While the new direction of American endurance racing is to be announced this Thursday the 14th of March, we look back over the career of Don Panoz, one of the great figures in the revival of the discipline since the late '90s, both on the 24 Hours circuit and in America.

The amazing journey of Don Panoz begins in the pharmaceutical industry, where he made a fortune as the inventor of the nicotine patch. Then he invested in motor sport with the creation of Panoz Auto Development, headed by his son Dan, with the creation of the Esperante GTR-1. With its stunning silhouette and the front engine, the LMP-1 prototype Roadster was soon attracting attention, with the nickname "Batmobile" became one of the most popular cars in the recent history of the 24 Hours Le Mans. In 2000, Johnny O'Connell, Pierre-Henri Raphanel and Hiroki Katoh finished in fifth place. This is his best overall result in the 24 hours. Six years later, the Panoz Esperante Tom Kimber-Smith, Richard Dean and Lawrence Tomlinson won in LM GT2.

Following the creation of 'Petit Le Mans' in 1998 race (1000 miles or maximum of ten hours) on the Road Atlanta circuit, he next year Don Panoz launched the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), with approval of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, including the use of technical regulation. In 2012, Don Panoz became a partner in the creation of the DeltaWing, the first tenant of the 56th pit at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, reserved for cars using innovative technology. Following the announcement of the merger of the two series of American endurance racing, ALMS and Grand Am, in 2014, Don Panoz has never hidden his desire to see this car (that finished fifth in the 2012 Petit Le Mans) occupy a prominent place in the grid of the new series. It would be a new success for this character who, called upon the legend of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in the rebirth of American endurance racing.

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO

Photo : In its third racing appearance at the Sebring 12 Hours (16th of March), the DeltaWing dear to Don Panoz is driven by the French Olivier Pla and the Briton Andy Meyrick.