Sunday, January 10, 2010
ALMS – New Class Structure for 2010
In a progressive step designed to stay ahead of the industry the American Le Mans Series has overhauled its four-class structure. The new classes for the 2010 season will be Le Mans Prototype (LMP), Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC), Grand Touring (GT) and Grand Touring Challenge (GTC).
LMP1 and LPM2 cars will compete as a single LMP class in 2010 with exception of the endurance classics – the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda6 – that will continue to adhere to the ACO technical rules for LMP1 and LMP2.
The new LMP Challenge car is a true Le Mans prototype, but represents an affordable “valued engineered” entry to Le Mans prototype racing. The class has a minimum weight of 900 kilograms similar to its LPM brethren, but its horsepower is 450 hp which is considerably less than the LMP cars which range from 500-700 hp.
The GT Class will follow specifications of the existing ACO / Le Mans GT2 class. Manufacturers competing this year include Corvette, Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar, BMW, Ford and Dodge.
The GT Challenge will consist of versions of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (2009 Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama) cars along with new manufacturers including…
All classes will continue to race on alternative fuels or powertrains such as low sulfur clean diesel, E85 cellulosic ethanol, E-10 and E-10 gas-electric hybrid.
The class restructures are not unprecedented with three restructures taking place in 2003, 2004 and 2005. "The new format for 2010 will create more opportunities for more teams and manufacturers to participate in the American Le Mans Series, while at the same time providing fans with the chance to see new cars, teams and drivers in both prototype and GT competition," said Scott Atherton – President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series.