ALMS: 2011 calendar announced

The American Le Mans Series schedule for 2011 was released on Sunday during the series’ Road America event.

This year the ALMS have seen a record number of world-class cars present on the grids and lots of competition throughout the 2010 campaign.

Most of the venues will be familiar, but some of the dates have been swapped around and there will be two new additions which are yet to be announced.

The annual Mobil 1 presents Grand Prix of Mosport just outside Toronto moves a month earlier to the end of July. And for the second straight year, the Series will race for six hours at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on the Monterey Peninsula. That date moves back to autumn – September 17 instead of the middle of May, as was the case in 2010.

Two dates that will not be changed from the 2010 calendar are two of the series premier events the 59th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring will be held on 19 March and the series will conclude next October with the Petit Le Mans on the 15.

The ALMS will also be heading to Long Beach for the fifth year, before taking a break for the Le Mans 24 Hours. The series will then return on 3 July at one of the new venues, with the date of the other new venue set for 3 September.

Scott Atherton the series president believes the ALMS is moving in the right direction with these changes.

“Each year we strive to put together a calendar that features the best road-racing facilities and major market street circuits with events organized by the best promoters in North America,” he said. “I can say without any hesitation that we have accomplished that goal once again for 2011. And the fact that we are able to release our schedule earlier than ever before is a positive for everyone.

“Repositioning dates that have been successful in the past is always a risk but we feel confident that racing at Mosport a month earlier will be a positive for all involved with record-breaking crowds and weather that will make us all thankful.

“Once again we are putting our participants and corporate partners in premier venues and prominent business markets throughout North America.”

2011 American Le Mans Series schedule:
March 19, Sebring International Raceway (Sebring 12 Hours)
April 16, Long Beach street circuit
July 3, TBD
July 9, Lime Rock Park
July 31, Mosport International Raceway
August 6, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - Lexington
August 21, Road America - Elkhart Lake
September 3, TBA
September 17, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
October 15, Road Atlanta (Petit Le Mans)
 

Catch ALMS coverage on Motors TV throughout 2010.


Josh Modaberi