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ALMS notes of interest

© Bonnie Quick

Despite a few disappointing developments such as the cancellation in February of the 2001 Adelaide, Australia race and the announcement March 30 that Mont-Tremblant will not be part of the 2001 race season, ALMS has taken a few hits. But, as with any new organization, the kinks are still being worked out amid a very successful bid for fans. Every race venue can boast a solid increase of the number of spectators that attend the carnival-like atmosphere of The American Le Mans Series, which models itself after the 24 Heures de LeMans in France. And after all, that is what series founder Don Panoz claims is the major impetus behind the ALMS series "For the Fans."

Fans love the atmosphere which allows them to come in close proximity to the cars and the stars and even features a formal autograph signing session for all the participating drivers. Race goers can see the crews at work and get some idea of the intricate workings behind the scenes.

So even though ALMS canceled the event that had been scheduled at Canada's Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant on Aug. 25, ALMS is aggressively seeking a replacement race for the 2001 series schedule. The ownership of the road racing circuit located in Mont-Tremblant Village, Quebec, communicated to the ALMS an inability to comply with the terms of the event agreement reached with the ALMS prior to last September's announcement of the race. "It's very disappointing to lose an event," said Scott Atherton, President and COO of the Panoz Motor Sports Group, which includes the ALMS. "Our competitors were looking forward to racing in Quebec, and we had heard from many fans who wanted to attend the race. "But the American Le Mans Series is on a very strong path of upward mobility, particularly after our great Sebring race two weeks ago," he said."We hope to turn this momentary distraction into a great positive with the announcement of a replacement event very soon."

Atherton indicated that race fans in Canada and the Northeastern United States will still have the opportunity to see the ALMS in person when it competes at Mosport International Raceway near Toronto on Aug. 19. The Mont-Tremblant race was going to be the second leg of a Canadian summer swing for the ALMS.

In other news from ALMS, the European LeMans Series, which has expanded this year to include eight races, Sebring and Petit LeMans, at Road Atlanta, in conjunction with the American Series, announces that British-based Team Ascari

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