Q: How are you going about discussions with the tire manufacturers in regards to the potential for spec or open tire classes?

BENNETT: We want to respect the different partnerships and the commitments we have made to people in writing and work through what's best for this series. I think you've got one spectrum of a spec tire across the board and another open across the board.

There's a middle ground of some spec, some open. We look forward to bringing the final answer once we get everyone aligned... Our personal goal, we're hoping to have that announced by the second quarter of 2013.

Q: Would it be in the best intention to keep the ALMS GT category an open tire class?

ATHERTON: In all of the manufacturer meetings we've had, they've been fairly consistent in that it's important that if we're going to bring that category forward intact that it is intact. That's a subtle way of saying that we have a lot of technical partnerships that exist out there.

The way manufacturers go racing is motivated by a lot of factors. The tire partnership, I would say, is at or near the top of the list. That is being carefully considered. The details will be announced as soon as possible.

Q: Is there consideration for other cars, or perhaps a new generation of Oreca spec-prototype, to be a part of the PC class in the future?

ATHERTON: I think this falls into the category of, 'Don't fix it if it's not broken.' It represents such a tremendous value. The caliber of car and the opportunity to race at that level, at such a relative affordable way, we don't want to lose.

We've had close relationships with Hugues [de Chaunac] and ORECA from the beginning. They're of the opinion that the car is ready for a facelift. Perhaps they do something in Europe but we're very content with the way the car is now. The whole point here is to provide stability, not only for the '14 season but also '15.

Q: Can we expect a significant transformation of the DPs for 2014?

BENNETT: It will hopefully be pretty similar, style wise. There's been a lot of interest in [new DP manufacturers] but those projects typically take a couple of years, so it will be interesting to see if some of those [programs] come to fruition.

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