Mazda to enter ALMS LMP 2

Mazda will join Honda and Porsche in the battle for LMP2 supremacy in the ALMS Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development and B-K Motorsports have announced a partnership with AER and Lola to develop an all-new Mazda-derived engine and purpose-built chassis for the 2007 ALMS championship season. The goal is to improve on the 2006 result of third place in the LMP2 championship and a return to the top of the class podium. B-K Motorsports' first step with its Mazda-powered Lola B07/40 comes at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 17, the first round of the 12-race American Le Mans Series. "Since announcing its return to the premier level of sports car racing in 2005, Mazda has exhibited the utmost level of commitment and enthusiasm for the American Le Mans Series," said series president and CEO Scott Atherton. "A key component of Mazda's involvement is helping to promote young drivers through the ranks of Star Mazda and into American Le Mans Series competition, providing us with the prototype drivers of tomorrow. We are eagerly looking forward to seeing B-K Motorsports' new Mazda-powered Lola in action starting at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. This completely new package adds to the depth of quality and quantity in our LMP2 class for 2007." B-K Motorsports will field an international driver line-up with American Jamie Bach and Englishman Ben Devlin running the entire season. Brazilian Raphael Matos will join the team for Sebring as well as Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. The trio will have the opportunity to test the new chassis-engine combination in one of the most demanding endurance races in the world. "Mazda thrives on innovation, and the American Le Mans Series supplies a great challenge to our engineers and teams," said Robert Davis, Senior VP, product development and quality, Mazda North American Operations. "Over the past two years we have enjoyed a number of successes in the P2 class and are looking forward to the increased competition in 2007."