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The American Endurance Racing (AER) series was born in 2014 out of a desire for an inclusive endurance racing series with simple rules. AER’s goal is to provide a fun, safe environment for experienced drivers to participate in endurance races using almost any production based race car.
All AER races will be multi-class races with cars competing against other, in-class cars. Cars will be classed with other cars with similar performance based on qualifying times posted during qualifying sessions.
AER is determined to provide competitors an excellent value and to keep entry economical. AER’s simple, all-inclusive fee covers the event costs for one car; all driver and crew and all practice, qualifying, and race sessions.
Who is eligible to race with AER?
Drivers who have, or have had, a racing license with a major governing bodies OR drivers who have competed in five LeMons/Champ races OR drives with substantial track time OR drivers with other types of racing experience. A good reference helps too.
What cars are eligible to race in AER?
Any production-based race car built to compete in sanctioned road racing with the SCCA, NASA, BMW CCA, PCA, PBOC, IMSA, WC or similar governing bodies OR top Champ Car cars (including EC) OR class A LeMons cars
What do you mean by “run what you brung”?
At AER you can build the car you want to build and not worry about weight, horsepower, displacement, aero or any other restrictions imposed by other series. Build your car, bring it and we’ll put you in a class where you will be competitive.
What kind of tires can I use?
All cars must use DOT approved street tires with a minimum tread-wear of 180. This includes many high-performance summer tires that are readily available in all sorts of sizes. We do this to keep speeds down and as a cost saving measure.
How are your events structured?
Most events are three day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). On Friday morning there is a HPDE session for all drivers registered to race in the event. During this session they may go on track in street cars, track cars and race cars. You can also go on track with a coach. A two hour qualifying race is held on Friday afternoon as well as a welcome drivers meeting for drivers new to AER. Saturday and Sunday each have individual eight hour races.
Can I register for just the HPDE?
No, this session is just for those drivers who will be racing to practice and get coaching on the track.
What does it cost?
All 2026 events are $3100
What does that cover?
Registration for one car and an unlimited number of drivers, crew, friends and family. It also includes, stickers, candy, swag, tee shirts, Friday cookout, etc.
Are there any other fees such as yearly membership or license?
Yes. AER charges a $50 yearly membership which comes with discount coupons worth much more than $50 from our partners . The only other fees are for garage rental (optional at tracks with garages) or transponder rental should you need one.
How do you class cars?
AER’s classing philosophy is built around the idea of “Run What Ya Brung,” with the goal that any team running cleanly should feel they have a real shot at a podium after eight hours of racing. Because AER welcomes a wide variety of cars—many built to different specs or no spec at all—the series relies on robust, real-time timing data analysis rather than simple fastest laps to determine fair and competitive classes. AER evaluates multiple performance metrics across drivers and teams to understand true car capability, allowing mis-classed cars to stand out clearly and be adjusted as needed. While car type and common specs provide an initial baseline, data becomes especially important when cars are modified or unique. AER emphasizes that a single fast lap won’t move a team up, nor will driving a fast car conservatively move a team down, and returning teams with unchanged cars stay in their established class—reinforcing AER’s commitment to close, fair competition and confidence that teams are placed where they belong.
Can people sandbag to win?
No. Since classes are based on the cars at each race it would be very difficult to identify a lap time to drive to in order to do this. On top of that we monitor lap times with software we developed during racing and have the option to move a car if it appears to be running in the wrong class.
Do you mandate the length and number of stops teams must do?
Yes. The minimum number of stops is a calculation that is dependent upon the length of the race, but generally is set in a way to accommodate cars that can run for at least 90 minutes. All stops have a minumum length (currently set at three minutes) as to give teams a reasonable and safe amount of time to do what they need to do (change drivers, fuel and service the car, and so on). The three minute minimum removes any ability for a team to spend big money on fuel rigs and such. If your team is organized and prepared you can fill your car with simple, five gallon fuel jugs in three minutes and be competitive.
Boy AER sounds great but what does Grass Roots Motorsports Magazine and Roundel think of it?
See for yourself: HERE and HERE
Do you have any videos where AER racers talk about what they love about AER?
Funny you should ask: HERE
Do I need to have my car tech’d before the event?
No. If you are new to AER we think its best that you do take your car to one of our tech inspectors before the event to avoid issues at the track but we also offer inspections at the track.
Is there a charge for inspections?
First time teams can get their car’s teched for free at events. Our tech inspectors charge $150 at their shops. Some of them also perform inspections at our events. They charge $200 at events