2006: A Record Year for ALMS and IMSA

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2006 A RECORD YEAR FOR SERIES, IMSA

Braselton, Ga. - When history looks back on the 2006 American Le Mans Series, it likely will be seen as the watershed year for the Series. Recognized as not only the fastest growing motorsports series in North America but perhaps also the world, the American Le Mans Series showed increases in most all categories including attendance, TV viewership, manufacturer participation and corporate sponsorship revenues.

"With most every significant benchmark up this past season, I cannot begin to tell you how enthused we are about the 2007 campaign," said American Le Mans Series President and CEO Scott Atherton as he assessed the recent performance of the Series while looking ahead to next season. "With new teams from Acura and Porsche coming to the grid along with others to be announced during the offseason, coupled with increased corporate partner involvement, there is truly reason to celebrate as we prepare for Winter Tests and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring."

With an enhanced television package in 2006 that included a 50/50 split between network TV (CBS) and cable (SPEED), the Series had 40 percent more viewers than it had a year earlier. This coming season's campaign adds not only two more races but also another network - NBC. The American Le Mans Series adds races at Long Beach, CA; Detroit, MI; and St. Petersburg, FL. CBS is scheduled to televise four races, NBC one, and SPEED seven, including the growing popularity of the final four "Race to the Championship."

"Our new races impact seven of the top 10 and 12 of the top 20 media markets in the country," said Atherton. "We are certainly taking the premium brand of motorsport racing to venues where we can showcase our product."

TV viewership increased internationally as well. With MotorsTV and Greenlight Productions leading the way, the American Le Mans Series now boasts one of the most widely distributed motorsports series in the world with a potential viewing audience of more than 520 million homes to more than 100 countries.

"During a year when many sports showed declines in television viewers and ratings, we were gratified that our fan and viewer base continued to improve," said Atherton.

In addition to television viewers, the American Le Mans Series showed a solid 6 percent increase in attendance, highlighted by new benchmarks at both the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda CX-7. The Series, renowned for its diversity of manufacturers, added Aston Martin, BMW and Ferrari back to the grid this season and looks forward to a three-team Acura effort as well the addition of a few other new marques for 2007. Corporate involvement also grew with the Series increasing revenues by nearly 16 percent.

The International Motorsports Association (IMSA) also played a vital role in the enhancement of American Le Mans Series race weekends. This past season it added IMSA Lites to its group of development series that supports both the Series' prototype and grand touring classes. It now sanctions the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Michelin, Formula BMW USA, IMSA Lites, Panoz Pro Series and Star Mazda.