- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
GRAND-AM
GRAND-AM: 2014 Class Structure Being Finalized
ALMS, GRAND-AM set to release class structure for unified sports car championship by end of this year...
The class structure for the 2014 unified sports car championship will be released by the end of the year. (Photo: LAT)
While the formal merger between the American Le Mans Series and GRAND-AM has been less than 60 days in the making, organizers from the unified sports car series are planning to have the fundamental guidelines for 2014 championship soon in place.
American Le Mans Series President and CEO Scott Atherton confirmed the class structure and general technical regulations for the championship will be announced by the end of this year at the latest. Additionally, Atherton expects the new series' name and branding package to be launched within the first quarter of 2013.
This latest development comes in the wake of continued meetings with manufacturers, teams and series partners, all leading towards the 52nd annual Rolex 24 at Daytona, which will serve as the kick-off race of the yet-to-be-named championship.
The new company, temporarily known as International Sports Car Auto Racing (ISCAR), held its first Board of Directors meeting last month, met with a dozen manufacturers in New York City and also traveled to Le Mans to begin formal negotiations with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest on prospective technical platform agreements.
Working groups have also been created among manufacturers and other officials, with ALMS and GRAND-AM management reporting to series' executives on a weekly basis.
"The level of cooperation between the GRAND-AM and ALMS staffs has truly been remarkable," Atherton said. "There is truly a genuine example of a merger of best practices that are taking place.
"Everybody involved in this, from the very top through the management teams of both sides, understands the unprecedented opportunity we have. More importantly, we understand the responsibility we have.
"We have a moral imperative to get this right and to get it right the first time."
No official word has been given on the class structure, although SPEED.com believes it will consist of no more than four categories and would likely include a Pro-Am component for both the Prototype and GT ranks.
Additionally, the majority of existing cars from both ALMS and GRAND-AM could be embraced in the new class structure through Balance of Performance measures.
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
American Le Mans Series President and CEO Scott Atherton confirmed the class structure and general technical regulations for the championship will be announced by the end of this year at the latest. Additionally, Atherton expects the new series' name and branding package to be launched within the first quarter of 2013.
This latest development comes in the wake of continued meetings with manufacturers, teams and series partners, all leading towards the 52nd annual Rolex 24 at Daytona, which will serve as the kick-off race of the yet-to-be-named championship.
The new company, temporarily known as International Sports Car Auto Racing (ISCAR), held its first Board of Directors meeting last month, met with a dozen manufacturers in New York City and also traveled to Le Mans to begin formal negotiations with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest on prospective technical platform agreements.
Working groups have also been created among manufacturers and other officials, with ALMS and GRAND-AM management reporting to series' executives on a weekly basis.
"The level of cooperation between the GRAND-AM and ALMS staffs has truly been remarkable," Atherton said. "There is truly a genuine example of a merger of best practices that are taking place.
"Everybody involved in this, from the very top through the management teams of both sides, understands the unprecedented opportunity we have. More importantly, we understand the responsibility we have.
"We have a moral imperative to get this right and to get it right the first time."
No official word has been given on the class structure, although SPEED.com believes it will consist of no more than four categories and would likely include a Pro-Am component for both the Prototype and GT ranks.
Additionally, the majority of existing cars from both ALMS and GRAND-AM could be embraced in the new class structure through Balance of Performance measures.
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
Latest Gallery
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTO-RACING
-
LE MANS: Briscoe Aiming For Dream LM24 Debut
Level 5 Motorsports driver settling in quickly to Le Mans... -
DE CHAUNAC: Le Mans 2005, The Only Time I Wanted To Give Up
This was definitely the 24 Hours of Le Mans where I suffered the… -
LE MANS: Audi Leads Wednesday LM24 Qualifying
Audis 1-2-3 in incident-filled and shortened opening day of qualifying… -
LE MANS: Lotus LMP2 Returns To Track
Seized parts returned to Lotus LMP2, No. 31 car rebuilt and completes… -
SPEED, SPEED.com Plan Live & Continuous LM24 Coverage
In-car streaming of Corvette Racing highlights two-screen experience...… -
VIDEO: 8Star LM24 Wednesday vBlog
Rui Aguas checks into SPEED.com prior to the start of practice and… -
LE MANS: Corvette On-Board Pass Returns For LM24
Watch! Live in-car and garage cameras from Corvette Racing during… - More News
