Le Mans Series

Palttala and Forsten join James Watt Automotive

© Planetlemans - Murilo Braz // James Watt Autmotive Porsche at Interlagos ‘07

While the official entry list for the Barcelona round of the Le Mans Series still shows that Paul Daniels will be joined by Joel Camathias and Tim Sugden in the James Watt Automotive Porsche Planetlemans can now reveal a different driver line-up. Paul Daniels will be partnered by two Finns at the 1000 kilometers of Catalunya this weekend, Markus Palttala and Mikael Forsten.

Palttala and Forsten will race the 2007-spec Porsche 997 GT3 RSR at Barcelona with an option to extend the deal for the other Le Mans Series races, with the exception of the final round at Silverstone. This race clashes with the FIA GT round at Brno where Palttala and Forsten will be driving a Prospeed Competition Porsche 997 GT3 RSR.

For Palttala the opportunity to race with James Watt Automotive at Barcelona means his return to the series. Back in 2005 Palttala drove a Porsche 996 GT3 RSR for Ice Pol Racing Team while competing in the GT1 PSI Experience Corvette C6.R in 2006. In 2007 Palttala rejoined Ice Pol Racing for one round of the Le Mans Series at Valencia. Mikael Forsten will make his debut in the Le Mans Series at Barcelona.

At the end of last week the first contacts were made between Palttala and James Watt Automotive, apparently after the deal with Camathias fell through shortly before. This week Palttala and Forsten came to an agreement with the British squad and this weekend they will be in the car already.

Before going to Barcelona Palttala and Forsten were in action at Nogaro on Monday and Tuesday where they tested the Prospeed Porsche they will share in the FIA GT Championship. Palttala took the #60 Porsche out in three different sessions and was quickest in each of the sessions, ahead of his team mates Collard and Westbrook and the Ferrari 430GT2 of Gianmaria Bruni, which was entered by Michelotto.