Three new independent customer teams representing three different auto manufacturers will race in the ALMS GT2 class next season, series president and CEO Scott Atherton confirmed on Friday at the annual State of the Series address at Road Atlanta.
Bill Riley and Lou Gigliotti will introduce two Corvette C6's to next season's GT2 grid. The production-based Corvette will feature the standard Corvette C.6 engine which produces approximately 430 horsepower versus the 500-plus horsepower of its GT1 class Z06 engine counterpart.
Joel Feinberg of Primetime Race Group will run a Dodge Viper factory-supported customer team with the intent of running multiple teams beginning at Sebring in 2008.
The third new team is a Ford GT operated by Kevin Doran who intends to run the endurance races and provide cars to other top flight independent programmes.
"The American Le Mans Series, like Le Mans," said Atherton, "has always embraced both the factory-backed teams and the top level private/independent race teams. Lately, much of the news has been focused on new manufacturers and factory teams, but today we confirmed three new independent teams - all bringing exciting new programmes into the Series.
"Private, non-factory affiliated teams have always been the core of the Series though, and today, we add three new members with top-flight programmes. I can't wait to see the Ford GT, Viper and C6 Corvette mix it up with the Ferraris, Porsches and Panoz. It's going to be great!"
Homologation to ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest) specifications will occur immediately following the season in order that all cars will be available to participate in the ALMS Winter Test, January 28-30 at Sebring International Raceway.
The new teams bring three U.S.-based auto manufactures to the grid. It is Ford's first production car foray into the ALMS.
At Petit Le Mans, eight different auto and a dozen engine manufacturers will compete head-to-head.
In its nine-year history, 16 different chassis and 14 different engine marquees have won at least one Series race.
