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<body> <Table Width="550" border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="0"><TR><TD Width="35"><IMG SRC="//www.totalmotorsport.com/images/spacer.gif" WIDTH="35" HEIGHT="1"></td><td> <CENTER><Table border="0" width="100%"> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="5">AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">09/06/2001</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="4">Larger Restrictors</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="3">For ALMS Privateers</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="1">  </FONT></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">This news has to go in the category - very welcome, if still surprising. Prototype racing teams in the ALMS that are not fielded by automotive manufacturers will benefit from an increase in horsepower under a new technical regulation that will take effect in the next series race. Larger air restrictors will be used by the non-factory teams in the LMP900 class.<BR> <BR> Restrictors for these cars will revert to 1999 sizes, before the slight reduction based on alarms over power at Le Mans itself.<BR> <BR> The ALMS organisers worked with the ACO to implement this change. This is the first example of ACO rules being adjusted to take account of the fact that circumstances in a series may be different than those applying at one race.<BR> <BR> "We are very pleased with both the ACO and the manufacturers who race with us for their understanding and support of this change," said Scott Atherton, President and COO of the Panoz Motor Sports Group. "We believe the additional horsepower our Privateer LMP 900 competitors will <BR> now have will improve the level of competition and strengthen our grids."<BR> <BR> The rule will not apply to privateer Audis, and will also not apply to the Petit Le Mans, which is a qualifying event for Le Mans. That seems to be an odd exception, but in all other respects this is welcome news and may persuade more privateers to join the top class. It may not help the Panoz team, and it may well make only a marginal difference to the chances of someone getting on terms with those 12-in a-row Audis, but it is a welcome move.<BR> <BR> "We feel that this change presents a relatively inexpensive way for the <BR> private teams to increase their participation and competitiveness," said Doug Robinson, MD of Professional Sports Car Racing.<BR> <BR> At a time when the rival Grand Am is considering slowing down their SRP1s ro GTS levels of performance to try to improve the show, this ALMS move is a far more positive move towards making a difference to the racing at the front. Will it make enough of a difference? Audi's R8s are so, so strong... <BR> <BR> </FONT></TD></TR> </TABLE><BR> </CENTER> <BR><CENTER><font size="1" color="#808080" face="Tahoma">Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport</font></CENTER> </td> </tr> </table> </body>