December 22, 2010 – Sonoma, California – Flying Lizard Motorsports announced today the driver lineup for the 2011 American Le Mans Series season. Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) will return in the No. 45 Flying Lizard Porsche 911 GT3 RSR and Seth Neiman (USA) and Darren Law (USA) will team up again in the No. 44.
Driving together for the Lizards in the No. 45, Bergmeister and Long have won the ALMS GT drivers’ championship the last two years: 2009 and 2010. Bergmeister is five-time ALMS GT drivers’ champion (2005-2006 and 2008-2010); three of those titles were driving with Flying Lizard (2008 through 2010). Long has won the ALMS GT drivers’ title three times, all with Bergmeister: 2005, and 2009-2010. The Lizards have finished in the top three of the ALMS team and drivers’ championships every year since 2004, their first year in the ALMS. The Lizards won the team championship in 2008 and 2009.
Team Perspective
Thomas Blam, Flying Lizard chief strategist: “For 2011, the GT class is shaping up again to be one of the toughest classes in any series around the world. BMW is returning, having won the manufacturer and team championships last year, Ferrari will certainly be looking to get some revenge, and Corvette finished the season strong with their win at Petit. With several new cars and teams expected, we should see significant depth in GT again this year.”
Joerg Bergmeister, driver, No. 45: “I am pretty optimistic heading into 2011. The updates on the RSR look very promising. I’m looking forward to a new challenge with some new players in GT, and I’m sure our familiar competitors have also done their homework over the winter. It’s my fifth year with the Lizards and the third year here together with Patrick; I hope that in 2011 we are able to build on the successes of the last few years.”
Patrick Long, driver, No. 45: “The continuity of three years in a row with the same team in the same series is something I really value. The team chemistry is so important: we’ve been able to grow as a group over the last few years and I’m honored to be able to be back with the Lizards. GT is going to be very intense this year. During the off-season, we’ll be working hard to develop the car as far as we can to make sure we bring our ‘A’ game to Sebring.”
Darren Law, driver, No. 44: “I’m excited to be with the Lizards again next year. This will be my eighth season with the team. I’m looking forward to seeing the 2011 updates to the Porsche and can’t wait to get onto the track at Sebring.”
Source: Flying Lizard Motorsports
Photos Courtesy: Porsche
