Hey Virginia Race Fans!
…and North Carolina, for that matter…
Don’t go anywhere! There is more racing to be had this weekend! Richmond International Raceway put on a good show. Despite rain they held out and ran all 400 laps for the last race to the Chase with the Federated Auto Parts 400.
This weekend, however, Virginia International Raceway hosts the American Le Mans Series! On course as well are the IMSA GT3 Cup, Playboy MX5, USF2000 and the Cooper Prototype Lites series. Sports cars. Fast, sexy and ready to race…
Sports car racing is a bit of a different animal than stock car racing. For one, the courses include right turns and the series rarely goes “oval” racing. NASCAR runs on ovals and includes a couple of “road” courses…
The cars, beyond the highly tuned “prototypes” are showroom manufacturer cars taken off the street and modified for racing. The doors open. The lights work. The wipers work. The majority of the cars racing in Le Mans (recently merging with Grand-Am) are the same cars turning heads on the street.
And yes, they are head turners!
Porsche, Aston-Martin, Ferrari, Lotus, Bmw and more. Chevrolet and Ford manage to run with these exotics as well so there is always something on the track to follow.
But you have to be quick! VIR is expecting track record speeds for the ALMS racing this weekend. Based on series practices earlier in the season at the facility, drivers were approaching the 200mph mark with relative ease. Beyond the speed, this race is one away from the season finale so teams are on tap to push for championship points which will make for great challenges on the track.
Like Richmond and NASCAR, the pressure is on to make forward moves for teams that are chasing the lead. The Chase is set for NASCAR. For American Le Mans, the points are there to be had for this first series visit to the road course in southern Virginia.
However, unlike Richmond, if the rain does come these drivers still take to the road. Lights, wipers and tire treads are ready to race the weather. No worries at this point. The weekend forecast looks great for dry racing.
American Le Mans. Exotic and sexy, fast and furious, ready to bring it all to Virginia International Raceway this weekend! Check the details online at VIR and ALMS!
Practicing begins Wednesday. There are also practice sessions all day Thursday. Qualifying, even some racing, happens on Friday. Saturday, more racing, fan activities and the main ALMS event in the afternoon.
The paddock is open to everyone. There will be autograph sessions and grid access. American Le Mans is wide open for the fans!
Did we mention the Grid Girls?