ALMS Winter Test

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SEBRING FL, February 23, 2010 – The twelfth season of the American Le Mans Series kicked off at the home of the Twelve Hours of Sebring with the series’ sixth annual Winter Test. A record twenty-eight cars participated at the Monday and Tuesday test to showcase their off-season progress. Dyson Racing’s BP Mazda Lola Coupe posted a best time of 1:48.496 for the second fastest LMP2 time of the two-day test. Drivers Chris Dyson, Guy Smith and Andy Meyrick shared the driving duties in the #16 entry.

“We ended last year on a strong note and the team carried that momentum through the off-season,” noted Chris Dyson. “The focus at the end of last summer was to improve the reliability. We tested here in December and the primary concern then was evaluating engine components and doing some endurance running. The last test was the continuation of the engine work and also our first run on the Dunlop tires. The Winter Test has allowed us to bring together the lessons we learned in our most recent seven post test and simulation. This test was about optimizing the tires and the car and the driver performance and these two days have given us a lot of confidence.”

“I am very excited about this season,” commented Guy Smith. “Last year was a good year for us with the BP Mazda package. We improved the car a lot in terms of speed and reliability. I know how hard the team and Mazda have worked during the off-season to fine tune and improve on the foundations we laid last year. This is my fifth full season with Chris Dyson as my teammate and we look forward to challenging for the title. With the upcoming merger of the LMP1 and LMP2 classes, the P2 cars will have the chance to race for overall wins and that is something I am relishing.”

British racer Andy Meyrick will be joining Chris Dyson and Guy Smith for the Twelve Hours of Sebring. “This is my first time racing outside of Europe and my first time at Sebring. The track is as bumpy as people say. My “dentures” fell out every time I went around seventeen! It is a very challenging circuit, especially the way it changes. The test has been a productive learning experience for me. That is why it is good to work with the Dysons, Lola and Mazda – you have the benefit of their resources and heritage and history.”

The 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sportscar race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17 – 20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, with live coverage on SPEED.

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