IMSA, ACO Extend Agreement for Next Ten Years

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

IMSA and the ACO have renewed their long-standing partnership, in a deal extending for the next ten years.

Announced during the ACO’s annual press conference in Le Mans, the two organizations will continue to work together into the next decade on technical and sporting regulations, sharing of resources and other elements.

The relationship, which dates back to Don Panoz’s creation of the American Le Mans Series in 1999, has increased in recent years, particularly with prototype convergence that has led to the launch of the LMDh platform for 2023.

“Trying to sum it up in one word… It’s stability,” said IMSA President John Doonan.

“Stability for our manufacturer partners to know that when they make strategic decisions about their motorsport investments that they know that our organizations are aligned both on the technical side, and in many ways, on the sporting side to provide a platform for them to showcase their brand in front of a global audience.

“They know when they seek value out of their racing investments, they know they can do it on both sides of the Atlantic but also do it with the confidence that we are aligned in our thinking and trying to do what’s best for the sport.”

ACO President Pierre Fillon added: “This decision is wonderful news for teams and fans alike. Our discipline will be a talking point on both sides of the Atlantic, which spurs us on to pursue our work side by side and with the other key players in our sport.”

Doonan along with a delegation of other series executives including IMSA chairman Jim France and IMSA CEO Ed Bennett are on-site at Le Mans this week.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John