Borcheller loses Panoz drive

Borcheller had been signed to partner former CART star Bryan Herta in this year's American Le Mans Series. But he has been replaced by former Le Mans GTS class winner David Donohue before getting the chance to race the front-engined prototype.

Team owner Don Panoz said: "We are very disappointed to have to make this decision, but unfortunately we simply couldn't get Terry comfortable in the car. We would have loved to keep Terry because he is such a great ambassador for sportscar racing in the US, but he is basically too big to fit in our car.

"He was able to drive the car, but couldn't get comfortable," Panoz added. "Drivers basically wear a car, rather than drive it - it was like trying to squeeze into a pair of shoes that are too small. We got to the stage where he was basically sitting on the floor, but still couldn't get enough leg movement."

Borcheller's tough luck in Donohue's gain. The son of US racing legend Mark Donohue has been out of the ALMS since the ORECA Chrysler Viper team pulled out of the series in 2000.

"This is truly one of the most exciting developments that has happened to me in racing," said Donohue, who has never raced a sports prototype. "I feel really sorry for Terry because I know he would have been really looking forward to this opportunity. But for me, going for overall victory will be a welcome change from my Viper days, and being able to stay in an American car makes it a touch sweeter."

This year's ALMS kicks off with the Sebring 12 Hours next weekend.