Here's the press release - no indication as to the length of the race...
AUSTIN, Texas – June 1, 2012 – Circuit of The Americas (COTA) today announced that the American Le
Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón (ALMS) is the newest addition to the Circuit’s annual
calendar, with the first ALMS race scheduled to take place in the spring of 2013, at the sports,
entertainment and business development facility soon to be completed in Austin, Texas.
The ALMS features a unique, multi-class auto racing format that brings together five diverse and
technically-driven categories of international racecars in battles of endurance at speeds topping 180
mph. The Series is based on the world’s greatest endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in France.
Many of the world’s most iconic automotive brands compete in the Series, including BMW, Chevrolet,
Ferrari, Honda, Lotus, Mazda and Porsche. The Series and its teams enjoy broad corporate support from
a variety of domestic and international sponsors, and a hallmark of ALMS is its commitment to
automotive innovation and sustainability. It is recognized as the Global Leader in Green Racing by top
federal agencies and is lauded for its focus on alternative energy solutions.
“Our vision is to bring premier sports and entertainment programming to Circuit of The Americas and to
partner with motorsports organizations that put a premium on innovation, fan experience and
environmental sustainability,” Circuit President Steve Sexton said. “The American Le Mans Series—with
its highly competitive, customer-focused programming and its well-known commitment to Green
Racing—certainly fits that vision. The ALMS at Circuit of The Americas will include an endurance race,
which will be another thrilling experience for fans. We know ALMS fans to be extremely loyal and
engaged, and we look forward to showing them a great time in Central Texas.”
ALMS Enjoys Worldwide Support
More than 25 million U.S. fans follow the American Le Mans Series, which also has a growing
international following in Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. All Series races are broadcast by the ABC
and ESPN2 television networks and across the ESPN3 online distribution portal.
ALMS’ presenting sponsor, Tequila Patrón, is a product of Patrón Spirits, which was founded by Austin,
Texas-based entrepreneur and Circuit investor John Paul DeJoria. Circuit of The Americas joins other
elite racing venues on the ALMS calendar, including Sebring International Raceway in Florida, Road
Atlanta, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California, and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, to name a few.
“The opportunity to partner with the Circuit of The Americas to bring North America’s premier sports
car racing series to fans across Texas, at what is going to be one of the finest road racing facilities in the
world, is a natural fit for all involved,” ALMS President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Atherton said.
“The addition of Circuit of The Americas to our schedule will be very well received by our fans and
stakeholders alike. We know we have a lot of ALMS fans in Texas, and for our teams, manufacturers and
sponsors, Austin and the surrounding region represent an important new business market.”
Global Leader in Green Racing
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón stakes its claim as the Global Leader in Green
Racing by being the only racing series recognized to comply with the Green Racing protocols developed
by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and SAE
International (SAE). These organizations see Green Racing as a way to foster technology developments
for tomorrow’s production vehicles, enhance national energy security and reduce carbon emissions.
The ALMS, DOE, EPA and SAE have formed a partnership to demonstrate that advanced automotive
technologies and renewable fuels can meet the performance requirements of even the most demanding
endurance racing conditions and can be readily transferred from raceway to driveway. The world-class
competition in the ALMS shows that Green Racing is real, ultra-competitive and makes for great racing.
Two Green Racing competitions are in play every time ALMS cars hit the track: the GREEN CHALLENGE™
aimed at vehicle manufacturers and the MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge aimed at ALMS teams. These
challenges form a “race within a race” that builds on the ALMS’ intense competition while measuring
the factors that determine which car is winning the world’s most important race—the race to an energy-
secure, environmentally sustainable and economically vibrant future. Both the Green Challenge and the
Michelin Green X Challenge use a unique scoring system jointly developed by ALMS, DOE and EPA
technical staffs, which rewards high performance on the race circuit, energy efficiency, and the smallest
environmental impact.
“The American Le Mans Series is the model for sustainability in the motorsports industry,” Edgar
Farrera, sustainability director for the Circuit, added. “The Series’ commitment to environmental
stewardship matches our own, as Circuit of The Americas has joined the Green Sports Alliance and is the
first ALMS facility to join the alliance. It’s rewarding to partner with a motorsports series that’s truly in
sync with a cause that matters to us.”
Green Sports Alliance is a non-profit organization comprised of more than 40 professional and collegiate
sports teams and nearly 90 sports venues, with a mission to help sports teams, venues and leagues
enhance their environmental performance.
“Knowing of Circuit of The Americas’ focus on innovation and sustainability, the opportunity to
showcase our cars, our teams and our pioneering role as the recognized Global Leader in Green Racing
just makes it that much better,” Atherton added. “Our competitors are looking forward to the challenge
and intrigue of racing at what will be a world-class motorsports venue, and our Series is thrilled to
welcome Circuit of The Americas as a key round for our 15th championship season.”
