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Grand-Am Road Racing and the American Le Mans Series on Friday, Jan. 4, unveiled a competition-class structure in Daytona Beach, Fla., that will take effect when the two series officially merge in 2014.
The new structure will include four classes of competition with the possibility of a fifth class. The ALMS LMP1 prototype class is being eliminated as expected, while the Grand-Am Daytona Prototype and ALMS LMP2 classes will combine. The GT classes in each series will remain separate.
The first race--the 2014 Rolex 24--for the unified Grand-Am/ALMS will take place at Daytona International Speedway in January 2014. The planned merger was announced last September.
While the series are yet to finalize individual class names -- as well as the name of the new combined series -- the class structure is expected to have the following look:
-- The Grand-Am DP and the ALMS LMP2 classes will combine into one, headlining a prototype class that also will include the DeltaWing prototype, with performance of the cars balanced to maintain close competition.
-- The ALMS Prototype Challenge (LMPC) class for spec prototypes will continue to run as a separate class.
-- Both of the organizations' production-based GT classes will continue as separate, distinct categories based on performance, preserving each class's history and loyal fan following. As part of this plan, the ALMS GT Challenge-class cars will join the Grand-Am GTs.
-- Grand-Am's new GX class, which is debuting at the Rolex 24 later this month, is being explored as a possible addition to the Grand-Am half of the GT mix in 2014-15. There also is the possibility that GX will run separately as a fifth class.
The classifications, which will be in effect for at least the 2014 and 2015 seasons, are based on a philosophy of inclusion, according to the organizations. The majority of classes from both the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and the ALMS will be retained with the exception of the ALMS LMP1 prototype class.
Specifications for all classes still are being determined and will be announced later this year. In addition, there will be continued discussion regarding the increasing inclusion of green technologies in the new unified series.
“This is a 'best of both worlds' approach that reflects the fact we have a true merger evolving on a daily basis,” said Grand-Am managing director of competition Richard Buck. “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.”
Added International Motor Sports Association and ALMS chief operating officer Scot Elkins, “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 [the organizer of the 24 Hours of Le Mans] 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.”
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