 In 2004 the Maserati MC12s were unable to compete in series backed by the ACO , such as the Le Mans Endurance Series ( LMES ) in Europe and the American Le Mans Series ( ALMS ) because they exceeded both the length and width restrictions for their class . The car 's nose was shortened by 200 millimetres ( 7 @.@ 9 in ) to attempt to comply with regulations , but was still 66 millimetres ( 2 @.@ 6 in ) too wide . In 2005 the governing body of the ALMS , the International Motor Sports Association ( IMSA ) , allowed the MC12s to compete as a guest with the agreement that they were not allowed to score championship points and were forced to run a weight penalty . Some ALMS teams initially objected to the participation of the MC12 due to the possibility that an accident could eliminate their chances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans , but the MC12 was finally allowed to race . The ACO stood by their ruling on the car by forbidding it from entering other Le Mans series . 
