An IMSA Update

January 24, 2002

To Entrants:

I would like to first wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope the Holidays were the best ever for you and yours.

All of us at IMSA are extremely excited about the 2002 season and what is in store. We have been working very diligently on continuing the upward movement of our sanctioned American Le Mans Series and see a very bright future. 

We hope that you share our enthusiasm towards our 2002 schedule. The venues for 2002 are second to none. The TV package is also in the league of any other major entertainment franchise.

We are sending this letter - our first, with more to follow - to update you on exciting developments and new programs for 2002, which include:

1) Competition Incentive Plan (CIP) - We have developed a plan that will reward the teams that participate in all 10 races of the 2002 American Le Mans Series events. This plan, entitled “Competition Incentive Plan”, will pay an Entrant $1,500.00 after Sebring and Petit Le Mans and $300.00 after each of the other events on the schedule providing they enter an eligible car which is accepted and participates in the event. This program is on an invitation basis only based upon certain criteria and is an incentive to run all 10 races. No “upfront” money will be required. The Competition Incentive Plan is a program devised to place a team chosen, through a nominating committee, in an elite position to earn money throughout the year. This plan will be open to any eligible team via points and other criteria. Invitations will be mailed within a few days. 
***If you plan on competing in all 2002 ALMS events and would be interested in receiving an invitation for possible selection - and are not on the official nominated list - please contact us to be considered.

2) IMSA Cup - A new program we are proud to unveil will be the new IMSA Cup for privateers in 2002. The IMSA Cup will be a very prestigious award sought after as the highest mark achievable for privateers. The IMSA Cup will represent the pinnacle of sports cars highest honor - a Privateer season long Championship that will culminate at Petit. Replica IMSA Cups will be awarded at each event to the highest finishing Privateer team, in each class, with the highly coveted IMSA Cup awarded at the season ending awards banquet.

3) Mid-Season Payout - Any eligible Privateer team will be invited to share in a partial payout of year-end privateer points fund. This partial payout will be based upon “current” points standings and paid according to those points. The Year-End points fund balance, including the additional event funds, will be paid to eligible privateer teams based upon the final points at the completion of the season.

4) Privateer Points Fund (IMSA Cup) - The payoff for the Privateer Points Fund will allot a maximum of 35 points per car / per race which will be spelled out in the Supplementary Regulations for each event. The Year-End Points Fund Monies will consist of Ten-percent (10%) of posted race awards and any unpaid “Factory Team” prize money accumulated throughout the season. The year-end distribution will consist of the following “definition of payout”:
a. Take total prize money in the Privateer Points Fund Pool at end of the season - after mid-season payout deduction - and divide by the Total Points of all cars. Net result is the basis of point / dollar value. (Net Dollar Value)
b. Use “Net Dollar Value” as multiplier for total number of all eligible individual car points earned. Each eligible car will receive their pro-rata share of points money based upon their own individual points total. 
c. All cars must meet all areas of eligibility.
d. Eligibility will require competing in all 10 American Le Mans Series 2002 events.
e. Dollars earned by cars which did not meet the eligibility criteria will not be paid out.

5) Flag Presentation - In 2002, presentation of the flags representing the countries of the entrants will change. As you will remember, flags were previously placed on each individual car during the pre-race activities. Beginning with Sebring we will be providing each team with a 3 foot by 5 foot flag and a “presentation pole” to enable a team member to “present” (hold) the flag over the car during pre-race ceremonies. The weight of the flag and pole will be extremely light and the presentation will showcase each individual team in a way everyone can be proud. We encourage each team to select the proper person to “carry their colors” at each event. We encourage you to utilize sponsor reps, team members, models or anyone who best represents your team.

6) National Anthem - The “formation display” of each team / crewmembers was so popular at Petit Le Mans that we have decided to make it a permanent fixture in our pre-race ceremonies at each event. We highly recommend your entire team be represented at each event by lining up in “formation” next to the vehicle during the playing of the National Anthem. Specific race-to-race instructions will be presented at each pre-race meeting.

7) Drivers’ Meeting - In an effort to bring our competitors closer “to the fans” at each event 
and to explain more precisely “race day” procedures / changes, we will be holding a required drivers’ meeting (also open to one crew member) each and every race day at a 
pre-determined time. 

8) On-Car Light System - The on-car light system is now available to each team for installation in the car. All pertinent information regarding the system, including installation, will be supplied to competing teams as well as posted on the web site. This system is mandatory 
and will be part of the technical regulations for installation and must be an “operating” system 
to pass scrutineering. To order the system or for information please call C. Y. Smith who is 
contracted to IMSA to provide all support and systems @ (770) 335-5412 or Fax (770) 867-
7165.

9) Memberships / Credentials - In 2002, the IMSA membership and credential application will be two separate forms. 
a. IMSA memberships will be required for anyone associated and working with a team. You must be in possession of a valid IMSA license for “hard card” privileges.
b. Each team (Entrant) will be required to supply a list of authorized team members eligible to receive annual credentials. 
c. The forms have been mailed and are also available online.

10) IMSARACING.net - Watch for the new IMSA website which will be unveiled February 1st, 2002. Stay up to date on all the happenings of IMSA and the American Le Mans Series with our brand new format.

You will receive an update to further projects and exciting news within the next couple of weeks. We have much to tell and are looking forward to showing “our story” to the world this year.

As always, please feel free to call us regarding any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Dennis Huth
President / IMSA