RACE OF THE YEAR: ENDURANCE REIGNS

Braselton, GA. January 15, 2009: Endurance rounds like the Monterey Sports Car Championships rank among the favorites of Series fans.

The endurance aspect of sports car racing is one that has captured the heart of many die-hard fans. It is no wonder that that longest races on the American Le Mans Series schedule - Sebring, Petit Le Mans, Road America and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca - also are the ones that excite fans the most. It is especially true among those who voted for the most anticipated events of 2009.

Additional thoughts and comments can be found here.

"I like the event at Road America. It is my favorite because it is on the best circuit, with the best atmosphere. I like how the race started (in 2007 and 2008) at 4 p.m., just like Le Mans, but it ends just as the cars need their lights. If you poll the fans on whether they want the race to extend into the darkness, a vast, vast, majority would say yes. It's tough for the fans from the Midwest to make it to Sebring, Petit Le Mans or Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and those are the tracks where we get to see the cars at night. Road America should be on that list. Maybe make this race a 1,000-km event or even just a six-hour timed event. I guarantee more fans would come. Making this race the midwestern spectacle would draw many more excited fans, and I know my father and I would be two of them." Steve Hamilton Stevens Point, Wis.

American Le Mans Series fans still have time to vote for their most anticipated event of 2009.

"This year I plan to make the trip and attend the season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. I chose this particular race because of its length (at four hours it is a true endurance race), because of the historic significance of the track, and because of the beauty of the area. I lived in Monterey for a time (1975-77) and attended motorcycle races at Laguna Seca, so familiarity with the area was also one criterion in choosing this particular venue. That part of the world is beautiful and holds nearly limitless choices for tourists. Highway 1 south takes you through Carmel and Big Sur down to San Simeon. Highway 1 north takes you through Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Point Reyes to Mendocino. Vineyards and wineries abound, and the natural environment is just the best. So, while the highlight of my trip is the race, it will be just one reason I chose this particular race to attend. "In 1966 I was 15 years old and followed Ford's quest for Le Mans victory on the radio. In the intervening years my passion for cars and motorsport were largely supplanted by adult concerns of family and career. I began to follow the American Le Mans Series in 2004 through American Le Mans Radio and IMSA timing and scoring. Since I live on a small tropical island in the Caribbean, the opportunity to actually attend races are limited by time and cost, so I have to be selective in my race attendance, and Laguna Seca is my choice. I just wish October wasn't so far away." John Lucas St. Thomas, VI

"As Sebring is the first race, this is obviously the one I can't wait for. Not only will we see the new Audi R15, but, being a Mazda fan, we will also see the dual efforts of Dyson Racing and the new Lola coupe (we didn't see enough last year!). Also, the new BMW for Bobby Rahal just means the ALMS is still the series to watch! "My ultimate favorite race that I really can't wait for is Mosport as this is the race I go to every year. It's the fastest track in the Series and it is such a fan-friendly place to meet the drivers that you admire on TV. The best weekend of the summer "Through all of the tough luck this Series has received, nothing else comes close! Every race fan should be an American Le Mans Series fan!" Chris Hanington Bradford, Ontario, Canada

"Road America...I go up there every year for the event and it is awesome. I look forward to the next one the moment I leave the track. "There are so many great vantage points to watch the race from. The concessions are great. It's an amazing experience to go, get free access to the paddock, get autographs and watch the cars being worked on. I love it!" Daniel Rogers Germantown, Wis.