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GRAND-AM
GRAND-AM: 2014 Class Structure Announced
Four categories, including headline DP/P2 class, set to lead North American sports car racing into the future...
The 2014 sports car series will feature a mix of cars from ALMS and GRAND-AM. (Photos: John Dagys)
The North American sports car scene made a significant step in the unification process Friday, with officials from the American Le Mans Series and GRAND-AM announcing the preliminary class structure for the 2014 championship.
GRAND-AM Managing Director of Competition, Richard Buck, and Scot Elkins, COO of IMSA/ALMS, unveiled at Daytona International Speedway a four-category concept, embracing the majority of cars currently eligible for both championships.
Headlining the new-look series will be a combination prototype category featuring GRAND-AM’s Daytona Prototype and the ALMS P2 class. The revolutionary DeltaWing, which debuted at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, will also be eligible, with performance balancing measures being made to ensure close competition between all three platforms.
The second-tier prototype category will see the continuation of the ALMS Prototype Challenge (PC) class for spec prototypes. It’s expected the successful Pro-Am formula, which requires at least one gentlemen driver in each lineup, will also continue, although not yet officially announced.
Finally, both of the series’ competitive production-based GT categories will be represented, with no significant changes planned for ALMS GT. However, GRAND-AM’s GT division could see the inclusion of its new-for-2013 GX class, or potentially run separately as a fifth class.
Being as being the “best of both worlds,” the class structure will be in effect for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Individual class names have yet to be determined.
The most notable exclusion is the ALMS’ P1 category, which has seen a recent struggle for entries, but has stood as the series’ flagship class since its inception in 1999. Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars that make up the ALMS GTC category will be eligible to compete in the GRAND-AM GT class.
Thanks to the top prototype class, open for P2-spec cars, as well as ACO GTE-homologated machinery in the ALMS GT class, the to-be-named series will hold a direct link to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, maintaining the relationship first established by the ALMS nearly 15 years ago.
Further specifications, including tire rules and the complete set of technical regulations, will be announced later this year, in the run up to the championship’s debut at the 52nd Rolex 24 at Daytona in January 2014.
“This is a ‘best of both worlds’ approach that reflects the fact we have a true merger evolving on a daily basis,” Buck said. “And this announcement is only a first step in solidifying our class structure. Our organizations’ respective competition departments are working diligently on balance of performance for the top prototype class, plus overall class specifications across the board.
“This process is not being rushed. We are carefully gathering input from drivers, teams and stakeholders throughout the sports car industry, emphasizing inclusion, as we work toward a simple – but also complex – goal: we want to get it right the first time.”
Elkins added: “Numerous important partners and stakeholders have been invaluable during this process. We could not have reached these decisions as rapidly as we did without that assistance.
“Many factors were taken into consideration for this initial conceptual lineup, but the priority was to enable as many current competitors as possible to continue racing with their existing equipment.
“We also want to thank the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) for its input as we strive to maintain the important ability of teams to qualify for and race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
Check back later for more on this developing story...
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
GRAND-AM Managing Director of Competition, Richard Buck, and Scot Elkins, COO of IMSA/ALMS, unveiled at Daytona International Speedway a four-category concept, embracing the majority of cars currently eligible for both championships.
Headlining the new-look series will be a combination prototype category featuring GRAND-AM’s Daytona Prototype and the ALMS P2 class. The revolutionary DeltaWing, which debuted at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, will also be eligible, with performance balancing measures being made to ensure close competition between all three platforms.
The second-tier prototype category will see the continuation of the ALMS Prototype Challenge (PC) class for spec prototypes. It’s expected the successful Pro-Am formula, which requires at least one gentlemen driver in each lineup, will also continue, although not yet officially announced.
Finally, both of the series’ competitive production-based GT categories will be represented, with no significant changes planned for ALMS GT. However, GRAND-AM’s GT division could see the inclusion of its new-for-2013 GX class, or potentially run separately as a fifth class.
Being as being the “best of both worlds,” the class structure will be in effect for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Individual class names have yet to be determined.
The most notable exclusion is the ALMS’ P1 category, which has seen a recent struggle for entries, but has stood as the series’ flagship class since its inception in 1999. Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars that make up the ALMS GTC category will be eligible to compete in the GRAND-AM GT class.
Thanks to the top prototype class, open for P2-spec cars, as well as ACO GTE-homologated machinery in the ALMS GT class, the to-be-named series will hold a direct link to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, maintaining the relationship first established by the ALMS nearly 15 years ago.
Further specifications, including tire rules and the complete set of technical regulations, will be announced later this year, in the run up to the championship’s debut at the 52nd Rolex 24 at Daytona in January 2014.
“This is a ‘best of both worlds’ approach that reflects the fact we have a true merger evolving on a daily basis,” Buck said. “And this announcement is only a first step in solidifying our class structure. Our organizations’ respective competition departments are working diligently on balance of performance for the top prototype class, plus overall class specifications across the board.
“This process is not being rushed. We are carefully gathering input from drivers, teams and stakeholders throughout the sports car industry, emphasizing inclusion, as we work toward a simple – but also complex – goal: we want to get it right the first time.”
Elkins added: “Numerous important partners and stakeholders have been invaluable during this process. We could not have reached these decisions as rapidly as we did without that assistance.
“Many factors were taken into consideration for this initial conceptual lineup, but the priority was to enable as many current competitors as possible to continue racing with their existing equipment.
“We also want to thank the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) for its input as we strive to maintain the important ability of teams to qualify for and race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
Check back later for more on this developing story...
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
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