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American LeMans Series diamond in the rough My son Tim and I ventured to Lime Rock Park in Connecticut recently to enjoy the American LeMans Series "up close and personal." Founded in 1999 by Dr. Don Panoz, a Georgia-based entrepreneur known for inventing the nicotine patch, we especially like the unique ALMS race format where four different classes of sports cars compete simultaneously. Thus, when the checkered flag falls, four winners are crowned. The four classes are LeMans prototypes LMP1 and LMP2, and production-based Grand Touring GT1 and GT2. LMP1 race cars are among the most technologically developed and fastest sports cars in the world. LMP2 are smaller, lesspowerful prototypes that are very nimble and still capable of an overall win. GT1 cars are production models that are heavily modified for racing, while GT2 cars are production based automobiles with few internal racing modifications. Since the four classes have different top speeds, it creates added difficulty for drivers who must traverse twisting, demanding circuits while compensating for faster and/or slower racecars on the track at the same time. This aspect is most pronounced at Lime Rock, the smallest venue of the 12-race ALMS series at just 1.54 miles. Team Acura driver David Brabham put it mildly saying, "It's next to impossible to find any type of driver rhythm here as you're always in traffic because of the four different speed classes. However, I've driven in all of the classes here at Lime Rock, and I much prefer the faster cars. You don't have to look in your mirrors as much." Brabham was correct, as on this day, his Salem, N.Y.-based, Highcroft Racing, Forbes Magazine-backed Acura, with codriver Stefan Johansson, wasn't passed much, finishing third overall behind the two Penske LMP2 Porsche Spyders. The Penske and Highcroft performances resulted in a podium sweep for LMP 2 category prototypes, as the favored Audi R10 Diesel finished fifth overall and first in LMP1. Which brings us to our ALMS "diamond in the rough" theory. Here are a few reasons why: - Fan access. NHRA isn't the only game in town, as an ALMS ticket allows paddock access to the pits, drivers and cars, and a visit to the starting grid before the green as drivers buckle in. - Manufacturers. Huge support from Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, Chevrolet, Courage, Ferrari, Lola, Mazda, Panoz, Porsche, Radical and Zytek, with more to come! - Parity? You won't find a "Car of Tomorrow" here. The ALMS promotes speed and technology. - The fans. When the event was over, not one area was littered with soda bottles or wrappers of any sort. ALMS fans are not rowdy, and truly enjoy the many activities, including autograph sessions, tech talks and grid walks. - TV coverage. ALMS features coverage by CBS, NBC and SPEED domestically. Add live coverage by MotorsTV and partner Greenlight-TV, and the ALMS reach is more than 500 million potential viewers. If you want to see premium motorsports in North America that has yet to be overrun with fans (but one day will), and enjoy the whine of a Ferrari, whisper of the Audi diesel or throaty boldness of a Panoz or Corvette, then ALMS is your ticket. Yes, it's that good. Write to Greg Zyla in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475, or send an e-mail to letters.kfws@hearstsc.com.
(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.
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