Hyper Sport Slated For American Le Mans Series
Braselton, GA. - March 5, 2003 - The newly formed Hyper Sport LLC sets their target for the 2003 American Le Mans Series. Hyper Sport was established in January of 2003 with intentions of competing in the ALMS GT class. The objective was to create a diverse marketing program tied to their competitive motor sports effort as well as form a successful - winning team. Hyper Sport team principals/drivers, Rick Skelton and Brad Nyberg bring a new team to the American Le Mans Series as well as a new car. Both drivers were top finishers in the highly competitive Panoz GT and Pro Series over the last two years.
The Hyper Sport team plans to debut the new Panoz Esperante GT-LM in Washington, DC this summer. The Panoz Esperante GT-LM is based on the road going Panoz Esperante and powered by a 5.0 liter Robert Yates-built Ford engine. " We've examined various opportunities to enter the ALMS and chose to take an aggressive, competitive marketing move and join Dr. Panoz in pushing the new Esperante GT-LM project to the front. This unique car will set our team and our sponsors apart, creating excitement other cars can't match," says Skelton. Hyper Sport and Elan Motorsports Technologies, Inc. will continue to develop the Esperante GT-LM car throughout the year and are planning a second GT-LM car to hit the track as the season progresses.
In addition, Hyper Sport will be running a 2001 Porsche GT car at the 51st Annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring on March 15, 2003. The Porsche will allow the Hyper Sport team to begin its motor sport marketing and sponsorship efforts as well as aid in increasing driver/team points in the ALMS season.
Lead driver for the Hyper Sport effort will be Joe Foster, experienced ALMS competitor and Chief Driving Instructor of the Panoz Racing School. " Joe's years of experience in the ALMS driving different types of GT and GTS class cars combined with his engineering background make him the right man for the job," says Nyberg. Foster will also be the primary testing and development driver throughout the season.
Pirelli Tyre has stepped up as a technical development partner on the Esperante GT-LM project and will provide engineering resources during all phases of the testing, development and support at the ALMS races themselves. " We see an opportunity here to partner with a manufacturer with great potential." states Peter Tyson, of marketing communications for Pirelli North America. " We're confident in the Panoz organization and the team to provide all the necessary tools for success."