Alfa Romeo look set to return to sportscar racing in 2008 after the chairman of the company revealed they are planning to develop a car through next year before then challenging for the Le Mans 24 Hours.

According to L'Equipe, their assault will be based around the forthcoming 8C Competizione sportscar, with Alfa Romeo's Antonio Baravalle admitting the company was eager to challenge the likes of Porsche and sister company Ferrari in the GT2 class to enhance their formidable racing image.

Indeed, although a full programme has yet to be announced, Alfa Romeo have singled out 24-hour endurance classics at Le Mans, the Nurburgring and Daytona as being the ultimate aim, the latter targeted as a prelude to the brand returning to the US car market in 2008.

“We will do it with a 8C Competizione developed especially to take part in the competitions long distance, like the 24 Hours of Mans, Nurburgring and Daytona,” he told the French newspaper.

To be homologated to GT2 regulations, Italiaspeed are in turn reporting that the programme could be produced in tandem with Maserati's GT1 competition. This means Pirelli are expected to provide the tyres, while Dallara has been mooted as developing the chassis too.

Drivers will not be confirmed till sometime nearer the car's unveiling, although FIA GT drivers Fabio Babini and 2006 Champion Andrea Bertolini are thought to be in line at least to develop the 8C and possibly to race it.

What this could mean though is an official end to Alfa Romeo's full-works participation in the World Touring Car Championship, who had been rumoured to be making a return to the series in 2007 after taking a sabbatical in 2006.

Indeed, it had been hinted they could return with a new car for next season, although this new focus could well leave any Alfa Romeo effort in the WTCC as merely a semi-works one, just as it was with N-Technology this year.