TEAM NEWS: Intersport Racing Returns to LMP1 Division of American Le Mans Series (14.02.2007)
Photo by John Thawley
DETROIT - Ending nearly a month of speculation, Clint Field, principal of Intersport Racing and 2005 American Le Mans Series LMP2 Class Champion, announced today the team will return to the LMP1 class of the American Le Mans Series for 2007. Intersport won the LMP2 class championship in 2003 and 2005. The team also won the LMP2 class at the 2004 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The team will run a Judd powered Creation CA06/H. The car is a mid-engine, rear wheel drive utilizing a carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb monocoque chassis. The Judd GV5 is a 5 liter normally aspirated V10 and generates approximately 600+bhp at 9000 RPM.
"We've thought long and hard about the team direction and have said for the past few years that we'd like to be in LMP1," noted Clint. "Granted, the numbers in LMP1 are down right now, but long term we felt the class will see renewed growth. This is as good a time as any for us to develop our program. We know we can make the car fast... that's never been a problem for us. The focus is going to be on making sure were durable and reliable. I think our guys are very much up to the challenge."
"We chose the Creation after a lot of soul searching and study of last year's performance and lap times," Fields added. "All-in-all, the car was very fast under most conditions. I think what really tipped the scales in favor of the Creation was the car has excellent mechanical grip. Looking at the schedule and the types of tracks we encounter in the American Le Mans series, we feel that will be an advantage for us."
The team will take delivery of the car in next few days and begin their preparation for the season kickoff at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Clint will be joined in the car for the 2007 Twelve Hours of Sebring by Jon Field and Richard Berry.
