For the first time in the history of the European Le Mans Series, a race will start at 18:30 and finish after dark. Not only will the 113 drivers named on the provisional entry list for the 4 Hours of Barcelona have to tame a track that the championship has bypassed since the last 1000 km of Catalunya in 2009, they will also have to get to grips with racing in the dark. The drivers who lined up for the 16 ELMS competitors appearing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last month should soon get back in the swing of racing at night, but for others it will be a first.

Even before it gets dark, the setting sun will be particularly problematic as it is liable to “blind” drivers in some parts of the track. Managing traffic at dusk and after nightfall will be key to a successful race. Nonetheless, the track and air temperatures should begin to fall and aid engine cooling. With teams making the most of the optimum tyre behaviour, the latter stages of the race promise some fierce battles out on the track to thrill the fans.

Forty-one cars will be on the grid for the 4 Hours of Barcelona: 18 LMP2s, 15 LMP3s and eight LMGTEs. G-Drive Racing tops the provisional championship standings, but the Russian team only has two points in hand over IDEC Sport and 12 over DragonSpeed. Eurointernational leads the way in LMP3 while Dempsey-Proton Racing holds a two-point advantage over Luzich Racing in LMGTE. A victory is worth 25 points in the European Le Mans Series, while every finisher outside the top ten in the general classification is rewarded with a half-point. A bonus point is also awarded to the fastest qualifier in each class.

Provisional entry list for the 4 Hours of Barcelona.

For more news on the European Le Mans Series, head to the championship website.