ALMS and Grand-Am set to merge

The American Le Mans Series and Grand-Am Sports Car Series are set to announce a merger according to a report by John Dagys of Speed.com.

The report says that while details are still unclear, Grand-Am will serve as the sanctioning body for the merged championship which would feature classes from both series. It says an announcement is expected to be made on Wednesday in Daytona Beach, Florida, and that any tie-up would likely begin in 2014.

The ALMS was set up in 1999 using the rules from the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and has enjoyed participation from manufacturers such as Audi, Porsche and Chevrolet. However, currently there are only three cars in the premier LMP1 category and additional LMPC and GTC classes have been added to boost numbers. Its flagship races are the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.

Grand-Am started in 2000, featuring the 24 Hours of Daytona as the opening round of the season. The series has two classes; Daytona Prototypes and GT.

Watch LIVE action from the American Le Mans Series and Grand-Am in 2012 on Motors TV.

Peter Allen