Late Racing News.(Nissan's new 350Z sports car)(Brief Article)

Rand to ALMS

* The Rolex Sports Car Series team, Rand Racing, has ordered two MG Lola EX257 sports-prototypes for a campaign in the 2003 American Le Mans Series. Though built to LMP675 rules, the MG Lola's performance has team owner Bill Rand believing it can win races overall. The team has won every Grand-Am race it has entered so far, with two Lola-Nissans prepared by Risi Competizione. ``The focus this year is Grand- Am,'' noted Bill Rand. ``Once we get the MG sorted, we will run a full ALMS season next year. But we'll also run the 24 Hours of Daytona. We've got unfinished business there, we're going after an overall win.''

Hope for Phoenix?

* Phoenix Finance Limited is in England's High Court of London presenting its case against the FIA and FOM (Formula One Management) over its attempt to take over Prost Grand Prix's entry in the 2002 F1 world championship. Phoenix acquired certain assets from the failed Prost team, including two AP04 cars, then showed up at the Malaysian Grand Prix with the intention of competing. However, the FIA dismissed Phoenix, saying Prost's entry had not been transferred.

Racy 350

* Nissan is building a competition version of its 350Z sports car with the aim of taking on Porsche in the GT categories next year. NISMO, the Japanese firm's motorsport affiliate, is building the 350ZT, which will use a 3.0-liter V6. Though the production run will be geared toward customer teams, the new car could also likely mark a return to international competition ...