Graham Rahal will race for RLR at 12 Hours of Sebring

HILLIARD, Ohio – Rahal Letterman Racing (RLR) announced today that Graham Rahal, the 18-year-old son of co-owner Bobby Rahal will drive for the team at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring next week. Rahal will join RLR’s duo of Ralf Kelleners and Tom Milner to comprise the driving trio for the team’s first race in the American Le Mans Series GT2 class.

Graham Rahal, who is considered by many in the media to be one of the brightest young prospects in all of racing, will make his second start at Sebring having raced last season for Alex Job Racing in the GT2 class. Rahal enjoyed a breakout season in 2006 taking second in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship and leading the series in wins (5) and pole positions (4) and leading nearly 40% of the laps he ran. He also ran one-off events at Sebring and the 24 Hours of Daytona as well as selected events in the A1GP Series.

“I have been fortunate to drive in some of the most prestigious road races in the sport over the last couple of years," said Graham who was named the BBS of America Rising Star last season by Champ Car World Series. “I may be young, but everyone in the racing understands the significance of Sebring and what winning this event means on a drivers resume. One thing my Dad and I have tried to do over the last couple of seasons is to get as much practical experience as possible driving in different cars and series. This isn’t the first time I have raced for my Dad (Formula BMWUSA in 2004), but it is the first time I have raced for his team at this level and hopefully I can help make RLR’s ALMS debut successful."

“One of the most common questions I have been asked since we formed the ALMS team is if Graham was going to drive for us," said Bobby Rahal who won the Twelve Hours of Sebring in 1987 and was inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame in 2004. “Graham’s 2007 season is shaping up to be extremely busy and I really didn’t think he would have the opportunity to race in any of the events, but things have worked out and he is available for Sebring. On a competitive side I think we have three outstanding drivers in Ralf [Kelleners], Tom [Milner] and Graham, and I like the depth in our driving corps for the event. Anytime you begin a new venture there is a level of excitement and anticipation. Having Graham be part of our ALMS program’s debut seems fitting to me on a personal level."