Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA

Series notes on Dyson driver lineup

CONSISTENCY PRESENT IN '09 DYSON LINEUP The debut of Dyson Racing's two new Mazda-powered Lola B09/86 coupes at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 21st will feature the strength of continuity behind the wheel. All four of last year's ...

CONSISTENCY PRESENT IN '09 DYSON LINEUP

The debut of Dyson Racing's two new Mazda-powered Lola B09/86 coupes at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 21st will feature the strength of continuity behind the wheel. All four of last year's drivers will return for the 2009 American Le Mans Series season with the key addition of one of the Series' most experience prototype pilots.

Chris Dyson and Guy Smith will pair in the No. 16 BP Dyson Racing Mazda entry and Butch Leitzinger and Marino Franchiiti will pilot the No. 20 car.

"We had very good driver chemistry last year and that is such an important component in developing a new car," said Chris Dyson. "Butch has been with us for 14 years, Guy four years and Marino fit in last year as if he had been with for us a long time."

Series veteran Ben Devlin will be adding his experience to Dyson Racing's lineup of drivers during the course of the season.

"Ben brings his in-depth knowledge of the Mazda Lola LMP2 coupe from last year to our effort this year," observed Dyson. "His race skills in the coupe will help provide added continuity and enhance our learning process with the new car. He will work closely with the team throughout the year and will co-drive with Butch and Marino at the longer races during the season."

Devlin noted, "Dyson Racing has always been a team that stands out - not just in sports cars, but across the board. It is one of the best put-together teams in North America. It was a team I looked up to in 2001 when I first joined the American Le Mans Series and I am pleased to be part of their historical operation. I was at last week's Sebring test and it was great to see how far the car has come from last year's iteration. With the Mazda partnership and the team's commitment, it certainly should be a strong year for us."

Devlin started his racing career at the age of 12 in go-karts in the U.K. and moved up to the Jim Russell School three years later, winning his first open-wheel race and four more in succession to put his stamp on the series. He continued to race successfully in Europe until 2001 when he decided to advance his career by coming to the U.S. to drive sports cars.

In 2002, he placed second in the American Le Mans Series' LMP675 championship and his competitive career in prototypes led him to B-K Motorsports in 2007 driving the new LMP2 Mazda-powered Lola. He continued with B-K Motorsports for 2008. In 44 Series tarts starts, he has 11 top-three finishes and two class victories.

Devlin will be appearing at the Detroit Auto Show on Friday, January 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the American Le Mans Series exhibit in Cobo Hall. There will be an autograph session followed by a Q & A for both the media and the public.

Mazda is the brand choice of road racers across North America. On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race-tracks of America than any other brand. You will see MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDA3, MAZDA6, RX-7 and other vintage Mazda models because every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car.

The American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for January 26-28 at Sebring International Raceway. Daily passes will be available for $10 with paddock access and overnight camping prohibited.

The American Le Mans Series will open its 11th season with the 57th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida on Saturday, March 21. SPEED will televise the race live from 10 a.m. to noon and 2-11 p.m. ET. Live Timing & Scoring and American Le Mans Radio will be available at americanlemans.com.

-credit: alms

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Dyson Racing announces driver lineup
Next article Audi's new R15 TDI revealed

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA