American Le Mans Series: To Tomorrow. Faster
. . . a mantra that resonates with women!
Inspired by the ultimate endurance test for man and machine – the 24 hours of Le Mans – the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) is considered the hottest racing series in North America. The series attracts some of the best drivers and most technologically advanced racing machines in the world.
ALMS has a commitment to driving progress through innovative, relevant and environmentally responsible motorsport competition that is worthy of the series’ rich heritage, world-class competitors and the devotion of race fans worldwide.
Speed with safety, style and amenities, supportive family-friendly crews and spectators make this sport particularly appealing to women. The Petit Le Mans, the series annual flagship event held at Road Atlanta, is a 4-day road racing festival comprised of 9 different racing series and 12 thrilling races including the legendary Petit Le Mans 1,000-mile/10-hour endurance race.
As with all ALMS events, this was a FAN FRIENDLY EVENT! All fans have unprecedented access to free driver autograph sessions and chats, tech talks, and an open paddock where they can mingle with the cars, drivers and race teams all week long. Minutes before the engines start, all fans are invited to come over the wall, walk the starting grid, meet the teams, ask questions, and wish them luck. Where else does that happen?
Obvious at the recent rain-soaked 12th running of the Petit Le Mans, were the number of women present as drivers, team owners, crew members and fans!
Melanie Snow – co-owner and winning driver of #56 Snow Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Challenge Cup Series (read: Track Chic’s Woman behind the Wheels)
Andrea Robertson – co-owner and driver Robertson Racing #40 Ford GTMK7 G2 Class
Elspeth, Lady Drayson – co owner and Team CEO #88 LM P1 Drayson Racing
Anna Hoye – Crew Member PrimeTime Race Group……
Susan Brown & Tessa Tape – Crew Members Risi Competzione Ferrari 430GT
Simona De Silvestro – driver and tied for points-leader in the Atlantic Championship Series powered by Mazda
ALMS connects their brand to race fans and auto enthusiasts through their core attributes: Relevant technology, Authentic Competition, and Green Racing Leadership.
As their 2010 logo attests, ALMS works closely with the EPA, DOE and SAE and earned the designation as “Leader l Green Racing”, a cause that women are committed to. More than going fast, women appreciate initiatives such as the Michelin Green-X Challenge that rewards those who goes the farthest, the fastest with the smallest impact on the environment.
Other ALMS partnerships include Green Earth Technologies G-Oil used as the official motor oil; Freescale, creators of semi-conductors and electronics that make cars greener; and, Yokohama ADVAN ENV-R1 orange oil–infused tires.
The series also supports the Nature Conservancy Adopt-An-Acre and Green Park program by planting trees in each race market.
This year, Dyson Racing debuted a unique ethanol-biobutanol blend at Petit Le Mans in the team’s LMP2 #16 Lola-Mazda. And Paul, Lord Drayson, UK’s Science Minister, driver and co-owner of Drayson Racing, announced his team’s commitment to campaign the #88 LMP1 Judd V10-powered Lola B09/60 for a full North American 2010 season using the sport as a catalyst to advance environmental technologies. Drayson Racing will use its Lola–Judd prototype as a test bed for environmentally forward-thinking and a dynamic platform to develop and advance new technologies for improved efficiency and performance.
Track Chics care deeply about Going Green–Faster!
We will be following these campaigns and sharing the teams’ struggles and successes as we all strive to be environmentally responsible, reduce our carbon footprint, and in the words of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young …”teach our children well”.Stay tuned for updates!
