24h Le Mans
Photo : - DPPI Media
Since 2004, the Le Mans Endurance Series, which became Le Mans Series in 2006, welcomed all the big names in the current revival of endurance racing. This year, 2012, the birth of the FIA World Endurance Championship has had two consequences: "emigration" of LM P1 prototypes to the new competition, and a change of name. It now, becomes European Le Mans Series, and accommodates four categories, complying with the technical regulations of the 24 Hours of Le Mans: LM GTE Pro and Am, , LM PC (Le Mans Prototype Challenge, formerly known as Formula Le Mans) and also LM P2, which are required to use engines derived from production cars. Five manufacturers are competing in the latter category.
Zytek, the champion: Entered by Greaves Motorsports, the only Zytek Le Mans Series this in 2011 took a clean sweep: three wins in five races, was enough to secure Drivers and Teams titles, and they even took a class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. They will defend those titles in the European Le Mans Series, still with a Nissan engine. A second Zytek chassis, equipped with an identical engine, will be run by Jota, another British team, seen in GT last year.
Oreca, the law of big numbers: In 2011, the Oreca 03 was as competitive as it was reliable; at Le Mans, in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and the Le Mans Series. It will be run this year with six teams: Pecom Racing, Murphy Prototypes, Boutsen Ginion Racing, Thiriet by TDS Racing, Sébastien Loeb Racing (Nissan) and Race Peformance (Judd).
Morgan, a new name: Born as a result of a partnership with the famous British GT manufacturer with the French team OAK Racing, one of the benchmarks of current LM P2. The Le Mans based team also runs a car under its own colors.
Lola and Norma, the two loners: The first will be present with the only closed prototype seen this year in European Le Mans Series, run by Status GP, while Extrême Limit ARIC (formerly Extrême Limite AM Paris) will continue its adventure with Norma. Both cars use Judd engines.
With the exception of Loeb Racing, which will use Michelin tyres, all competitors LM P2 of the European Le Mans Series will be shod with Dunlop tyres.
First European Le Mans Series race of the 2012 season, the 6 Hours of Castellet will be held on April 1.
Jean-Philippe Doret
Photo: SEBRING (FLORIDA, USA), SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, SEBRING 12 HOURS, RACE, 17th March, 2012. The Oreca Nissan of Pecom Racing is entered both in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series.
