American Spirit Racing team owner Jon Lewis has announced that American Spirit Racing will compete in the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama in 2010. It marks the return to IMSA for one of the sanctioning body’s most recognized teams.
“We are excited to be expanding our racing operation to include a return to competition in IMSA,” commented Lewis. “IMSA is the premier organization for sports car racing in North America and it will be great to rekindle our association.”
The Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama features the continent’s top semi-professional and gentlemen drivers competing in Porsche’s 911 GT3 Cup car on Yokohama’s ADVAN ENV-R01 race tire. There are two classes – the Platinum Cup for 2008 and 2009 Porsche GT3 Cup cars and the Gold Cup for 2005-2007 models.
“We are looking forward to participating in the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama,” Lewis continued. “This is a series in which driver talent is at a premium. The cars are all relatively the same where very few adjustments can be made thereby providing drivers with a level playing field, not based on the budget they have to spend. We have worked with numerous drivers in their rookie seasons in various series and we are very proud of our drivers who have succeeded and advanced into upper levels of the sport. We look forward to continuing our support of the drivers who participate with our team.”
American Spirit Racing has more than 22 years of experience in sports car and endurance racing. Numerous drivers have driven American Spirit machines including John Paul Jr., Dorsey Schroeder, Mike Borkowski and Boris Said among others.
American Spirit Racing was established in 1987 while competing in IMSA’s Firestone Firehawk Endurance Championship. Since that time, American Spirit Racing has fielded front running cars in IMSA Camel GT (GTP), Bridgestone SuperCar Series, GT2 and American Le Mans Series’ prototype classes. In addition, American Spirit Racing has fielded or supported cars and drivers in IndyCar, Firestone Indy Lights, Trans-Am, as well as, provided marketing support in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series and the North American Touring Car Championship.
American Spirit Racing currently is accepting applications from drivers for the 2010 season as well as investor/members of the operation. “We have put together a relatively cost-effective and solid package for drivers where they don’t have to spend the additional money to buy their own car,” Lewis said. “Our cars will be brand new, not used machines. Drivers can be assured their car will be one of the most professionally prepared in the series, and the support they receive will be second-to-none. In addition, we have developed a program for investor/members who wish to participate as owners and receive a large return on their investment.”
