Winter Test draws record number of cars

The American Le Mans Series begins its 11th season at the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida the week of March 14-20.

In preparation for the oldest endurance race in the country, the ALMS hosted the Winter Test on Monday and Tuesday at the famed Sebring Raceway.

This year's Winter Test attracted a record number of 28 cars, whose teams and drivers came to Sebring for some valuable time on the historic, but rough 3.7-mile track.

With the economy slowly recovering, ticket sales have been brisk for this year's race.

"What a great way to start the year," said Sebring International Raceway president Tres Stephenson. "We had the most cars we've ever had for the Winter Test and with the race only three weeks away to have three quarters of the field here is just super.

"We opened the Winter Test up for the general public to give them a sneak peak at what's going to be here because this years race is going to have a stellar field.

The American Le Mans Series is taking its television platform to the next level by way of an agreement with Emmy Award-winning Chicago based Intersport which will serve as the production partner for the Series' two CBS Sports broadcasts in 2010. The Chicago-based media and marketing giant gives the American Le Mans Series a premium partner for two of its showcase events in 2010.

Working alongside the American Le Mans Series, Intersport will use its creative and innovative approach to create two 90-minute 'docu-drama / lifestyle / feature type' television programs based on Series' events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in May and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August. Coupled with track action, interviews and other timely content from each race, Intersport will inject revealing, behind-the-scenes look at the American Le Mans Series as well as explaining the science, technology and a historical perspective of road racing.

"This is admittedly a very bold step for us to take, but I believe it also represents a tremendous opportunity for the American Le Mans Series and all our stakeholders," said Scott Atherton, President & CEO of the American Le Mans Series. "Intersport has established a reputation for creating innovative media content that gets results. It also has set the benchmark for creativity in generating a 'buzz' around its projects that makes people want to watch. We could not be more pleased to be working with them on these new television and social media initiatives."

Intersport is a name familiar to fans of the American Le Mans Series and sports car racing around the world. It produced the highly acclaimed "Truth in 24" documentary in 2008, an award-winning film that chronicled Audi Sport's quest for a fifth consecutive victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Scott Atherton: "It continues to be gratifying that non-endemic corporations understand that the American Le Mans Series offers a unique opportunity and return on investment."

The American Le Mans Series announced at its Sebring Winter Test that Yancey's Fancy has become the official cheese of the world's premier professional sports car circuit. The largest producer of cheese curd on the East Coast will partner with the Series for activation opportunities that will include special events, at-track presence and promotions that will include the introduction of new and exciting brands.

"It continues to be gratifying that non-endemic corporations understand that the American Le Mans Series offers a unique opportunity and return on investment," Atherton said. "The ability to activate and offer Yancey's Fancy brands to our constituents and fans who not only demonstrate an intense loyalty to the Series but represent an extremely favorable audience for our new partner creates a perfect scenario for both parties."

Yancey's Fancy activation plans include using the American Le Mans Series logo on signage at promotional events nationwide, with point-of-sale opportunities in sales promotions with customers in existing Series' race markets, for regional and national tasting events and on select Yancey's merchandise, the corporate website, and press releases.

After winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Petit Le Mans in 2009, Peugeot will again enter two cars for this year's Sebring race.

Peugeot Sport confirmed Monday its entry with two diesel-powered factory Peugeot 908 HDi FAPs. It will mark the third straight year that Peugeot has contested the Sebring classic in central Florida.

Anthony Davidson, Marc Gene and Alexander Wurz - the latter two drivers part of the winning Peugeot with David Brabham at Le Mans last year - will share one Peugeot 908 at Sebring. Sebastien Bourdais, Pedro Lamy and Nic Minassian will drive the second car.

British racer Andy Meyrick will be joining Chris Dyson and Guy Smith in the No. 16 LMP2 Mazda Lola Coupe for the three 2010 American Le Mans Series long-distance races.

Starting with the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida on March 20, Meyrick will also partner in the six-hour American Le Mans Series Monterey presented by Patrón on May 22nd, the season-closing 1,000 mile Petit Le Mans on October 2 and may join the team at additional tests throughout the season.

"We welcome Andy to American sports car racing and expect he will showcase his talent quickly," said Dyson. "It will not take long for the fans to see what we saw when he first got behind the wheel."

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America's greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20.