Intersport Racing News

EXPANSION TO LMP CHALLENGE JUST FINE WITH INTERSPORT

2010-03-04T13:42:03Z

Running two classes nothing new for accomplished prototype team

Photo: John ThawleyIntersport Racing continues to write new chapters in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Already one of the Series’ longest-tenured teams – factory or independent – Intersport is preparing to embark on a groundbreaking effort in 2010 where it will field entries in two prototype classes.

Intersport’s AER-powered Lola B06/10 will run for the full season alongside its ORECA FLM09 prototype for the Le Mans Prototype Challenge class, new for 2010. Both cars were on-track last week at the annual Sebring Winter Test with encouraging results.

It’s not the first time the Dublin, Ohio-based team has had a presence in more than one LMP class in the same season. Intersport fielded cars in both LMP900 and LMP675 from 2002-04.

“As a team, we always want to grow,” said Clint Field, team owner and driver of the team’s LMP1 entry. “We had an opportunity with the LMPC car to really grow as a team. It’s an easier car to run, so it brings us in a little bit slower than what we usually do, which would be an LMP1. For us, it’s coming in and just getting used to it. But it seems to be a pretty easy car to run.”

Intersport Racing Extends Operations To UK

2010-02-16T18:51:56Z

Intersport Racing, the longest running privateer team in the American Le Mans Series, has retained the services of Martin Dixon. Dixon will serve as Sporting Director for Intersport Racing for the upcoming 2010 American Le Mans Series season. As one of the original and founding members of Intersport Racing, Dixon is no stranger to the team or the American Le Mans Series.

In conjunction with his responsibilities at Intersport, Dixon will partner with former A1 GP Technical Director, John Travis, to coordinate and operate Intersport Racing UK. Intersport Racing UK intends to run 2 cars in the single seater series “Super League.” The Super League Series is supported by major soccer teams in the UK and Europe.

"I’m very excited to be returning to Intersport Racing with Jon and Clint Field, and the American Le Mans Series." Martin said. "Intersport Racing has seen fantastic growth as a team and have truly become a force to be reckoned with. Jon and Clint have become very close friends of mine. I have always admired both of them for what they have achieved and I'm confident that with their support the formulation of Intersport Racing UK with will benefit both programs."

"With John Travis in charge of the engineering and technical issues for Intersport Racing UK," expressed Dixon, "it will create an opportunity for the Intersport Racing brand to provide services to drivers on either side of the Atlantic. This has been a dream of ours for quite some time."

Brian Wong Joins Intersport Racing - Will Co-Pilot Le Mans Prototype Challenge Car In 2010

2010-01-11T20:52:19Z

Following an outstanding 2009 season in the Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama, Brian Wong has been designated to join Mitch Pagerey driving Inersport Racing's American Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) car for 2010. Intersport Racing is the American Le Mans Series' longest running privateer team with starts in 100 Series events. Following the Series' announcement at Road America designating changes to the class structure, Intersport Racing was the first team to purchase the new American Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) chassis.

Wong has assembled an impressive winning resume in very short order. With experience in everything from Legends Cars, Late Models and the NASCAR Camping World East/West Series - both on oval and road courses, the 20 year-old Wong finished second in the IMSA Patron GT3 Challenge championship even after missing two events due to school commitments. In 12 starts, Wong led the Series in wins taking the checkered flag 9 times. In addition, he dominated qualifying posting 9 pole-starting positions. With the exception of one mechanical failure that resulted in a DNF, Wong finished 2nd in the races he did not win.

The Newport Beach, California native splits time between California and attending Northeastern University in Boston as a 3rd year Communication major. Wong is looking forward to the challenges of driving a prototype with completely different characteristics than the Porsche GT3 Cup car.

Intersport Racing Names Mitch Pagerey To Drive Le Mans Prototype Challenge For 2010

2009-11-11T23:42:32Z

Intersport Racing has named Patron GT3 standout Mitch Pagerey to drive their American Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) car for 2010.

Pagerey brings a winning resume to Intersport Racing, the American Le Mans Series' longest running privateer team starting in 100 Series events. Last month, Intersport Racing was the first team to purchase the new American Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) chassis.

"I'm really looking forward to running the new prototype," said Pagerey. "In a GT car your limits are typically dictated by the car. Whereas in a prototype the car requires the driver to seek out the limit. I feel ready for that challenge."

"My focus for 2010 is solely on the LMPC season," Pagerey continued. Joining Intersport is a fantastic opportunity for me. When I first met Jon and Clint [Field] I immediately felt at ease. Their level of commitment to ALMS is remarkable. Certainly, starting in 100 races proves that. For me it is a pattern of success that I want to be a part of. Watching Jon and Clint all these years and now having the opportunity to run with them is truly an honor. I'm going to do everything I can to show I am up to the task."

Clint Field had these comments on the addition of Pagerey. "Mitch shows great poise and appears to be a pretty quick study. We were very impressed with his run at Laguna Seca. He was extremely quick and posted some impressive lap times. I think Mitch is the perfect fit to head up our new LMP Challenge program."

Intersport Racing Pioneers New American Le Mans Prototype Challenge Class

2009-10-22T23:33:55Z

As the American Le Mans Series' longest running privateer team, it is only fitting that Intersport Racing would step up and purchase the first-ever American Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) chassis. This announcement comes on the heels of Intersport being recognized during pre-race ceremonies at the Monterey Sports Car Championships for starting its 100th ALMS race, the most by any privateer team.

"As a privateer team, our commitment to IMSA and the American Le Mans Series is not only unwavering, it is stronger than ever," said team owner and driver Clint Field. "It is their continued effort to grow sports car racing in North America that wins our confidence to continue to invest our racing dollars here."

Earlier this year, in a progressive step designed to keep ahead of the rest of the industry, the ALMS announced the overhaul of its four-class structure beginning with the 2010 season. The four classes will be Le Mans Prototype (LMP), Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC), Grand Touring (GT) and Grand Touring Challenge (GTC).

FIELD TO THE FRONT AGAIN IN UTAH?

2009-05-19T02:48:39Z

Jon Field: “With the high-speed corners, the Lola is pretty strong and designed for these kinds of circuits. Hopefully that will continue this week.”Intersport ace wowed crowd with explosive Utah start in '08

It was one of those moments where an entire pressbox stood up and made noise. There was Jon Field behind the wheel of Intersport Racing’s AER-powered Lola, leading the opening laps last year at Miller Motorsports Park. And this early in the week before the American Le Mans Series’ Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix, Field already is salivating at the thought of another run to the front.

“That was great for our little team,” said Field, who will drive Intersport’s Lola B06/10 in LMP1 with son Clint and Chapman Ducote. “We’re here to race and that's what we do. It's a lot of fun for sure and good for the team.

“It’s a really long straight,” he added, noting the 3,500-foot main drag at Miller Motorsports Park. “The front cars did a good job of keeping it steady at the start so I had a good head of steam. Everyone was hugging the inside; no one wanted the outside and that’s where I took it. That’s how I start any way.”

INTERSPORT READY FOR ANOTHER GO AT ST. PETERSBURG

2009-03-31T17:18:56Z

photo by John Thawley Present at the first race in the history of the American Le Mans Series, Intersport Racing will be on the grid for the Series’ 101st all-time event. The popular Ohio-based team will be has entered its AER-powered Lola B06/10 in LMP1 for this weekend’s Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg. Clint and Jon Field will start the season’s first street race alongside Chapman Ducote.

“If you would have asked me five years ago where I wanted to be at the top of my career I would have told you without any hesitation, ‘In an LMP1 car’,” said Ducote, who raced an Aston Martin DBR9 in GT1 last season. “These cars are truly amazing and probably the most technically advanced race cars on the planet next to a Formula 1 car.”

ALMS LMP1 Team Intersport Racing Signs Kyle Marcelli For 2009

2009-01-27T19:36:43Z

Barrie, Ontario (January 21st 2009) – Canadian Kyle Marcelli will has recently been signed by American LeMans Series LMP1 race winning team Intersport Racing. The experienced and well respected Intersport Racing team has signed Marcelli to a development program for 2009. The program consists of a full season behind the wheel in the IMSA Lites Championship in the L1 class and multiple tests behind the wheel of the team's LMP1 prototype car with the opportunity for a race drive.

Intersport Finishes 2008 Season Another Charge to the Front

2008-10-21T14:24:57Z

photo by John ThawleyMonterey, Calif. – Intersport Racing flexed its muscle in the American Le Mans Series season-ending Monterey Sports Car Championships at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, as Jon Field led the opening lap in the LMP1 category. Field, aboard the No. 37 Very Berry Exotics Lola B06/10 AER, powered his way past the two factory Audi R10 TDIs on the first lap, once again showing the strength of the team and the cellulosic E85-powered prototype.

Jon Field, teaming with season regular Richard Berry and British road racing star Ryan Lewis, finished fifth in the highly competitive P1 category. The Clint Field-owned team now focuses on the 2009 season, where it expects to be back stronger than ever. Details on Intersport Racing's 2009 program will be forthcoming.

Intersport Racing Fast In Practice, Records Solid Results in Petit Le Mans

2008-10-09T16:00:11Z

photo by John Thawley Braselton, Ga. – At the end of another grueling American Le Mans Series race, Intersport Racing was classified with fifth and sixth place results in the 1000-mile Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. The Dublin, Ohio-based team showed moments of brilliance with its two LMP1 class Lola prototypes, despite facing stiff competition from Europe entrants.

Team owner, and former Le Mans class champion Clint Field, once again teamed with father, Jon, and Richard Berry in the No. 37 Lola B06/10 AER. The trio, who were fresh off class victory in the last round at Detroit, put in a promising performance all weekend, qualifying the Very Berry Exotics machine in the top-10 overall. The trio wound up classified sixth in the category after a hard days worth of racing.