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Le 2012/05/10 THE ELMS SHINES IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!On 5th May eight teams racing in the European Le Mans Series took part in the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. Two put on stunning performances winning their category against stiff competition from the FIA WEC teams.
In order to meet the numerous requests of GT teams and drivers from all over Europe, the organisers of the European Le Mans Series in agreement with the ACO has decided to open up the new GTC category (made up of cars from single-make cups like the Porsche Cup or the Ferrari Challenge) and accept FIA GT3 homologated vehicles to reach the number of twenty-five cars for the next round at Donington on 13-14-15 July.
The Le Castellet 6 Hours, the first round of the 2012 European Le Mans Series, provided a thrilling finale between the three teams in the running for victory.
The winner was the Thiriet by TDS Racing team's Oreca 03-Nissan driven by Beche-Thiriet that saw the flag with a lap in hand over the newly-created squad, Sébastien Loeb Racing's similar car in the hands of Sarrazin-Minassian-Marroc. Into third came the Status Lola B12/80 coupe of Buurman-Sims-Stirling. The other serious victory contender, the reigning champion Greaves Motorsport's Zytek-Nissan, finished fourth. It lost a part of its bodywork on the circuit and had to pit for repairs, and was then hit with a stop & go penalty.
During a meeting held on Saturday evening (31st March) at the Paul Ricard circuit, theatre of the first round of the European Le Mans Series, Pierre Fillon, (Automobile Club de l'Ouest Vice President), Gérard Neveu (FIA World Endurance Championship General Manager), Patrick Peter (European Le Mans Series promoter) and Vincent Beaumesnil (ACO Sports Director), decided to cancel the second ELMS round scheduled for Zolder (Belgium) on 18-19-20 May after consulting all the teams involved.
The 8-time world rally champion hadn't really planned on taking up his duties as team manager so soon! He also hadn't planned quitting the Portuguese Rally on Thursday evening. Since Saturday, Loeb has been in the Le Castellet 6-Hours paddock in his role of team boss of his own squad in the European Le Mans Series.
In today's qualifying session on the Paul Ricard circuit, the Thiriet by TDS Racing team and its young driver, 25-year-old Mathias Beche, put on a stunning performance by setting pole (a repeat of their 2011 feat in LMP2). During the 20-minute qualifying session for prototypes, the Franco-Swiss set the quickest time on his fifth lap in 1m 48.171s at the wheel of the no. 46 Oreca 03-Nissan LMP2.
Just before 17h00 (Friday) French Prime Minister François Fillon and former minister Hubert Falco, the President of the Toulon Provence Méditerranée region, visited the European Le Mans Series paddock at the Paul Ricard circuit.
The two men accompanied by Stéphane Clair, the circuit manger, had a look at the final preparations of the cars that will take to the track today, Saturday, for practice and qualifying for the Le Castellet 6 Hours.
The new endurance season will kick off on the Paul Ricard circuit on 31st March-1st April under the name: the European Le Mans Series. Twenty-three cars have entered for the race, and as expected, LM P2, the new top category, has the most teams with twelve entrants ready to go head-to-head. Topping the bill is Greaves Motorsport whose aim is to clinch a second title on the trot with Alex Brundle-Lucas Ordonez-Tom Kimber-Smith in the Zytek-Nissan.
Last Friday and Saturday the Paul Ricard circuit hosted the official practice sessions for the 2012 European Le Mans Series. Fourteen cars took to the track during the two days' testing, while several others are currently being assembled in the teams' workshops and will be at the circuit in the Var on 31st March/1st April for the opening round of the championship.
The OAK Racing squad racked up a large number of laps, and also set the pace thanks to Guillaume Moreau who banged in the fastest lap in 1m 46.138s in the Morgan-Judd he shared with Jacques Nicolet. Sébastien Philippe, the new team manager was happy with this performance: “We've had a couple of very positive days' testing. We came here to shakedown our car, which we finished assembling on Tuesday just before leaving for Paul Ricard. We concentrated on finding the right setup and validating the fact that all the components of the car were working properly. We've collected a lot of useful data and found the answers to some of our questions.”
Le 2012/03/10 PATRICK PETER'S PRESS CONFERENCE AND TV COVERAGE
During the official practice sessions on the Paul Ricard circuit on 9-10 March, Patrick Peter held a press conference during which he presented the 2012 European Le Mans Series.
Hello everybody. Thank you for attending our eighth conference. 2012 is a year of major changes as we have repositioned our championship. As the seasons have passed the series has grown in stature. Last year was a year of transition with the juxtaposition of the Le Mans Series and the ILMC (Intercontinental Le Mans Cup). I suppose I could say that 2012 is another year that sees a big change. It is, in fact, the first year with, on the one hand, the FIA World Endurance Championship and on the other, the European Le Mans Series whose vocation is to become a bit like the second league in football, and also a natural launch pad to the FIA World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Le 2012/03/05 FIFTEEN CARS IN THE STARTING BLOCKSNext Friday and Saturday, fifteen cars will arrive at the Paul Ricard circuit for the two days' official practice for the European Le Mans Series.
The LM P2 category will have the highest number of representatives with six prototypes beginning with the reigning champion, Greaves Motorsport, whose Nissan-powered Zytek will be driven by Martin Brundle! The former English F1 driver will be playing himself in in view of the Le Mans 24 Hours in which he will race in June. His son, Alex, will take over followed by Spaniard Lucas Ordonez and Tom Kimber-Smith who make up the team entered in no.1 for the rest of the season. Four Oreca O3s (Race Performance, Boutsen Ginion Racing, Murphy Prototypes and Thiriet by TDS Racing) as well as the Morgan-Judd in the hands of Jacques Nicolet, the boss of Oak Racing make up the rest of the LM P2 runners.
After the FIA World Endurance Championship's presentation of its 2012 season, the European Le Mans Series announces its entry list.
For its first season, the European Le Mans Series, essential endurance racing Championship and main channel of the new WEC, presents a promising five category grid. The highest participation will be in the prototype category with a total of twenty entries.
Stars of the European Le Mans Series, this year, the LMP2s will dominate the track. 13 prototypes, 12 teams representing 7 nationalities, 5 chassis manufacturers and 2 engine manufacturers will be in the running for the first European Le Mans Series title. And if all the drivers have not yet been announced, those already confirmed show the quality and high level of the 2012 grid.
Among the awaited competitors: Greaves Motorsport, 24 Hours of Le Mans and Le Mans series LMP2 winner in 2011 joined by the TDS Racing, Boutsen Ginion Racing and Race Performance teams, all regularly on the podium last season. OAK Racing, with two Morgan-Judds, will also be a team to be reckoned with. Just like the young Sébastien Loeb Racing structure entering an Oreca-Nissan in LMP2 and a Formula Le Mans in LMPC.
In the LMPC category, whose tests programmed at the Paul Ricard circuit were cancelled because of snow, the number of entries will be confirmed after the upcoming sessions on 23 and 24 February. Between six and eight Formula Le Mans are already confirmed for the whole season.
The GT grid should boast some ten cars. In GTE Pro, two “factory” cars: a Porsche 911 RSR with Prospeed Competition and an Evora lined up by the Lotus team.
As of today, the new GTC category only has one full season entry. It will be joined by other GTC contestants on a race by race basis.
Finally, thanks to technical regulations shared between the European Le Mans Series and the FIA WEC, certain world championship competitors will be able to consider the possibility of participating in ELMS rounds and inversely.
In total, thirty five cars are expected in the different 2012 European Le Mans Series races.European Le Mans Series launches its 2012 season and opens the media credential delivery. The application form is available on line in the press area of the European Le Mans Series website:
Two media passes are available:
- permanent 2012 (attending at least four events)
- race by race
Subscription opened!
After having published the 2012 official calendar, among which we count 5 events in Europe and an official testing session at the Paul Ricard circuit, European Le Mans Series is opening officially its 2012 registration.
European Le Mans Series wishes to achieve better participation in 2011 where we had 35 cars committed along the season….about forty cars are expected in all categories: LM P2, LMPC, LM GTE Pro, LM GTE Am and GTC.
Registration forms are already available on the website, www.lemans-series.com in the Competitor's corner.
REGISTRATIONS: Deadline by the 18th of January, 2012, at midnight!
Le 2011/11/22 TRACKS FOR DRIVERS…
For its 9th season, European Le Mans Series will propose a 6 event calendar, with five races held on circuits chosen for their very selective layouts that will highlight the competitors' driving skills.
The season will begin on the 9th and 10th of March with the official testing session on the Paul Ricard HTTT (High Tech Test Track) circuit. All categories will be able to attend: LMP2, FLM (Formula Le Mans), LM GTE Pro, LM GTE Am and GTC (the new category launched in order to offer to new teams and new drivers the opportunity to access the GT Endurance world at a European level for a limited budget).
The 6 hour races format will remain, still with the aim to optimize exposure and TV broadcast of the series, provided through a live production.
Following a meeting between Le Mans Series organisation and manufacturers involved in the competition, the new GTC category took shape last week.
Like for the Formula Le Mans, the aim of this new class is to offer to new teams and new drivers the opportunity to access the GT Endurance world at a European level for a limited budget.
Eligible cars are taken from one-make series organised by the Brands themselves. It will be mandatory to add a light parts kit to their specifications, in order to adapt them to Endurance format races and balance their performances.
After a thrilling Estoril 6-Hour race the Pescarolo team was able to savour its second victory of the season. Rebellion Racing won the teams' title in LM P1 in the Le Mans Series, and Julien Jousse and Emmanuel Collard bagged the drivers' crown. TDS Racing came first in LM P2, Pegasus Racing in FLM, JMW Motorsport in LM GTE Pro and IMSA Performance in LM GTE Am.
In the categories in which titles have not yet been awarded qualifying for the Estoril 6 Hours provided some pointers, and an answer. In LM P2 Greaves Motorsport clinched the title thanks to pole. Rebellion Racing increased its lead in the LM P1 teams' classification like IMSA Performance in LM GTE Am. Neil Garner Motorsport think of class podium. First pole of the season for JMW Motorsport.
The fifth and last round of the 2011 Le Mans Series will take place on the Estoril circuit near Lisbon on 23-25 September. While some titles are already in the pocket, others are still up for grabs! This is the case in LM P1 where the final showdown will take place between Rebellion Racing and Team Pescarolo; and also in LM P2 with Greaves Motorsport poised to win its first title in the Series.
After winning the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 km and the Imola 6 Hours, Peugeot emerged victorious in front of 40 000 spectators in the Autosport 6 Hours of Silverstone, the fourth of the five rounds of the 2011 Le Mans Series. After a long duel with the no. 1 Audi R18 TDI, the no. 7 908 came first after a well-judged race showing its reliability and speed. Greaves Motorsport won in LM P2, Pegasus Racing in FLM, AF Corse in LM GTE Pro and IMSA Matmut Performance in LM GTE Am.
Simon Pagenaud took pole in his Peugeot 908 for the Autosport 6 Hours of Silverstone on his first outing on the famous English circuit. Despite uncertain weather conditions the Frenchman found the right window to set the fastest time in the session in front of Allan McNish and Stéphane Sarrazin. The other pole setters were: Danny Watts (LMP2), Phil Keen (FLM), Augusto Farfus (LM GTE Pro) and Nicolas Armindo (LM GTE Am).
The fourth round of the 2011 Le Mans Series will take place on the Silverstone circuit in England. The Autosport 6 Hours of Silverstone on 10th-11th September will be the thirty-fifth running of the famous British endurance classic. The teams racing in the Le Mans Series will begin the final push to the wire on this track on which some of the greatest drivers and cars have triumphed – there will be an exhibition of cars that have raced on the Northampton layout. In all five categories the winners could take a decisive step towards bagging this year's titles. Fifty cars will start the second-last race of the 2011 Le Mans Series season.
During the Le Mans Series summer break, it is time, after the official announcement ofthe creation of an FIA World Endurance Championship in 2012 and two races beforethe end of the season; Silverstone on 9, 10 and 11 September and Estoril on 23, 24 and25 September, to talk about the future.
Two months after the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 Km, the next round of the Le Mans Series will take place on the Imolacircuit in an event lasting 6 hours. Teams and drivers, some of whom recently competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours, willrace in the third round of the season hoping to end the first half of the year on a high note. Before the summer break,they will all be out to make up for points lost at Le Castellet or on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, or to add to thosescored in the opening rounds in the spring.
Today Saturday, Peugeot won the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 kms for the fifth time on the trot after its four straight victories between 2007 and 2010. The 908s got the better of their German rivals early on in the race despite their poor grid positions and were never headed after that. TDS Racing, Hope Racing, AF Corse and IMSA Performance Matmut triumphed in the other categories.
Audi made a stunning debut with its R18 TDIs. The Ingolstadt firm's three cars set the three quickest times in qualifying for the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 kms. Strakka Racing, AF Corse, IMSA Performance Matmut and Neil Garner Motorsport bagged pole in the other categories.
Henri Pescarolo's team made a triumphant comeback to endurance racing by winning on its first outing in 2011. Christophe Tinseau, Julien Jousse and Emmanuel Collard took first place in the event on the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit. Greaves Motorsport won the LM P2 category and finished on the third step of the overall podium. JMW Motorsport , Felbermayr-Proton and Pegasus Racing carried off the spoils in the other categories.
Neel Jani topped the time sheets in qualifying for the Le Castellet 6 Hours. By bagging pole for the first round of the 2011 Le Mans Series, the Swiss driver helped Rebellion Racing to confirm its title ambitions.
A few days after the official test session, the 2011 Le Mans Series will be launched on the demanding Paul Ricard HTTT circuit between 1st-3rd April 2011. Thirty-six cars will do battle in all five categories to open their score in what promises to be a hotly-contested season.
Le 2011/03/12 Rebellion Racing sets the fastest timesAfter the first test session yesterday under grey skies in the Var, the weather did not improve today. The ambient temperature did not exceed 10°C, and violent gusts of wind plus intermittent rain did not make things easy for the Le Mans Series drivers and teams. However, they all continued to fettle in their cars during the eight-hour official test session...
Le 2011/03/12 Kick-off of the Le Mans Series!This Friday saw the kick-off of the Le Mans Series on the first day of official testing, Twenty-seven cars took to the track on the legendary Le Castellet circuit for the first skirmish of the 2011 season. The majority of teams used the day to get to know their cars, and some were already testing at racing speeds.
Le 2011/03/07 The season kicks off on the Paul Ricard HTTT circuitThe cars in the Le Mans Series will be back on the track after a 5-month winter break. During the official test session on the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit on 11th-12th March (...)
Le 2011/02/01 2011 Le Mans Series Full Entry list Le 2011/01/31 Le Mans Series 2011 : In full force !After the traditional winter break, the 2011 Le Mans Series entry list is revealed at last! 36 cars, 29 teams, 12 nationalities, 13 manufacturers and no less than 86 drivers already announced … all these ingredients promise a high quality season! The 36 Prototypes & GTs entered for all whole Le Mans Series season of 5 races will be entrused to famous endurance racing regulars; guarantee of the series' quality
Le 2010/12/21 Le Mans Series 2011: Registration Opening!After the announcement of the official 2011 Le Mans Series calendar last week with five races in Europe, of which three are shared with the ILMC, Le Mans Series officializes the registration opening and publishes the 2011 sporting and technical regulations.
Erratum:
Strakka Racing makes history! The
Le Mans Series team apologises to the QUIFEL-ASM Team for the mistake in the
end of race press release. Please
take into account the new one
The twists and turns of the Hungaroring test cars and drivers to the absolute limit. With a high level of down force, exceptionally low grip and high track temperatures, the 1,000Km of Hungaroring have been very demanding on drivers, teams and cars.
Nobody could hold a candle to Strakka Racing's Danny Watts on Sunday morning's qualifying in Hungary, and the British team's overall victory made history with the very first overall victory for a LMP2 car in the Le Mans Series.
Jonny Kane, Nick Leventis and Danny Watts have been pretty invincible as the Strakka Racing HPD ran without the slightest technical problems over the entire distance and scored its second victory in LMP2 and first overall in the 2010 season today.
The Le Mans Series heads to Hungary for the very first time so the 1,000Km of Hungaroring is a leap in the dark for most of teams and drivers. Team ORECA Matmut took their first victory with the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP one month ago in Portugal and expects to clinch another one in the heat of the night at Budapest.
The Hungaroring lies just east of Budapest and the Castle District of Pest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The layout has not been too much modified over the years and the latest changes see the longest lap in the circuit's history with a total distance of 4.384 km.
With its slow corners and its narrow straights, many say its characteristics more closely resemble a street circuit than a purpose-built track. However, its beautiful setting in a natural amphitheatre makes it an excellent venue for spectators. They should enjoy a race that Team ORECA Matmut ex-Formula One driver Olivier Panis predicts tough.
What a difference two months can make in sportscars racing! Circumstance, excellent strategy and brilliant driving today in Portugal won Team ORECA Matmut its first race with the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP.The 1000Km of Algarve saw Nicolas Lapierre, Olivier Panis and Stéphane Sarrazin emerge victorious to take their and Team ORECA Matmut's first victory ofthe 2010 season as they have driven an absolutely faultless race. Given French team's pace this season, it's hard to believe that their victory was only their first win of the season. In a no full course caution race, the French men delivered a solid drive, holding fast at the front till the end in front of so many fans who enjoyed a herringbone start, the traditional Le Mans start, for the very first time in the Series.
The wait is finally – almost – over. The qualification sessionalready gave the first patterns of the season, but tomorrow isthe D day. The first race of the season is a leap in the dark foreverybody, but there are very few brand-new cars in 2010. Theengineers have worked hard for the whole off-season toimprove the existing cars.
The Test Days have been the final rehearsal before the season kicks off, and testing could scarcely have gone better for Team ORECA Matmut as Soheil Ayari was fastest overall with the ORECA 01 – AIM and Olivier Panis was second with the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP.
Le 2010/03/07 Gentlemen, start your engines!The off-season is finally over! After a six-month break, LMPs and GTs are back on track to unveil their new aero or livery or even a brand-new car! The official test sessions are always a kind of leap in the dark for the teams and a voyage of discovery for the spectators, who are now welcome back on the legendary Le Castellet circuit to enjoy car-racing.
Le 2010/02/24 Formula Le MansYet another novelty for this seventh Le Mans Series season. Indeed, in addition to the LMP1, LMP2, LMGT1 and LMGT2 cars entered for the season or “race by race" Formula Le Mans will also take the start of the 1000 Km races.
Le 2010/02/03 2010 Season - Entry ListLE MANS SERIES LIFTS THE CURTAIN ON THE IMPRESSIVE LIST OF COMPETITORS ENTERED IN THE 2010 SEASON! 44! NO LESS THAN 44 PROTOTYPES & GTS ARE ENTERED FOR THE FIVE RACES OF THE SEVENTH LE MANS SERIES SEASON. WE WILL PRESENT A FULLER LIST THAN IN 2010, WITH RENOWNED TEAMS, NEW CARS IN ENDURANCE RACING AND EXCEPTIONAL DRIVERS!
Le 2009/12/04 2010 CalendarAt the same time as the past season is officially declared over and many guests are gathered at the Le Mans circuit for the 2009 prize giving ceremony, the complete 2010 calendar is finally disclosed. Five races for this seventh season, including some novelties.
First of all, the opening race of the season will be held on the Castellet circuit and will last 8 hours. After the success of the night race on the Portimão circuit in 2009, the experience will be repeated and reinforced with two nocturnal races: once again in Algarve, and in Hungary. The 1000 Km of Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone, firmly rooted in the Le Mans Series tradition, conserve their format and date.
Le 2009/11/27 Regulations evolution
Motor sport racing advances thanks to regulations which are alive and change as years go by, adapting to new technologies and enforcing others. Just like the backbone of an organism which grows and changes with the years, with the times.
This year, as usual, new chapters have been written, others modified. To help you understand the upcoming season, listed hereafter are the principle changes.
Le 2009/09/13 And the winners are… The race has been tough and exciting till the end, but therewas no dramatic reversal of the standings in the final roundthis year, whatever the classes, as all the favorites clinchedthe title.Team ORECA-Matmut-AIM took the checkered flag in firstplace in the LMP1 class, whereas Speedy Racing TeamSebah won for the first time of the season in the LMP2 class.Gigawave Motorsport took the victory in the GT1 class andJMW Motorsport ruled the GT2 class.Unlike the last two days, the weather has been mostlycloudy today and there has been a strong wind, whichfortunately did not disturb the competitors. It has been anaction-packed race from start to finish with many differentleaders for the enjoyment of the spectators. Le 2009/09/12 Oreca: front row for the last round The Silverstone circuit is known as a man's circuit because it is verydemanding on the drivers. Indeed, the track is famous for its highspeedlayout, particularly the first half of the lap, as the drivers do nottouch the brakes at all. Its high-speed nature means the Britishcircuit is tough for tires and engines as well.Moreover, the rain and the wind are constant concerns and nomatter what the season, they are permanent threats at Silverstone.But we have been lucky so far and hopefully, the race will be dry.Nicolas Lapierre and his Oreca-Matmut AIM avoided the traps todayand have clinched the overall pole for the second time of the seasonwith a one-second gap.Le 2009/09/08 Last but not least… Only a few contenders can still clinch the title after the race at Nürburgring, and even if the gap has increased between the competitors, Audi demonstrated last season that you have to fight till the end and that a happy ending can sometimes happen.
Le 2009/09/04 Three Mansells or nothing! Nigel Mansell the world champion is back on the track with his two sons. " I like the ambiance and the competitiveness of Le Mans Series ! "
Le 2009/08/23 Aston Martin Racing: the Lord of the Ring
The Nürburgring is quite demanding on the cars and the drivers withslow and medium speed corners, a single fast section and two shortstraights. For nearly six hours, prototypes and GTs have raced upand down the Eifel Mountains.
The weather didn't play any tricks today, and more than 20,000spectators, as well as all the competitors, could enjoy a sunny andwarm race. Despite many contacts, no safety car disrupted the raceand very few cars had to retire.
It is a complete success for Aston Martin Racing who took the overallvictory, and for Quifel-ASM Team who ruled the LMP2 class. LarbreCompétition climbed on the first step of the podium in the GT1 class,whereas Team Felbermayr-Proton won again in the GT2 class.
Le 2009/08/22 Aston Martin Racing masters the NürburgringThe Nürburgring has a reputation for being a “complete” circuit in thesense that it includes a wide variety of corners as well as high-speedsectors. Even though the “Ring” does not present an extremechallenge for the engine, the altitude – about 500m above sea level –reduces the engine power.
Le 2009/08/02 Pescarolo shines in the Portuguese night
The Portimao race track has all the character ofan old British or American track. There are twists,turns and elevation changes everywhere, makingthis track alike a tarmac rollercoaster. All of thedrivers heaped praise on the new circuit, and itbrought us some brilliant racing.
late last year. Blind corner entries and abrupt changes
of elevation are key elements of this track so drivers
who could adapt quickly were at an advantage early
on.
The qualifying session took place in a bright sunshine
and despite a late timetable slot, the temperatures
were still high, the weather conditions were, however,
equal for all.
With its mixture of long straights, fast corners and varying gradients,the Spa-Francorchamps circuit ranks as one of the most technicallychallenging circuits visited by the Le Mans Series but is a firmfavorite with drivers, teams and fans alike.
Unlike Barcelona, today's qualifying session did not result ina big surprise in the LMP1 class, as Team Peugeot Totalsnatched pole and second position under overcast weatherconditions.
No less than seven teams could have won the race in Spain today,emphasizing just how competitive the 2009 Le Mans Series seasonshould be. IPB Spartak Racing returned to form, Aston Martin Racingwas back on top, Racing Box scored their first victory in the class, andTeam Felbermayr-Proton clinched their best result since a while.
Le 2009/01/20 ENTRY LIST: SURPRISE, SURPRISE! motor sport is passing away due to the financialcrisis period, the number and quality of the 2009Le Mans Series entry forms received is the bestproof they are definitely misled!
Le 2009/01/14 SPEEDY RACING – TEAM SEBAH: A DREAMING LINE-UP!
Speedy Racing - Team Sebah set the tone for the season: the Swiss team is entering and aiming for victory! When have a look at the drivers line-up, you have no doubt that the team will be one of the favourites, after an exceptional 2008 season. Actually, the team has been the only one to challenge the Porsche RS Spyder, even though it was their first season in the Prototypes category.
Le 2009/01/09 BREAKING NEWS FROM BIRMINGHAM: A MINISTER ON THE TRACK? Paul Drayson, former National Defence Minister, a member of the United Kingdom Parliament's House of Lordsand the current Minister of Science and Innovation in the UK Government, announced during the AutosportInternational Show of Birmingham the 2009 racing programme of the Drayson Racing team in the GT2 category.
Le 2009/01/06 2009 CALENDAR Following some persistent rumours about a sixth race in 2009...
Le 2008/11/28 The Formula Le Mans unveiled ! Today, Friday, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and ORECA gave the greenlight to the Formula Le Mans Cup.Teams, drivers and the media discovered the new Endurance monotype formula,the Le Mans Cup, which will have 220 000 euros in prizes, at the officialpresentation !
Le 2008/11/17 BREAKING NEWS… Changing of date for the 2009 season fourth round. The 1000 Km of the Nürburgring, originallyscheduled on the 29th/30th of August, will take place one week ahead, on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd ofAugust.
Le 2008/10/23 Green light for Formula Le Mans! Since Formula Le Mans was launched at the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours, the ACO and ORECA have continued working together to get the new championship, which will begin in 2009, up and running. Le 2008/10/10 2009 calendar 2008 was a cracking season! The Le Mans Series races contributed to giving the colours of Le Mansand endurance racing an even higher profile on the international scene.The number of spectators who flocked to the five circuits starting with Barcelona followed by Monza,Spa-Francorchamps, the Nürburgring and Silverstone grew exponentially, as they came to discover -orrediscover- the fantastic on-track show provided by an extraordinary field of cars.The 2009 calendar has been built with the wish to stick with this dynamic
Le 2008/09/14 Record crowds as Audi wins Le Mans Series title More than a round in a season, event more than a final round, the Autosport 1000 Km of Silverstone literally turned upside down the fifth Le Mans Series season.
Le 2008/09/13 Peugeot front row for title decider as Audi gives chase Peugeot locked out the front row of the grid for the fifth and final race of the 2008 Le Mans Series at Silverstone. tephane Sarrazin set a new qualifying record of 1m30.359s to beat his team-mate Nicolas Minassian by one hundredth of a second
Le 2008/09/13 Le Mans Series titles to be decided at Silverstone After 4000km of racing on Europe's finest circuits, including Barcelona, Monza, Spa and the Nurburgring, the fifth and final race of the 2008 Le Mans Series, theAutosport 1000km of Silverstone, will see the “LM” P1, “LM” GT1 and “LM” GT2 titles decided. From the wheel-banging battle for the overall lead at Monza in April to the “LM” GT2 fight at Spa in May, the season has already featured high drama and more is expected in the UK.
Le 2008/08/17 Peugeot maintains record with victory in Germany A perfect race in perfect conditions saw Peugeot score a 1-2 finish at the fourth race in the 2008 Le Mans Series at the Nurburgring. In front of 22,000 spectators, Stephane Sarrazin and Pedro Lamy led home their team-mates Marc Gene and Nicolas Minassian, the two diesel-powered prototypes crossing the line 16 seconds apart after 1000kms. The race was completed in five hours, 44 minutes at an average speed of 174km/h (108 mph) around the 5.137km circuit.
Le 2008/08/16 Gene heads Peugeot 1-2 as Aston Martin takes third Magnifique! What other word to describe the performance of the Peugeot Total team in qualifying at the Nürburgring, as Marc Gené snatched pole position from his team-mate Pedro Lamy to put the 908 HDi-FAP diesel prototypes on the front row of the grid. And in third place was the Aston Martin Lola of the Charouz Racing System team after a fantastic performance from Berliner Stefan Mücke, who out-paced Alexandre Premat and Rinaldo ‘Dindo' Capello in their Audi R10 TDI diesel prototypes. Le 2008/08/14 Le Mans Series back on track after three month break After a three month break the Le Mans Series will burst back into life at the Nurburgring, Germany, this weekend as Peugeot and Audi continue their battle at the head of the field.
Le 2008/05/11 Peugeot scores third victory after dramatic 1000kms
Le 2008/04/30 Final countdown to Le Mans as Spa prepares for 1000 kms The 7.004km Belgian circuit of Spa Francorchamps, nestled in the heart of the Ardennes region of Belgium, has a long association with endurance racing having run its first 24 hour race in 1924, one year after the inaugural Le Mans 24 hours, and ran its first 1000km race in 1966.
Le 2008/04/27 Peugeot wins but Audi hot on its tail at sunny Monza
The second race of the 2008 Le Mans Series was fought on the hallowed circuit of Monza and featured manufacturer teams battling for the overall lead, privateers fighting for their place on the podium, and two accidents, the second of which saw Stephane Ortelli amazingly emerge with only a broken ankle.
Le 2008/04/26 Qualifying records fall as Peugeot locks out front rowTwo days of bright sunshine and warm weather has greeted the contenders for the 2008 Monza 1000kms in Italy and already the competition on the track has proven to be hotter than ever.
Le 2008/04/23 Fresh challenge for Le Mans
The historic circuit of Monza, on the outskirts of Milan, prepares to welcome the Le Mans Series for the second race of the 2008 season. A fantastic opening round in Barcelona saw Peugeot, Porsche, Corvette and Ferrari win their respective classes but their rivals have had three weeks to form a response.
Le 2008/04/06 Fantastic race yields win for Peugeot in Spain
Peugeot won the opening race of the 2008 Le Mans Series with Nicolas Minassian and local driver Marc Gene recording a popular victory in front of 28,000 spectators. Blue skies greeted the 47 competitors who took the start, and the sun shone brightly on the diesel-powered Peugeot 908 Hdi FAP, which took the chequered flag a clear lap ahead of the Audi R10 TDI driven by Mike Rockenfeller and Alexandre Premat.
Le 2008/04/05 Peugeot lands first punch but Audi ready to fight back The 2008 Le Mans Series burst into life at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona at the weekend, with no fewer than 47cars taking part in the opening qualifying session of the year ahead of tomorrow's first of five 1000km races in Europe Le 2008/03/05 Le Mans Series broadcast on Eurosport Le Mans Series is pleased to announce its new broadcasting agreement signed with Eurosport. This notification is the evidence of the expanding Le Mans Series media exposure. Discover the details of the new TV coverage planned on the international Eurosport interface: Le 2008/03/03 Officals Tests - After two days release The opening two days of the 2008 Le Mans Series saw perfect weather, a record number of media highlighting renewed interest in the series, a fantastic field of cars and scintillating speed in almost every category which points towards an extremely competitive season ahead. Teams which attended the test at the Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track facility on the southern French coast used the opportunity to develop their cars for the five-race season ahead of them Le 2008/03/02 Essais Officiels - Day one report The first day of the 2008 Le MansSeries heralded perfect weatherconditions for the contenders whotook part in the now traditional preseasontest at the Paul Ricard HighTech Test facility in southern France. Le 2007/11/10 Interlagos Race Report 1-2 for Peugeot at historic Mil Milhas. Le 2007/11/08 Interlagos Qualifying Sarrazin takes pole for Mil Milhas Brazil. Le 2007/11/07 Le Mans Series Round 6New adventure for LMS in Brazil!
Le 2007/09/16 Silverstone Race Report Peugeot wins Empire Trophy at Silverstone. Le 2007/09/15 Silverstone Qualifying Minassian makes it five for Peugeot at Silverstone. Le 2007/09/14 Le Mans Series Round 5 Battle set to rage in Silverstone 1000kms Le 2007/08/19 Spa Race Report Dramatic Spa event sees Sarrazin/Lamy win again. Le 2007/08/18 Spa Qualifying Fourth successive pole for Minassian and Gene Le 2007/08/17 Le Mans Series Round 4 Full 52 team grid for 2007 Spa 1000kms. Le 2007/07/01 Nurburgring Race Report1-2 for Peugeot as battles rage behind.
Le 2007/06/30 Nurburgring Qualifying Pole for Peugeot asGene masters the ‘Ring Le 2007/06/29 Le Mans Series Round 3 Nurburgring Circuit: Back from Le Mans and ready for more. Le 2007/05/06 Valencia Race Report Thrilling spanish race sees Peugeot take second victory. Le 2007/05/05 Valencia Qualifying Peugeots secures front row for Valncia 1000km Le 2007/05/04 Le Mans Series Round 2 LeMans Series set for mediterranean extravaganza Le 2007/04/15 Monza Race Report Peugeot triumphs at monza as 908s face tough competition Le 2007/04/14 Monza Qualifying Front row for Peugeots as minassian sets pace. Le 2007/04/13 Le Mans Series Round 1 The 2007 Le Mans Series will begin in earnestthis weekend as a grid of 48 cars line up at the Italian circuit of Monza for the first timesince 2005. Le 2007/03/02 Official test entry list 38 is the number of cars entered for the Official Test session at the Castellet circuit on next 25 & 26 March. This test session is the perfect reflect of the forthcoming season: more competitors, extreme determination for a first class and varied grid.Le 2006/12/11 2006 Prize giving ceremony!
Drivers and team managers were present to receive their prizes or to applaud their challengers, in the beautiful spirit of endurance. Henri Pescarolo, Martin Short, Jack Leconte, Pedro Lamy… they were all there, delighted to be celebrating this 2006 season that they certainly won't forget.
Le 2006/11/02 The brand new LMS calendar has arrived!The much anticipated calendar for the 2007 season is finally here: 5 races, 5 destinations and 5 tracks appreciated as much by the drivers as by the fans of the series.
Le 2006/10/11 News on the TV Distribution sideLaunched in 2004 with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, creator and organiser of the Le Mans 24 Hours, « Le Mans Series » has successfully managed its TV Distribution internally.
Le 2006/09/28 Peugeot official appearenceOn the occasion of the first Press day of the 2006 Paris Motorshow, Frederic Saint-Geours and the Peugeot Sport staff have announced the involvement of the brand new 908 in the Le Mans Series.
Le 2006/09/25 Final Standings 2006 Standings at the end of the season 2006. Le 2006/09/24 Jarama - Race Report A final round as a virtuoso performance! Le 2006/09/23 Jarama - QualifyingQualifying for the final race of the 2006 Le Mans Series, held at Jarama, took place in warm, sunny conditions though a light shower of rain hit the circuit shortly afterwards.
Le 2006/09/22 Jarama - Free PracticeWarm sunshine greeted competitors for the fifth race of the 2006 Le Mans Series in Jarama, north of Madrid, and the weather is expected to hold for this title deciding race.
Le 2006/09/21 Le Mans Series Round 5 - Jarama Jarama: the final countdown! Le 2006/07/16 Nurburgring Race Report Sunny week-end at the Nürburgring ! Le 2006/07/15 Le Mans Series Round 4 - Nurburgring Qualifying The Eifel weather is hot, the competition in qualifying for the third round of the Le Mans Series at the Nürburgring even hotter! Le 2006/06/27 Donington Race Report Pescarolo makes it four. Le 2006/06/26 Donington Qualifying No more than one second covered the top eight qualifiers at Donington Park for the fourth round of the 2006 Le Mans Series, in a superb session that highlights the quality and strength of the series which is backed by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest. No fewer than 41 cars have qualified for Sunday's 1,000 Kilometre race, with new records to be established as this is the first visit of the Le Mans Series competitors to the picturesque East Midlands circuit. Le 2006/06/25 Le Mans Series Round 3 - Donington Park. Welcome to Donington-Park! Le 2006/05/22 Le Mans Series Round 2 - Spa Spa cutting to the chase. Le 2006/04/12 Le Mans Series Round 1 - Instanbul Pescarolo at Istanbul Park: the Return! Le 2006/03/27 Official testing resume. Let the sun shine and the engines roar! Le 2006/03/26 Official testing - Paul Ricard Official Test Planning Le 2006/03/25 Official testing - Paul Ricard The first official blood. Le 2005/11/01 Le Mans Series 2005 just published! "A superb championship which allow us to race on the best circuits in Europe." E.Collard Le 2005/10/21 Le Mans Series Round 5 - Instanbul Fifth and final round at instanbul park: it's anyone guess.. Le 2005/09/24 The all japan sports car endurance series. Japan doubles up on Le Mans. Le 2005/08/18 Le Mans Series Round 4 - Nurburgring Three races; three different winners is the record so far in the 2005 Le Mans Endurance Series. Audi, Zytek and Pescarolo have each won a round; the Zytek in the fog at Spa, the Pescarolo in the mostly dry Monza, and Audi taking the narrowest of victories in the wet at Silverstone. Le 2005/08/14 Silverstone Race Report Allan McNish and Stephane Ortelli won an incident-filled the third Le Mans Endurance Series race of the 2005 season at Silverstone in their ORECA Audi, the first time the car has won in the series this year. Wet weather meant much of the race was run behind the safety car, and many of the drivers were caught out by the conditions. Le 2005/08/13 Silverstone Qualifying Nicolas Minassian made an emphatic claim to pole position in the Creation Autosportif DBA Judd on Saturday morning with a time of 1 minute 34.562 seconds around the 3.194 mile Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. Le 2005/08/12 Silverstone Free Practice Under threatening skies at Silverstone, the battle for honours at the third Le Mans Endurance race of the year took shape. Le 2005/08/01 Le Mans Series Round 3 - Silverstone The Silverstone 1,000 Kilometre race, the third round of the 2005 Le Mans Endurance Series, has attracted a top quality entry. Le 2005/07/10 Monza Race Report Jean-Christophe Boullion and Emmanuel Collard made up for their disappointment at Le Mans to record victory at the second race of the Le Mans Endurance Series at Monza, driving their Pescarolo Judd to a five lap victory. The French pair encountered a gear selection problem which put Collard into the gravel during the second hour, but the two drivers adapted their driving style and coped with a last minute rain shower to take their victory. Le 2005/07/09 Monza Qualifying Hayanari Shimoda, winner of the opening round of the Le Mans Endurance Series at Spa in April, underlined hisconfidence in the Zytek Engineering 04S to claim pole position for the Monza 1,000 Kilometre race. Le 2005/07/02 Monza Overview Monza 1000kms Le 2005/06/20 Le Mans Series Round 2 - Monza Teams from East, Teams from West: a full starting grid for the 1,000 km of Monza Le 2005/05/09 Nurburgring Race Report Hayanari Shimoda drove from the back of the grid to the front to win Sunday's Nurburgring 1,000 Kilometre race, the fourth race of the Le Mans Endurance Series. Le 2005/04/17 Le Mans Series Round 1 - Spa Zytek & Pescarolo : the Revenge Le 2005/04/12 Introducing LMS 2005 The waiting is over. Seven months after the final round of the 2004 Le Mans Endurance Series at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, 50 competitors or so return to the panoramic Ardennes circuit for the opening roundof the 2005 series, and of these no fewer than 23 are racing in the Le Mans Prototype category. Le 2005/04/03 LMS Official test days at Castellet Le Mans constructors Yves Courage and Henri Pescarolo have set the challenge for the 2005 Le Mans Endurance Series. Le 2005/04/01 2005 Seasons informations. Fifty entries for Spa 1000kms Le 2005/02/25 Final Calendar 2005 Before the launch ot second Season on 17th and 18th april at Spa, here is the final calendar plus some additional information. Le 2004/09/12 Spa Race ReportJohnny Herbert and Jamie Davies took their second win of the year and claimed the inaugural LMP1 title in their Audi after a spectacular Spa 1000kms filled with incident.
Le 2004/09/10 Le Mans Series Round 4 - SpaThe Spa 1000kms has attracted the largest entry of the season, with nearly 50 cars applying to take part in the final event of the 2004 Le Mans Endurance Series and nearly half of them are prototype cars.
Le 2004/08/15 Silverstone Race ReportZytek in the pole position, Audi on the podium..
Le 2004/08/14 Le Mans Series Round 3 - SilverstoneMore than 40 cars are expected to race into the dusk in the Silverstone 1000kms, the third event of the 2004 Le Mans Endurance Series.
Le 2004/07/05 Nurburgring Race ReportAllan McNish and Pierre Kaffer took victory in the Nurburgring 1000km race in their Audi after some inspired driving by the young German, and quick thinking in the pits as the changeable weather caused havoc among the field.
Le 2004/07/04 Nurburgring Qualifying 2Nicolas Minassian snatched pole position in the final moments of final qualifying for the Nurburgring 1000kms race this morning.
Le 2004/07/03 Nurburgring QualifyingAudi takes provisional pole in qualifying lottery.
Le 2004/07/02 Nurburgring OverviewThe 1000kms of the Nurburgring, one of the four classic races of the Le Mans Endurance Series, will see the allconquering Audi R8 prototypes racing on home soil for the first time in four years on Saturday, July 3.
Le 2004/07/01 Le Mans Series Round 2 - Nurburgring New cars, new stakes.. Le 2004/05/10 Monza Race Report Audi, Ferrari and Porsche take honours. Le 2004/05/09 Monza QualifyingAudi's Johnny Herbert set pole position time for the opening round the 2004 Le Mans Endurance Series at Monza this weekend, but the factory Zytek has qualified alongside the R8 on the front row.
Le 2004/05/08 Monza Free Practice Sun, Rain and Audi mark first day of Le Mans Series. Le 2004/05/07 Monza OverviewSports car endurance racing enters a new era this weekend with the inaugural round of the Le Mans Endurance Series at Monza.
Le 2004/05/06 Le Mans Series Round 1 - MonzaLocated in the centre of Lombardy, Monza remains one of today last layouts worth the appellation: "very fast". Pilots come to this rendezvous with respect despite the add-on for legitimate safety reasons of a left-right-left sequence which reduces the approach speed of the “Curva” and a very hard left-right before the mythical “Lesmo”.
Le 2004/04/08 The grid goes onto the track21 Prototypes and 27 GT, that is 48 cars confirmed for the starting grids. Professional and private teams will come from Europe and overseas -- Asia and New Zealand. Professional and amateur drivers -- so far 89 have entered representing 18 nationalities.
Le 2004/04/07 LMES official test days - Day 2Summertime for two days, sun and a moderate mistral wind, outside temperatures from 8°C to 16°C and 17°C to 26°C for the track, the big HTTT Paul Ricard layout in a 1A-sc of 5,759km) : these were the optimum conditions of the first official practices of the Le Mans Endurance Series.
Le 2004/04/06 LMES official test daysA beautiful weather (Great sunshine and light Mistral wind, air temperatures from 8C° to 16C° and track temperatures from 17C° to 26C°) welcomed the official tests of Le Mans Endurance Series at the Paul RicardHTTT on the 5,759 km 1 A-sc track solution.
Le 2004/04/01 Tv Exposure Broadcasting program. Le 2004/03/01 Official test days - Press MeetingOn 15 January, we informed you about the organization of the new series, Le Mans Endurance Series. The bases are now laid and the entries will close very soon (9 March 2004).
Le 2004/02/01 On the starting grid, definitely..The news of the L.M.E.S four races, which ambition is to give back endurance-racing its former status within the top motor-racing disciplines, has significantly spread out.
Le 2004/01/01 Le Mans Series AnnouncementThe Le Mans Endurance Series was first announced in June 2003 at the Le Mans 24 hours. The Series, which consists of four 1000 km races, is intended to re-establish endurance racing as one of the top motor racing disciplines.