The different classes

The European Le Mans Series is a European series of endurance races reserved for cars such as "Le Mans Prototypes" and "Le Mans Grand Touring". In 2017, the ELMS presents three different categories : LMP2, LMP3, LMGTE.

2018 Sporting Regulation

LMP2

The category below the top LMP1 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship, LMP2 is a key part of the “Endurance" family which allows teams, as well as drivers, to gradually progress to the highest level. The "Le Mans Prototype 2" (LMP2) class is reserved exclusively for privateer teams independent of constructors and/or engine suppliers.

LMP2 cars have similar characteristics to LMP1 (carbon monocoque chassis) while respecting strict cost criteria: the price must not exceed €483,000.

In 2017,the four constructors who will supply chassis for the cars that will compete in the LMP2 category are: Dallara, Onroak Automotive, Oreca and the joint-venture Riley Tech/Multimatic. 

In the European Le Mans Series, FIA World Endurance Championship and Asian Le Mans Series all LMP2 cars will be equipped with Gibson Technology engines. The 4-litre V8 engine, which was unveiled at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, delivers around 600bhp, an increase of approximately 100bhp on engines run in 2016.

Cosworth Electronics will be the single electronics supplier. The unique Cosworth electronic unit will also provide a more efficient level of service (equipment, etc.), while enabling the performance of the engines run in the ELMS, FIAWEC and Asian LMS and in the American series to be managed.

The weight and dimensions of the 2017 LMP2 cars have changed from the closed cockpit cars run previously with the maximum measurements of the new cars being longer, narrower, slightly taller and 30kg heavier.

Each driver line up must be made up of at least one "Silver"or "Bronze" rated driver.

Race Number Background Colour: BLUE

LMP2 technical specifications:

LMP2 Technical Regulations

LMP3

In order to strengthen the pyramid of endurance racing which was introduced in 1999 by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the ACO has launched in 2015 a new category of junior sports-prototype for endurance racing, LMP3.

In the pyramid of "Le Mans Prototypes," LMP3 becomes the first step on the ladder before moving up to the LMP2 and LMP1 classes (the latter in the FIA WEC and 24 Hours of Le Mans).

The thinking behind this car is that there should be fewest number of constraints possible, whether those are budgetary, technical, driving or operation. The sale price of the new car, complete, must not exceed €206,000.

The LMP3 is a closed car. The chassis and bodywork of LMP3 can be built by six manufacturers which have been designed by the ACO : Ginetta, Ligier, Adess, Dome, Riley and Norma. They are very close to those of the current LMP2 (closed cockpit, carbon chassis with tubular steel roll cage). The powertrain consist of a Nissan 420 bhp normally aspirated V8 engine, and an X-Trac gearbox. It is identical for all chassis, and marketed by the ORECA company which also provides specific assistance to teams.

To emphasise the driver development of the category, crews must include at least one bronze driver, gold drivers are only allowed in crews of three drivers and platinum drivers are not permitted to compete in LMP3.   Driving times are also controlled with gold drivers only allowed to drive for 60-minutes during a 4-hour ELMS race giving more time at the wheel for the silver and bronze members of the crew.

Race Number Background Colour: PURPLE.

LMP3 technical specifications:

LMP3 Technical Regulations

LMGTE

Grand Touring cars are part of the tradition of endurance racing. To be homologated, a GTE (E for Endurance) must be based around a production road car of which 100 examples have been built (25 for a "small manufacturer”, 300 for a carbon chassis). The "race" version must retain the shape of the road-going model from which it is derived. The engine must retain its original location, orientation, and its original position. However, it may be re-positioned for cars of which a minimum number of 2500 examples are produced in a consecutive 12-month period.

As opposed to the category with the suffix "Pro" (entered in the FIA WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans), "Am" designates the GTE class reserved for amateur drivers.
Technically, the cars in the GTE Am class correspond to the same regulations as the GTE Pros, but they must be at least one year old. Thus, they cannot benefit from the latest developments.

For the LMGTE and GTC classes, the composition of driver line-ups must adhere to the Drivers’ Categorisation List. A crew of 2 or 3 drivers must have no more than one Gold or Platinum rated driver.

Race Number Background Colour: ORANGE.

LMGTE technical specifications:

LMGTE Technical Regulations