Alternative fuel class added to Grand Am series.

[Dino Scuderia]

I guess it had to happen.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 31, 2012) – Responding to burgeoning interest from a variety of manufacturers, GRAND-AM Road Racing today announced plans to add a third class to compete in the Rolex Sports Car Series, beginning with the 2013 season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The new class, to be called "GX," will join the series' headlining Daytona Prototype (DP) and the production-based Grand Touring (GT) classes. The models – and some manufacturers – will be unique to GX.

The production-based GX competition will feature cars and technologies not currently involved in the Rolex Series. Rules are being developed to allow for the exploration of a wide variety of alternative technologies and alternative fuels. This could include turbocharged engines; fuels other than gasoline, such as clean diesels; and hybrid powertrains.

The class will be developed with performance levels that complement the current DP and GT classes. No changes to GT performance levels are expected.

Announcements regarding specific manufacturer participation in GX competition are expected in the near future.

"A number of OEMs have expressed their desire to field cars that wouldn't fit within our current two-class structure, so it makes good sense for us to find a way to accommodate those desires and in the process make something that's already great – the Rolex Series – even better," said GRAND-AM President and CEO Ed Bennett.

"When there are manufacturers looking to compete, we need to find a model that works to include them in the Rolex Series. It's good for the fans, providing another whole group of exciting cars they can relate to. And the fact that the GX class will get to debut at the Rolex 24 just adds to the anticipation and excitement."

The 2012 Rolex Series season continues Saturday with the Chevrolet GRAND-AM Detroit 200 at Belle Isle, presented by Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers – part of the overall Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix weekend. The 5 p.m. (ET) race will be broadcast live by SPEED and MRN.

GRAND-AM Announces Plans For New Rolex Series Class

[Dino Scuderia]

This is one of the first GX class to be revealed.

Just the Facts:
The wraps have come off the 2012 Lotus Evora GX Grand-Am race car.
Details include a new front splitter and front bumper. ABS and traction control have been removed to put more emphasis on driver skill.
McMahon Raceworks is first in line for the built-to-order $335,000 car.

SPEEDWAY, Indiana — The wraps have come off the 2012 Lotus Evora GX Grand-Am race car.

Among the changes to fit the Evora into Rolex Series GT regulations, ABS and traction control have been deleted from the car's features. The car has a new fuel filler system, a Rolex Series-required steel roll cage and yellow headlamps.

Carbon fiber body components have been used to replace plastic molded parts, and even with modifications for competition, the racecar's weight of 2,530 pounds is within a couple dozen pounds of the GTC model.

McMahon Raceworks is first in line for the built-to-order $335,000 car.

The GT-spec version of the 2012 Lotus Evora is not in the field for Friday's Grand-Am Rolex Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but there are four races left on the calendar for the British supercar to get a shakedown run.

The Evora will compete in the new GX class next season, and a version meeting the requirements of the GT class is being prepared for debut this season. The cars are built to order by Lotus.

A version of the Evora has been racing in the rival American Le Mans Series this year, fielded by Alex Job Racing. Grand-Am Rolex plans to create a new category, GX, for 2013 appealed to Lotus, which is the second manufacturer to commit to the new series.

Joining the top-tier Daytona Prototype (DP) and Grand Touring (GT) classes, GX will be like GT in that it will feature modified production models, but will have added emphasis on experimental technologies such as alternative fuels, hybrid powertrains and other innovations.

Mazda, the other marque to pledge its support to GX, is anticipated to bring clean diesel to the Rolex Series. Diesels, led by the juggernaut Audi racing cars, have dominated sports prototype racing under the American and European Le Mans series banners for nearly a decade.

Races remaining on the Rolex Series schedule are August 12 at Watkins Glen, New York; August 19 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec; September 9 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, California; and September 30 at Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Connecticut.

Inside Line says: Grand-Am has built an impressive car count and has produced an entertaining product with its restrictions on high-tech innovation. Now, the Daytona Beach-based organization is creating a way for manufacturers to experiment with new technologies in the GX class.

2012 Lotus Evora GX Grand-Am Race Car Debuts

[RacingManiac]

I am not sure if I can't read or what, what's the alternative-ness of this Lotus?

[Mugen_Ferio]

I am not sure if I can't read or what, what's the alternative-ness of this Lotus?

Thats a good question. I cant see that either