-
Home
- TV Shows
- TV Schedule
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Le Mans / ALMS
ALMS: Dunlop Pulls Out As Tire Supplier
Dunlop to focus on FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series in 2013...
Dunlop has pulled the plug on its tire supply program in the American Le Mans Series. (Photo: LAT)
The shape of American sports car racing continues to change, with Dunlop confirming Monday that it will no longer supply teams in the American Le Mans Series, effective immediately.
The famed tire brand, owned by Goodyear, will instead shift its focus to the FIA World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series, which is set to relaunch next year under a new format.
“We have had a fantastic four years in the American Le Mans Series, winning both the LMP1 and GT championships with our partners in 2011, and winning races in all three open classes this year," explained Jean-Felix Bazelin, Dunlop Motorsport general manager. "It is a fantastic, highly competitive championship and we are incredibly proud of our successes.
"However, with an increased calendar in North America clashing with several of the other major international championships where we compete, we have had to make choices.
"I thank our American Le Mans teams and IMSA for their support over the last four years. Their recent merger with Grand-Am is a positive step towards building an even stronger championship and we wish them well."
Dunlop's withdrawal from the ALMS is likely to have serious implications, particularly in the prototype ranks, as it supplied tires to all but two of the full-season Prototype competitors.
Dyson Racing (P1) and both Level 5 Motorsports and Conquest Endurance (P2) had run Dunlops in 2012, while BMW Team RLL enjoyed a four-year factory partnership with the tire brand in GT.
Paul Miller Racing's GT-class Porsche 911 GT3 RSR was also Dunlop-shod this year.
BMW has yet to confirm its 2013 plans, with an announcement expected early next month in Munich.
ALMS President and CEO Scott Atherton issued the following statement:
"Dunlop’s decision to concentrate on its European activities is understandable – and yes, disappointing," he said. "However we still enjoy strong manufacturer participation from Michelin, Falken and Yokohama going into the 2013 ALMS championship along with on-going discussions from other tire brands investigating ALMS involvement.”
Michelin, which scaled back its P2 tire development this year, is expected to offer increased availability in 2013, which could help fill the void in the cost-capped category.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
The famed tire brand, owned by Goodyear, will instead shift its focus to the FIA World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series, which is set to relaunch next year under a new format.
“We have had a fantastic four years in the American Le Mans Series, winning both the LMP1 and GT championships with our partners in 2011, and winning races in all three open classes this year," explained Jean-Felix Bazelin, Dunlop Motorsport general manager. "It is a fantastic, highly competitive championship and we are incredibly proud of our successes.
"However, with an increased calendar in North America clashing with several of the other major international championships where we compete, we have had to make choices.
"I thank our American Le Mans teams and IMSA for their support over the last four years. Their recent merger with Grand-Am is a positive step towards building an even stronger championship and we wish them well."
Dunlop's withdrawal from the ALMS is likely to have serious implications, particularly in the prototype ranks, as it supplied tires to all but two of the full-season Prototype competitors.
Dyson Racing (P1) and both Level 5 Motorsports and Conquest Endurance (P2) had run Dunlops in 2012, while BMW Team RLL enjoyed a four-year factory partnership with the tire brand in GT.
Paul Miller Racing's GT-class Porsche 911 GT3 RSR was also Dunlop-shod this year.
BMW has yet to confirm its 2013 plans, with an announcement expected early next month in Munich.
ALMS President and CEO Scott Atherton issued the following statement:
"Dunlop’s decision to concentrate on its European activities is understandable – and yes, disappointing," he said. "However we still enjoy strong manufacturer participation from Michelin, Falken and Yokohama going into the 2013 ALMS championship along with on-going discussions from other tire brands investigating ALMS involvement.”
Michelin, which scaled back its P2 tire development this year, is expected to offer increased availability in 2013, which could help fill the void in the cost-capped category.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
FIA WEC Six Hours of Spa
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTO-RACING
-
DAGYS: A Bright Future For V8 Supercars In America
John Dagys reflects back on the successful inaugural Austin 400 and… -
GT: Sofronas, Lee Win Sunday's WC GT, GTS Races At COTA
GMG Racing's James Sofronas takes Audi R8 LMS to third Pirelli World… -
MILLER: Carpenter's Simply A Great Story
Regardless of what his detractors might say, Ed Carpenter's mighty… -
V8: Whincup Dominates Austin 400
Red Bull Racing Driver wins three of the four 100km sprints in V8… -
INDYCAR: Newgarden Fastest Sunday Indy 500 Qualifier, Legge Completes…
Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing's Josef Newgarden led Sunday's final… -
V8: Red Bull's Whincup On A Roll At COTA
Jamie Whincup takes pole for V8 Supercar Races 15 and 16, Live! on… -
V8: Nissan Coming To Grips With New Altima
John Dagys explores Nissan's new factory venture in V8 Supercars… - More News
