Summit held on future of sportscars

Topics discussed at the meeting include new technical rules for Prototypes that will take effect in 2004, performance criteria for each class of car, balancing the performance of 2003 and 2004 cars and plans for future European endurance sportscar races.

Manufacturer's participating in the meeting included Audi, Michelotto (Ferrari), SARD (Toyota), General Motors, Panoz and Porsche.

"It was a very spirited and productive meeting," said ALMS president Scott Atherton. "This meeting was by invitation of the ACO and was designed as an open forum of communication on a number of topics related to the new specifications and how they can best be implemented with current guidelines.

"It's very early, but indications are that manufacturers are finding the new rules to be appealing. The presence of a number of manufacturer representatives at the meeting, and those who wanted to be there, is an indication of the interest level."