The American Le Mans Series was founded in 1999 by entrepreneur Don Panoz to provide a year-long continuation of one of the most prestigious racing events in the world – the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Today, the ALMS’ Le Mans-style of racing has become a hotbed for the world’s leading manufacturers such as Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Maserati, Lexus, Panoz, Porsche and Saleen as well as drivers with 650 different drivers competing during the seven seasons of competition held entering 2007.

All ALMS races are based on time with the exception of the series’ cornerstone, the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, which is contested for 1,000 miles or 10 hours – whichever comes first.

Operating under the sanction of IMSA (International Motor Sports Association), ALMS offers a unique format whereby four classes of sports cars compete head-to-head. Each sports car class boasts it own individual championship within the overall race, and drivers must compensate for slower or faster class cars on the track at the same time.

In the prototype classes (LMP1 and LMP2), championships are contested for drivers, teams, chassis, engine and tire manufacturers. Two drivers who share a car that completes at least 70 percent of the distance completed by the overall winning car of a race (regardless of class) receive equal championship points. IMSA rules outline the minimum and maximum amount of time in the car each driver must complete per event.

Championship Point Structure

Points are determined based on the length of an event. There are no bonus points awarded.