Top Porsche GT seat for Mowlem

Mowlem, who raced for the Skea team in the ALMS last year, will partner French sportscar legend Bob Wollek in every round of the American Le Mans Series, beginning at Texas Motor Speedway on March 4, in its Michelin-shod Porsche 911 GT3-R. The team was loaned Porsche-contracted drivers Lucas Luhr and Christian Menzel for Daytona, but has now struck a deal with Mowlem, another driver with strong factory links.

"We're going to be Michelin tyres, good support from Porsche AG and a driving partner who I know I can learn an awful lot from, and I'm well aware of that," said Mowlem. "With my experience of the cars and tracks I should have a lot of input to the team. From what I can see, the team is going onwards and upwards at the moment and I'm really excited about it."

The White Lightning team, owned by Mike Petersen and Dale White, will receive factory support from Porsche, as it bids to fend off the challenge of the Schnitzer-run works BMW M3 opposition, which features star drivers like JJ Lehto and Jorg Muller.

"Obviously the whole BMW and Schnitzer thing will be a huge threat," said Mowlem. "A lot people are jumping up and down saying that V8s shouldn't be allowed, so it's going to take a big push from Porsche to stop us getting beaten by BMW. To be a part of that big push is a huge compliment, but it also means we've got a lot of work to do. The GT class is going to be incredibly strong this year, because you've got Hans Stuck, Bob Wollek, Sascha Maassen, Dirk Muller, Jorg Muller, JJ Lehto - there's probably more top names in our class than in the Prototype category this year."

White Lightning has yet to decide whether it will contest the Le Mans 24 Hours this season, so Mowlem is actively seeking a drive in both the French long distance classic and the European Le Mans Series races that don't clash. He won't get to test the Porsche before the first practice session for the opening race of the season at Texas Motor Speedway next month.