IMSA Lites 2007 Schedule Announced

The IMSA Lites 2007 schedule will expand to 12 races at six venues. Like 2006, IMSA Lites will conduct two races per event weekend as it partners exclusively with the American Le Mans Series. The new class structure was also confirmed.

Coming off an inaugural season that included full fields of cars and competitors at the most recognized circuits in North America, IMSA today announced the 2007 schedule for IMSA Lites that sees new venues and additional races for its teams and competitors.

IMSA, the Georgia-based sanctioning body also will take on responsibility for all facets of competition starting next season. IMSA’s long list of at-track services will be made available for all teams and competitors including technical inspections, timing and scoring and registration.

2007 IMSA LITES SCHEDULE

Date / Event / Location

March 16-17 / Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring / Sebring Inter. Raceway, Sebring, Fla.

May 18-19 / Utah Grand Prix / Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah

July 06-07 / New England Grand Prix / Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Conn.

Aug. 25-26 / Grand Prix of Mosport / Mosport Raceway, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada

Oct. 04-05 /Petit Le Mans / Road Atlanta, Braselton, Ga.

Oct. 20-21* / Monterey Sports Car Championships / Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif., *Subject to final confirmation by promoter.


Classes

As is the case with North America’s premier brand of motorsport, IMSA Lites will feature multi-class racing. It presents a dimension of competition as drivers must be aware of the class’ distinctly different speeds as they navigate the race tracks. It is the same challenge American Le Mans Series drivers face.

“In its first year, IMSA Lites demonstrated that it is the right product at the right time,” said Tim Mayer, COO of IMSA. “The 2007 series schedule and complete oversight by IMSA will continue to add value to the IMSA Lites package. We appreciate the cooperation and support of our partners with Elan Motorsport Technologies and West Race Cars, and we all have great expectations for 2007 and beyond for IMSA Lites.”

“Our goal is to differentiate IMSA Lites from other styles of sportscar racing,” continued Mayer. “Along with premier events, we have focused on creating great clarity for the customers. Three homologated cars, one for each class, makes sure that competitors will be focused on the racing, not on who can create the next best tweak. IMSA’s technical staff are highly capable and are focused on keeping the competition on the race track, not in the garage. So with great cars, great racing, great venues and clear organization, we think that this will be the defining series at this level of sportscar racing.”

New for 2007 is an updated class structure, designed to keep the simplicity of the original structure, money saving stability for the competitors, eliminating the need for constant updates, which has been a feature of this style of racing. IMSA Lites features three separate classes of open-top sports racer prototypes – Lites1 , Lites2 and Lites3. The series offers a step up to those racers who would like to advance beyond the club racing level and run at some of the most prestigious sportscar events in North America.

Lites1

Lites1 is exclusively for the DP02 chassis designed and produced by Elan Motorsport Technologies. It features a carbon-fiber monocoque, race-designed suspension and uprights, a six-speed sequential gearbox, and a full aerodynamic package that features a front splitter, diffuser and rear wing. It will be powered by 2.3-liter, inline four engines prepared and sealed by Elan Power Products, along with a full ECU, racing dash and data logger.

“These cars are designed and prepared by the same team that has designed and prepared the new DP01 Champ Car,” said Elan Motorsports Technologies CEO, David Bowes. “An affordable race car with this level of technology built in creates great value for our customers, and we are delighted to be a founding partner in the IMSA Lites category, where we are sure that the close racing and great venues will provide enormous excitement in the series.”

Lites2

West Race Cars is the exclusive provider for chassis in Lites2. The WR1000 racer is powered by a 1,000-cc Kawasaki powerplant prepared and sealed by Muzzys. Featuring exciting styling and performance, along with excellent customer service, the West has rapidly become one of the most desirable products in the “D-Sport” category of race cars.

“West Race Cars is pleased to continue our association with IMSA and the rapidly growing IMSA Lites Series," said Ted Spooner, CEO of West Race Cars. “Providing chassis on an exclusive basis for the Lites 2 class gives us the opportunity to increase our brand awareness and retain our growing relationship with IMSA. This also allows us to maintain and grow our customer base, many of which have future aspirations of continuing to climb the IMSA ladder onto the American Le Mans Series.”

Lites3

Lites 3 will be made up of Formula SCCA cars designed by Elan/VanDiemen and sold by SCCA Enterprises. This forms an easily accessible, low cost entry level into the series and racing in front of professional crowds, in a car that is readily available.

Entry forms for IMSA Lites will be available shortly on the sanctioning body’s Web site, www.imsaracing.net.