Silverstone out of ALMS
Silverstone looks certain to lose its round of the American and European Le Mans Series for next season. The British circuit was missing from the calendar unveiled this weekend and there appears only a small chance that it will fill one as yet unassigned date.
ELMS race director John Macdonald said: "We had made an agreement for a race on July 15, but when the British Grand Prix was rescheduled for that weekend they offered us May 13. Unfortunately, there's no way that could work for us because it falls one week after the test day for the Le Mans 24 Hours."
Macdonald said that he hoped the vacant April 14 date could go to a British circuit. "It would be to the advantage of the series to go to the UK," he said. "Silverstone is one possibility, but we are also talking to Brands Hatch."
Macdonald claimed that as many as six European circuits were in contention for the race.
The April 14 event will be one of two events that count to both the ELMS and the ALMS. The second is an event at Jarama in Spain set for May 20. Three further races in Europe, the two ALMS classics at Sebring and Road Atlanta, and the Adelaide street race complete the eight-round ELMS. A 13-round ALMS was also announced at this weekend's Petit Le Mans round of the series. New to the championship are races at the remodelled St Jovite track in Canada and an event at the home of the Malaysian Grand Prix, Sepang.
Series founder Don Panoz said: "Our 2001 calendar confirms the ALMS has the best schedule in the world. We look forward to bringing the quality and excitement of the 'Le Mans Series' endurance racing to new audiences around the world."
March 4 Texas Motor Speedway (USA)
March 17 Sebring 12 Hours (USA)
April 14 Europe (TBA)
May 20 Jarama (E)
July 22 Sears Point (USA)
August 4 Portland (USA)
August 19 Mosport (CDN)
August 25 St Jovite (CDN)
September 9 Laguna Seca (USA)
October 6 Petit Le Mans - Road Atlanta (USA)
October 21 Charlotte (USA)
November 11 Sepang (M)
December 2 Adelaide (AUS)
March 17 Sebring (USA)
April 14 Europe (TBA)
May 20 Jarama (E)
July 15 Estoril (P)
August 5 Salzburgring (A)
September 2 Vallelunga (F)
October 6 Petit Le Mans - Road Atlanta (USA)
December 2 Adelaide (AUS)
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