What Is 2008 American Le Mans Series season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2008 American Le Mans Series season was the 40th season of the series, featuring 10 rounds from March to October, with Audi dominating the LMP1 class and Porsche winning GT2 manufacturers' honors.

Key Facts

The 2008 season consisted of 10 races, beginning with the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 15.
Audi won the LMP1 Teams' and Drivers' Championships with the R10 TDI diesel-powered prototype.
Porsche secured the GT2 Manufacturers' Championship, edging out Ferrari and BMW.
The series introduced the Green Challenge initiative to promote sustainability in motorsports.
Peugeot entered the series with the 908 HDi FAP, marking a major manufacturer rivalry with Audi.

Overview

The 2008 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) marked the 40th anniversary of endurance racing in the United States under the IMSA banner. It featured a 10-race schedule that ran from March to October, showcasing prototype and grand touring cars across multiple classes, including LMP1, LMP2, GT1, and GT2.

Headlined by factory-backed entries from Audi, Peugeot, Porsche, and BMW, the season emphasized technological innovation and fuel efficiency. The competition was particularly fierce in the top prototype category, where diesel-powered cars continued to dominate performance and public interest.

Audi Sport North America won the LMP1 Teams' Championship, securing five class victories with the R10 TDI.
The season began at the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 15, where Audi took first and second in LMP1.
Peugeot Sport entered the series with the 908 HDi FAP diesel prototype, challenging Audi's dominance.
In the GT2 class, Porsche won the Manufacturers' title, outperforming Ferrari and BMW over the season.
The Green Challenge, introduced in 2008, awarded teams for energy efficiency and reduced emissions during races.

How It Works

The American Le Mans Series followed a multi-class endurance racing format, where different types of cars competed simultaneously but were scored within their own categories. Races ranged from 2.45 hours to 12 hours in length, testing speed, reliability, and team strategy.

LMP1 (Le Mans Prototype 1): The top-tier prototype class featured factory teams like Audi and Peugeot using advanced diesel engines. These cars reached speeds over 200 mph at circuits like Le Mans and Sebring.
LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2): A slightly smaller and less powerful prototype class, often used by privateer teams. Oral Engineering and Dyson Racing were notable LMP2 competitors in 2008.
GT1 (Grand Touring 1): Based on production supercars like the Chevrolet Corvette C6.R, this class featured powerful V8 engines and high downforce designs.
GT2 (Grand Touring 2): Cars in this class, such as the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, were lighter and more agile, emphasizing handling over raw power.
Green Challenge: Introduced in 2008, it awarded points based on fuel efficiency, emissions, and performance. Audi won the inaugural award at Petit Le Mans.
Driver Ratings: ALMS used the ACO driver categorization system, classifying drivers as Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze based on experience and achievements.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key performance metrics and standings from the 2008 ALMS season across major classes:

Class	Champion Team	Champion Drivers	Key Car Model	Wins
LMP1	Audi Sport North America	Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish, Rinaldo Capello	Audi R10 TDI	6
LMP2	Chamberlain-Synergy Motorsport	Lucas Luhr, Scott Sharp	Acura ARX-01b	4
GT1	Corvette Racing	Johnny O'Connell, Ron Fellows	Chevrolet Corvette C6.R	5
GT2	Polyphony Racing	Karl Wendlinger, Alex Job Racing	Porsche 911 GT3 RSR	3
Overall Season Champion (Drivers)	N/A	Tom Kristensen	N/A	3 wins, 6 podiums

The table highlights Audi's dominance in LMP1 and Corvette Racing's consistency in GT1. While Porsche won the GT2 manufacturers' title, privateer teams like Alex Job Racing and Risi Competizione split driver honors. The Acura-powered LMP2 class saw strong competition, but reliability issues limited factory involvement compared to LMP1.

Why It Matters

The 2008 ALMS season was pivotal in advancing diesel technology and sustainability in motorsports, setting the stage for future eco-conscious racing initiatives. It also deepened transatlantic ties between the ALMS and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, influencing global endurance racing standards.

Diesel innovation peaked with Audi and Peugeot's TDI engines, proving diesel could be both fast and efficient.
The Green Challenge became a model for later series, including IMSA's WeatherTech Championship.
Factory involvement from European manufacturers raised the ALMS's international profile.
Races like the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans attracted over 100,000 spectators, boosting local economies.
Television coverage on ESPN and ABC expanded the series' U.S. audience during prime weekend slots.
The season laid groundwork for the 2014 merger between ALMS and Grand-Am to form the unified IMSA SportsCar Championship.

By blending high-level engineering with environmental accountability, the 2008 ALMS season demonstrated that endurance racing could be both competitive and forward-thinking, leaving a lasting legacy on motorsport culture.