Kimber-Smith and Long join CORE's new Porsche ALMS GT programme

The Briton has landed a full-time deal with the US team, with which he contested a short programme of ALMS races in the LMPC one-make prototype class last season.

He will share the team's 911 GT3-RSR with factory driver Patrick Long, who moves over from the Flying Lizards Porsche team with which he won two ALMS titles.

"I am really excited about being in the ALMS on a full-time basis," said Kimber-Smith.

"I don't think there is another championship in the world quite like it.

"The good thing is that I have Patrick alongside me, so I should be able to learn about driving a Porsche pretty quickly."

Team owner Jon Bennett explained that CORE has aspirations to land a factory deal in the future.

"Our target for 2013 is to build a strong infrastructure capable of supporting a two-car factory effort," he said. "We want to prove we are capable of being successful in GT racing."

CORE has revealed that the Porsche will not contest the ALMS opener at Sebring on March 16 and has yet to set a date for the car's race debut.

Bennett will continue driving in the LMPC division together with former NASCAR Truck Series race winner Colin Braun as CORE bids to defend the drivers' and teams' class titles it won last year.