Dyson Racing, one of America's most successful sports car
racing teams over the past 15 years, has announced it will be running two MG
Lola EX257 sportscars in the 2003 American Le Mans Series. The Intersport team
won the LMP 675 category driver's title in the ALMS this season with an MG Lola,
and experts suggest that the car has a good chance of taking overall honours in
some events in the series - and that will be a target for the Dyson
team.
The team will field a pair of the rapid cars, already proven to be
the class of the LMP 675 class, with James Weaver partnering Butch Leitzinger in
one MG Lola, and the second to be shared by Andy Wallace and Chris
Dyson.
Weaver has been a driver for the Dyson team since 1987. "James is
uniquely talented," said team owner Rob Dyson. "He's probably one of the best
racers there is and we're lucky to have him with us. I think we've got a great
group of drivers lined up for next year."
"The MG is a gorgeous little
car, and everyone is working really hard to develop it," said Weaver. "I can't
wait to get stuck into it over the winter. I think it will be a strong package
heading into next year. It's terrific to be back with Dyson Racing. Driving one
of Rob's cars is always a privilege and we've had a fantastic relationship over
the years."
Wallace has raced occasionally with the Dyson team since
1995, but the 2003 season will be his first with the team as a fulltime member.
He has a remarkable record in endurance racing, having won such long-distance
events as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 12 Hours of Sebring and the inaugural Petit
Le Mans race at Road Atlanta.
"We've had some fantastic results over the
years, but I've never actually done a full season with them,” said Wallace of
the Dyson team. "I drove with Chris (Dyson) in two events in 2002, and I'm
really looking forward to continuing our relationship."
The 2003 American
Le Mans Series season will begin with the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in
Florida in March. For that race, Wallace will team up with Weaver and
Leitzinger. The team has already conducted one test at Sebring and plans more
testing during the winter months.