Motorsport: Marino Franchitti signs with champs

Jan 21 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

BATHGATE racing ace Marino Franchitti has penned a deal to drive for current American Le Mans Series (ALMS) champions Patrón Highcroft Racing this year, joining forces with David Brabham and Simon Pagenaud.

The West Lothian star is the latest ALMS name confirmed for Highcroft’s 2010 line-up.

Franchitti took two Le Mans Prototype2 class victories for Dyson Racing in 2009, but will now line up aboard the Honda-backed ARX-01c Patrón Highcroft Racing entry for the 2010 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the Monterey Sports Car Championship at Laguna Seca and the season-ending Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.

“The calendar clash with Petit Le Mans and IndyCar forced us to look for a new third driver for this year and we were very fortunate to be able to keep it in the family,” said team owner Duncan Dayton.

“But Marino’s surname really had nothing to do with the decision. He has been extremely impressive over the past couple of seasons and we jumped at the opportunity to grab him when he became available.”

Marino (left) will have a significantly enhanced scope of responsibilities to those given to his brother, Dario, by the team last season.

Alongside his three confirmed race outings, the popular Scotsman will be behind the wheel for additional test duties, as well as attending each round of the ALMS championship.

Marino took three pole positions, three fastest race laps and 10 podiums from 10 races last season, two of which were ALMS LMP2 class victories alongside Butch Leitzinger at Lime Rock Park and at Petit Le Mans with Leitzinger and Ben Devlin.

And the Bathgate ace has admitted his delight at getting the chance of a place with the championship holders.

Marino said: “It’s great to be joining the championship winning team and linking up not only with last year’s two fastest drivers in LMP1 in the American Le Mans Series, but also two good friends who will be my team-mates.

“Brabs I’ve known and admired for years, and Simon became a friend almost from the time he joined the ALMS.

“I’m very excited about my role with the team because I will not only be doing the long races at Sebring, Laguna Seca and Petit Le Mans, but I’ll also be at all the other races.

“My job will be to sit in on all our team briefings and, hopefully, be able to learn and also lean on some of the experience I’ve gained in recent years in order to have a positive input into the development of the car.

“There are also a lot of test miles planned in preparation for the championship defence, so I know I won’t be idle.

“Duncan has made no secret of his desire to contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans and also expand the team into a second car, so obviously there are some great opportunities ahead.

“We’ve been friends for a long time and you can’t help but be impressed by what Duncan and his team have accomplished in recent years.

“I’ve had a great couple of years with Dyson Racing and they had one car confirmed for next year but were still working on the second car. Rob and Chris (Dyson) were very upfront with me and allowed me to go and pursue other avenues.

“For me it has been about hunger and striving to achieve my goals. I’m not quite there yet, but moving to Patrón Highcroft Racing is a big step in the right direction.”

The 31-year-old originally made his ALMS debut aboard a Ferrari 360 in 2001.

After several seasons in GT machinery, Franchitti graduated to the LMP2 class in 2007 with Andretti Green Racing (AGR).

Strong results for the factory Acura AGR squad earned Franchitti a full-time ride with Dyson Racing in 2008 which grew into a factory Mazda entry last season.

Team boss Dayton added: “Marino and I have been friends for a few years and he shares the same passion for the sport that we all have here in Danbury.

“We're excited about his role for Patrón Highcroft Racing. We're looking to build for the future and as we expand our program, we'd like Marino to be a part of that.”

The three Patrón Highcroft Racing stars will join the team in Danbury next week for their pre-season seat-fitting.

Franchitti, Brabham and Pagenaud will then undertake their first laps aboard the newly-revised ARX-01c the following week.