Élan Motorsports Technologies and Carl Haas Automobile Imports, Inc., have announced an agreement that will see the Haas group assume distribution responsibilities for products manufactured by Élan. The offerings – constructed by the Braselton, Ga.-based arm of Panoz Motor Sports Group – include a full line of racecars, parts, update kits and other components for competition in the American Le Mans Series and other IMSA classes, Superleague Formula, F2000 and SCCA, among others. Haas – whose racecar parts distribution company dates back to 1960 – had a similar arrangement with Lola when the British company built Indy cars, will handle inventory, trackside service and distribute EMT's racing products worldwide.
“This is a very significant and positive development for Élan Motorsports Technologies,” said Scott Atherton, president and CEO of Panoz Motor Sports Group. “Combining the design and manufacturing expertise of Élan with the resources of Haas – the benchmark for racecar parts distribution, service and support certainly in North America and among the best in the world – is a combining of the best of both worlds. Collectively we have opportunities like never before to expand the scope and reach all of the assets and resources within EMT nationally and globally. This truly is a win-win situation for both EMT and Haas – and especially for our many current and future customers.”
Élan Motorsports Technologies is a multi-faceted racecar and engine building entity comprised of Élan Composites, Élan Power Products, Élan Precision Engineering and Van Diemen. The Van Diemen arm of Élan was recently named the primary constructor for the Cooper Tires presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda. It will be the sole constructor in the top-level Championship class with Van Diemen models from 2001 to the 2010-spec DP08 able to compete. Van Diemen cars also are eligible for the National class, which is open to cars that conform to the current SCCA Formula Continental regulations.
“For more than a decade, Élan has dedicated itself to producing world-class racecars and components for a wide-reaching national and international customer base,” Atherton added. “We are supremely confident that our partnership with Haas will result in benchmark quality service, an expansion of our global clientele and increase in business for both organizations.”
In addition to Lola, Carl Haas Automobile Imports, Inc. has partnered with Hewland Transmissions and Dynamic Suspensions. Haas, of course, has long raced the products he distributed with Lola cars, winning races and titles in Formula 5000, Can-Am, CART and Champ Car.