The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

FIA GT/ALMS: Roock Racing Changes to American Le Mans Series

31 July 1999

o Re-Orientation: ROOCK ventures the step into Don Panoz up and coming GT-series

o Unchanged: In ALMS, ROOCK sticks to driver line-up Hrtgen, Ortelli, Ahrl and Haupt

Leverkusen (July 30, 1999) Time to say good-bye: After winning the championship once and ending up vice-champion twice, Porsche customer outfit ROOCK Racing from Leverkusen withdraw from FIA GT Championship with immediate effect and relocate their activities to the north-american American Le Mans series. Two weeks ago, ROOCK had already reduced their contingent for the fifth leg of the GT-WC in Zolder, Belgium, from three to one car. Instead of entering in Oschersleben and Donington, the most successful Porsche customer outfit of the last few years will start on September 18 in Road Atlanta at the Petit Le Mans 1000 Miles.

This step didnt come easily, team principal Fabian Roock explains the change. After all, ROOCK Racing was with the FIA GT Championship right from the beginning and could celebrate memorable victories in this great series. However, our team needs conditions that guarantee stability in the long run. Furthermore, North-America is a new and highly interesting market for us. We came to this decision in full agreement with our partners: They support this step fully and will continue to give ROOCK Racing their backing in the future.

The American Le Mans series (ALMS) is initiated from american entrepreneur Don Panoz and at present consists of eight races. The series is nationwide and live covered by US-TV-broadcasters CNBC, NBC Sports and ESPN. In europe, pan-european station Eurosport broadcasts every race. The technical rules are adopted from the french ACO, organizer of the Le Mans 24 hours hence the name of the series.

ROOCK Racing will start their first ALMS race on September 18: In Road Atlanta the usual drivers Claudia Hrtgen, Stphane Ortelli, Andr Ahrl and Hubert Haupt will drive two of the Porsche 911 GT2 further developed by the team themselves in division GTS at the small edition of the famous Le Mans 24 hours. For the teams new basis Fabian Roock chose Coca Cola-capital Atlanta. The vacant facilities in Leverkusen are taken over by ROOCK Sportsystem, the companys tuning branch.

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery

.