List of American Le Mans Series champions

Last updated

The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was a North American sports car racing championship administered by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) sanctioning body. [1] [2] It was founded by pharmaceutical entrepreneur Don Panoz in 1999 after reaching an agreement with the French-based 24 Hours of Le Mans organiser Automobile Club de l'Ouest to form a new sports car series based on the Le Mans rulebook that would serve as a local hub for North American entrants. [3] The series disbanded following the 2013 season when it and the Grand-Am-sanctioned Rolex Sports Car Series merged to become the IMSA SportsCar Championship. [1] [2] It featured several championships awarded by IMSA to the most successful competitors within each of the racing categories used by the series each season. Individual championships were awarded for being the top point scoring drivers and teams as well as chassis, engine, and tire manufacturers. Other unique championships included the IMSA Cup, Founder's Cup, Michelin Green X Challenge, and the ALMS Challenge. The Drivers', Teams', Chassis Manufacturers', and Automobile Manufacturers' Championships were awarded since the series began in 1999, while the Tire and Engine Manufacturers' Championships were introduced in the 2000 season. The champions were not formally crowned until the ALMS awards banquet after the season's final race. [4]

Contents

Drivers' Championship

From the start of the American Le Mans Series until the end of the 2002 season, individual drivers were allowed to earn up to three bonus points if they met certain criteria; any driver which led a lap of the race within their category earned one point, whichever driver led the most laps of the race earned one point, and whichever driver set the fastest lap of the race earned one point. From 2003 onward the bonus system was eradicated and drivers earned the same points as their co-drivers.

SeasonLMPGTSGT
1999 Flag of the United States.svg Elliott Forbes-Robinson Flag of Monaco.svg Olivier Beretta Flag of the United States.svg Cort Wagner
2000 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Allan McNish Flag of Monaco.svg Olivier Beretta Flag of Germany.svg Dirk Müller
SeasonLMP900LMP675GTSGT
2001 Flag of Italy.svg Emanuele Pirro Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Didier de Radiguès Flag of the United States.svg Terry Borcheller Flag of Germany.svg Jörg Müller
2002 Flag of Denmark.svg Tom Kristensen Flag of the United States.svg Jon Field Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ron Fellows Flag of Germany.svg Lucas Luhr
Flag of Germany.svg Sascha Maassen
2003 Flag of Germany.svg Frank Biela
Flag of Germany.svg Marco Werner
Flag of the United States.svg Chris Dyson Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ron Fellows
Flag of the United States.svg Johnny O'Connell
Flag of Germany.svg Lucas Luhr
Flag of Germany.svg Sascha Maassen
SeasonLMP1LMP2GTSGT
2004 Flag of Germany.svg Marco Werner
Flag of Finland.svg JJ Lehto
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ian James Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ron Fellows
Flag of the United States.svg Johnny O'Connell
Flag of Germany.svg Timo Bernhard
SeasonLMP1LMP2GT1GT2
2005 Flag of Germany.svg Frank Biela
Flag of Italy.svg Emanuele Pirro
Flag of the United States.svg Clint Field Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Oliver Gavin
Flag of Monaco.svg Olivier Beretta
Flag of the United States.svg Patrick Long
Flag of Germany.svg Jörg Bergmeister
2006 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Allan McNish
Flag of Italy.svg Rinaldo Capello
Flag of Germany.svg Lucas Luhr
Flag of Germany.svg Sascha Maassen
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Oliver Gavin
Flag of Monaco.svg Olivier Beretta
Flag of Germany.svg Jörg Bergmeister
2007 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Allan McNish
Flag of Italy.svg Rinaldo Capello
Flag of Germany.svg Timo Bernhard
Flag of France.svg Romain Dumas
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Oliver Gavin
Flag of Monaco.svg Olivier Beretta
Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo
Flag of Brazil.svg Jaime Melo
2008 Flag of Germany.svg Marco Werner
Flag of Germany.svg Lucas Luhr
Flag of Germany.svg Timo Bernhard
Flag of France.svg Romain Dumas
Flag of the United States.svg Johnny O'Connell
Flag of Denmark.svg Jan Magnussen
Flag of Germany.svg Jörg Bergmeister
Flag of Germany.svg Wolf Henzler
SeasonLMP1LMP2GT2Challenge
2009 Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Brabham
Flag of the United States.svg Scott Sharp
Flag of Mexico.svg Adrian Fernández
Flag of Mexico.svg Luis Díaz
Flag of the United States.svg Patrick Long
Flag of Germany.svg Jörg Bergmeister
Flag of the United States.svg Martin Snow
Flag of the United States.svg Melanie Snow
SeasonLMPLMPCGTGTC
2010 Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Brabham
Flag of France.svg Simon Pagenaud
Flag of the United States.svg Scott Tucker Flag of the United States.svg Patrick Long
Flag of Germany.svg Jörg Bergmeister
Flag of the United States.svg Tim Pappas
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jeroen Bleekemolen
SeasonLMP1LMP2LMPCGTGTC
2011 Flag of the United States.svg Chris Dyson
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Guy Smith
Flag of France.svg Christophe Bouchut
Flag of the United States.svg Scott Tucker
Flag of Mexico.svg Ricardo González
Flag of the United States.svg Gunnar Jeannette
Flag of the United States.svg Eric Lux 1
Flag of the United States.svg Joey Hand
Flag of Germany.svg Dirk Müller
Flag of the United States.svg Tim Pappas
SeasonP1P2PCGTGTC
2012 Flag of Germany.svg Klaus Graf
Flag of Germany.svg Lucas Luhr
Flag of France.svg Christophe Bouchut
Flag of the United States.svg Scott Tucker
Flag of Venezuela.svg Alex Popow Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Oliver Gavin
Flag of the United States.svg Tommy Milner
Flag of the United States.svg Cooper MacNeil
2013 Flag of Germany.svg Klaus Graf
Flag of Germany.svg Lucas Luhr
Flag of the United States.svg Scott Tucker Flag of the United States.svg Mike Guasch Flag of Spain.svg Antonio García
Flag of Denmark.svg Jan Magnussen
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jeroen Bleekemolen
Flag of the United States.svg Cooper MacNeil
  1. ^ Eric Lux drove for a different team from teammates Ricardo González and Gunnar Jeannette. The three finished the season on equal points, and a tie breaker was not able to be utilized, therefore the three drivers all shared the championship. [5]

Teams' Championship

SeasonLMPGTSGT
1999 Flag of the United States.svg Panoz Motorsports Flag of France.svg Dodge Viper Team Oreca Flag of the United States.svg Prototype Technology Group
2000 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Sport North America Flag of France.svg Viper Team Oreca Flag of the United States.svg Dick Barbour Racing
SeasonLMP900LMP675GTSGT
2001 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Sport North America Flag of the United States.svg Dick Barbour Racing Flag of the United States.svg Corvette Racing Flag of Germany.svg BMW Motorsport
2002 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Sport North America Flag of the United States.svg KnightHawk Racing Flag of the United States.svg Corvette Racing Flag of the United States.svg Alex Job Racing
2003 Flag of Germany.svg Infineon Team Joest Flag of the United States.svg Dyson Racing Team Flag of the United States.svg Corvette Racing Flag of the United States.svg Alex Job Racing
SeasonLMP1LMP2GTSGT
2004 Flag of the United States.svg ADT Champion Racing Flag of the United States.svg Miracle Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg Corvette Racing Flag of the United States.svg Alex Job Racing
SeasonLMP1LMP2GT1GT2
2005 Flag of the United States.svg ADT Champion Racing Flag of the United States.svg Intersport Racing Flag of the United States.svg Corvette Racing Flag of the United States.svg Petersen/White Lightning
2006 Flag of the United States.svg Audi Sport North America Flag of the United States.svg Penske Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg Corvette Racing Flag of the United States.svg Risi Competizione
2007 Flag of the United States.svg Audi Sport North America Flag of the United States.svg Penske Racing Flag of the United States.svg Corvette Racing Flag of the United States.svg Risi Competizione
2008 Flag of the United States.svg Audi Sport North America Flag of the United States.svg Penske Racing Flag of the United States.svg Corvette Racing Flag of the United States.svg Flying Lizard Motorsports
SeasonLMP1LMP2GT2Challenge
2009 Flag of the United States.svg Patrón Highcroft Racing Flag of Mexico.svg Lowe's Fernández Racing Flag of the United States.svg Flying Lizard Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg Snow Racing
SeasonLMPLMPCGTGTC
2010 Flag of the United States.svg Patrón Highcroft Racing Flag of the United States.svg Level 5 Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Flag of the United States.svg Black Swan Racing
SeasonLMP1LMP2LMPCGTGTC
2011 Flag of the United States.svg Dyson Racing Team Flag of the United States.svg Level 5 Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg CORE Autosport Flag of the United States.svg BMW Team RLL Flag of the United States.svg Black Swan Racing
SeasonP1P2PCGTGTC
2012 Flag of the United States.svg Muscle Milk Pickett Racing Flag of the United States.svg Level 5 Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg CORE Autosport Flag of the United States.svg Corvette Racing Flag of the United States.svg Alex Job Racing
2013 Flag of the United States.svg Muscle Milk Pickett Racing Flag of the United States.svg Level 5 Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg CORE Autosport Flag of the United States.svg Corvette Racing Flag of the United States.svg Flying Lizard Motorsports

Manufacturer championships

The Chassis Manufacturers' and Automobile Manufacturers' Championships are combined into a single listing. The grand tourer categories did not have a separate Engine Manufacturers' Championship.

Chassis and Automobile Manufacturers' Championships

SeasonLMPGTSGT
1999 Flag of the United States.svg Panoz Flag of Germany.svg Porsche Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
2000 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of Germany.svg DaimlerChrysler Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
SeasonLMP900LMP675GTSGT
2001 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lola Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Flag of Germany.svg BMW
2002 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lola Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
2003 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lola Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
SeasonLMP1LMP2GTSGT
2004 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lola Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
SeasonLMP1LMP2GT1GT2
2005 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of France.svg Courage Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
2006 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of Germany.svg Porsche Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
2007 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of Germany.svg Porsche Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Flag of Italy.svg Ferrari
2008 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of Germany.svg Porsche Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
SeasonLMP1LMP2GT2
2009 Flag of Japan.svg Acura Flag of Japan.svg Acura Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
SeasonLMPGT
2010 Flag of the United States.svg HPD Flag of Germany.svg BMW
SeasonLMP1LMP2GT
2011 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lola Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lola Flag of Germany.svg BMW
SeasonP1P2GT
2012 Flag of the United States.svg HPD Flag of the United States.svg HPD Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet
2013 Flag of the United States.svg HPD Flag of the United States.svg HPD Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet

Engine Manufacturers' Championship

SeasonLMP
1999 Flag of the United States.svg Ford
2000 Flag of Germany.svg Audi
SeasonLMP900LMP675
2001 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of Japan.svg Nissan
2002 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of the United Kingdom.svg AER-MG
2003 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of the United Kingdom.svg AER
SeasonLMP1LMP2
2004 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Judd
2005 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of the United Kingdom.svg AER
2006 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
2007 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
2008 Flag of Germany.svg Audi Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
2009 Flag of Japan.svg Acura Flag of Japan.svg Acura
SeasonLMP
2010 Flag of the United States.svg HPD
SeasonLMP1LMP2
2011 Flag of Japan.svg Mazda Flag of the United States.svg HPD
SeasonP1P2
2012 Flag of the United States.svg HPD Flag of the United States.svg HPD
2013 Flag of the United States.svg HPD Flag of the United States.svg HPD

Tire Manufacturers' Championship

SeasonLMPGTSGT
2000 Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin
SeasonLMP900LMP675GTSGT
2001 Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Avon Flag of the United States.svg Goodyear Flag of France.svg Michelin
2002 Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Avon Flag of the United States.svg Goodyear Flag of France.svg Michelin
2003 Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of the United States.svg Goodyear Flag of the United States.svg Goodyear Flag of France.svg Michelin
SeasonLMP1LMP2GTSGT
2004 Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of Italy.svg Pirelli Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin
SeasonLMP1LMP2GT1GT2
2005 Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of the United States.svg Goodyear Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin
2006 Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin
2007 Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin
2008 Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin
SeasonLMP1LMP2GT2
2009 Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin
SeasonLMPGT
2010 Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin
SeasonLMP1LMP2GT
2011 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dunlop Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin
SeasonP1P2GT
2012 Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dunlop Flag of France.svg Michelin
2013 Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin Flag of France.svg Michelin

Other championships

IMSA Cup

The IMSA Cup was a championship for teams which were not designated as being run by an automobile manufacturer. The 2002 championship was awarded to a full team, while from 2003 onward the championship points were awarded to each individual entry. For the 2011 season, due to a lack of manufacturer supported teams in the ALMS, the IMSA Cup was not awarded.

SeasonLMP900LMP675GTSGT
2002 Flag of the United States.svg Champion Racing Flag of the United States.svg KnightHawk Racing Flag of Germany.svg Konrad Motorsport Flag of the United States.svg Alex Job Racing
2003 Flag of the United States.svg ADT Champion Racing Flag of the United States.svg Intersport Racing Flag of the United States.svg ACEMCO Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg Petersen/White Lightning
SeasonLMP1LMP2GTSGT
2004 Flag of the United States.svg ADT Champion Racing Flag of the United States.svg Intersport Racing Flag of the United States.svg ACEMCO Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg Flying Lizard Motorsports
SeasonLMP1LMP2GT1GT2
2005 Flag of the United States.svg ADT Champion Racing Flag of the United States.svg Intersport Racing Flag of the United States.svg ACEMCO Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg Petersen/White Lightning
2006 Flag of the United States.svg Dyson Racing Team Flag of the United States.svg Intersport Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Aston Martin Racing Flag of the United States.svg Petersen/White Lightning
2007 Flag of the United States.svg Intersport Racing Flag of the United States.svg Dyson Racing Team Flag of the United States.svg Doran Racing Flag of the United States.svg Risi Competizione
2008 Flag of the United States.svg Intersport Racing Flag of the United States.svg Patrón Highcroft Racing Flag of the United States.svg Bell Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg Flying Lizard Motorsports
SeasonLMP1LMP2GT2
2009 Flag of the United States.svg Patrón Highcroft Racing Flag of Mexico.svg Lowe's Fernandez Racing Flag of the United States.svg Flying Lizard Motorsports
SeasonLMPLMPCGTGTC
2010 Flag of the United States.svg Patrón Highcroft Racing Flag of the United States.svg Green Earth Team Gunnar Flag of the United States.svg Flying Lizard Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg Black Swan Racing

Founders Cup

The Founders Cup was an annual award to recognize the accomplishments of a gentleman driver. A single championship is awarded covering all categories.

SeasonChampion
2008 Flag of the United States.svg Jon Field
2009 Flag of the United States.svg Joel Feinberg
2010 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Sweedler
2011 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Sweedler
2012 Flag of the United States.svg Cooper MacNeil
2013 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Guasch

Michelin Green X Challenge

The Michelin Green X Challenge was a championship based on energy efficiency over the course of a season. The Green X Challenge debuted at the end of 2008, but the first championship was not awarded until the 2009 season. Two championships were awarded, one for both LMP classes and one for both GT classes. [6]

Manufacturers Championship

SeasonLMPsGTs
2009 Flag of Japan.svg Acura Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
2010 Flag of the United States.svg HPD Flag of Germany.svg Porsche
2011 Flag of Japan.svg Mazda Flag of Germany.svg BMW
2012 Flag of the United States.svg HPD Flag of the United States.svg Chevrolet

Teams Championship

SeasonLMPsGTs
2009 Flag of Mexico.svg Lowe's Fernández Racing Flag of the United States.svg Flying Lizard Motorsports
2010 Flag of the United States.svg Patrón Highcroft Racing Flag of the United States.svg Flying Lizard Motorsports
2011 Flag of the United States.svg Dyson Racing Team Flag of the United States.svg BMW Team RLL
2012 Flag of the United States.svg Muscle Milk Pickett Racing Flag of the United States.svg Corvette Racing

References

  1. 1 2 Smith, Steven Cole (September 4, 2012). "Grand-Am, American Le Mans Series To Merge". Autoweek . Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Olson, Jeff (March 14, 2013). "ALMS, Grand-Am merger will be United SportsCar Racing". USA Today . Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  3. Thomas, Phillip (August 7, 2020). "5 chapters from the life of Don Panoz, automotive titan". Hagerty. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  4. Kjos, Tom (October 2006). "ALMS – Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – American Le Mans Wraps up its 2006 Amid Some Controversy". DailySportsCar. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  5. 2011 Rules American Le Mans Series (PDF), International Motor Sports Association, 2011-02-25, p. 40, archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-11-06, retrieved 2011-10-04
  6. "Michelin embraces green racing with Michelin Green X Challenge". American Le Mans Series . Retrieved 2009-08-24.