Competitors equipped with the latest technology from Michelin and the world’s premier manufacturers will face one of the oldest and fastest circuits in North America at Canada’s Mosport International Raceway for round nine of the 2007 American Le Mans Series (ALMS).
The hilly, fast, 2.549-mile track presents big challenges for the teams and for Michelin. “Mosport is very tough on tires,” said Karl Koenigstein, Michelin ALMS technical team leader. “The high speeds and eight right turns abuse the outside (left side) tires.”
Michelin provides its teams with three tire options and selecting their combination comes down to weather, expected track conditions and each team’s preferences, race strategies and car set-ups. “Tire grip levels are very important and you need a tire with great durability to run consistent laps in an extended or double-stint. Michelin has been developing a new generation of tires that provide the grip of softer tires with the endurance of harder tires.” said Koenigstein.
Michelin partner teams currently lead every ALMS championship and have set 53 new qualifying and race lap records in the first eight races of the 2007 American Le Mans Series season. All of the records have been set by Michelin partner teams, including LMP1: Audi; LMP2: Acura and Porsche; GT1: Corvette; and GT2: Ferrari and Porsche.
MICHELIN 4 X 4
While a 4×4 is handy in wet or snowy winter weather, Michelin and its partner teams have celebrated a different kind of 4×4 this ALMS season as Michelin partner teams have won all four ALMS classes in the eight events to date. Prior to 2007, Michelin had completed the sweep on three previous occasions, once in 2005 at Laguna Seca and in 2006 at Mid-Ohio and Road America. Michelin’s 11 class sweeps mark the only times in ALMS history that a single tire brand has swept all four classes.
GRAND PRIX OF MOSPORT LIVE ON SPEED CHANNEL
The Grand Prix of Mosport will air live at 3:00 p.m. EDT, August 26, on SPEED Channel.
For additional information on products offered by Michelin, visit www.michelinman.com.