The
American Le Mans Series is planning on expanding its calendar over the next few years with a number of new races held at new venues. And the first of the new additions is set to be held in Oklahoma City.
The race is earmarked for a new street course to be carved out of the city's Adventure District, to take place for the first time in May 2013, in between Mother's Day and Memorial Day. That should slot the event in between Long Beach in April and the main event at Le Mans that precedes the back-to-back races in July and August.
The last time the series visited this part of the country was at the 2007 Lone Star Grand Prix in Houston, when ALMS had its busiest calendar with 12 races. The Oklahoma City race is set to be joined by other new venues currently under consideration. Check out an official statement by the ALMS about the race after the jump.
SERIES EYES SCHEDULE EXPANSION
Potential Oklahoma City race in 2013 the tip of the iceberg, hints Atherton
On the heels of OKC Motorsports' announcement of its plans to host an American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón race in Oklahoma City, Series President and CEO Scott Atherton confirmed that the street race is just a part of the Series' ongoing efforts to expand its schedule.
Targeted for 2013, a race in Oklahoma City's Adventure District would likely take place the third week in May, falling between Mother's Day and Memorial Day. The mid-May date also would give teams competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans ample time to transport their cars to the French classic. OKC Motorsports President and CEO Mike McAuliffe, who has been instrumental in bringing drag boat racing to Oklahoma City's downtown riverfront, has indicated that next steps for the proposed race include a site inspection with ALMS officials, confirmation of the track layout and solidifying local business and political support. The Series' agreement provides for an exclusive planning period for the event with OKC Motorsports.
Even prior to a potential Oklahoma City race in 2013, Atherton hinted of growth in the series' schedule, not only in quantity, but in enhanced diversity of race markets and venues as well.
"IMSA and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón always look for markets that would enhance the objectives of our corporate partners as well as ones that reach out to our ever-growing fan base," Atherton said. "With OKC Motorsports we have an agreement to jointly move forward for a race in 2013.
"We have also been approached by several other parties to host new events as soon as next year, both street courses and traditional road courses. Right now, even in the midst of our 2011 season, we continue to evaluate each proposed venue and are eager to expand our schedule to fans throughout North America."
The Series' last race in the country's "Central Corridor" was the Lone Star Grand Prix on the streets of Houston in 2007. That same year the ALMS held 12 races, the most in a single season during its history and tied with the 2000 season.
The race is earmarked for a new street course to be carved out of the city's Adventure District, to take place for the first time in May 2013, in between Mother's Day and Memorial Day. That should slot the event in between Long Beach in April and the main event at Le Mans that precedes the back-to-back races in July and August.
The last time the series visited this part of the country was at the 2007 Lone Star Grand Prix in Houston, when ALMS had its busiest calendar with 12 races. The Oklahoma City race is set to be joined by other new venues currently under consideration. Check out an official statement by the ALMS about the race after the jump.
SERIES EYES SCHEDULE EXPANSION
Potential Oklahoma City race in 2013 the tip of the iceberg, hints Atherton
On the heels of OKC Motorsports' announcement of its plans to host an American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón race in Oklahoma City, Series President and CEO Scott Atherton confirmed that the street race is just a part of the Series' ongoing efforts to expand its schedule.
Targeted for 2013, a race in Oklahoma City's Adventure District would likely take place the third week in May, falling between Mother's Day and Memorial Day. The mid-May date also would give teams competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans ample time to transport their cars to the French classic. OKC Motorsports President and CEO Mike McAuliffe, who has been instrumental in bringing drag boat racing to Oklahoma City's downtown riverfront, has indicated that next steps for the proposed race include a site inspection with ALMS officials, confirmation of the track layout and solidifying local business and political support. The Series' agreement provides for an exclusive planning period for the event with OKC Motorsports.
Even prior to a potential Oklahoma City race in 2013, Atherton hinted of growth in the series' schedule, not only in quantity, but in enhanced diversity of race markets and venues as well.
"IMSA and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón always look for markets that would enhance the objectives of our corporate partners as well as ones that reach out to our ever-growing fan base," Atherton said. "With OKC Motorsports we have an agreement to jointly move forward for a race in 2013.
"We have also been approached by several other parties to host new events as soon as next year, both street courses and traditional road courses. Right now, even in the midst of our 2011 season, we continue to evaluate each proposed venue and are eager to expand our schedule to fans throughout North America."
The Series' last race in the country's "Central Corridor" was the Lone Star Grand Prix on the streets of Houston in 2007. That same year the ALMS held 12 races, the most in a single season during its history and tied with the 2000 season.
Sign in to post
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Continue