Quifel ASM Quits LMS
Ponders Future

After assessing its disappointing 2011 results (8th at Paul Ricard, DNFs at Spa & Le Mans), Quifel ASM Team has announced that it will be taking no further part in the 2011 Le Mans Series. The statement reads:

"These performances were entirely out of line with the team's prestige and achievements in recent seasons, particularly the title it won in the LMP2 category in the 2009 championship.
  
"After dropping out of the race, due to a breakdown in the Zytek engine, in the recent Le Mans 24 Hour race and an absence from the Imola race, in Italy, the Quifel ASM Team decided it did not have the essential conditions required to take an honourable part in the races at Silverstone and Estoril, in September, and has sadly already informed all its sponsors and partners of its decision."

As to what will happen to the team going forward, the statement continues:

"Although the future of the Quifel ASM Team in the 2012 season has not entirely been decided, everything is working towards the possibility of an attractive and competitive project that will make best use of the vast know how the team has gained over the last few seasons.

"The Quifel ASM Team would like to offer thanks to all their sponsors for the trust placed in the team, the efforts of its partners, notably Dunlop, and the enthusiastic support of the many fans of the only Portuguese team that takes part in one of the classes of such a high level, worldwide championship."

This news reduces the provisional LMP1 field at the series finalé in Portugal to just five cars.