Photo : P.SAIVET - VSC Pictures

Last Friday was the annual conference of the American Le Mans Series in preparation for next year. Apart from the announcement of the opening of the FIA World Endurance Championship, Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series presented the calendar of 2012, as well as television coverage.

Some changes appear in the 2012 calendar. Laguna Seca race will be held on the 12 of May and a race will be scheduled to sit between California and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Baltimore, which was a first in 2011, will be repeated next year. A race to be defined is scheduled for September or October, Petit Le Mans, which will close the 2012 season, has been pushed back to the 20th of October.

A new long-term agreement was signed between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and the ALMS, extending a partnership that began thirteen years ago. These five categories this year will be renewed in 2012. The LM P2, LM PC, LM GTE and GTC comply with 2010 Regulations. LM P1 will conform to the 2011 regulations, 2010 cars will however be accepted if they comply with the regulations of 2011.

As for TV coverage, ABC and ESPN2 will broadcast four races live. However, all races can be followed live on espn3.com and americanlemans.com. The retransmission mechanism adopted in 2011 has hit one million more homes over in 2010. These promising results have led to the renewal of the contract.

"The American Le Mans Series is at the forefront of motorsport, not only in North America, but worldwide", said Scott Atherton. This will continue in 2012 and beyond as we continue to strengthen the leadng position of ALMS. "

Cécile Bonardel

Photo : BRASELTON (GEORGIA, USA), ROAD ATLANTA, PETIT LE MANS, 28 SEPT 2011.