I am pleased to have played a small part in putting this team together with Ferrari. LAS VEGAS, Nev., USA, December 20, 2006 -Two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans class-winning Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing announced today that it will campaign the Ferrari F430 GT in the American Le Mans Series beginning in 2007. The two-time, GT2 class Series Champions will enter their first race under the legendary banner of the Ferrari prancing horse at the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 17. The move to the most renowned name in motorsports come s on the heels of two consecutive American Le Mans Series Driver Championships for the Michael Petersen-owned and Dale White-managed team. The program will see the highest level of factory support the Nevada-based organization has enjoyed in its impressive sports car racing career. However, the partnership with Ferrari Corse Clienti stops short of a full-factory effort allowing the No. 31 to pursue a third consecutive IMSA Cup championship for privateer entrants. The F430 GT will carry the neon yellow, red and white livery that has been identified with the team since debuting in the American Le Mans Series in 1999. As it has done since 2003, the Petersen/White Lightning entry will ride on Michelin racing tires. The team will take delivery of the mid-engine, 1100 kg (2,425 lbs) machine in Italy at Ferrari Corse Clienti in mid-February. Delivery will be followed by a private “shakedown run” at Ferrari’s famous Fiorano test track in Maranello. The Petersen/White Lightning F430 will make its North American debut in a multi- day test at Sebring International Raceway in March. The move to the Ferrari F430 GT follows a long and successful history with Porsche. Since 1998, Petersen/White Lightning has campaigned Porsche 911-derived cars capturing 17 class wins, over 20 podiums and prestigious victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (twice), 24 At Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans (twice). Petersen/White Lightning, which will compete in its first Euromilhoes Dakar rally next month, has won nine American Le Mans Series GT2 races.The V8-powered Italian exotic will be in its second season of professional sports car racing in 2007. The F430 GT provided the most intense competition to the Petersen/White Lightning entry as sought its second championship in 2006. Petersen/White Lightning went on to win three events, the Driver Championship with Jörg Bergmeister (Langenfeld, Germany) and the IMSA Cup title. Patrick Long (Las Vegas, Nev.) finished second in the Driver title chase.Additional information regarding drivers, marketing partners and personnel relating to the move to the Ferrari F430 GT will be announced in the coming months.A high-resolution rendering of the No. 31 MMPIE/PAWS/Michelin Ferrari F430 GT is available for editorial purposes upon request.Quotes:Michael Petersen, Owner: “We are very excited about the new chapter that is beginning at Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing for the 2007 season and beyond. To race a Ferrari has been a dream of mine ever since my father brought home his first Ferrari when I was very small. We’ve had great success with Porsche in the past and have made many good friends there and we wish them all the best. But, as things change, as they so often do, we were presented with an opportunity of a new partnership with Ferrari that we could not pass up. I know the boys are very excited for the new challenge that has been laid out for the team. To be able to represent Ferrari in the American Le Mans Series is quite an honor for us. We are looking forward to an awesome partnership as it should be one hell of a ride.”Dale White, Entrant/Team Manager: “This is one of the most exciting days in the history of our team. Ferrari is synonymous with motorsports throughout the world. To represent the legendary automaker in the American Le Mans Series is a great privilege. Mike and I see this as an opportunity to go from a longtime relationship to a long-term partnership. This move aligns us much more closely with a manufacturer. We have a lot to do between now and Sebring but we are very confident and very excited about going racing. Winning is always the main focus but now it feels like we are part of a bigger picture; a bloodline of success.”About the move: “After winning the [GT2] Driver and IMSA Cup titles last year and all threechampionships in ‘05, we were presented a lot of interesting options. We were approached by several manufacturers about entering their cars in GT2, in classes outside of GT2 and even outside the Series. But, we want to race in the most competitive series and in the most competitive class. That’s GT2. To win, you need to have a strong team and a close working partnership with a manufacturer. Ferrari has a strong appreciation of our program, what we have accomplished and what we hope to accomplish. Obviously, we share those same feelings about Ferrari. We are looking forward to working closely with Ferrari as a partner, not as a customer. That’s at the root of our decision. Our engineer, Frank Funke (Wetter, Germany) has already met with the constructors of the F430 GT at Michelotto to discuss technical aspects of the car. They want to work closely with us throughout the construction of the car. This is a great start to a working relationship.”About the difficulties in making the decision: “We were informed mid-way through last season that our drivers would be moved to other teams next year. That left us in a difficult spot but with an easy choice once Ferrari laid out their ideas of a working relationship. They outlined what Mike and I have been looking for a nd the decision was made. It’s what is right for the team. On a personal note, one of the hardest parts of this is breaking longtime, professional ties with some good friends within Porsche Motorsports. Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long and many of the engineers have become like family to everyone on this team. Those friendships made the decision more emotional but, at the end of the day, we know it will be the right choice.” We are looking forward to an awesome partnership as it should be one hell of a ride.”Dale White, Entrant/Team Manager: “This is one of the most exciting days in the history of our team. Ferrari is synonymous with motorsports throughout the world. To represent the legendary automaker in the American Le Mans Series is a great privilege. Mike and I see this as an opportunity to go from a longtime relationship to a long-term partnership. This move aligns us much more closely with a manufacturer. We have a lot to do between now and Sebring but we are very confident and very excited about going racing. Winning is always the main focus but now it feels like we are part of a bigger picture; a bloodline of success.”About the move: “After winning the [GT2] Driver and IMSA Cup titles last year and all threechampionships in ‘05, we were presented a lot of interesting options. We were approached by several manufacturers about entering their cars in GT2, in classes outside of GT2 and even outside the Series. But, we want to race in the most competitive series and in the most competitive class. That’s GT2. To win, you need to have a strong team and a close working partnership with a manufacturer. Ferrari has a strong appreciation of our program, what we have accomplished and what we hope to accomplish. Obviously, we share those same feelings about Ferrari. We are looking forward to working closely with Ferrari as a partner, not as a customer. That’s at the root of our decision. Our engineer, Frank Funke (Wetter, Germany) has already met with the constructors of the F430 GT at Michelotto to discuss technical aspects of the car. They want to work closely with us throughout the construction of the car. This is a great start to a working relationship.”About the difficulties in making the decision: “We were informed mid-way through last season that our drivers would be moved to other teams next year. That left us in a difficult spot but with an easy choice once Ferrari laid out their ideas of a working relationship. They outlined what Mike and I have been looking for a nd the decision was made. It’s what is right for the team. On a personal note, one of the hardest parts of this is breaking longtime, professional ties with some good friends within Porsche Motorsports. Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long and many of the engineers have become like family to everyone on this team. Those friendships made the decision more emotional but, at the end of the day, we know it will be the right choice.”
well done jim. i am so hopeful that the alms grid will begin to fill. it is potentially the best road racing series in north america...i just wish don some luck in building the gt-1 class. i will be interested to see how the 430 runs against the latest 997's...nice to have what looks to be a real ferrari/porsche battle again. happy holidays jim. best, pcb
Looks like three of them in GT2 so far . . . not so sure about the color but . . guess I can make my call in a couple months at Sebring. Carol Go Risi ! ! !
Dyson is going to run at least one Porsche Spyder customer car in P2. The sticky then becomes P1. Would Audi run alone? Courage and Zytec teams that ran the last two races of 2006 and are possibles.The more cars quality teams the better. The more Ferraris the greater.
Audi has chased away competitors thanks to $90 million and rules that favor diesels. Image Unavailable, Please Login
So what's wrong with diesels? Let's not start the Audi bashing again. My friend just happened to win the championship with one. Thank you. Carol
Diesels are great and have come a long way in the past decade. My brother owns a recent VW Golf TDi that has a performance chip. The acceleration took me by suprise, but the noise doesn't excite.
What did you race and where?? I have two diesels but definitely not of the racing persuassion - more like a DuraMax and an older '97 Chevy diesel - luv them! Carol Are you headed to Autosport International?? did the website with exhibitors help??
Nothing is wrong with diesels, something is wrong with the rules that, for one thing, allows Audi to use their own fuel.
Chased away? The grid for 2007's looking good to me. I'm hoping to get to either Laguna Seca or Sears Point this coming season.
PWL said drivers, marketing partners and personnel will be announced in the coming months. Mike Petersen stated that to race a Ferrari has been a dream since a youngster when his dad had a Ferrari. Patrick Long will most likely be with Romain Dumas in a Penske RS Spyder; other experienced 430 drivers have already signed with other teams - Marino Franchitti with AGR Acura in P2; Ralf Kelleners with RLR in one of the Porsches. Quite honestly, I hope that Guiseppe gets the "cream of the crop" for his and Remo's cars in '07. Guess we'll know more when winter testing for Sebring begins. What we need is someone to put a Ferrari in GT1 so there's at least one car there!! Carol
Autocon Motorsorts is, so far, the ONLY P1 team scheduled to race full-time in 2007 besides Audi. No Dyson Lolas with a updated AER engines, no Highcroft Lola (they are racing a factory-backed Courage LC75 Acura in P2 next year). What will stop Audi from getting their 8th straight ALMS P1 engine and chassis (Italian race car builder Dallara built the R8's chassis and currently builds the R10's chassis) championship?? http://www.autoconmotorsports.com/ Autocon's second chassis is "back-burnered at the moment." - http://www.racingfanatics.com/Reports%202005/Reports%202006/Mike%20Lewis1.htm From earlier this year... 4/13/2006 LMSR.NET is told today that the Ferrari new 599 GTC (race version of the 599 GTB [Fiorano] road car) is ahead of schedule on its development and may be seen prior to its scheduled January 2007 unveiling. This coming direct from a member of the pro (end of news) I emailed Risi Competizione as to when and will Ferrari and Michelotto make a new Ferrari 599 GTC racecar? Donald Pierce of Risi Competizione emailed me today and said the following: There are no plans for a 599GTB race car by Ferrari. Michelotto, which is the division of Ferrari that produces Corse Clienti (Client Racing) cars would be the company to produce it, under Ferrari's department supervision. At this stage, however, there are no plans for a 599GTB. GT1 is an order of magnitude more expensive to race than GT2, with budgets for two cars in the $7.0 to $10.0 million range. (end of email) Ferrari's Alberto Borghini tells LMSR.NET (10-7-06) that at the moment Ferrari Corse Clienti is focused on the F430 GTC program only, the 599 GTB will not see a customer program in the near future.
Thanks. I guess we'll all have to wait a little more. The '07 lineup is looking really good. One more team racing a Ferrari
Excellent stuff Jim. I've been following the development of this effort on LMSR and ALMS but was unaware of your involvement until just now. This must have been a very tough decision for PLW after their long and successful history w/ P cars. And they will apparently lose both Pat Long and Bergmeister, both of whom I beleive maintain their commitment to Porsche. That said, the Risi success over here when combined with that of AF Corse and Scuderia Ecosse in the FIA GT championship clearly marks the 430 as the car to have for 2007. Please continue to keep us posted on any developments you may be able to share. Cheers