AFS Racing has joined forces with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports to enter the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year, fielding a Ligier JS P217 Gibson for Sebastian Saavedra and Gustavo Yacaman.

The announcement came Tuesday in Colombia, in a team that will now be known as AFS/PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports, with Gary Peterson and Bobby Oergel sharing duties as team principals.

It will mark Peterson and AFS’ entry into sports car racing, following multiple championships, wins and poles in Indy Lights and IndyCar Series competition.

The merger comes just one year after the California-based PR1/Mathiasen squad stepped up to the Prototype class, on the heels of a successful campaign in Prototype Challenge that included class wins in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Twelve Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans.

“Everyone of the team members were so happy to learn about this opportunity that we’ve been able to assemble,” Oergel said.

“AFS and Gary Peterson’s passion for motorsports fits right in with how strong we believe the team can be.

“It’s obviously a bit tough at the moment with how late this has come together, but the big picture is what this partnership is all about and I am looking forward to a long and prosperous future for all of us together.”

Peterson added: “Along with Bobby, I hope to continue on building the team along with Onroak for technical support. With both our involvement we have been able to put a very good selection of drivers to run the races starting within weeks.

“We selected the drivers in order to aggressively compete and run the entire schedule and contend for a championship.”

Saavedra, meanwhile, will make his full-time sports car debut, with the 27-year-old Colombian teaming up with countryman Yacaman for the entire 10-round championship.

The team’s third driver for the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup races and fourth for the Rolex 24, have yet to be announced.

“I’m very excited with this new chapter in my career, and very honored and humbled to be a part of building this new organization together with Gary Peterson and Bobby Oergel,” Saavedra said.

“It’s something that has been in the works for two years now and making it a reality is definitely one of the highlights of my career.

“I’m looking forward on the whole concept of Team Colombia and building a very strong alliance and performance team in what will be a very competitive season.”

Yacaman added: “It’s the first time two Colombian drivers work together for one common goal. We will be an example for many generations to come.”

Former RGR Sport team manager Toni Calderon, meanwhile, has joined the team as Commercial and Sporting Director.