2010 Automatic Entry List Published

[Red Firecracker]

The ACO have published the automatic entries for 2010;

2009 24 HEURES DU MANS

The first two in each category are automatically selected.

LM P1 : PEUGEOT SPORT TOTAL (Peugeot 908 HDI-FAP)
LM P1 : TEAM PEUGEOT TOTAL (Peugeot 908 HDI-FAP)
LM P2 : TEAM ESSEX (Porsche RS Spyder)
LM P2 : SPEEDY RACING SEBAH (Lola Judd)
LM GT1 : CORVETTE RACING (Corvette C6-R)
LM GT1 : LUC ALPHAND AVENTURES (Corvette C6-R)
LM GT2 : RISI COMPETIZIONE (Ferrari F 430 GT)
LM GT2 : BMS SCUDERIA ITALIA (Ferrari F 430 GT)


2009 PETIT LE MANS

The winner of each category at the end of the race is automatically selected. However, there is no selection in LM P2 as the Dyson-Smith Lola B/09 Mazda that finished first had a wide 2008-type rear wing depriving it of an official selection. No entries in LM GT1 hence no selection.

LM P1 : PEUGEOT SPORT TOTAL (Peugeot 908 HDI-FAP)
LM GT2 : RISI COMPETIZIONE (Ferrari F 430 GT)


2009 AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES

The winner of each category is automatically selected. Corvette, victorious in LM GT1, is not eligible as the make failed to meet the required number of participations because the C6.Rs raced in only two (Sebring, Long Beach) out of 10 events.

LM P1 : PATRÓN HIGHCROFT RACING (Acura ARX-02a)
LM P2 : LOWE’S FERNANDEZ RACING (Acura ARX-01b)
LM GT2 : FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORTS (Porsche 911 GT3 RSR)


2009 LE MANS SERIES

The first two in each category are automatically selected. Only one entrant has been selected in LM GT1 as the Larbre Competition Saleen did not race in the whole series.

LM P1 : ASTON MARTIN RACING (Lola-Aston Martin B 09/60)
LM P1 : PESCAROLO SPORT (Pescarolo-Judd)
LM P2 : QUIFEL ASM TEAM (Ginetta-Zytek)
LM P2 : SPEEDY RACING TEAM SEBAH (Lola Judd)
LM GT1 : LUC ALPHAND AVENTURES (Corvette C6-R)
LM GT2 : TEAM FELBERMAYER-PROTON (Porsche 911 GT3 RSR)
LM GT2 : JMW MOTORSPORT (Ferrari F 430 GT)


2009 FIA-GT Championship

The first two in each category are automatically selected.

FIA GT1 : VITAPHONE RACING TEAM (Maserati MC 12)
FIA GT1 : PEKA RACING (Corvette Z06)
FIA GT2 : AF CORSE (Ferrari F 430 GT)
FIA GT2 : PROSPEED COMPETITION (Porsche 911 GT3 RSR)


2009 MICHELIN GREEN X CHALLENGE

The winner of the Challenge over the whole of the 2009 Le Mans Series is automatically selected.

LM P2 : SPEEDY RACING TEAM SEBAH (Lola-Judd)


2009 ASIAN LE MANS SERIES

The winner of each of the 4 Le Mans categories is automatically selected.

LM P1 : SORA RACING (Pescarolo-Judd)
LM P2 : OAK RACING (Pescarolo-Mazda)
LM GT1 : JLOC (Lamborghini Murcielago)
LM GT2 : HANKOOK TEAM FARNBACHER (Ferrari F 430 GT)

29 automatics, leaving 26 slots still available (plus any automatics that don't take up their slot, such as the Fernandez P2 Acura, Fernandez having closed their doors). Entries open on Monday 21st December 2009 and close at midnight on Wednesday 20th January 2010. Lets hope the JLOC Lambo either doesn't come or the team actually try next year. Spot the Audi...

Oh, and Group C is back as the support race.

[Ekona]

Red Firecracker said:

Lets hope the JLOC Lambo either doesn't come or the team actually try next year

Funnily enough, I was thinking the exact same thing as I read their name... Waste of time this year, fingers crossed they don't bother next year no matter how nice that V12 sounds. Speaking of V12s, I can't wait to see the MC12 in action in GT1, be nice to see something other than C6.Rs in that class anyway.

[Red Firecracker]

The way GT1 is I wouldn't bank on any of those GT1 automatic entries taking the start, quite apart from the fact that none of them are currently eligible for competition unless grandfathered in.

Factory Corvette are running GT2 now, Luc Alphand are rumoured to be talking to BMW about a programme which leaves a Z06 'vette, the MC12 and the JLOC Lambo. They'll be relying on the laughable grandfathering of old cars to take part.

I have to be fair to JLOC though, they had a two car entry in the Asian series and did well (obviously) so they can be serious participants. If they want to.

Edited by Red Firecracker on Thursday 19th November 20:58

Edited by Red Firecracker on Friday 20th November 17:27

[//j17]

Couple of points.

1) This list is TEAMS that will receive automatic entry provided they submit an application before a certain deadline. It is not the CARS or the CLASS that has the invite, so Corvette race (one of) their GT2 cars using the entry awarded for winning Le Mans last year in the GT1 car.

2) You WON'T be seeing the MC12 at Le Mans next year as it's an FIA GT car and doesn't conform to the ACO GT regs. The Vitaphone team have made a habit of winning the GT1 class in the FIA GT series over the last few years but have never raced (the MC12) at Le Mans.

[Red Firecracker]

Indeed, you are quite correct with your first point.

However, I wouldn't say never with regards to the MC12. The ACO are allowing 2010 FIA GT1 conforming cars to compete next year (mainly just to get a GT1 grid I suspect) and Bartels has always said it's his ambition to take the MC12 to Le Sarthe. The ACO seem confident of getting an at least 10 car GT1 grid.

Edited by Red Firecracker on Friday 20th November 17:28

[blueST]

I agree that you may see an MC12 at Le Mans in 2010. Although the GT1 regs have changed significantly tyhey are allowing a number of older cars in to boost numbers.

I believe the Maserati MC12 has been "grandfathered" in to the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship thingy, along with the Aston DB9. Therefore it should then be eligible to run in LMS. If they then choose to run in the LMS I believe this then makes them eligible for the 24 hours. Cars that just run in FIA GT1 wont be eligible, they must compete in LMS I think.

It's all highly confusing, but I think this is to ensure the GT1 cars are properly prepared for endurance races. FIA GT1 is only running short races, whereas LMS will be the big 6 hour/1000km jobs.

[timbo48]

Group C back in 2010. Worth going just for that.

[blueST]

timbo48 said:

Group C back in 2010. Worth going just for that.

Sadly not in the main event That's something I would have loved to have seen.

[//j17]

Why don't they just drop GT1 and run LMP1, LMP2, GT2, GT3?

If manufacturers don't want to run in GT1 and are moving down to GT2 (e.g. Corvette) why not make things cheaper for the independents and gentlemen drivers by letting them move down to GT3.

[Red Firecracker]

//j17 said:

Why don't they just drop GT1 and run LMP1, LMP2, GT2, GT3?

If manufacturers don't want to run in GT1 and are moving down to GT2 (e.g. Corvette) why not make things cheaper for the independents and gentlemen drivers by letting them move down to GT3.

Probably as there is a raft of GT1 cars that can be grandfathered far cheaper than investing in new GT3 machinery. Remember also that the ACO regulations are due for a major overhaul in 2011, so any major step now would unlikely to be welcomed with open arms by teams with a future still so up in the air.

The other thing to take into account is the variances of speed. I'm not sure of the potential GT3 laptimes around Le Sarthe, but they could get into that territory where they are just too slow when compared to the LMP cars and thus are a danger.

[blueST]

Red Firecracker said:

//j17 said:

Why don't they just drop GT1 and run LMP1, LMP2, GT2, GT3?

If manufacturers don't want to run in GT1 and are moving down to GT2 (e.g. Corvette) why not make things cheaper for the independents and gentlemen drivers by letting them move down to GT3.

Probably as there is a raft of GT1 cars that can be grandfathered far cheaper than investing in new GT3 machinery. Remember also that the ACO regulations are due for a major overhaul in 2011, so any major step now would unlikely to be welcomed with open arms by teams with a future still so up in the air.

The other thing to take into account is the variances of speed. I'm not sure of the potential GT3 laptimes around Le Sarthe, but they could get into that territory where they are just too slow when compared to the LMP cars and thus are a danger.

They are allowing a Gt3 class in the ALMS in 2010 (all 911s I think), but in general the the track over their are much slower, with shorter straights. It may be that the ACO will look at what goes on in the US in 2010 before deciding on the way forward for Europe in 2011.