Atlanta, Georgia (August 20, 2009) – New team, new look, new car, new brand – that was what was unveiled during a press conference today in Georgia. Gliding Serpent Motorsports, Inc. (GSM) establishes a new entity, formed to race Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs in the ALMS GT2 category and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Gliding Serpent Motorsports officially announced a GT2 program for the American Le Mans Series that will see the Georgia, Atlanta-based team unite with the Porsche brand by entering a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR pair for a full-season championship effort in 2010.
“This has always been a childhood dream of mine,” said GSM team principal John Thompson. “We are most fortunate to be able to participate in our dreams, racing in sportscar championships. In particular, driving in cars made by a legend like Porsche. Over the last few months we haven’t spent our time idly; we’ve focused on the creation of a world class race organization. With a partnership in Porsche, we feel like our work with both the ALMS and the ACO will give us a car that is number one: competitive on the track, number two: representative of Porsche’s racing history, and number three: I can’t think of a number three right now, but it will be awesome I promise."
GSM will be entering the ALMS with Porsche as a technical and marketing partner. Porsche has provided vital engineering, information and support to assist the team in the their inaugural year. "The timing is great for us because Porsche is currently eager to shift resources from Grand Am to the ALMS for next season” stated Thompson. Preparation of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR is near completion at the GSM facility (known in the inner circles as the “snake pit”). A parallel engine development process is also underway for the new injected 4-liter normally aspirated engine which will become standard in all 2010 Porsche 911 GT2 cars. “Although there are many high points for Porsche this year, Porsche is 100% committed with its efforts to address issues of reliability. We feel privileged to be part of the development process of an engine that should be revolutionary in terms of fuel efficiency, power, and reliability. Preliminary testing results have been nothing short of astonishing. We want that 30 lbs back.”
GSM will be racing at least 2 “next generation” RSR’s in the ALMS next year, and is working hard to get an entry for Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA6 this Year. “Right now we have two test mules. One is running the current engine, and the other the next generation engine.” “We hope to run at least one this year at Petit. We are working night and day with Porsche to make this happen.”
“The addition of Gliding Serpent Motorsports speaks volumes about the status of the American Le Mans Series,” said Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the world’s leading sports car series. “Not only does the series add to a world class lineup of manufacturers, but the fact that this addition occurs during such a challenging time in our industry makes the announcement truly significant. I was told not to give away any secrets, but they gave me a look into the development of a next generation Porsche engine, and their revolutionary "color-based-aerodynamics." This team really solidifies the ALMS as a forum for cutting edge racing technology. John is one of the most enthusiastic and innovative people in motorsport and his decision to bring Gliding Serpent Motorsports and it’s development program with Porsche into the American Le Mans Series at this time is the best endorsement we could ask for.”
“Looking back over the decades, I believe Porsche’s finest hours in motorsports have occurred in sportscar racing. The timing of its continued evolution couldn’t be better. Porsche can introduce, develop and showcase their technologies and immediately link the DNA of their racecar to the 911 in the showroom in a way that no other form of motorsport can match. We are very proud to be welcoming John Thompson, Gliding Serpent Motorsports, and the Porsche brand as the newest stakeholders of the American Le Mans Series, and we look forward to seeing them on the track in the very near future”.
Announcements on driver and commercial partners will be made at a later date. “I don’t want to give anything away, but our driver lineup will blow everyone away.” States Thompson. “Porsche is behind us 100%.” “Money talks.”
For more information on Gliding Serpent Motorsports, go to www.glidingserpentmotorsport.com. For information on the American Le Mans Series, go to www.americanlemans.com.
1 comment:
This is great news. The ALMS is getting stronger by the race. Will you be at any other races this year?
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