Jim Bell, one of the elite names in the history of sports car racing, has announced a shared venture with prominent businessman Michael Fux to launch a GT1 programme with an Aston Martin DBR9 in the American Le Mans Series.
The move will see Miami-based Bell Motorsports going head-to-head against stalwart Corvette Racing, which has won seven consecutive class championships.
Bell, a 30-year veteran in sports car racing, has been involved with the American Le Mans Series since its inaugural event - and even prior to that at Petit Le Mans in 1998.
He has provided engineering oversight for a number of prominent GT and prototype teams in the Series. Most recently, Bell served as lead engineer and crew chief in support of Tim Pappas' Team Transport Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in the 2007 American Le Mans Series.
"Aston Martin always has made a premium race car and automobile," said Bell, team principal, "and there is no better place to showcase a premium brand than in the American Le Mans Series.
"Having been involved with the Series since its inception, I know it will be an extraordinary challenge but it's one we all relish and look forward to. We enjoyed competing in the American Le Mans Series with the ACEMCO Saleen S7R against Corvette Racing in 2005 and at Le Mans in 2006. I think we have developed a mutual, competitive respect for one another, and having the chance to rekindle that in 2008 makes me proud and eager with anticipation."
Fux is a semi retired businessman whose career expands more than 40 years in the founding, developing and launching of successful companies in the home furnishing industry. He has had his eye on becoming involved in motorsports for some time and, like Bell, believes the American Le Mans Series is the ideal platform.
