- Battery Tender, Yokohama and WilliamRast sponsors

Hethel, England and Tavares, Fla., (February 15, 2012) -- Lotus Racing and Alex Job Racing are joining forces to compete for the American Le Mans Series GT (ALMS) championship beginning in 2012. The team will be known as Lotus Alex Job Racing (AJR). The factory endorsed sportscar team will focus its primary efforts in North America.

Team Lotus AJR will campaign the 2012 Lotus Evora GTE car beginning with the ALMS Long Beach Grand Prix, April 14, 2012.

Alex Job, team principal of Team Lotus AJR Racing said, "I am truly excited to announce the partnership between Lotus and Alex Job Racing in North America. Our efforts and ability to attract Lotus is a testament to the hard work that AJR has put in over the past several years. This partnership, along with our key sponsor's Battery Tender, Yokohama, and WilliamRast represent a new chapter for our seasoned organization and for the ALMS.

I'm especially excited to announce my partnership with Bill Sweedler, Townsend Bell, and Colin Dyne (CEO, WilliamRast) in forging this long-term relationship with Lotus Motorsports. We collectively look forward to representing this iconic sportscar brand for years to come in GT racing."

Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus said, "we are focused on winning - Alex Job has one of the best records in sportscar racing. We look forward to working together and developing a top-tier team over the coming years. Racing is a core component of the Lotus brand, and we are thrilled to have this new partnership to further enhance our winning race heritage."

Alex Job has confirmed that Indy Car driver Townsend Bell will be joining the team and partnering behind the wheel with two-time ALMS Founders Cup winner and AJR driver Bill Sweedler.

"We are delighted to welcome Townsend to the Lotus AJR Racing family," Job continued. "Townsend comes from a distinguished career in IndyCar racing and open-wheel in the U.S. and Europe. His natural speed and personality will make for a successful partnership with Lotus AJR Racing, Battery Tender, Yokohama, WilliamRast, and veteran AJR co-driver Sweedler.

Bell's racing pedigree boasts an Indy Lights Championship in 2001, Rookie of the year in 2000, and 12 top-five finishes in the Indy Car Series. He finished fourth in the 2009 Indy 500 and was the first American to have a podium finish in the FIA Formula 3000 series.

Sweedler added, "I am really excited about 2012 and driving with Townsend - he will be a strong addition to the team. I had a fantastic time working with AJR for the last couple of years and am honored to continue as one of their drivers. Alex and his team run a first class operation just like Lotus. It will be a strong partnership."

Townsend Bell stated "Having the chance to represent such a great brand like Lotus is simply awesome. The fact that I get to work with one of the best teams in sportscar racing is icing on the cake. I’m really fired up to work with AJR and Bill Sweedler in what will undoubtedly be a great adventure. Time to buckle up!"

Team Lotus AJR also announced sponsorship from Battery Tender, Yokohama and WilliamRast for 2012.

Fastest time in class in free practice the highlight

Lotus Jetalliance has achieved its set goal in today’s finale of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cups in China: Both Lotus Evora GTE made it to the finish at the “Six Hours of Zhuhai”. What is more: With a fourth place by Martin Rich/Oskar Slingerland/Rene Rasmussen (GBR/NED/DEN) and a sixth place by James Rossiter/Johnny Mowlem/David Heinemeier-Hansson (GBR/GBR/DEN) in the GTE/Pro class the race also produced an appealing result after all to end the season!

Team manager Jan Kalmar: “Congratulations to the entire team. We did have some problems again this weekend, but in the end still can take pleasure in a good result. Above all our drivers were struggling with the great heat in the cockpit. On top of that there were problems with the gearbox, a tyre failure, two off-track excursions and hostile contact with a competitor. But we’ve come through all that in one piece today.”

The highlight of the weekend for the Lower Austrian team was the best time in free practice which James Rossiter set in heavy rain and difficult conditions!

Team owner Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer: “The fastest time in difficult conditions has once more shown that handling-wise the Evora is a sensational car and which great potential there is. Unfortunately we’re still lacking in speed. But we can be satisfied with the result of the race.”

The first challenge has already been overcome simply by the team being in attendance at the race this weekend. After the team’s last outing in Atlanta which saw both cars retire with severe damaged there was uncertainty as to whether all the repairs could be completed on time, however the Lotus Jetalliance team pulled out all the stops to finish repairs in record time.

Team Principal Jan Kalmar: “One car is completely ready and we’re carrying out the final activities on the second Evora early this week in China as we were waiting for several spare parts. As it stands, I’m confident that we’ll be on the starting grid with both teams – and that our hard work will be rewarded with both cars crossing the finishing line after six hours.”

There is only a small change to the driver line-up: James Rossiter, Johnny Mowlem (both GBR) and David Heinemaier-Hansson (DEN) will drive the number 65 Lotus Evora GTE, while in the sister car the Scandinavian Ferrari Challenge winner Rene Rasmussen (DEN) will go into action for the first time alongside Martin Rich (GBR) and Oskar Slingerland (NED).

Team owner Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer: “We had to do a lot of development work this year with the new cars, but our crew of mechanics remained dedicated to the cause despite several setbacks, such as the Atlanta race result. Now I really hope that their hard work will be rewarded with a good result in China.”

No sense of achievement for Lotus Jetalliance in the penultimate race of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup: Following huge technical problems and several racing incidents, neither of the two Lotus Evora made it into the final classification of the ten-hour long "Petit Le Mans" at Road Atlanta, since neither the triumvirate of James Rossiter/Johnny Mowlem/David Heinemaier-Hansson (GBR/GBR/DEN) nor their sister car of Martin Rich/Oskar Slingerland/Kaspar Jensen (GBR/NED/DEN) managed to complete the required 70 percent of the total running time.

Since both cars suffered sincere damage, the team's appearance in the final event in China on November 13th has now been called into question as well . . .

Team principal Jan Kalmar: "This was the worst race of my career. It's really incredible that so many negative things can happen in a single event. Unfortunately even all the night shifts didn't help. What makes me glad is the fact that at least our appearance has been appreciated. For instance the organisers told me that they've never seen a team working that hard. Now we first need to analyse our own situation and take a look whether we even have all the spare parts needed to get both cars ready to race again in Zhuhai."

Team owner Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer: "Of course we're all very disappointed. Actually it already became apparent during the free practice sessions that nothing would work out at all this time. An engine failure for the #65 Evora, a heavy crash by Oskar Slingerland on top of that, in which the #64 Evora was heavily damaged. Basically it already was a small miracle that our team was able to put both cars onto the starting grid. For that reason alone they deserve the highest praise."

Lotus Jetalliance celebrated as two Lotus Evora GTE cars crossed the finish line of the fifth round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup at Silverstone yesterday. After six tough hours the general conclusion was: The cars are now more consistent and faster - but to be able to keep pace with the front runners more power needs to be found.

Team owner Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer: "Both Lotus Evora GTE cars have improved compared to the previous race, no question. I'm also very pleased that we've both cars to the finished. But unfortunately we still continue to lack in speed. That's where we have to pull out all the stops for the next race."

In his comeback race Karl Wendlinger drove the number 65 Lotus together with the two Englishmen Johnny Mowlem and James Rossiter. The trio reeled off the six hours without any problems, eventually finishing twelfth in the GTE Pro classification.

Karl Wendlinger: "It was nice to be back competing in a race once again. The ILMC really is a great series – plenty of cars, a lot of different makes."

For the second Lotus, in which Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer stood in for the Netherlands' Oskar Slingerland, alongside Martin Rich (GBR) and David Heinemaier-Hansson, things didn't exactly go without incident: The suspension broke in a crash with an LMP1 resulting in just under one and a half hours of turnaround time in the pits. Therefore the race was all but over. The remaining race time was used for test purposes.

Team principal Jan Kalmar: "The Silverstone race demonstrated that we've taken steps forwards but nevertheless there's still a lot of work awaiting us. One must never forget that we're dealing with a completely newly-developed car."

Team owner Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer has managed to sign up the Tyrolese in a lightning operation. After almost three years the former Formula 1 driver will therefore celebrate a comeback with the Lower Austrian team, with whom he had been enjoying great success in the FIA GT1 World Championship for three years (from 2006 to 2008).

For Wendlinger himself it is the end of an involuntary time out that resulted from the withdrawal of his team Swiss Racing from the FIA GT1 World Championship . . .

Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer: “I’m just so very happy to have Karl back in the team. He will certainly be able to help us along thanks to his experience.”

Karl Wendlinger: “Most of all I’m pleased to finally be back behind the wheel of a racing car, of course. Especially in a team I’ve achieved really nice results with over three years in the GT1 World Championship.”

In England Wendlinger will drive the number 65 Lotus Evora GTE together with the two local heroes James Rossiter and Johnny Mowlem. Martin Rich (GBR), Oskar Slingerland (NED) and the 31-year-old Dane David Heinemaier-Hansson, who is going to compete for the racing team from Oeynhausen for the first time, will take a seat in the second Evora GTE.

Prior to the race in the motherland of the traditional Lotus marque everyone in the Lower Austrian team is quite confident – and rightly so.

Because the two Evora GTE have been completely revised over the summer

break at the factory in England and equipped with a total of nine updates.

Team principal Jan Kalmar: “Among other things we worked hard on the engine, the brakes, the weight and the aerodynamics. With these changes we really ought to take a crucial step forward.”

Lichtner-Hoyer thinks along similar lines as well: “I hope that we’ll be competitive and reliable on Lotus’ native soil with all these new updates – so that we’re able to finish the race in the upper third.”

For Karl Wendlinger everything is unknown territory, of course: “I have no experience with the Lotus, but I’m going to try to adapt to the new car in the practice sessions as quickly as possible. Moreover I do have two experienced team-mates who’re certainly able to give me a few valuable pointers.”

Following Silverstone things will then happen thick and fast: For a week the cars will be revised at Lotus, subsequently the team will move to America, where the sixth event is on the schedule on October 1st with the traditional “Petit Le Mans” at Road Atlanta. From there the cars, along with all the equipment, will be flown directly to China, where on November 13th the season finale of the ILMC – the “Six Hours of Zhuhai” – will be run.

Whether Karl Wendlinger will also be there then is not yet certain: “We have agreed to wait and see how the race goes and to sit down together once again after Silverstone”, Lichtner-Hoyer says.

Jetalliance Lotus Evora GTE

Following the successful outcome the last time out at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Lotus Jetalliance wanted to score points again in the fourth round of the ILMC. But the Autodromo "Enzo e Dino Ferrari" in Imola was no hospitable land for the team from Lower Austria: Both Lotus Evora GTE had to throw in the towel prematurely due to engine failures...

The triumvirate of Mowlem/Rossiter/Hirschi was already affected after just ten laps, a little bit later the working day was over for Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer, who shared a car with Martin Rich and Oskar Slingerland, as well.

A sobering experience for the team owner, but also a comprehensible one: "We had a good run at Le Mans as far as the result was concerned, and we also had a lot planned for this race. But unfortunately we were let down by technology. An event that can always occur with such a developmental project like the one we're running at the moment. We even allowed for setbacks of that kind beforehand. But then, when they really happen, it's always cruel, of course", Lichtner-Hoyer said, who is also looking forward however in a positive way: "The cars will now return to the factory in England, where everything will be thoroughly analysed and where new stages of development will be incorporated. These improvements should then have a positive effect at the next ILMC race in Silverstone."

ILMC, fourth race at the weekend in Italy

The team from Lower Austria will again enter both Lotus Evora GTE

The venerable Autodromo "Enzo e Dino Ferrari" is the venue for the "6 Hours of Imola" at the weekend – at the same time the fourth race of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Also competing will be Lotus Jetalliance – the team from Lower Austria will enter two Lotus Evora GTE.

According to team manager Jan Kalmar things should go similarly well as the last time out at the classic event in Le Mans, where as reported the new Lotus completed the 24 hours in its very first outing and where the team took a podium finish in the ILMC classification on top of that . . .

Jan Kalmar: "We brought one Evora home at Le Mans, in Imola I want to see both cross the finishing line."

But it will be hard enough to fulfil this ambition. Both Lotus have been revised and completely reassembled after the classic race, but owing to the short period of time between the two races the team still has to manage on the same stage of development in Italy. The new updates with regard to performance will only be ready for the next round in Silverstone.

Kalmar: "We learned a lot in France, especially as regards durability – and I place my bet exactly on this fact in Imola. There the drivers can push the limits of the car's performance – which we didn't do yet at Le Mans because of the length of the race. We still have a lot of potential left."

There is not much change regarding the driver line-up: One Evora GTE will be driven by the recently successful triumvirate of James Rossiter, Johnny Mowlem (both GBR) and Jonathan Hirschi (SUI), but this time team owner Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer will also have a seat in the other car besides Martin Rich (GBR) and Oskar Slingerland (NED): "I'm very much looking forward to my participation, and at the same time I hope that the entire team will sell itself similarly well in Italy as it did the last time out at Le Mans. We're still entirely in a development stage with this project, during which any success can't be rated high enough."

Foto: Der Jetalliance Lotus Evora GTE von Rossiter/Mowlem/Hirschi - Credit: Jetalliance - Abdruck honorarfrei

James Rossiter, Johnny Mowlem and Jonathan Hirschi finish 22nd overall in the Jetalliance Lotus Evora GTE – and take third in the GTE Pro ILMC classification.

The second appearance by Jetalliance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans ended in success as well! After the team was able to claim a sensational third place in class in 2009, it was no less content with today’s achievement: Starting as an official “Lotus Jetalliance” factory team for the first time, the crew from Oeynhausen in Lower Austria managed to bring a new Lotus Evora GTE to the finish straight away – as the only Austrian team, mind you . . .

James Rossiter (GBR), Johnny Mowlem (GBR) and Jonathan Hirschi (SUI) were ranked in 22nd position overall and in seventh place in the GTE Pro class after tough, strenuous 24 hours and a total of 21 pit stops.

But there was another podium finish this time as well, because the race also counted towards the ILMC – resulting in P3 in the GTE Pro class!

The second Lotus Evora GTE of Martin Rich, John Hartshorne (both GBR) and Oskar Slingerland (NED) did not fare so well – they had to throw in the towel prematurely at 4.30 in the morning: There was a spin following a broken-off wheel, then several tyre failures afterwards – and the pits could no longer be reached on just two wheels.

Team manager Jan Kalmar: “An incredible moment for all of us. Many of us haven’t slept for three days – but it was worth it. This result is an achievement you simply cannot describe. We’ve shown that we’re doing an absolutely professional job.”

Team owner Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer and Jetalliance’s chairman of the board of directors Vitus Eckert left France with mixed feelings. After all both were initially also entered as drivers, but then had to pass at short notice, since they are urgently needed within the company and hence were unable to summon up the time for an optimum preparation.

Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer: “Congratulations to the entire team. They have done an outstanding job over the past few weeks, thus really making this great appearance possible for us – because bringing a brand new car that far in such a short space of time to be able to make it to the finish of the world’s toughest endurance race is really worth to be cherished. The experts also see it the same way – which pleases me in particular. It makes the anguish of not having been at the wheel myself definitely bearable.”

The cars have more or less behaved as expected.

The race has been influenced by two very long safety car periods due to some very scary collision. Fortunately, none of our vehicles involved in the incidents.

However, the # 64 suffered a minor collision, but could come back to the pits. After a great job of mechanics the car came fairly quickly back on track.

The first official qualify session showed that the improvements on the cars had worked. The cars was faster than before. That was all the competitors too, so more work ahead!

The session started with a 45 minutes delay for car # 64 (Slingerland, Rich, Hartshorne). A leak in the petrol supply had to be fixed before the car could enter the track.

On the other hand the car # 65 (Hirshi, Rossiter, Mowlem) completed a smooth session with only the scheduled pitstops.

This morning the team are sleeping to be ready for the waiting tasks. After the last qualification session has finished at midnight to night, the cars will be dismantled and more or less rebuild to be 100% fit for the race.

To night there will be two sessions. From 19.00 to 21.00 and again from 22.00 to 24.00.

Free Practice Wednesday afternoon

The free practice was scheduled from 16.00 to 20.00 and went smoothly for the two Lotus Jetalliance Lotus Evora cars.

The cars spend a great deal of the time on the track, and came back to the pit completely unharmed after the four hour session.

All the drivers had there turns, and are ready for the coming three qualification sessions of which the first started this evening at 22.00.

Day 1

For those who are going to watch the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the television there are still some days, but for the teams, the event has already started.

The cars passed the scruteenering with as good as no faults. The Lotus Jetalliance crew wasn't surprised, but nevertheless it was a pretty nice outcome of the first official task in this event.

There has been a great deal of interest in the cars. Lotus is rally back at Le Mans, a fact that pleases the majority of the motorsport world.

Car # 64 has got new Race Engineer. Tim Wright, who has a huge experience in motorsport including two F1 World Championships as Race Engineer and 7 years as head of the Renault F1 testing department has joined the team for the 24 hours of Le Mans and if everything goes after the plan then for the rest of the season.

Another good news is the lap times set by John Hartsthorne in the testing. It seems that he likes the car.

Nevertheless there is a great deal of work on the cars for the next days. Many changes are needed before the qualification starts later this week.

The cars finaly in Le Mans

The preparation of the pit has been going on for a couple of days now.

This morning the new designed cars finally arrived to Le Mans.

Still a lot to do, but enjoy the pictures of the stunning Lotus Evoras

First image of the new design

June 12th, 2009 – didn't something happen that day? Indeed – Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer, Thomas Gruber and Germany's Alex Müller got to the finish of the 79th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, sensationally taking third place in their class in their very first appearance!

"It was an incredible moment – it will live on forever in my memory", Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer says looking back...

Two years later – this weekend (June 11th & 12th) – the squad from Oeynhausen in Lower Austria will again compete in this classic event – but under completely new conditions:

Jetalliance Racing has become Lotus Jetalliance – climbing up a step, so to speak, now being the official factory team of the traditional British marque. And with the Lotus Evora GTE a completely newly-developed car is being fielded. Following the première at the ILMC round in Spa, Le Mans is now the first great crucible for this new racing car – but also for the entire team!

And the latter has been working almost continuously since Spa to be ready for Le Mans. The new Lotus testing area in Hethel has recently seen almost daily night shifts to further develop the Evora GTE and to eliminate the mistakes that occurred at Spa.

New team, new car – and new drivers as well. Because none of the triumvirate that was successful in those days is still actively involved in driving – team owner Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer and Thomas Gruber will be on location but will not race themselves: "As I've already said in the run-up, I'm currently indispensable as the CEO of Jetalliance. And you can't contest such a race without intensive preparation. But I'm looking forward to it nevertheless – because I'm proud that we will be there at such a traditional event as the Lotus factory team", Lichtner-Hoyer explains.

The same goes for Vitus Eckert – the chairman of Jetalliance's supervisory board was originally slated for the amateur car – but he too had to pass for occupational reasons.

Because of Lichtner-Hoyer's absence from the cockpit due to professional necessities no Austrian will on the starting grid for the Lower Austrian team this year. One car will be driven by the two Englishmen James Rossiter and Johnny Mowlem as well as Switzerland's Jonathan Hirschi. All three drivers bring a lot of endurance racing experience with them so that they should also be able to help the team. Three successful amateurs – namely Martin Rich (GBR), Oskar Slingerland (NED) and John Hartshorne (GBR) – will share the second Evora GTE.

As far as expectations are concerned, team manager Jan Kalmar has a realistic outlook: "We managed to build a new car in record time and have even contested a race with it already – but the fact remains that we're still in the early stages of development. Even with the rule changes recently issued by the ACO sanctioning body we probably won't be in a position to win. But I can promise one thing – we will be closer. Because Spa has shown that we have a lot of potential, but also that there's still a lot of work ahead of us. We've accepted that and made a lot of changes to the cars. But we also lost a lot of time this way and weren't able to run the endurance test earlier than this week. That's actually unheard of in motor racing – but for us the time factor is really our biggest rival right now. We will head for Le Mans directly after testing."

However not just the Evora, appearing in a new livery for the first time, will be the focus of attention, but also the exclusive hospitality that Lotus Jetalliance has put up in the paddock area for customers and friends of its sponsors – droves of supporters are therefore guaranteed, plenty of people keeping their fingers crossed as well . . .

Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer (right) with Team Manager Jan Kalmar

By competing in the ILMC race at Spa the new Lotus Jetalliance team has fought its first battle – now the next big goals are pending. Team owner Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer, who was not active for the first time in a long while for business reasons, talks about the première and looks to the future . . .

A première without the team owner – how hard was it having to observe it all from afar?

LLH: "No question, there's a lot of my lifeblood in it. The first outing of a newly developed car is a great thing. Of course I very much would have liked to be there – especially in an active role within the cockpit. But since business is picking up once again after two-and-a-half years my presence as the CEO of Jetalliance is strongly required. Our aviation business takes priority."

How satisfied were you with the outing and the outcome?

LLH: "When you consider that the Lotus Evora GTE has been completely newly developed and built in record time I'm not dissatisfied. We brought one car to the finish – that's no matter of course in a six-hour race."

How will things progress at Lotus Jetalliance from now on?

LLH: "Work on the cars' development continues to be ongoing. We will take part in the remaining ILMC events, but now the focus is on the Le Mans 24h, everything is being geared towards it. Both cars are currently at Hethel, the new testing area of Lotus, where the gremlins we were able to detect at Spa will be eradicated. The entire crew is on location and on duty almost round the clock."

Speaking of the crew, how may we envisage the team work in this regard?

LLH: "When you start a project like this it's probably always like a motley crowd at the beginning. Getting acquainted, the automatisms – all that takes its time. After all we do have staff members from eleven nations. But by now the co-operation with Lotus and all the subcontracted suppliers is already running very smoothly – also thanks to our team manager Jan Kalmar."

What can be expected from Lotus Jetalliance at Le Mans?

LLH: "For us the time factor is the problem. In comparison with the competition we've still had far too few kilometres with the cars. It would have been ideal, of course, if this race would be held not before autumn – and not as early as the beginning of June. But I'm in good spirits nevertheless, especially since both cars will yet complete a 24-hour test in Hethel beforehand."

But there is also work going on regarding a supporting programme for Le Mans . . .

LLH: "We've always been eager to offer our partners an optimum marketing platform ever since our motorsport commitment started. At Le Mans it'll be no different this time either. We've put up a unique hospitality in the paddock for all our sponsors – best of all Orange and Jetalliance. There clients and friends of the company will be able to follow the race live, tremble with excitement and keep their fingers crossed."

Which still begs the question of the driver line-up . . .

LLH: "The so called pro car will be manned with James Rossiter, Johnny Mowlem and Jonathan Hirschi, the car with the amateur line-up will feature Martin Rich, Oskar Slingerland and Britain's John Hartshorne, whom we were able to sign just a few days ago."

The name Lichtner-Hoyer is missing once again . . .

LLH: "Yes, unfortunately. But business aviation, as already mentioned, takes absolute priority right now. Soon however a time will come when I'm going to participate actively in a car again."

Lotus Jetalliance in the ILMC: Baptism of fire passed at Spa

Lotus Jetalliance has passed the baptism of fire! In its first official race appearance the team brought the Lotus Evora GTE of Martin Rich (GBR) and Oskar Slingerland (NED) home tenth in class and 41st overall in the ILMC opener at Spa, the trio of James Rossiter (GBR), Johnny Mowlem (GBR) and Jonathan Hirschi (SUI) had to pass after about an hour due to an engine failure!

Team manager Jan Kalmar: "Even though some might not quite understand it because of the outcome – for us the appearance was a great success – considering what we've achieved on the whole in such a short time. We've seen that we're not far adrift with regard to speed while also bringing a car to the finish in the very first endurance race. All that can't be rated high enough."

But Kalmar also knows that a lot of work is still ahead: "Most definitely, but now we will work even harder. What makes me very optimistic in this connection is the fact that our team is composed of staff members from eleven different nations, and that the team spirit is nevertheless really great. Everyone's pulling in the same direction. And that's why I'm also convinced that success will arrive."

And how does team owner Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer assess the current situation? "It was obvious that we wouldn't run the competition into the ground in our very first appearance. But the team has proven this weekend that we're on the right track. It's patently clear that we have to improve a lot and work both with regard to speed and on the reliability. But I'm upbeat that we'll manage to do that within a short space of time."

Lotus Jetalliance at Le Mans

On Easter Sunday Lotus Jetalliance unveiled publically the Lotus Evora GTE Le Mans. Due to the late arrival of parts, there was no time to exchange the black carbon-fibre look into the paint scheme. Both cars ran more or less troublefree. Not so much focus was set on achieving quick lap times. "We still haven't touched a set-up screw yet and we are still missing about 20 horsepower," explained teammanager Jan Kalmar.

Lotus Jetalliance has signed James Rossiter, Johnny Mowlem and Swiss driver Jonathan Hirschi for their number one car, which will carry the 64 for the ILMC and the 24 hours of Le Mans.

The sister car will contest as a pro/am entry. Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer will share the wheel of the 65 car with Martin Rich, who has already driven a couple of races for Jetalliance, and Oskar Slingerland from the Netherlands.

Commenting on the announcement, Lotus Director of Motorsport Claudio Berro said: "Moving into the ILMC is an exciting step for us and it will provide a good opportunity to showcase what can be done with the Evora. In every motorsport discipline that we participate in we aim to pick the best expertise to partner with and we have very high standards. The Jetalliance racing team has a lot of experience and a respected pedigree in this field so we're delighted that they have agreed to work with us on what is bound to be an incredible challenge. We're looking forward to seeing what ILMC 2011 brings."

Jetalliance Chief Executive Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer said: "We've enjoyed success in recent years at iconic endurance events such as Le Mans and I'm looking forward to repeating if not improving on these results with Lotus. Some people have asked why we would take a risk working with new cars - my answer on this subject always remains the same: we believe in Lotus and we believe that in uniting with them will create something very exciting, very special and most of all very successful."

The Lotus/Jet Alliance takes on the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) challenge, the 2011 endurance sports car racing tournament.

The 2010 Intercontinental Le Mans Series was the inaugural running of an International Championship for manufacturers and teams.

The Cup features races from the ALMS Series, Le Mans Series and Asian Le Mans Series. The blue ribbon event is the infamous 24 hrs of Le Mans.

DATETRACK

7th May 6h of Spa

11th June 24h of Le Mans

3rd July 6h of Imola

11th September 7h of Silverstone

1st October Road Atlanta

12th November 6h of China