Lites champ Pecorari to race ALMS at Laguna Seca

IMSA Lites Champ Pecorari Lands ALMS Ride

Aston, PA (October 10, 2006) - Adam Pecorari started the 2006 season with the goal of performing well in the IMSA Lites class in hopes that it would improve his chances to move up to the American Le Mans Series in 2007.

The rising star from Aston, Pa did more than just "perform well" in the IMSA Lites ranks, winning nine of ten races in the 2006 season and writing a new page in the record books.

Pecorari's prowess in the Cape Motorsports IMSA Lites machine did not go unnoticed as he was able to land rides in the Grand Am Cup Series and the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge during the course of the season.

The wins and Poles that Pecorari amassed also caught the attention of ALMS driver and team owner Gunnar van der Steur. The owner of the #19 EFC Systems, INC Radical SR 9 was impressed enough with the dominant performance to offer Pecorari a chance to drive his ALMS machine hot off the young driver's impressive dual wins at Road Atlanta. Van der Steur is confident that he made the right choice for his team as well as Pecorari.

"As far as I am concerned Adam has proven his ability to drive based on my observation from karting through IMSA Lites. I wanted him to have an opportunity to prove that he is capable of driving with the best."

Adam understands that while he did his best to earn the chance with his on track success, this is an incredible opportunity afforded him by van der Steur.

"First and foremost I have to thank Gunnar van der Steur for making this race possible. I think Gunnar's interest shows the potential of the IMSA Lites Series in developing drivers to be the next ALMS pilots."

Pecorari will join van der Steur and Ben Devlin behind the wheel of the LMP2 car at the next stop on the ALMS schedule, Laguna Seca. The team will be shooting for a return to the podium after three straight top five finishes in just five starts in 2006.

"I just hope we can go out there and race for a podium and prove to Gunnar that he made the right move picking me as a driver for his team. Obviously I am looking forward to jumping into the Radical for the first time at Laguna Seca."

There will be many interested eyes following Pecorari's progress as the first graduate of the IMSA Lites Series to earn a start in the American Le Mans Series. Up and coming drivers will be watching to see how IMSA Lites stacks up as the development series for ALMS while existing teams will also be interested in seeing how prepared an IMSA Lites driver is for the rigors of an ALMS race.

Tim Mayer, COO of the American Le Mans Series and IMSA has had his eye on both Adam and the IMSA Lites Series since the start of the season and is thrilled with the progress both have made in such a short time.

"Adam's success, and the opportunity to run in the American Le Mans Series, is proof positive of the value of having a series like the IMSA Lites. We are very proud of Adam's achievement, and very grateful to the Van der Steurs for providing the opportunity."

The Monterey Sports Car Championships from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will be shown on Speed Channel Sunday October 21st at 5:30 EST.

-credit: RaceWrite.com