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.

2020 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

The LMP3 class was introduced by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) in 2015 and 2020 will mark the introduction of the new generation of LMP3. Four manufacturers have been selected to help the ACO take the class forward: Ligier, Duqueine Engineering, Ginetta and Adess.

Competitive cars, a top-flight sporting programme, an affordable budget, a straightforward mechanical set-up and technology within everyone’s reach will continue to form the backbone of the series. LMP3 was designed as a training ground for endurance racing, an arena in which drivers, team members, engineers and mechanics can hone their skills and prepare for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

2020-2024 LMP3 characteristics:

- Oreca is the exclusive powertrain (engine, gearbox and electronics) supplier

- The car will be an upgrade of the manufacturers’ present vehicles, not an entirely new car. An upgrade kit has been defined, covering safety, performance and design

- Customer quality will be a prime concern with technical support at circuits, a spare parts service and a technical passport

Key technical information for LMP3 in 2020-24:

- Engine power has been increased by 35 hp, to 455 hp

- The new Nissan VK56 engine will be introduced. The current engines (Nissan VK50 V8) will be adapted to deliver the same power and performance as the VK56. Competitors can thus keep their current engines until they come to the end of their useful life and then acquire the new one

 - As for the chassis, some safety-related changes have been approved for the driver’s headrest structure and the driver’s seat, and Zylon side panels will be introduced.

- Introduction of traction control

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