IMSA Performance's 2009 Plans
LMS, Le Mans, Spa 24 & GT Open

IMSA Performance announced its 2009 program yesterday. For the fourth straight year, a car will be entered at Le Mans in LM GT2, a 997 GT3-RSR 2009 with factory support. Patrick Long and Patrick Pilet will be the factory drivers, of course driving the car with Raymond Narac. The same drivers will also be at the wheel at the Spa 24 hours.

Only one car has been announced for Le Mans Series this year, for Pilet and Narac. The main change, outside of Lietz being being replaced by Pilet is the move from FFSA-GT to International GT Open, where three cars will be entered, for Narac-Pilet, Michel Lecourt-Richard Balandras and Jean-Philippe Belloc-Yannick David. A fourth car is even being considered !

At the end of last year, the GT2 class of the FFSA-GT was already dropped by IMSA Performance, but a move to GT3 was considered with a 997 GT3 Cup S, without very high hopes regarding the performance of the 997 GT3 Cup in this equalized championship. Raymond Narac explained that a Cup S and professional drivers where needed in GT3 for any chance of success.

It seems the idea has now been dropped, for a Porsche assault on International GT Open, where Autorlando, also factory supported, was too much alone versus many GT2 Ferraris - more than ten at each round - when Autorlando entered two cars and Drivex entered one.

If significant progress is made on the 2009 version of the 997 GT3 RSR, the International GT Open will be even more interesting, continuing its growth for its fourth year.

David Legangneux