The 2009 American Le Mans Series gets ready to kick things off this weekend in Sebring, Florida with the classic 12 hour race on Saturday March, 21st. Nine other races round out the season between now and the end of the season in October at Laguna Seca.
2009 calendar of the American Le Mans Series
- 21.03. Sebring/Florida
- 04.04. St. Petersburg/Florida
- 18.04. Long Beach/California
- 17.05. Salt Lake City/Utah
- 18.06. Lime Rock/Connecticut
- 08.08. Mid-Ohio/Ohio
- 16.08. Road America/Wisconsin
- 30.08. Mosport/Canada
- 26.09. Road Atlanta/Georgia
- 10.10. Laguna Seca/California
Facts and Figures of the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series was created in 1999 and offers fans exciting sports car racing. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. Ten races in the USA and Canada make up this year’s calendar. Traditional highlights are the Sebring 12 hour race and the 1,000 mile Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. Most races run over 2:45 hours. The ALMS is the American counterpart to the Le Mans Series (LMS) in Europe.
The starter field is made up of two different race car categories: Sports prototypes and standard sports cars. These are divided into four classes:
- LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 700 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms. Power to weight ratio: ca. 1.3 kg/hp.
- LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with around 445 hp (normally aspirated engine) and an 850 kilogram minimum weight. Power to weight ratio: ca. 1.9 kg/hp.
- GT1 class: Heavily modified standard sports cars with up to 650 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 to 1,325 kilograms.
- GT2 class: Slightly modified standard sports cars with approx. 450 hp and a minimum weight of 1,145 – 1,345 kilograms. The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR competes in this class.
All race cars start together but are classified separately. This system ensures varied and exciting racing with tough fights for positions and many overtaking maneuvers. Points are awarded only for placings in each class.
After 2006 and 2007, Porsche again won the championship titles in the LMP2 class last year for Drivers (Timo Bernhard/Romain Dumas) as well as for Chassis and Engine Manufacturer and for Teams (Penske Racing) with the RS Spyder. In the GT2 class, Porsche secured the championship titles for Drivers (Joerg Bergmeister/Wolf Henzler) as well as for Manufacturers and Teams (Flying Lizard Motorsports).
Don’t forget to check back on Friday for our comprehensive interview with Joerg Bermeister of Flying Lizard Motorsport and Porsche.
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[Source: PCNA]