DUBLIN, Ohio – In what is poised to be the largest motorsports event in the state of Ohio, the American Le Mans and IndyCar Series are set to invade the rolling hills of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for a dual-headline event weekend, July 20-22.

Premier cars, innovative technologies and the finest drivers in the world will compete for top honors at the Lexington, Ohio road course during the inaugural Acura Sports Car Challenge and The Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance.

“The magnitude of this event weekend is staggering,” said Michelle Trueman Gajoch, president of TrueSports, Incorporated, owner and operator of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. “We are pleased to welcome back the American Le Mans Series and introduce our fans to the IndyCar Series for the first time. Our daily schedule will feature up to 12 hours of racing action with three support series added to the mix. Thanks to our corporate partners, in particular American Honda Motor Co. Inc., and Westfield Insurance, this weekend is sure to become a favorite on our season schedule.”

The American Le Mans Series will battle for top honors during Saturday’s Acura Sports Car Challenge, a 2 hour, 45-minute foray, while the IndyCar Series will take to the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course for 85 laps on Sunday during The Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance.

“Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is one of America’s classic road courses. It is always one of the highlights of our season,” said Scott Atherton, president and CEO of the American Le Mans Series. “Not only do our drivers enjoy the layout and atmosphere, but it is also one of the favorites for our corporate partners. And this year, Acura – newly on board with three highly competitive LMP2 teams – brings an added dimension to the event as the title sponsor of the race. I expect we’ll see hundreds of Honda/Acura staff and their families from the Ohio plants enjoying the event.”

"We are looking forward to our inaugural weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course," said Brian Barnhart, president of competition and operations for the Indy Racing League. "The 2007 IndyCar Series schedule is one of our most challenging to date and the event at Mid-Ohio fits into the diverse lineup perfectly. Our drivers raved about the facility during our Open Test earlier this summer and the fans seemed very enthusiastic about open wheel racing's return to the area."

Weekend support races for this action-packed weekend include SCCA Pro Racing’s SPEED World Challenge presented by Trenton Forging, IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge and the Indy Pro Series. Practice and qualifying for the Acura Sports Car Challenge and The Honda 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by Westfield Insurance begins on Friday, July 20 at 8:00am EST.

A comprehensive motorsports facility, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course features a permanent road-racing circuit with two primary configurations: a 2.4-mile, 15-turn, and a 2.25-mile, 13-turn circuit. The park-like, 330-acre complex in Lexington, Ohio also features an amateur motocross venue. Located 60 miles north of Columbus and 75 miles south of Cleveland near Mansfield, the track has been called the most competitive in the U.S. and annually hosts a diversity of locally, regionally and nationally sanctioned racing events for amateur, club and professional riders and drivers.

Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, TrueSports, Incorporated is a privately held motorsports entertainment enterprise. The company owns and operates Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Mid-Ohio School, and promotes a wide variety of motor racing, driver instruction, corporate, and family entertainment events throughout the year.
 

Contact:
Rebecca Ackford
614-793-4620
rackford@midohio.com

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