ALMS set for new street races

The ALMS is known to be talking to the IndyCar Series about joining its event on the streets of Baltimore in Maryland next summer.

Officials in Oklahoma City announced in March that they were in discussion with the US series.

It is understood that the ALMS's negotiations with both venues have or are close to coming to fruition in time for 2011.

ALMS boss Scott Atherton confirmed that discussion about races in Baltimore and Oklahoma City had taken place, but refused to speculate on any changes to the ALMS calendar for next year.

"Until we have signed sanction agreements and have the full schedule in place, I am not going to speculate," he said. "We like working with IndyCar and it works at other venues [Long Beach and Mid-Ohio], but I'm not commenting further. I can also reveal that Oklahoma has been on our list."

Atherton explained that the ALMS would expand from its present nine events in 2011, "ideally to 10 events".

Speculation that Lime Rock would drop off the calendar has been denied by the ALMS. The Connecticut venue does not have a contract for next year, but it is working on a finalising a long-term deal to remain on the calendar.

The Baltimore race, most likely to be held on Saturday, will take place on a new 2.4-mile circuit laid out in the Inner Harbor entertainment zone and adjacent parkland. Details have yet to emerge on the downtown Oklahoma track.

Atherton is promising an announcement of the 2011 ALMS calendar prior to its traditional unveiling at the Petit Le Mans season finale.