American Le Mans Series

American Le Mans Series was a professional sports car racing series based in the United States, founded by Don Panoz and sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). The series was closely related to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with many teams and drivers competing in both events, including Audi Sport North America, Porsche Motorsport, and Corvette Racing. The series featured a mix of Le Mans Prototype (LMP) and Grand Touring (GT) cars, with classes such as LMP1, LMP2, and GT2, attracting top drivers like Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish, and Oliver Gavin. The series also had a strong connection to the European Le Mans Series and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

History

The American Le Mans Series was launched in 1999 by Don Panoz, with the first race held at the Sebring International Raceway in Florida. The series was created to bring Le Mans-style racing to the United States, with a focus on endurance racing and sports car racing. Over the years, the series visited iconic tracks like Laguna Seca, Road Atlanta, and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, featuring cars from top manufacturers like Audi, Porsche, and Chevrolet. The series also had a strong connection to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with many teams and drivers competing in both events, including Joest Racing, Audi Sport Team Joest, and Pescarolo Sport. Notable drivers like Emanuele Pirro, Frank Biela, and Marco Werner also competed in the series, often alongside teams like Dyson Racing, Intersport Racing, and Highcroft Racing.

Championships

The American Le Mans Series featured several championships, including the LMP1 and LMP2 classes, as well as the GT1 and GT2 classes. The series also awarded championships for drivers, teams, and manufacturers, with top honors going to teams like Audi Sport North America, Porsche Motorsport, and Corvette Racing. Drivers like Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish, and Oliver Gavin won multiple championships, often driving for top teams like Audi Sport Team Joest, Porsche Team Penske, and Corvette Racing. The series also had a strong connection to the FIA World Endurance Championship, with many teams and drivers competing in both series, including Toyota Racing, Rebellion Racing, and Strakka Racing.

Classes

The American Le Mans Series featured several classes, including Le Mans Prototype (LMP) and Grand Touring (GT) cars. The LMP class was further divided into LMP1 and LMP2 subclasses, with the GT class divided into GT1 and GT2 subclasses. The series also featured a Challenge class, which was designed for smaller teams and drivers, often competing in cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 and the Ferrari F430. Top manufacturers like Audi, Porsche, and Chevrolet competed in the series, with cars like the Audi R10 TDI, the Porsche RS Spyder, and the Chevrolet Corvette C6.R. Drivers like Emanuele Pirro, Frank Biela, and Marco Werner also competed in the series, often driving for teams like Joest Racing, Penske Racing, and Corvette Racing.

Circuits

The American Le Mans Series visited a variety of circuits across the United States and Canada, including Sebring International Raceway, Laguna Seca, and Road Atlanta. The series also visited Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lime Rock Park, and Mosport International Raceway, featuring a mix of road courses and street courses. The series often shared events with other top racing series, like the IndyCar Series and the NASCAR Cup Series, with top drivers like Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, and Juan Pablo Montoya competing in both series. The series also had a strong connection to the European Le Mans Series, with many teams and drivers competing in both series, including Peugeot Sport, Audi Sport Team Joest, and Pescarolo Sport.

Teams and Drivers

The American Le Mans Series featured a wide range of teams and drivers, including top manufacturers like Audi, Porsche, and Chevrolet. Teams like Audi Sport North America, Porsche Motorsport, and Corvette Racing dominated the series, with drivers like Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish, and Oliver Gavin winning multiple championships. Other notable teams included Dyson Racing, Intersport Racing, and Highcroft Racing, with drivers like Emanuele Pirro, Frank Biela, and Marco Werner competing in the series. The series also featured a strong contingent of privateer teams, like Flying Lizard Motorsports and Risi Competizione, with drivers like Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, and Giancarlo Fisichella competing in the series. Category:American Le Mans Series