The ALMS is changing

The American Le Mans Series will change its face next season. The separate LMP1 and LMP2 categories are over: a single category, LMP, will decide between the prototypes. The most emblematic races, the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans, will however offer a distinction between LMP1 and LMP2 in order to align with the rules of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Scott Atherthon, although he did not reveal the details, promises equivalence in order to allow the two types of cars to fight on equal terms in LMP.

The novelty also comes from the Formula Le Mans developed by Oreca. This prototype race, which takes place in Europe during the Le Mans Series, will cross the Atlantic to fill the ALMS rounds. This news comes shortly after the creation of a new version of the FLM, the Formula Le Mans Winter Series.

En GT, les choses n?évoluent pas et le GT2 reste la catégorie principale du grand tourisme. Comme cette saison, le GT Challenge opposera des Porsche GT3 Cup, avec un règlement moins rigide permettant à d?autres versions de la Porsche GT3 de s?aligner.

With these measures, the ALMS management hopes to open the discipline to a wider audience by making it more readable. By establishing a single category of prototypes and GT, plus two one-make formulas, Scott Atherthon also hopes to fill the ranks of the ALMS. However, the rules which will allow equivalence within the LMP category are eagerly awaited, with certain manufacturers possibly deciding to join, or return to, the discipline.

« This new format for 2010 will bring more opportunities for teams and manufacturers to participate in the American Le Mans Series, which will allow fans to see a renewal in cars, teams and drivers, said Scott Atherthon. There is no doubt that the evolution of the economy – and in particular the automobile industry – has changed the situation. Any organization that declared a “status quo” would be doomed. The global economic situation has created a new situation that requires all businesses to make decisions in order to evolve. We believe we have implemented changes that will allow the series and our participants to grow. »