BOBBY RAHAL of Rahal Letterman Racing announced Thursday at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca that RLR will be running a new American Le Mans GT2 team starting with the 2007 season, as part of a long-term plan. It will be a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, with the 997 body configuration. At present RLR will run a one car ALMS team, but it is close to being two. "Stay tuned" said Rahal, with a twinkle in his eye and a big grin.
The idea of returning to his roots, where he got started in racing, has been a goal of Rahal's for the past five years. Rahal said he got started in sports cars, first working on his father's Carrera 6 Porsche, which caused his grades to suffer. He graduated to racing Porsches, 962's and 935's in the eighties. One of his three favourite victories was his win at Sebring.
Rahal said he's always wanted to go to Le Mans. He's already won the 12 Hours of Sebring and the Indianapolis 500, said to be two of the top three racing pinnacles.
Also sharing in Rahal's plans was SCOTT ATHERTON, President and CEO of American Le Mans Series, who has been working with Rahal for a long time to bring the plan to fruition.
Atherton said he always meant it when he told people "if you only knew what I knew" and "there's more to come." The Rahal Announcement was part of the more to come, and "put meat on the bone." Atherton said: "Today was a big day for the series, and continues our momentum."
No mention of specific sponsorship was made for the new RLR team, but Rahal is working on a big sponsor now.
Rahal said he has been under the radar with his plans, so there hasn't been much buzz about drivers yet. Now that his plans are out in the open, he expects to be talking with drivers. Rahal would like to have a driver with Porsche 996 experience, but it is not necessary. But with two Porsche development teams and drivers already contracted for next year, he might have to think out of the box. Rahal is looking for full time dedicated drivers.
![Bobby Rahal, co-owner Rahal-Letterman Racing. [Photo Dan Helrigel/IRL]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/146437.jpg)
