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ALMS Applauds ACO’s New Le Mans Rules
Written by: RACER Staff   http://www.racer.com
06/14/2007 - 07:00 PM
Braselton, Ga.
 

The American Le Mans Series has expressed full support for the new regulations announced Thursday by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the organizing body of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The new rules, due to come into effect in 2010, will transform the LMP1 class into closed-top designs that will enable manufacturers to build prototypes that more closely mirror their showroom cars (click here for story).

The move harkens back to the days of historic closed-top prototypes from Porsche, Jaguar, Ford and countless others that captured the imaginations of sports car fans around the world. The new regulations will go into effect beginning in 2010 and keep existing P1 cars (both open- and closed-top) eligible up to 2011. The prototype evolution also calls for wider windshields than the current rules and a specified front that features a manufacturer badge and brand.

The ACO considers LMP1 to be a "dream class" of cars and hopes creating cars that represent a particular manufacturer will aid spectators in recognizing one marque from another and allow a greater marketing platform for the manufacturers through the world's greatest auto race.
Scott Atherton (LAT photo) » More Photos

"Thursday's announcement by the ACO reinforces and advances the strengths of the American Le Mans Series' platform," said Scott Atherton, ALMS president and CEO. "We have said many
times that the relevance of our cars and their technology give us a position within motorsports that no other series can match. It is because spectators and the rest of the general public know they can purchase the same production-based car and technology that competes in the American Le Mans Series or the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"This announcement brings the same recognition into the top Le Mans Prototype class and will now allow our manufacturers to display even more of their leading-edge innovations and designs to our affluent consumer base," he added. "It is another significant advancement in the overall value and ROI represented by the American Le Mans Series."

The ACO also desires to reduce the costs of cars in the GT2 class to make them more in line with the corresponding road vehicle. The use of a factory engine and the reduction of on-board electronics, which should reduce engineering costs, will help accomplish the ACO's goal.

"We also applaud the ACO's move to reduce the costs of cars in the GT2 class, which will bring an even greater level of relevance between the race cars and their showroom counterparts," Atherton said. "By eliminating the costs associated with certain technologies in the on-track cars, the GT2 class will continue to thrive and be an extremely viable choice for teams – and manufacturers – in the American Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans."