ALMS to keep class structure for 2013

The American Le Mans Series has announced it will not make any changes to its current class structure for next season ahead of the recently confirmed merger with Grand-Am for 2014.

The new championship that will be created when the two sportscar series come together will see a new combination of categories, meaning that the ALMS and its sanctioning body IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) took the decision to leave the existing system in place for 2013.

The ALMS will retain its three prototype classes – P1, P2 and PC – and two GT classes – GT and GTC. That structure of five categories has been in use since 2011, although in 2010 the only difference was that P1 and P2 were merged to create one LMP class.

ALMS and IMSA Chief Operating Officer Scot Elkins explained that altering the system for 2013 would be inconvenient for the teams, who are already planning for the new merged championship.

“We know our teams are already focusing on what shape their programs might take in 2014,” he said. “The last thing we want to do is force anyone to make a substantial investment for 2013 when we are still working out the structure for the new merged series. The current class structure already makes for great racing; continuing this way in 2013 ensures a good show for the fans and consistency for our participants.”

A GT-Am class – like the one present in the FIA World Endurance Championship – could have been introduced to the ALMS, but that is no longer viable as the series’ existing GT class will be transferred across to the new competition.

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Peter Allen