Corvette has met with IMSA and ACO, who grants the licensing agreement of Le Mans to ALMS. In the spirit of co-operation, Corvette wants to level the GT1 playing field, and work with IMSA "in co-operation for improved racing conditions within the series." FEEHAN said "At the end of the day, we're all in this together. We're in the entertainment business. Part of the thrill is good, close racing, so we're working to do whatever is necessary to provide that for the fans".
Among the solutions are that Corvette said it "has long been an advocate of economically accessible racing and, as part of that commitment, it has agreed to stop testing this season as well." Corvette has also agreed to 'performance adjustments' for the other cars in the class. IMSA COO TIM MAYER said that both the Saleen and Corvette C5 will generate an additional five per cent horsepower.
The ACEMCO Motorsports team runs #63 Saleen S7R and has had its restrictor plate adjusted two times and is allowed a bigger wing. Pacific Coast Motorsports' #5 Corvette C5-R no longer has its weight penalty and got two restrictor plate adjustments.
The factory Maserati is a unique situation in the GT1 class. As the car is not ACO approved, it cannot run for points or prizes. It runs this year for exposure of the brand, research and development, and the opportunity to work on the car. It is a priority of the marketing plan and helps Maserati sell street cars.
Maserati received performance adjustments also. It no longer has any weight penalties and received restrictor adjustments, bigger wing, and changes in the fuel tank.
The Maserati factory provides a large track support staff for the ALMS effort, which is run by Risi Competizione of Texas, which also has track staff.
The Maserati drivers are Italians ANDREA BERTOLINI and FABRIZIO de SIMONE. Bertolini is a factory driver and also runs
FIA GT. He will be running the Spa 24 hour race at the end of the month, so will be replaced at the Portland round of ALMS.
