San Diego, CA --- Autocon Motorsports, led by owner/driver Mike Lewis, will enter the 2007 season of ALMS and face the largest, most competitive field of prototypes in series history. Joined by co-drivers Chris McMurry and Bryan Willman, the JEANRichard backed entry will face off against the best sportscars and best teams in the world.

"The series has done a good job of attracting some of the best teams in the business, and this season, almost no matter how you measure it, will be like no other in the past, both on the track, and off the track," said Lewis. 

In the P1 class, Audi is returning with two venerable deisel-powered R10s to defend their 2006 class championship, and will face Autocon and new class entrant Intersport (which finished second in the P2 class in 2006) and their new Creation prototype.

These quality entries will be joined by a bevy of top-level prototypes in the P2 class featuring defending class champion Penske with its two Porsche RS Spyders. Acura will debut it's prototype effort in ALMS with no less than three quality teams, each with deep racing histories, including Andretti Green, Highcroft Racing and Fernandez Racing. Dyson Racing has moved from P1 to this ultra-competitive class and has entered two new Porsche RS Spiders. An additional two Spyders are said to be on the track from as-of-yet unnamed teams before season's end. 

And if that is not enough, Mazdaspeed/BK Motorsports will introduce a newly re-engined Lola, and van der Stuer Racing will showcase a Radical SR9 it debuted late last season with some impressive speed.

If last year is any indication of the competition between the two prototype classes, the overall event winner could come from any of these teams, as the rules makers at IMSA seem to have created a situation that will equalize the performance of the classes.

"This will be a huge year in the prototype classes of ALMS," said Lewis, who led the team through the recent winter test at Sebring. "Porsche showed last year that the two classes can compete pretty equally and they will expand to four cars now that our good freinds at Dyson have moved to Porsche. There should be wheel-to-wheel action constantly this year, and packs of prototypes duking it out."

"Plus the series has added some cool new venues this year like Long Beach, St. Petersburg and Detroit, and will combine with open wheel series six times to create incredible weekends for the fans," added Lewis. "We have every intention of showing well, scoring podiums, and surpassing our achievements of last season."

Autocon co-drivers McMurry and Willman are equally enthused about the upcoming season. "This season will be unlike any other in ALMS history." stated McMurry as he enters his second season with Autocon, and sixth season in the ALMS. "The competition will be fierce with all the prototypes running together for most of the races. It used to be a survival or endurance contest, and now the element of sprint racing will be very real in the series. Most races will be balls to the wall. The fans are in for a treat."

The free-spirited Willman is again thinking out of the box in preparation for the season inaugural. "In the off season, I have been renewing my relationship with the Wolf Spirits," referencing his ever-popular "call of the throttle" statements from year's past. "As part of this, I have promised them a most excellent howl and song should we win Sebring. They are excited and have promised to help."

The entire Autocon livery for the Lola EX257 powered by AER is new this year in recognition of increased support from marketing partner JeanRichard, a world leader in fine timepieces. The car, transporter as well as driver and crew uniforms, will carry the orange and black colors of JEANRichard.
2007 American Le Mans Series Schedule with TV

March 17, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, SPEED

March 17, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, SPEED

March 31, St. Petersburg, SPEED With Indy Racing League

April 14, Long Beach, SPEED With Champ Car World Series

April 21, Houston, CBS Sports With Champ Car World Series

May 19, Salt Lake City, CBS Sports

July 7, Lime Rock Park, CBS Sports

July 21, Mid-Ohio, CBS Sports With Indy Racing League

August 11, Road America, NBC Sports With Champ Car World Series

August 26, Mosport, SPEED

September 1, Detroit, SPEED With Indy Racing League

October 6, Road Atlanta/Petit Le Mans, SPEED

October 20, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, SPEED