SEBRING, FL March 14, 2012 – The 2011 American Le Mans Series championship-winning car of Dyson Racing will return to action for six races of the 2012 ALMS season. Michael Marsal and Eric Lux will be driving the #20 Lola B09/86-Mazda starting on the streets of Long Beach on April 14th and in the season’s remaining sprint races.
“We welcome Michael and Eric to the team,” said Chris Dyson, Vice President and Sporting Director of Dyson Racing. “They are quick and focused drivers. They possess the commitment needed to be successful both on and off the track. We have been very impressed with the rate of development that Michael has shown in testing with us over the last year, first in our Lola World Junior Car program at Monticello Motor Club and last December when he stepped into the LMP1 car at Sebring. He has really stepped up and is ready for the challenge of prototype racing. Eric did a superb job to capture the LMPC title last year. I was keeping an eye on him and in the midst of a tough title fight, he was able to match or better his rivals and keep his composure down the stretch. We like his approach. There are some drivers that have a built-in aura of success and Michael and Eric have that. They will be great additions to the grid under our banner.”
Michael Marsal finished second in his rookie year in Grand-Am Grand Sports in the Turner Motorsports BMW he shared with Joey Hand. The duo scored two wins and seven podiums, taking the championship battle to the last lap of the season. He continued to hone his race craft last year in the competitive GS class in the BMW he again shared with Hand. “Joining a team like Dyson Racing is an unbelievable opportunity for me,” noted Marsal. “I’ve known Chris for a long time, and for him to bring Eric and me into this program is a huge vote of confidence. I know that stepping up to a prototype is going to be a new challenge, but it is one that I’m very excited about. I’ve tested the car, and the performance is just incredible. I think Eric and I are going to be great co-drivers and I just can’t wait to get back into the Lola again. Long Beach can’t come soon enough.”
Eric Lux contested the full ALMS season with Genoa Racing in LMPC last year, He won two races along with four podiums and won the Prototype Challenge Championship. He is at Sebring this week racing with CORE Autosport in the LMPC class. “This is a dream come true,” added Lux. “A year ago, I would not have believed I would be about to embark on this new chapter. I am thrilled to be working with Mike Marsal. He and I have worked together in the past. I think this is going to be a large turning point in his career. And to be driving for Dyson Racing – there is really nothing better when you think about American sportcar racing: Dyson Racing is the first name that comes to your mind. I remember being a kid watching Dyson cars race around the track and am still speechless that I have this opportunity to be here.”
Dyson Racing continues their preparation here for the 60th Annual Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh by Florida. At last year’s Sebring 12 Hours, Dyson Racing claimed first place ALMS points in the combined ALMS/ILMC race, on their way to a strong year that saw them win the LMP1 Drivers Championship with Chris Dyson and Guy Smith, the Team Championship, the Manufacturer’s Championship with Mazda, the Tire Championship with Dunlop and the Michelin Green X Challenge.
Follow Dyson Racing at dysonracing.com; Facebook; Twitter and our YouTube Channel.
