Press Snoop: Rahal returns to roots.

Friday, 20th October 2006

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.

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Porsche has signed three GT2 teams in the United States, but Brettel doesn't know how many have been signed in Europe, as he's "been too busy here in America." Brettel said Porsche has sold 25 RSR cars, nine in the US. The other 16 cars are in the World market. "We expect a minimum of six to seven new RSR's and maybe some new 996-997's at Sebring."

Brettel said the RLR team was a long-term partnership, combining history with the future.

Atherton said ALMS has been an overnight success, taking eight years. There are several new teams coming on board. Last year at this time it was Penske Motorsports joining ALMS with its Porsche efforts. This year there are other new teams coming from IRL, including Andretti Green Racing and Fernandez Racing. ALMS has good TV coverage, with SPEED and five network broadcasts. "It all feeds upon itself."

The relevance to the real world isn't limited to the GT2 category. Atherton said: "It's even with the prototypes. Audi's initiative is to re-educate the entire world what the diesel power is. Next year it plans to place diesel Audi's in the showrooms."

Rahal said his partner, TV late night host, DAVID LETTERMAN, does a lot for Motorsports. He's very knowledgeable and a huge fan. Letterman has all kinds of guests on his show, "some we don't even like. Letterman leaves the business side to us, but he follows the sports car side."

ALMS is the headliner for this weekend's Monterey Sports Car Championships at Laguna Seca. It will run a four-hour race Saturday afternoon, into dusk. Also part of the weekend is SCCA Pro Racing's SPEED World Challenge Series, IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge, Star Mazda Series, and the Super Stars of Super Karts.

The timing couldn't be better. JOHN MADDEN said October is San Francisco's little secret. The weather is warm and sunny, with a bit of a breeze to temper the heat. The locals call it Indian Summer. Everyone calls it brilliant.