A new team is to race in the LMP1 class of the American Le Mans Series in an Elise GT1! Team Elite plan to use 2004 as a test and development season in preparation for a full two car assault on the 24 hours of Le Mans and ALMS in 2005.
“This is an exciting year for Lotus with 2004 being the 50th anniversary of Team Lotus
” said Gary Ankenmann, Director of Team Elite.
Having passed all the Homologation requirements Team Elite plans to use 2004 as a test and development season in preparation for a full two car assault on the 24 hours of Le Mans and ALMS in 2005.
Johnny Herbert will assist with the cars testing and development prior to its historic first race at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in late March. Johnny has a history with Lotus, being one of their last Formula One drivers. Other drivers being considered include Marino Franchitti, Alex Zampedri and Ian Boss.
With the Management based in Toronto, Canada, Team Elite will operate out of Florida with Technical Direction by Jim Higgs, owner of JB Racing Inc. A Florida-based company specializing in the manufacturing of high-performance parts and race engine building and development, JB Racing, Inc. has been selected by Team Elite to revive the Lotus GT1 racing program.
Keith Smout, who has been Commercial Director for both BAR and Jaguar Formula One teams before returning to Canada in 2002 and Elite Motorsports Management Director, Gary Ankenmann who has been involved in commercial marketing activities for the past 7 years will run the teams operations on a day to day basis.