Even though the 2007 American Le Mans Series season just ended on October 20, Kumho motorsports manager Rudy Consolacion is eagerly anticipating next season. Kumho achieved good success in 2007, including a LMP2 class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and several LMP1 podium finishes here in the states. Even so, there’s a sense of unfinished business. 

 

Kumho ran on as many as four cars this season in the ALMS, with one car in LMP1 and GT2 and two cars in LMP2. The B-K Motorsports Mazda-powered LMP2 car was the only car that ran the entire ALMS season, and Kumho will be back with the team again in 2008.  

 

“B-K started the season at Sebring with a new car and new engine that hadn’t been tested,” said Consolacion. “With a limited testing budget, we knew there would be teething problems, but the car continued to get faster and more reliable as the season went on, and we nearly had a podium finish at the 10-hour Petit Le Mans near the end of the season. 

 

“With an off-season testing program and with ongoing LMP2 tire development in the U.S. and Europe, we should be capable of podium finishes and maybe even a few wins with the B-K Mazda.” 

 

Kumho’s LMP1 tire development program was suspended two-thirds of the way through the season when partner Intersport Racing decided to try another tire on their Creation chassis. Different tires didn’t help the car, however, so the team purchased a new Lola chassis for the last two races of the season and immediately picked up speed.  

 

“I think there’s a good chance we’ll be back in P1 next year,” said Consolacion. “What we’ve learned with our P2 tires can be applied to our P1 tires. That knowledge, combined with some off-season testing, should help us get up to speed more quickly.” 

 

The exciting news for Kumho—and the ALMS itself—is the growth of GT2 class. GT2 cars are race-prepared versions of production-based cars, such as the Porsche 911 T3 RSR, the Panoz Esperante GTLM and the Ferrari 430 GT Berlinetta. Three new GT2 cars are coming to the series in 2008, representing the best of American muscle: the Corvette C6, the Ford GT and the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe. 

 

Kumho tested the GT2 waters at the Mid-Ohio race in July, supplying tires for a one-off effort for the Woodhouse Performance Dodge Viper. The car, team and tires all performed well, leaving Consolacion eager for a full-season effort in GT2. 

 

“The Viper was a great test for us, and there’s a high probability of us ending up on some of the GT2 cars next year,” noted Consolacion. “The GT2 cars are harder on tires because they’re heavier than the prototype cars and they don’t make as much downforce. They rely on mechanical grip rather than aerodynamic grip so the tire really has to perform. 

 

“We are working on next year’s LMP1, LMP2 and GT2 tires. We’re making some radical changes that will put our tire technology on the cutting edge. We’re not standing still.” 

 

In October, ALMS president and CEO Scott Atherton made several announcements about the series for 2008. In addition to announcing the new GT2 teams, Atherton said in 2008 the series will return to all of the same tracks at which it ran in 2007, with the races being broadcast on NBC, ABC and SPEED.

 

Additionally, the ALMS will continue to push alternative fuel initiatives. ALMS cars currently run either E10 ethanol-enriched gasoline or zero-sulfur diesel, and the series is in discussions with several car manufacturers to introduce a hybrid-powered race car. 

 

“We’re happy with the direction the American Le Mans Series is going,” added Consolacion. “There are nine car manufacturers involved in the series and four tire manufacturers, and we’ve heard rumors that more tire manufacturers are coming in. More manufacturers make the series healthier and also mean more competition, which ultimately leads to more exciting racing for the fans.  

 

“There are two major benefits for Kumho to be involved in the American Le Mans Series: technology and exposure. What we learn about the compounds and construction of our ALMS tires can be applied to our street tires. And the exposure we get on the TV broadcasts and at the track helps build brand awareness, which makes it easier for our dealers to Kumho tires. And when we have success—like our win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans—it proves we make quality products that customers can trust.”