On the day marked as the official first day of spring and the 2010 season opener of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón – 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring - March 20 revealed itself to be a date of new growth.

Michelin Adopts the First American Forests' Tree.

Throughout the season, Series’ teams and manufacturers will be taking turns to adopt indigenous trees in race cities as well as raise money to support tree plantings throughout North America, in an effort to reduce carbon emissions during Series’ race days. A goal of 5,000 trees has been recognized for 2010.

Michelin became the first manufacturer to support the off-track outreach program established by Series’ partner American Forests, and hosted the budding tree, a symbol of the both the start of a new season and a new environmental initiative.

Adopted for Sebring by Michelin, the tree grew roots throughout race week in the MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge exhibit.

Following the 12 Hours of Sebring, Sebring International Raceway laid claim to the tree with the intent to plant the Magnolia on property as an advocate for the cause.

"We are proud to participate in this important environmental initiative," stated Sebring President and General Manager Tres Stephenson. "This displaying and subsequent planting of this tree is symbolic of our commitment to the Global ReLeaf program. We will encourage the thousands of guests who annually visit Sebring International Raceway to do their part."

AMERICAN FORESTS is the nation’s oldest nonprofit conservation group, dedicated to growing a healthier world with trees. Our work encompasses planting trees for ecosystem restoration through our Global ReLeaf program, calculating the value of urban forests, fostering environmental education, and improving public policy for trees. AMERICAN FORESTS also maintains the official listing of the largest-known trees of their species in the United States. We have a goal to plant 100 million trees to restore damaged ecosystems in the U.S. and around the world by 2020.

AMERICAN FORESTS’ Historic Tree program brings history alive by propagating and selling the offspring of trees connected to significant historical people, places and events, offering a unique way for people to connect to the past while being part of a sustainable future. The Historic Tree program helps people understand how trees benefit us all – environmentally, socially, and economically.

The American Le Mans Series, based on the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, is the only motorsports body in the world that features multiple street-legal alternative energy sources - clean diesel, E10 and E85 cellulosic ethanols, and new hybrid technologies. The American Le Mans Series has taken the leadership role in motorsports for the furthering of alternative fuel technology and use. It also illustrates deeper the Series’ relevance to its list of prestigious manufacturers and affluent consumer base.