Taking a closer look at the American Le Mans series
sounds like a bike race in some far away European town but the American Le Mans Series is a growing auto racing series.
While all Le Mans is still a far cry from NASCAR, ALMS has strived to distinguished itself by incorporating two major technical differences in its races -- the four classes of cars and the leader-light system which signifies who's leading the various races.
In each ALMS race, all four classes of cars race at the same time, competing for both an overall and class championship.
Here is the breakdown of the two major differences in ALMS races:
Four classes of cars|
• LMP1 (Le Mans Prototype One): These purpose-built, closed-wheel chassis are among the fastest cars on earth. Among the specifications are a minimum weight of 1,980 pounds with horsepower that ranges between 750-800. These cars can reach in excess of 200 mph. All LMP1s feature red race-position lights and red numbers.
• LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype Two): Similar to the LMP1, these cars also have a closed-wheel chassis but are smaller and less powerful than their prototype sister. The LMP2's must have a minimum weight of 1,653 but their horsepower capacity is in the 550-600 range. Because of this, LMP2s generate speeds between 180-200 mph. These cars use the Blue race-positioning lights and have blue numbers.
• GT1 (Grand Touring One): This class of cars is similar to cars on the street in appearance only. While they may look like a model one can buy off the showroom floor, underneath the hood are state-of-the-art modifications that include horsepower in the range of 550-600 and speeds that can reach 195 mph. While the power capabilities put it on par with the LMP1 and LMP2, the GT1 cannot corner as well and doesn't have the braking capabilities to routinely compete with the LMP1 or LMP2. These cars use the green race-position lights and have green numbers.
• GT2 (Grand Touring Two): Generally, just the smaller and slightly less modified version of the GT1. This class of cars has horsepower capacities of more than 450 and can reach speeds nearing 180 mph. These cars used the yellow race-position lights and have yellow numbers.
Leader light system|
Introduced in 2002 to help fans keep up with and understand just who is leading the race and the classes, ALMS introduced the leader-light system. On the driver side of each car, near the rear tire and next to the car's number are three lights. If none of the lights are lit, then the car is not in the top three. One single light signifies the race leader. Two lights signifies second place and three lights signifies third place. Each class of cars has a different type of light. The LMP1s use red, LMP2s use blue, GT1 use green and GT2 use yellow.
Nearly every ALMS race is based on time. The Monterey Sports Car Championship is an endurance race that goes for 4 hours with two drivers alternating at various points in the race.
The only distance race in ALMS is the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, which is contested for 1,000 miles or 10 hours, whichever comes first.
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