ALMS AND ELMS ANNOUNCE 2001 SCHEDULES

Don Panoz, founder of The American LeMans Series (ALMS) and the European LeMans Series (ELMS) announced an expanded 13 race schedule for ALMS and an 8 race run for ELMS as part of its third season. Some of the races will combine the two series, giving fans and particpants a total of 16 different racing events to choose from for the 2001 lineup.

"Our 2001 calendar of events confirms the American LeMans Series has the best overall sports car racing schedule in the world," said Panoz. "We look forward to bringing the quality and excitement of LeMans Series endurance racing to new audiences around the world, as well as to those that have supported this form of racing since its inception."

The 2001 Series will again feature the historic 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Lemans at Road Atlanta, starting the season in Ft. Worth, Texas, March 4.

As has been the case in previous ALMS seasons, winners in the LMP, GTS and GT classes for select events will receive exemptions from pre-qualifying for the 24 Hours of LeMans. The Petit LeMans will be one of those designated races in 2001 with others to be determined at a later date. The ALMS will continue to run events as part of an agreement with Automobile Club de lOuest (ACO), organizers and rulemakers of the renowned LeMans event in France. ALMS events in the United States will continue to be sanctioned by Professional Sports Car Racing.

2001 ALMS Schedule (Tentaive-subject to change) March 4 Texas Motor Speedway March 17 Sebring International Raceway April 14 Europe (TBA) May 20 Circuito de Jarama (Spain) July 22 Sears Point Raceway August 4 Portland International Raceway August 19 Mosport International Speedway (Canada) August 25 Circuit Mont Tremblant (Canada) September 9 Laguna Seca Raceway October 6 Petit LeMans At Road Atlanta October 21 Lowes Motor Speedway November 11 Sepang International Circuit (Malaysia) Dec 2 Adelaide Street Circuit (Australia)

2001 ELMS Schedule (Tentative-subject to change)

March 17 Sebring International Raceway April 14 Europe (TBA) May 20 Circuito de Jarama (Spain) July 15 Autodromo Fernanda Pires da Silva (Portugal) August 5 Salzbergring (Austria) September 2 Autodromo di Vallelunga October 6 Petit LeMans At Road Atlanta Dec 2 Adelaide Street Circuit (Australia)

ELMS schedule starts in the USA as ELMS joins ALMS at Sebring. Then the series takes off one month to prepare for and participate in the LeMans 24 Hour Race, after which one event per month is scheduled.

Television coverage for ALMS continues to be excellent, with NBC Speedvision and Fox New Network, and negotitaions continue for coverage of support races.

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