Le Mans goes intercontinental
New competition for Le Mans series sportscars and GT entrantsOrganisers of the Le Mans 24 Hour race and American Le Mans Series (ALMS) have announced the formation of a three-event championship, called the Le Mans Intercontinental Cup.
Initially the competition was open to the top-class LMP1 cars only, however the ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest) decided this month that contestants in the LMP2, GT1 and GT2 categories were also eligible to enter.
Of the top contenders, Peugeot has not yet committed its LMP1 908 but Audi Team Joest will campaign two R15 cars.
"We're convinced that this category, which is particularly attractive from the perspective of technology, has a great future and fits our times well," said Audi's head of motorsport, Dr. Wolfgang Ulrich.
Teams such as the French outfit Oreca are also pleased the ACO has devised the new competition. It is widely believed by team members that the Le Mans 24 Hour race overshadows other events "and the ACO has understood that it's important to spotlight major races on other continents," said Oreca's Hugues de Chaunac.
It will be held on three continents -- those already hosting events in the ALMS. The first event will be the Silverstone 1000 at the British track on September 12, followed by the Petit Le Mans event, also 1000km, at Road Atlanta, Georgia USA.
An event in China -- presumably at the Shanghai circuit -- will round out the ILMC competition. Organisers will announce dates and venue by the end of next month (April).
The ACO says participation by brands including BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Jaguar, Porsche and Aston Martin has inspired the creation of two manufacturers' awards. The outright winner in the LMP1 class will receive best manufacturer recognition, while the most winning marque across all four categories will receive a Teams Cup.
To be eligible, the entrants must take part in all three Intercontinental races and five races under the Le Mans 'label'; for example under the American and/or Asian Le Mans Series banners.
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