin brand has a special place in the heart of Liz Halliday. Now she has the opportunity to drive an Aston Martin DBR9 for Team Modena at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring to open the 2007 American Le Mans Series season.

“When I saw the car for the first time I was hugely impressed with it," Halliday beamed. “So it’s a great honor that (Team Modena) asked me to be a part of the program. Also I don’t believe that there are many women who have had the opportunity to race the DBR9, so that is kind of cool."

Halliday, who will team with Antonio Garcia at Sebring, made headlines in the Series with Intersport Racing in 2005 and 2006. She is the most successful female in American Le Mans Series with six victories (all with Intersport in LMP2) in 18 career starts. Last season, she and Intersport battled the Porsche factory team and Penske Motorsports’ two Porsche RS Spyders. At Sebring, she and Team Modena will go head-to-head with Corvette Racing’s two Corvette C6.Rs.

“It’s definitely going to be a similar challenge," Halliday admitted. “My first time in the car will be the Monday of Sebring. I have not driven anything with a roof in quite some time, so it will take a little bit to get used to the heat and driving style.

“I will be doing a great deal of testing (in Europe) just driving anything with a roof that I can get my hands on," she added. “I believe that great race car drivers must be able to drive all types of cars. This is a great opportunity to move onward and upward in my career."

The 2007 American Le Mans Series opens with the 55th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 17 at Sebring International Raceway. The green flag will fall shortly after 10 a.m. with SPEED providing live coverage. The race also will be broadcast by American Le Mans Radio with IMSA Live Timing & Scoring available at americanlemans.com.