Mazda to enter ALMS LMP1 category?

UPDATE This rumor is finally upgraded to 'fact' today. This week Mazda confirmed to British weekly Autosport that the B-K Motorsports team would indeed be debuting a brand-new Lola B08/80 Mazda at the Petit Le Mans. And just a few days later, SPEEDTV.com’s Marshall Pruett published an interview with Mazda Motorsport’s Manager, John Doonan, revealing the team’s goals with the new car. BP livery will be on the car (see sneak peek at the livery).

01/10/06 After seeing one Mazda entry in the American Le Mans Series for 2005, there's a strong possibility that the Japanese manufacturer could have as many as four cars on the Series' grid for '06. In addition to B-K Motorsports' efforts (who apparently will switch from Courage to a Lola chassis around mid-year), there could be a second Mazda-powered entry in LMP2 (we don't know the chassis, though). The possibility also is out there that Mazda's Speed6 could compete in GT2S later in the season. Mazda could be joined in the Series by other Japanese manufacturers Honda and Nissan (Toyota's American arm, Lexus, already has committed to a two-team effort).