Johnny Mowlem is citing this year's Sebring 12 Hours as possibly his best chance for victory after signing a deal to race with Risi Competizione in the endurance classic.

A return to the car he helped pilot to victory on the one occasion he drove for them in the American Le Mans Series last season, Mowlem will join forces with front runners Mika Salo and Jamie Melo to drive the Ferrari 430 GT Berlinetta as both driver and team seek a first Sebring triumph.

The sixth time Mowlem has competed at the Florida circuit having raced a GT2 Porsche on four occasions and a GT1 Saleen most recently in 2004 and 2005, the Brit nonetheless sees 2007 as his best chance to land the one that got away.

“This year might be the best chance I've had to win it,” he said “This is one of those races that you save space on your mantle for the trophy. The races at Sebring are amongst the least predictable of all the world's great sports car races.

“The track is very bumpy, and this combines with the usual high ambient temperatures to create a very tough environment for teams, cars and drivers. That's why a win there means so much and also requires a decent slice of luck.

Nonetheless, while 2007 will see several examples of the new Porsche 911, Mowlem has confidence in Risi, the team having swept to the ALMS GT2 title in the their first year of competing last season.

“However, the effort level and professionalism that the Risi Competizione organisation brings to every race makes its own luck and so I'm hoping this will lead to us getting a great result.”