Lexus to Race New IS 350 in the American Le Mans Series in 2006

What did Cadillac do when it wanted to add performance credibility to its brand image after replacing the lackluster Catera with the edgy CTS-V? Go racing. Lexus is planning to do likewise with its all-new IS 350 luxury sport sedan, but rather than put it up against similar compact to midsize sedans in the SCCA Speed World Challenge, as Cadillac did, Lexus is targeting Porsches 911 GT3 RSR, BMWs M3 and the Panoz Esperante in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) GT2 class. Two cars will be entered, under a new-for-2006 "S2" vehicle preparation standard.

"The ALMS endurance road-racing series is the ideal place to showcase the technology and performance of our new IS 350," commented Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter. "We expect the competition to be very tough, but we are confident that the new IS 350 will be a formidable challenger."

To those who follow motorsport, seeing a race-prepared IS vying for the checkered flag wont be anything new. But the previous generation IS 300 didnt take part in the ALMS, but rather was entered in the Grand Am Cup series, where it ran successfully for four years and in that time accumulated two championships, plus numerous wins, pole positions and podium finishes under the auspices of Team Lexus.

Team Lexus will once again take up the charge, building, developing and campaigning two specially prepared IS 350s for the ALMS S2 class.

"Developing and racing two brand-new cars in a new category will be a major challenge, but one that we relish," said Team Lexus owner/driver Chuck Goldsborough. "Weve been building our team along with the new cars this year and are looking forward to some of the most exciting road racing in North America."

Previously, cars like the IS 350 wouldnt have been able to run in ALMS, but now with the new S2 category premium carmakers will be able to take part, opening up the series to new competitors and more sponsorship dollars.

"The Lexus brand coming into the American Le Mans Series is as close to a natural fit as we could ever imagine," said ALMS President Scott Atherton. "When anyone mentions Lexus, many of the same attributes that are associated with the American Le Mans Series come to mind - words like luxury, high performance, leading-edge technology, style and quality describe both brands."

Expect drivers to be announced well before the 2006 season gets underway early next year, and Lexus to make the most of its involvement by promoting the series and its race-prepped IS 350s in upcoming TV ads.

Lexus currently powers Daytona Prototype cars in the Rolex Sports Car Series, while its Toyota parent is best known for its Formula 1 team, plus involvement in the IRL and the Craftsmen Truck Series, and previously Toyota Atlantic and Champcar.