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How US merger reshapes sportscars

Grand-Am's takeover of the American Le Mans Series should revitalise US sportscar racing, but Gary Watkins argues the implications for Le Mans and the European scene are not all good

Gary Watkins Sep 14, 2012, 12:39 PM

I've had a dream and I've had it for years now. It involves seeing the same cars that slug it out for victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June doing battle on the high banks of the Daytona International Speedway more than four months earlier in February. 'Fantasy' would, perhaps, be a better word for it.

And that's the way it's going to stay, despite the 'merger' between Grand American Road Racing and the American Le Mans Series.

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Author Gary Watkins

Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 33rd as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 80 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.

Gary, who also writes for Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton close to the former workshops of the Cooper Formula 1 team but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.