Panoz Auto Development

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For the race car manufacturer, see Élan Motorsport Technologies.
Panoz Auto Development
Type Corporation
Industry Automotive
Founded 1989
Headquarters Braselton, Georgia, USA
Key people Don Panoz, Dan Panoz
Products Limited-production luxury cars
Website www.panoz.com

Panoz Auto Development is an American manufacturer of sports automobiles founded in 1989 by Dan Panoz, son of pharmaceutical and motorsport mogul Don Panoz. The company is located in Braselton, Georgia. Panoz products have included the Panoz Roadster and AIV Roadster, and the Panoz Esperante. All Panoz road cars are tested at Panoz-owned Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia and built at the Braselton workshop.

Panoz and racing

Panoz Esperante.

Since 1997, Panoz cars have competed in racing series around the world. Panoz has shifted its American Le Mans and European racing programs toward production-based classes that allow Esperante variants to be raced in modified form. In addition to Le Mans series wins, an Esperante GTLM won the GT2 class at the 2006 24 Hours of Le Mans. For the 2007 American LeMans season, Panoz has contracted longtime BMW Motorsport partner Prototype Technology Group to campaign the GTLM in the ALMS and Le Mans. Panoz has also provided IndyCar with the G-Force IR3 and IR5; and the Champ Car World Series with their race car, the Panoz DP01.

Road cars

Race cars

Panoz Motor Sports Group

The Panoz Motor Sports Group was sold to NASCAR in 2012. It was made up of the motorsports-related holdings of Don Panoz. Headquartered in Braselton, Georgia, the group includes several racing series, a racetrack and a leasing agreement at another racetrack. The group also owns a racing school operating at multiple locations.

American Le Mans Series

Main article: American Le Mans Series

The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created by Don Panoz in 1999. It held its inaugural event, the 1998 Petit Le Mans as part of the Professional Sportscar Racing series. The ALMS has a partnership with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the organizers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, to allow teams to compete to the same regulations. The series now holds 12 rounds across North America.

In 2014, the series will merge with the Rolex Sports Car Series to form United SportsCar Racing.[1]

Panoz also owns the International Motor Sports Association, the organization that sanctions the ALMS.

Circuits

The Panoz group owns Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, and holds a long-term lease to operate Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida. It previously owned Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada but was sold in 2011. The tracks host the American Le Mans Series, in addition to other top-level auto and motorcycle racing series.

Élan Motorsport Technologies

Main article: Élan Motorsport Technologies

Élan Motorsport Technologies is an umbrella company containing the racing car manufacturing companies owned by Panoz. Panoz began by making their own car, the Esperante GTR-1, and have since acquired other manufacturers, including famous Formula Ford builders Van Diemen and Indy Racing League constructor G-Force Technologies. Élan-built cars now race in the Indy Racing League, Champ Car World Series, American Le Mans Series, Le Mans Series, and other championships.

Panoz Racing School & Series

The Panoz Racing School is a driver training school operated at Road Atlanta and Sebring International Raceway. Students learn racing techniques in purpose-built Panoz GT-RA cars. Following completion of the course, students are eligible for an SCCA regional racing license. The school also includes programs where customers can receive instruction in their own road cars.

The Panoz Racing Series is a one-make series made up of the Panoz school cars, as well as the more powerful Panoz GTS model. The series is designed for amateurs to learn racing in a low-cost environment.

Leisure holdings

Panoz also owns and operates Château Élan Resort & Winery in Braselton, Georgia, the Diablo Grande Winery & Resort in Patterson, California, and the St. Andrews Bay hotel in St Andrews, Scotland.

References

  1. ↑ "Grand-Am, ALMS to become 'United SportsCar Racing' series in 2014". Autoweek. Retrieved 2013-07-21. 

External links

Road Cars
Race Cars
Open wheelers
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