ALMS to add Can-AM style cars in 2012

The American Le Mans Series over the weekend announced its association with the Unlimited Racing Championship (URC) as the new "Heritage Series" for the ALMS's 2012 season and beyond. The URC will feature identically built NuArt CanAm cars reminiscent of the "glory days" of the Canadian-American Challenge Cup (Can-Am) from the 1960s and '70s.

According to URC, the NuArt CanAm cars are "purpose-built from the ground up and engineered for safety, aerodynamics, driver comfort and speed. These magnificent cars feature spectacular 700-plus hp, big-block V8 engines and state-of-the-art aerospace-quality components with an emphasis on safety."

"The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is thrilled to welcome the Unlimited Racing Championship, which will be joining a number of ALMS events in 2012," said ALMS boss Scott Atherton. "This Heritage Series will provide more variety and a modern-day link to the past for our many fans next year. The new initiative establishes a direct connection to the history of sports-car racing in North America with the sights and sounds of an era of extreme speed and power--the revolutionary Can-Am Challenge Cup of the 1960s and '70s.

"The spectacle of these massively powerful racing machines with a bridge to the past of American racing will surely evoke many fond memories for some and attract new fans as well."

"This project was years in the making," said Richard Nauert, founder of the URC and designer of the NuArt CanAm car. "We analyzed the original Can-Am cars, remaining true to the visual, as well as spiritual concept.

"Components like big-block engines, 12-inch steel brakes, and Can-Am intakes were just some of the historical elements we maintained in the NuArt CanAm car. Despite the tribute to the original cars, at the same time, they are particularly relevant to the ALMS because we loaded them with modern technology. The technology is specifically to make them safe, have longevity, and be flexible for a wide range of driver skills."

The new URC series plans to feature identically prepared NuArt CanAm cars, racing against one another on original historical Can-Am circuits around North America. The format includes eight races: two 30-minute races on each of four ALMS circuits beginning in 2012. Cars will be fully prepped for owners and drivers by the URC series organizer and ready to race at each venue.

Initial cars are offered at $485,000.



Source - ALMS: Unlimited Racing Championship to feature Can-Am-style cars - Autoweek

 

Sure...I have the "000" half of those numbers to contribute.