GRAND-AM, ALMS combine as United SportsCar Racing in 2014

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The new name resulting from the merger of GRAND-AM Road Racing and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is United SportsCar Racing, s announced on Friday at Sebring International Raceway on Florida.

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"The new name says it all," said GRAND-AM President and CEO Ed Bennett during a press conference on Friday. "In only six months since we announced the merger, GRAND-AM and the ALMS have taken huge strides to become one organization that will redefine sports car racing in North America. United SportsCar Racing reflects the fundamental spirit of how we are working together toward a common goal."

Also announced on Friday was the retaining of International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) as the sanctioning body for United SportsCar Racing, and an updated version of the iconic IMSA logo was unveiled. IMSA, co-founded in 1969 by John Bishop and the late Bill France Sr., will also sanction the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Ferrari Challenge, the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama Series, the Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda Series, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin and the newly announced Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo.

Also announced were the new competition class names for 2014:

  • The lead Prototype (P) class, combining GRAND-AM’s Daytona Prototypes plus the ALMS’ P2 and DeltaWing cars.
  • Prototype Challenge (PC), retained from the current ALMS class structure.
  • GT Le Mans (GTLM), consisting of the ALMS’ current GT class.
  • GT Daytona (GTD), consisting of GRAND-AM’s current GT class and the ALMS’ current GTC class.
  • GX, coming over from the current GRAND-AM structure.

Also launched on Friday was the new website, www.unitedsportscar.com.

Information and quotes provided by NASCAR Media.

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, Buffalo Motorsports Examiner

Paula is a long-time auto racing fan who grew up in the WNY auto racing scene. In addition to covering a number of topics on the Buffalo level - including Events and Sports Travel - she also covers Motorsports Travel, the NHRA, Joe Gibbs Racing and Kyle Busch Motorsports on the national level for...

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