Up-and-coming sports car talent Mitch Pagerey will move from GT racing to prototypes in 2010 as part of Intersport Racing's newly created prototype ladder system in the American Le Mans Series and sanctioning body IMSA.

Intersport announced the signing three weeks after purchasing an ORECA-Courage FLM09 race car for the 2010 Le Mans Prototype Challenge class. It will go alongside Intersport’s IMSA Lites program with the Elan DP02 and the AER-powered Lola B06/10 that competes in the American Le Mans Series’ LMP1 class.

Pagerey, 39 and from Deerfield Beach, Fla., placed third in the 2009 Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama Platinum Cup championship with five podium finishes in his final six starts. He captured his first victory at Mosport in August.

"I'm really looking forward to running the new prototype," said Pagerey. "In a GT car your limits are typically dictated by the car whereas in a prototype the car requires the driver to seek out the limit. I feel ready for that challenge.

"My focus for 2010 is solely on the LMPC season," Pagerey continued. "Joining Intersport is a fantastic opportunity for me. When I first met Jon and Clint [Field] I immediately felt at ease. Their level of commitment to the American Le Mans Series is remarkable. Certainly, starting in 100 races proves that. For me it is a pattern of success that I want to be a part of. Watching Jon and Clint all these years and now having the opportunity to run with them is truly an honor. I'm going to do everything I can to show I am up to the task."

Clint Field, who will drove Intersport's AER-powered Lola B06/10 with father Jon in 2009, is impressed with Pagerey's growing skill level. "Mitch shows great poise and appears to be a pretty quick study," he said. "We were very impressed with his run at Laguna Seca. He was extremely quick and posted some impressive lap times. I think Mitch is the perfect fit to head up our new LMP Challenge program."

Intersport continues to build during the off-season and expects more announcements in the near future. The team also plans to continue its development program in IMSA Lites for 2010, as well.

"As I said when we announced our purchase of the Challenge car," noted Clint, "our commitment to IMSA and the American Le Mans Series is not only unwavering, it is stronger than ever. We are working hard in the offseason to expand our effort and grow the team. IMSA and the American Le Mans Series continue to offer the right platform that will grow sports car racing in North America. That gives us the confidence to continue to invest our racing dollars with the Series."

"For me, the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama was a great experience and the  perfect place to start," Pagerey added. "Ultimately I like the endurance format of the American Le Mans Series. It was always my intention to move up to this Series, though I thought it would take another year. The addition of the prototype Challenge class bridged the gap and… well… here we are. It all made sense."