ALMS - 14th Annual Petit Le Mans Recap

 14th Annual Petit Le Mans Recap

by Jonathan Donner

Photos by Luke Belverd

Petit Le Mans is the crowning jewel and season finale for the American Le Mans Series of road racing in the United States, it is held at the Road Atlanta circuit in Braselton, Georgia. Road Atlanta is a landmark course that has been open since September 1970.  The 2.534 mile course is a roller coaster of elevation changes with 12 challenging turns and an average lap speed equivalent to that of Spa-Francorchamps.  The 2010 pole average speed was 136mph and the competitor's engines are under full load for 75% of the lap!  

Dr. Don Panoz bought the track in 1996 and made it his home base for motor sport activities. The first Petit Le Mans took place at Road Atlanta in 1998 and became part of the American Le Mans Series in 1999 when the series was created.

Since all the classes race at the same time the pre-race grid is the perfect opportunity to get a close look at the jaw-dropping machinery, like the Crown Plaza BMW Team RLL E92 M3 GT car.

...or the Team Audi R18 TDI LMP1 Car.  Nice custom sun shade!