What Is 2013 American Le Mans Series season

Overview

The 2013 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) marked the 45th season of one of North America’s premier sports car racing series. It featured high-performance prototypes and GT vehicles competing across 10 rounds, beginning with the iconic 24 Hours of Daytona on March 16 and concluding with the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta on October 19.

This season was historic as it was the final ALMS campaign before merging with the Grand-Am Rolex Series to form the United SportsCar Racing series in 2014. The competition featured multiple classes—Prototype (P), Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC), Grand Touring (GT), and GTC—showcasing cutting-edge engineering and world-class drivers.

• Action Express Racing claimed the Prototype championship with the No. 5 Corvette DP, driven by João Barbosa and Christian Fittipaldi, securing four class wins.
• The 2013 24 Hours of Daytona, held on March 16, was won by the No. 01 Wayne Taylor Racing Corvette DP, marking the season opener.
• Corvette Racing dominated the GT class with their C6.R, with Antonio García and Jan Magnussen winning the drivers’ title.
• The LMPC class was won by CORE Autosport, with drivers Jon Bennett and Colin Braun taking the championship.
• The Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta on October 19 served as the season finale, a 10-hour endurance race that drew record attendance and global attention.

How It Works

The American Le Mans Series followed a multi-class endurance racing format, where different vehicle classes competed simultaneously on track, each vying for class-specific victories while sharing the circuit.

• Prototype (P): The top-tier class featured Daytona Prototypes like the Corvette DP and HPD ARX-03, capable of speeds over 200 mph on straights.
• LMPC (Le Mans Prototype Challenge): Utilized identical Oreca-designed LMP2 chassis with Chevrolet engines, emphasizing driver skill over engineering.
• GT (Grand Touring): Featured factory-backed entries like the Corvette C6.R, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, and BMW Z4 GTE, based on production models.
• GTC (Grand Touring Challenge): A production-based class with 911 GT3 Cup cars, aimed at privateer teams and driver development.
• Race Format: Events ranged from 2.5 to 10 hours, with mandatory driver changes, pit stops, and fuel strategy playing crucial roles.
• Scoring System: Points were awarded based on class finishing position, with winners earning 350 points and bonuses for leading laps and pole position.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top teams and results across key ALMS classes in 2013:

The table highlights the competitive balance across classes, with Corvette Racing achieving dominance in GT and CORE Autosport showing consistency in LMPC. The merger with Grand-Am loomed large, making 2013 a transitional yet fiercely contested season, as teams aimed to secure legacy titles before the unified series launch.

Why It Matters

The 2013 ALMS season holds significance as the culmination of a 45-year legacy of elite endurance racing in the U.S., setting the stage for the future of sports car competition. Its structure and technological standards influenced the design of the new United SportsCar Racing series.

• The merger with Grand-Am in 2014 created the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, unifying North American sports car racing under one banner.
• Factory involvement from GM, Porsche, BMW, and Honda demonstrated strong manufacturer commitment, enhancing global visibility.
• The season showcased hybrid technology testing, with Honda experimenting with hybrid systems in select Prototype entries.
• ALMS’ broadcast partnership with ESPN brought races to millions, boosting fan engagement and sponsorship interest.
• Endurance racing formats emphasized team strategy, driver endurance, and mechanical reliability, setting it apart from sprint-based series.
• The 2013 season helped launch careers, including Colin Braun, who transitioned to broader sports car success in the IMSA series.

As the final chapter of the ALMS era, the 2013 season symbolized both an end and a beginning, preserving the spirit of endurance racing while paving the way for a more unified and competitive future in American motorsports.