The merger of the American Le Mans Series and GRAND-AM sets up an exciting new chapter in North American sports car and endurance racing. Each series maintains its respective schedule and rules for 2013, as preparations continue for the combined series in 2014.

Leaders of the combined series are working closely with manufacturers, teams and promoters to create a “best of the best” package for a powerful series featuring a well promoted schedule of major events featuring full fields of top cars, manufacturers, teams and drivers in close competition.

One of the first and most important steps in the process is the announcement of the proposed 2014 classes. The class structure in many ways defines the on-track product, team budgets and life spans for existing cars.

Balancing the performance of the ALMS P2 and GRAND-AM DP prototypes and defining the costs and levels of technology are among the most sensitive pieces of the big, new puzzle and are yet to be finalized.

The PC Challenge class from ALMS will continue to run as a separate class, while the GT classes in each series will remain separate with the ALMS GT Challenge class cars joining the GRAND-AM GTs.

The new era of sports car racing is expected to kick-off with an exciting one-two punch, opening with the 2014 Rolex 24 at Daytona in January and followed by the Twelve Hours of Sebring in March.

Follow:www.michelinracingusa.com for details as they emerge.