Sports car news briefs: Mazda joining ALMS

Another Japanese manufacturer is gearing up to join Nissan in the American Le Mans Series next year. Nissan officials said the company is building a GT class contender around its new 350Z for 2003. Now ALMS boss Scott Atherton says there are discussions with another manufacturer from Japan ready to sign up for ALMS.

“They have been around us before, but said no [to building a car],” said Atherton. “But now we are back on the radar screen. I’m only guessing, but I would say that they would come with a GT or GTS car rather than a prototype.”

Atherton refused to name the manufacturer, but did say it was not Toyota. That leaves Honda, Mazda and Mitsubishi, which has just reorganized its North American operation. Wouldn’t a 350Z versus RX-8 battle make for good racing?

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=07157425

 

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holy @#*$& !!! that'd be a dream come true... in the ALMS?? that'd mean that we'd even be able to watch all the races live on tv, and not scrounge for footage on the internet (like for the JGTC... of which i've found none)...
hey, opinions: which class does everyone think Mazda and Nissan will be running in??
i'm guessing that the Z will be running with the BMW's and Porshes in the GT class (wicked!!), and i suppose if Mazda was going to do anything, it'd be down there...
just imagine the noise!! 11k RPM on that sunofabitch, oh gawd...