[h=2]Andretti Autosport chasing new IMSA deal[/h] Saturday, 24 June 2017


By Marshall Pruett (words and images)

Michael Andretti is working toward bringing his team back to endurance racing. The IndyCar driver-turned-team owner has been pursuing opportunities in IMSA's WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with a particular interest in the factory-rich Prototype and GT Le Mans classes.
"We've been talking with a lot of manufacturers about getting back into sports cars," Andretti told RACER. Asked if he felt landing a prototype or GT deal was more likely, Andretti said "GT; there isn't a lot left in prototypes right now."
Under the Andretti-Green Racing banner, the Indianapolis-based outfit served as one of Acura's factory LMP2 teams in the American Le Mans Series from 2007-2008, winning multiple races with an all-star driver lineup.


In the years that followed the team's departure from the ALMS, Andretti purchased the team outright, renamed it Andretti Autosport, and has built upon its Verizon IndyCar Series operation by moving into the Red Bull Global Rallycross series with VW and the FIA Formula E in partnership with BMW.
Andretti's preexisting relationship with BMW has fed rumors of an alliance between the team and the German manufacturer in IMSA. BMW's practice of opening its GTLM supply contract up for bid each year has become a common practice that attracts interest from numerous teams in a variety of championships.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, BMW's longstanding ALMS and IMSA GT partner, has looked after BMW's efforts since 2009 and won Drivers', Manufacturers' and Teams' championships on its behalf. The current BMW M6 GTLM run by RLL is expected to be replaced by the new-for-2018 BMW M8 GTE.
BMW Team RLL currently holds fourth in IMSA's GTLM Drivers' standings with Bill Auberlen and Alexander Sims, and sits fourth in the Manufacturers' race, four points behind Porsche.