The 2011 race schedule of the American Le Mans Series was released earlier today, with a few changes to shake things up. Though most of the venues look familiar, some of their dates do not.

Notable changes include Mosport International Raceway’s Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport, which will be run a month earlier from July 22nd – 24th, and Mazda Raceway’s American Le Mans Series Monterey presented by Patron, which will return to the fall, racing the weekend of Sep 15th – 17th.

Added to the schedule this season includes the ALMS’ first running of the Baltimore Grand Prix. Running along the city’s Inner Harbor should make a great backdrop for what’s bound to be a great weekend of racing.

2011 ALMS Schedule:

February 9-10: Sebring International Raceway’s Winter Test
March 19: Sebring International Raceway
April 16: Long Beach Street Circuit
July 9: Lime Rock Park
July 31: Mosport International Raceway
August 6: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
August 21: Road America
September 3: Baltimore Street Circuit
September 17: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
October 1: Road Atlanta

A more detailed 2011 ALMS Schedule can be found here.

Today’s Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series race at Long Beach was won by Simon Pagenaud and Gil de Ferran – the drivers of the No. 66 XM Radio/Panasonic Acura ARX-02a. Though the pair had lead for a good portion of the race, the margin of victory remained only 1.016 seconds ahead of fellow Acura drivers, Scott Sharp and David Brabham in the No. 9 Patrón Spirits Company machine.

P2 honors went to the third Acura entry – the No. 15 Lowe’s sponsored car piloted by Luis Diaz and Adrian Fernandez. This strong finish secured all three steps of the overall winner’s podium for Acura.

In GT1, the Compuware Corvettes returned for mixed results. The No. 4 of Olivier Beretta and Oliver Gavin took the class victory and finished 6th overall. The No. 3 sister entry driven by Johnny O’Connell faced mechanical issues and was forced to drop out of the race after only 42 of the total 76 laps.

A wide range of manufacturers made the podium in GT2, with Porsche taking over the top step with the No. 45 entry of Patrick Long and Jörg Bergmeister. Second in class went to the No. 62 Ferrari’s Pierre Kaffer and Jaime Melo, with the No. 92 BMW’s Tommy Milner and Dirk Müller gracing the third step.

The top finishers included:

Pos   No  Class  Car                  Drivers
  1  #66     P1  Acura ARX-02a        Simon Pagenaud
                                      Gil de Ferran

  2   #9     P1  Acura ARX-02a        Scott Sharp
                                      David Brabham

  3  #15     P2  Acura ARX-01B        Luis Diaz
                                      Adrian Fernandez

  4  #16     P2  Mazda / Lola B09     Guy Smith
                                      Chris Dyson

  5  #20     P2  Mazda / Lola B09     Butch Leitzinger
                                      Marino Franchitti

  6   #4    GT1  Chev Corvette C6-R   Olivier Beretta
                                      Oliver Gavin

  7  #37     P1  Lola B06             Jon Field
                                      Chapman Ducote
                                      Clint Field

  8  #45    GT2  Porsche 911 GT3 RSR  Patrick Long
                                      Jörg Bergmeister

  9  #62    GT2  Ferrari 430 GT       Pierre Kaffer
                                      Jaime Melo

 10  #92    GT2  BMW E92 M3           Tommy Milner
                                      Dirk Müller

Related Links:
American Le Mans Series: Schedule, Standings, Latest News, Videos