ALMS holds season ending banquet

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron honored its competitors and participants Sunday on a “Night of Champions" – the Series’ annual championship awards banquet at Chateau Elan. Team Falken Tire and Corvette Racing’s Jan Magnussen were announced as winners in contests voted on by Series fans; Falken won the ‘From the Fans’ award as the group that made the most significant impact on the ALMS in 2011, and Magnussen was selected as Most Popular Driver.

Both honors, based on input from Series fans worldwide through americanlemans.com, were among many special honors given Sunday night.

Genoa Racing’s Eric Lux won Rookie of the Year to go along with sharing the LMP Challenge driving championship with CORE autosport’s Ricardo Gonzalez and Gunnar Jeannette. Alex Job Racing’s Bill Sweedler won the Founder’s Cup, an award that goes to the top gentleman driver in the ALMS.

The Battery Tender Mechanic of the Year trophies went to Mike Seymour, Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing (LMP1); Dan Binks, Corvette Racing (GT); Steve Ragan, Genoa Racing (LMPC); Gary Biehl, TRG (GTC)

Michelin, a long-time supporter of the American Le Mans Series and championship-winning tire manufacturer, received the annual Promoter’s Trophy for its efforts in the promotion and support of the American Le Mans Series.

2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila PatrÂ¢n
Award Winners
Most Popular Driver: Jan Magnussen
From the Fans: Team Falken Tire
Rookie of the Year: Eric Lux
Founder’s Cup: Bill Sweedler
Promoter’s Trophy: Michelin
Mechanic of the Year: Mike Seymour, Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing (LMP1); Dan Binks, Corvette Racing (GT); Steve Ragan, Genoa Racing (LMPC); Gary Biehl, TRG (GTC)

Manufacturer Champions
Tire: Michelin (LMP2 and GT), Dunlop (LMP1)
GT: BMW
LMP2: Lola (Chassis), Honda Performance Development (Engine)
LMP1: Lola (Chassis), Mazda (Engine)

Team Champions
GTC: Black Swan Racing (1st)
TRG (2nd)
Alex Job Racing (3rd)
LMPC: CORE autosport (1st)
Genoa Racing (2nd)
Intersport Racing (3rd)
GT: BMW Team RLL (1st)
Corvette Racing (2nd)
Flying Lizard Motorsports (3rd)
LMP2: Level 5 Motorsports (1st)
LMP1: Dyson Racing (1st)
Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing (2nd)
Autocon Motorsports (3rd)

Driver Champions
GTC: Tim Pappas (1st)
Duncan Ende/Spencer Pumpelly (2nd)
Jeroen Bleekemolen (3rd)
LMPC: Ricardo Gonzalez/Gunnar Jeannette/Eric Lux (1st)
Jon Bennett/Frankie Montecalvo (2nd)
Kyle Marcelli (3rd)
GT: Joey Hand/Dirk MÃ¼ller (1st)
Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen (2nd)
Bill Auberlen/Dirk Werner (3rd)
LMP2: Christophe Bouchut/Scott Tucker (1st)
LMP1: Chris Dyson/Guy Smith (1st)
Klaus Graf (2nd)
Lucas Luhr (3rd)