Drive Financial Services Gears Up for American Le Mans Series Following Sponsorship Deal
Following the recent agreement from Bank of Scotland Corporate to sponsor the US-based Panoz Esperante GTLM factory team in the Le Mans 24-Hours Endurance classic in June, the focus now shifts to the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).
With a further 5 races remaining in the ALMS, Bank of Scotland’s US-based subsidiary Drive Financial Services®, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is taking over the sponsorship deal to further demonstrate the strength of relationship Panoz Motor Sports has with the entire Bank of Scotland Group of companies.
Drive Financial Services’ executive vice president of business development, Blake Bozman, made the announcement on behalf of Drive™, saying: “We are really excited to be getting involved in the US leg of the race season and to partner with the Panoz Esperante team. With the backing of Bank of Scotland, Drive™ is thriving in an industry where few have survived. At Drive we pride ourselves on our ambition and commitment to the industry and we have seen the same focus at Panoz.
Panoz Motor Sports General Manager, Ed Triolo, comments: “It is very appropriate that this new arrangement not only involves a US-based Bank of Scotland company, but also demonstrates the longstanding relationship and commitment that the Bank has with the Panoz team. We are very pleased to welcome Blake and the entire Drive team and look forward to developing the relationship throughout the remaining races in the series.The Panoz Esperante GTLM competes in the GT2 category of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). This year, the team’s focus lies in challenging the many established Porsche teams in America’s premier championship for endurance sports car racing.
This year is the team’s first full season of GT2 competition in the ALMS. In only their second race at Georgia’s Road Atlanta, team drivers Robin Liddell and Bill Auberlen scored a thrilling victory in head-to-head competition with America’s leading Porsche team – Alex Job Racing.
The Drive Financial Services® Panoz Esperante team will take the challenge to Porsche again on July 30 at Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon.
Basic Facts About The Panoz Esperante GTLM
Engine Elan Power Products V-8, 32-valve, 5.0 liter displacement. Power (est. 500 bhp, 450+ ft. lbs. Torque)
Engine Management Bosch MS 4.0 Motronic engine management system, Motec data acquisition system Bosch spark plugs
Drive Train In-line Hewland sequential 6-speed gearbox driving Xtrac rear differential via steel propeller shaft
Chassis Semi-monocoque central structure Tubular steel front & rear sub-frames
Suspension Upper & lower wishbones with adjustable front & rear anti-roll bars
Wheels BBS magnesiumFront: 12.5 x 18 inchesRear: 13 x 18 inches
Tires Pirelli Front: 325 x 650 x 18” Rear: 325 x 705 x 18”
Brakes AP calipers and iron rotors
Fuel Tank ATL fuel cell. Capacity: 100 liters
Dimensions & Weight Wheelbase: 106.0”Front Track: 63.3” Rear Track: 64.0”Weight: 1200 kg
