The green category seemed a little subdued this year, and there were a lot of cars we’d already seen during previous visits to SEMA. Still, that didn’t stop us from finding some real standouts in the zero-emissions, electric, hybrid, and alt-fuel divisions–showing that green performance is still alive and well. For one thing, there was the Corsa Motorsports hybrid-electric LMP1 car, which will be running a full series in the American Le Mans Series this year. And the Progressive Automotive X Prize contingent was out in force, vying for the $10 million prize in the race to build marketable ultra-fuel efficient cars–we thought the Saba Motors electric roadster was one of the coolest rides in this section. The LPG-powered ‘56 Ford pickup was an absolute knockout with its candy paint, copper-lined engine compartment, and propane-powered 460 big block. That all-electric 1976 Porsche 912 took a more subtle approach to vintage green, looking refined and flawless following its concours-level restoration and EV drivetrain conversion. Then finally there was Factory Five’s new electric hot rod, a total show-stopper that handily lived up to the hype that’s surrounded it in recent months. Vote on your favorite SEMA green car, below!

This hybrid-electric LMP1 ran a partial season last year, even scoring a third-place finish on the first run of its fully-enabled hybrid drivetrain at Lime Rock. For 2010, Utah-based Corsa Motorsports is hoping to have the last of the bugs worked out and to put its green race car on the track for the full American Le Mans Series season. Built by Ginetta-Zytek, the car is running both a 4.o L V8 and a 45 kW electric motor. It uses a kinetic energy recovery system that stores braking energy in a large lithium-ion battery pack located under the cockpit. It was pretty cool to see it at SEMA, this car that’s likely going to make history next year and that’s on the crest of the movement toward cleaner racing. See more pics below the jump.

In ALMS, we’re generally for Corvette Racing. But at Laguna Seca, driver Jan Magnussen was bumping like it was NASCAR, and on the last lap, Flying Lizard driver Joerg Bermeister gave him a taste of his own medicine. This battle was the highlight of the entire race, and you can watch the last few laps in this longer clip, but if you just want to see the final confrontation, check out the video below. As you can imagine, the officials weren’t happy…

It probably shouldn’t bother me, but I tend to get kind of steamed when people tell me racing is boring. Seriously, there are people out there who will make that statement, and then in the next breath, start talking about how awesome watching soccer is. Obviously, these people are insane. But what really pisses me off is when folks start whining about how “wasteful” auto racing is, because the fact of the matter is that a lot of the technology that makes road cars safer and more efficient comes from lessons learned on the grid. Two quick cases in point? Well, the American Le Mans Series recently launched the Green Challenge, a set of rules designed to encourage the use of environmentally friendly technology, and NASCARs are already running on E85. For some great info on the future of earth-friendly racing, head over to Wired and read the great interview with Lord Drayson, the UK’s minister for science and innovation. He moonlights as a AMLS racer, and he’s got an awesome perspective.

When I was covering American Le Mans last year, I was blown away but how incredibly loud the GT1 Corvettes were. You could seriously feel then pass by in your chest, and while I know it wasn’t the loud noise that scared the other factory teams out of the GT1 class, as a dedicated fan of the General, I’m just going to pretend that’s the way it happened. Anyway, since there was no real competition left for those vicious Vettes, Chevy is stepping down to GT2, and these are the first shots of the new machines. To comply with the GT2 rules, the cars will not have the ceramic brakes the GT1 cars were equipped with, they’ll use ZR1 derived bodywork, and power will come from a 6.0-liter version of the GT1 car’s 7.0-liter V8. They sure look good, but the true test will be their first race this weekend at Mid-Ohio. More pics after the jump.

Last summer, I spent some time covering the American Le Mans series, and obviously, I had a blast. Of course, there weren’t any R35s—are you guys going to freak if I call it a Skyline?—on the grid yet, so I was stoked to stumble across this clip of a weapons-grade version competing in the GT1 class at Silverstone. Now, I know that in American GT1, all-wheel drive isn’t allowed, so even Audi’s mighty TDIs are RWD. Of course, since this race was run over in the UK—where they use “tyres” instead of “tires”—the rules might be different. But regardless of whether Godzilla is pushing two wheels or all four, it totally owns the number 150 Corvette starting at 1:45. Enjoy.

The 2009  American Le Mans Series  season kicks off this weekend at Sebring in Florida. And as you may have noticed, we are big fans of the ALMS here at Speedhunters! We have John Brooks out in his natural habitat, at the track, so stay tuned for more images and stories over the next few days, and check out the ALMS articles we’ve already posted this month. We’ve also introduced highly respected Sportscar author Janos Wimpffen to Speedhunters this week. Watch for his stuff!

Back to the present: time to refresh everyone’s memory on the ALMS and introduce you to the Class of 2009. More…

-By Andy Blackmore

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Congrats to Chris, our first Amoco Ultimate American LeMans Series winner! Chris, who submitted entry #1022 and owns a sweet 350Z, will attend the American LeMans Series race of his choice!

I am 23 years old and Ive had this car for about a year and a half. It is a 2003 Pikes Peak White 350z. I have invested every penny that i can afford while paying for rent and student loans. It turns heads of all types from young to old. Which is why i do it. Not to win trophies or races but really give someone a little eye candy in their day. Its a Daily Driver no joke with full interior and exterior custom. I do autocross and local drift events as well. My Dad has been building Corvettes as a side project since I can remember. Hes a diesel mechanic that has worked 2 jobs for over 20 year.

There are still more chances to win, so if you haven’t already thrown your hat into the ring, make sure to enter the Amoco Ultimate Your Car Is Worth It Photo Contest!

This wicked hot Murcielago was raced at Mid-Ohio in the GT2 class during 2004 American Le Mans series. Per the rules, it was converted to RWD, and while there are no horsepower numbers available, you can bet it’s pretty quick. Since I’m of the opinion that Lamborghini should actually campaign some factory cars—arch-rival Ferrari can still hold that glaring omission over Santa Agata’s head—just seeing pictures of this baby sent shivers down my spine. Seriously, there are few things hotter than an Italian supercar that’s been gutted and prepped for racing. Full text of the auction and more shots of this raging bull after the jump.

RACE CAR, DOES NOT COME WITH A ODO for Mileage reading,

NOT INTENDED FOR STREET USE:

The car was raced in the 2004 American LeMans Series (Mid-Ohio circuit) by renowned racers David Brabham, Peter Kox and Nic Jonsson. 590 bhp @ 6300 rpm. Signed by Manfred Fitzgerald Lamborghini’s Director of the R-GT Project.

Base Price: 2004 Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT – Approx. $620,000 / 500,000 € (last update: 3/27/2007)

Emanuel Pirro, who helped win the Petit Le Mans in the TDI R10 Audi with teammates Alan McNish and Dindo Capello just a couple of weeks ago, has announced his retirement after 15 years of racing for Audi. His last race will be the Monterey Sports Car Championships at Laguna Seca, airing Sunday on NBC (at around the same time as NASCAR—d’oh!). It strikes me as a little odd to see such a big name stepping down at what seems to be the peak of his career, but considering how superstar drivers in many motorsports series often hang on long after they shoud’ve been put out to pasture (cough, Petty, cough), the whole retire-in-your-prime thing might be a wise move. Pirro is 46, after all. See the full press release after the jump.

How would you rather have your favorite drivers go? Quit at the top of their game or keep plugging away until they’re eligible for AARP? 

PRESS RELEASE Final race for Emanuele Pirro in Audi R10 TDI

# Italian driver ends 15-year career chapter

# Five Le Mans victories and touring and sportscar titles for Audi Ingolstadt/Laguna Seca

Emanuele Pirro will race an Audi sports prototype for the last time in his career at the American Le Mans Series finale on 18 October at Laguna Seca. The Italian has served the brand since 1994 and is one of the most successful Audi factory drivers ever with three touring car titles, two sportscar championship victories in the American Le Mans Series and five wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich and the 46-year old Audi factory driver Emanuele Pirro had already reached an agreement some time ago about the end of the Italian’s active career for Audi at the 2008 American Le Mans Series season finale. Included among Pirro’s outstanding victories under the banner of the four rings are the Italian Touring Car Championship (1994 and 1995), the German Touring Car Championship (1996), the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2007) and the American Le Mans Series (2001, 2005).

"On behalf of the Audi motorsport squad and the entire AUDI AG I would like to extend our thanks to Emanuele Pirro for the excellent and extremely successful cooperation over the last 15 years," explains Dr Wolfgang Ullrich of Pirro who became the first driver to be signed during his time as Head of Audi Motorsport since 1993. "Throughout this extraordinarily long relationship many personal experiences and great memories of fantastic individual race wins and championship victories with Audi touring and sportscar unite us still today."

"A wonderful chapter of my life and career comes to a close," explains Emanuele Pirro. "Even as hopeless optimist, at the very beginning I would never have dreamt of spending 15 such fantastic and wonderfully successful years with Audi on both a personal and professional level. I want to pass on my sincerest gratitude to Audi Sport and all the teams for who I have driven – ROC Competition, Audi Sport Italia, Team Joest and Champion Racing and also all my team mates during this time."

In order to nurture this prosperous and successful cooperation Audi has opened the possibility for Emanuele Pirro to act as brand ambassador in the future. Audi successfully implemented the rejuvenation of the sportscar programme driver squad in 2006 with the signing of Lucas Luhr (winner of the LM P1 class in the 2008 American Le Mans Series together with Marco Werner), Alexandre Prémat and Mike Rockenfeller (joint winners of the Le Mans Series 2008) and continued it this year with races for Marcel Fässler and Christijan Albers.