Falken Tire and Derrick Walker will join forces in the 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Walker Racing, one of motorsports’ most successful operations, is heading race operations for Team Falken Tire in the coming season.
Starting with the bold decision to purchase its own Porsche and manage its own team for the 2009 season, Falken has taken a nonconventional approach to its racing program. Falken's first full season championship effort took place in 2010. To date the program has shown signs of strong success by qualifying on the front row three times in 2010, but it has yet to achieve its ultimate goals of winning races at the GT level.
“The ever increasing competition amongst the already fierce GT class in which Falken competes has forced us to look in all directions - outward and inward - in pursuit of excellence,” said Andrew Hoit, Falken's Director of Marketing. “Derrick Walker's motorsports career spans over 40 years including management positions within the Penske organization before beginning his own motorsports company in 1990. His experience in such series as Champ Car, Indy Car and Formula One combined with the involvement from manufacturers such as Porsche, McLaren and Cosworth, make us confident that Derrick will bring the highest level of professionalism and knowledge to our team for 2011. We are very excited for this new chapter in our motorsports history and cannot wait for the season to begin.”
“I am proud to be involved with Falken Tire; they are clearly a company on the move both on and off the track,” Walker said. “To be a part of their long-term goals and become involved in the American Le Mans Series is a great opportunity for us at Walker Racing.”
Stay tuned for more announcements as Walker Racing's facility in Indianapolis becomes the epicenter of Falken's ALMS racing program. To learn more about the 2011 Falken Tire American Le Mans Series Team visit wegetyougoing.com.
The 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón will open at the 59th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida on Saturday, March 19. Visit the American Le Mans Series’ schedule page for information on tickets and area accommodations. www.americanlemans.com
