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GRAND-AM
GRAND-AM: Series Meets With ACO, Manufacturers
Talks with ACO and manufacturers continue ahead of finalization of regulations for 2014 unified North American sports car series...
In a historic occasion last week, executives from the ALMS, GRAND-AM and the ACO met together for the first time in Le Mans. (Photo: ACO)
While the merger between the American Le Mans Series and GRAND-AM is less than one month in the books, the groundwork for the unified championship's 2014 season is in the process of being laid.
Members of the new organization's board of directors recently flew to Le Mans to meet with the executive team from the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, while the first official manufacturer's meeting was held Monday in New York City, site of this evening's Rolex Sports Car Series awards banquet.
ACO President Pierre Fillon, FIA World Endurance Championship CEO Gerard Neveu, and other executives welcomed Board Chairman Jim France, Vice Chairman Don Panoz, along with ALMS President and CEO Scott Atherton and GRAND-AM counterpart Ed Bennett last week to begin discussions on the shape of the unified series.
“The warm reception and hospitality by the ACO provided a positive and productive first impression,” Atherton said. “The meeting also served to establish a dialogue regarding a number of things on the horizon for GRAND-AM and the ALMS for the remainder of this year and next, and a look ahead expectantly to our unified series in 2014.
"The ACO and WEC also provided overviews and perspectives on our current relationship and their priorities for the future. We concluded with a joint discussion of the opportunities for future collaboration. For a first meeting, it couldn’t have gone better.”
It was announced last weekend that the ALMS and GRAND-AM will have a shared weekend at Road America next August, while a similar double-header event will be held at the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas for the FIA WEC and ALMS in September 2013.
Heading into the unification year, the ACO's involvement has yet to still be defined, although all indications are that components of the Le Mans rulebook will be retained in order to maintain an international link. No changes will be made for 2013 for any of the existing championships.
The class structure for 2014 remains one of the biggest talking points, with those discussions continuing today in New York City between the major auto manufacturers from both series.
More details of the unification plans are expected to emerge in the coming weeks.
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
Members of the new organization's board of directors recently flew to Le Mans to meet with the executive team from the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, while the first official manufacturer's meeting was held Monday in New York City, site of this evening's Rolex Sports Car Series awards banquet.
ACO President Pierre Fillon, FIA World Endurance Championship CEO Gerard Neveu, and other executives welcomed Board Chairman Jim France, Vice Chairman Don Panoz, along with ALMS President and CEO Scott Atherton and GRAND-AM counterpart Ed Bennett last week to begin discussions on the shape of the unified series.
“The warm reception and hospitality by the ACO provided a positive and productive first impression,” Atherton said. “The meeting also served to establish a dialogue regarding a number of things on the horizon for GRAND-AM and the ALMS for the remainder of this year and next, and a look ahead expectantly to our unified series in 2014.
"The ACO and WEC also provided overviews and perspectives on our current relationship and their priorities for the future. We concluded with a joint discussion of the opportunities for future collaboration. For a first meeting, it couldn’t have gone better.”
It was announced last weekend that the ALMS and GRAND-AM will have a shared weekend at Road America next August, while a similar double-header event will be held at the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas for the FIA WEC and ALMS in September 2013.
Heading into the unification year, the ACO's involvement has yet to still be defined, although all indications are that components of the Le Mans rulebook will be retained in order to maintain an international link. No changes will be made for 2013 for any of the existing championships.
The class structure for 2014 remains one of the biggest talking points, with those discussions continuing today in New York City between the major auto manufacturers from both series.
More details of the unification plans are expected to emerge in the coming weeks.
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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