Halliday back behind the wheel in American Le Mans Series

Female racing driver Liz Halliday will make her long awaited return to the American Le Mans Series later in the year after signing for British squad Creation AIM to contest the Petit Le Mans and Laguna Seca events.

The California born dual sportswoman, who also competes at an international level in 3 Day Eventing, is the most successful female driver ever in ALMS history having scored six class wins and six other podiums and finished as championship runner-up in the P2 class in 2006.

The deal with Creation will see Halliday, who is based in the UK, graduate to the P1 class for the first time where she will drive one of the team’s eponymous CA07 chassis alongside South African Stephen Simpson. The pair will race together at Laguna Seca and be joined by an as-yet unnamed third driver for the 1000 mile Petit Le Mans endurance race.

Having tested the car for the first time at Snetterton last week, Halliday revealed her delight at being back behind the wheel, having not raced since the 2007 Le Mans 24 Hours: "I really enjoyed just being in a race car again and the test has increased my anticipation for the Petit Le Mans in October.

"I’ve wanted to drive a P1 car for a very long time so it’s exciting to finally get that opportunity. The test went really well and the car felt superb and very good to drive. Creation’s regular drivers Jamie Campbell-Walter and Stuart Hall were also around to give me some tips and I found that really helpful. The team are very professional and have a great track record and I’m confident we’ll work well together."

Halliday’s last US appearance came at the 2007 12 Hours of Sebring, where she claimed a GT1 class podium, but having taken a small break from racing to concentrate on her equestrian activities, she admitted a return to race in her homeland cannot come soon enough.

"I’ve been waiting a long time to get back to the ALMS," she said. "I have so many friends there and really enjoyed my time in the championship. I’ve had a lot of success there in the past and hopefully that will continue."

Creation AIM Team Principal Mike Jankowski said: "It took us 18 months to get Liz in our car and we are delighted that she will be with Creation for the final two races of the American Le Mans Series. Despite having been out of the cockpit for more than a year, she was quickly up to speed during the test and we believe there is even more to come. Liz is very well known to fans of the ALMS and will be a strong complement to our two car end-of-season effort."

The Petit Le Mans takes place on Saturday 4 October and can be seen Live on Speed TV (USA) and Motors TV (Europe). The race at Laguna Seca takes place on Saturday 18 October and can be viewed in full on NBC Sports (USA) and Motors TV (Europe).

 www.lizhalliday.com.

- Andy Wilkinson - also photo