Le Mans Series: The 2012 season in the spotlight

The 2012 season in the spotlight

During the Le Mans Series summer break, it is time, after the official announcement of the creation of an FIA World Endurance Championship in 2012 and two races before the end of the season; Silverstone on 9, 10 and 11 September and Estoril on 23, 24 and 25 September, to talk about the future.

In 2012, the calendar will be made up of five or six races from March to October held exclusively on famous European circuits. The format will remain identical with 6 hour races.

The Le Mans Series teams will have priority to obtain an entry in the 24 Hours of Le Mans to complete the grid participating in the World Championship and also in the two European rounds of the World Endurance Championship.

In 2012, the FIA World Endurance Championship and Le Mans Series will have to live apart. At Imola the teams were consulted to understand their requirements for the upcoming season.

It has been decided that LMP1 prototypes will no longer be accepted as their formats and running costs are better adapted to the World Endurance Championship. The LMP2s will be at the top of the event's bills, followed by GTE Am & Pro, Formula Le Mans and newcomers, the GTCs. This last category will gather « One make series » cars such as the Porsche Carrera Cup or Ferrari Challenge. In 2012, 20 to 25 prototypes and the same number of GTs promise interesting starting grids.

At the moment the calendar is being prepared and it will have no clashes with the World Endurance Championship one. The season's first appointment will be official tests. The rest of the calendar will be confirmed by the end of the season.

There are still two races before the 2012 season. In LMP1, the Pescarolo Team is lying equal with Rebellion Racing. In LMP2, Greaves Motorsport, 24 Hours of Le Mans and 6 Hours of Imola winner, gets closer and closer to a victory in their category. AF Corse leads in LM GTE Pro and the team is doing all it can in LM GTE AM to outwit IMSA Performance Matmut's projects.

In Formula Le Mans, Pegasus Racing must continue to widen the gap with the other competitors to take the final title.

It goes without saying that the season's last two races will be fiercely fought and put on an exciting show.

Don't miss the last but one race on 9, 10 and 11 September during the « AUTOSPORT 6 Hours of Silverstone ».

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