A night of champions in Monterey

The American Le Mans Series honored its teams, drivers, manufacturers, crews and fan favorites at its annual season-ending banquet in Monterey, Calif., site of Saturday’s incredible finish at the Monterey Sports Car Championships. The event served as an affirmation of the season-long champions but there were some special surprises as well.

American Le Mans Series fans from around the world let their voices be heard for three awards. For the fourth time, Corvette Racing legend Ron Fellows received the Most Popular Driver Award. The From the Fans award, given annually to the person or group who made the greatest contribution in the sport, went to Highcroft Racing’s Duncan Dayton. Both awards were voted on by fans at americanlemans.com.

Audi Sport North America’s Allan McNish and Penske Racing’s Romain Dumas both received the MotorsTV Most Popular Driver award in voting among the network’s viewers.

Tafel Racing owner and driver Jim Tafel won the Founder’s Cup, which goes annually to the top gentleman driver in the Series, and Penske’s Ryan Briscoe was the Rookie of the Year.

The Klein Tools Crew Chief of the Year awards went to Audi’s Bobby Green in LMP1, Dyson Racing’s Lou Marrasso in LMP2, Ray Gongla of Corvette Racing in GT1, and Flying Lizard Motorsports’ Tommy Sadler in GT2. IMSA’s Pit Lane and Technical staff voted for the awards.

2007 American Le Mans Series Award Winners
Most Popular Driver: Ron Fellows
MotorsTV Most Popular Driver: Allan McNish, Romain Dumas (tie)
Founder’s Cup: Jim Tafel
Rookie of the Year: Ryan Briscoe
From the Fans: Duncan Dayton
Crew Chief of the Year: Bobby Green (LMP1), Lou Marrasso (LMP2), Ray Gongla (GT1), Tommy Sadler (GT2)
Klein Tools Pit Crew Challenge: Corvette Racing No. 3
IMSA Cup: Intersport Racing (LMP1), Dyson Racing (LMP2), Risi Competizione (GT2)
Manufacturer Champions
Tire: Michelin
GT2: Ferrari
GT1: General Motors
LMP2: Porsche
LMP1: Audi
Team Champions
GT2: Risi Competizione (1st)
Flying Lizard Motorsports (2nd)
Tafel Racing (3rd)
GT1: Corvette Racing (1st)
LMP2: Penske Racing (1st)
Dyson Racing (2nd)
Highcroft Racing (3rd)
LMP1: Audi Sport North America (1st)
Autocon Motorsports (2nd)
Intersport Racing (3rd)
Driver Champions
GT2: Mika Salo/Jaime Melo (1st)
Johannes van Overbeek/Jörg Bergmeister (2nd)
Wolf Henzler (3rd)
GT1: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin (1st)
Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell (2nd)
Max Papis (3rd)
LMP2: Romain Dumas/Timo Bernhard (1st)
Sascha Maassen/Ryan Briscoe (2nd)
Butch Leitzinger/Andy Wallace (3rd)
LMP1: Dindo Capello/Allan McNish (1st)
Marco Werner (2nd)
Emanuele Pirro (3rd)