24h Le Mans
The Asian Le Mans Series provides a great launchpad to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Not only because the four winners in the series gain an automatic entry to Le Mans, but also because competing in the championship encourages certain Asian teams to take the leap and race in the 24 Hours. Some European teams even make the trip to Asia with the hope of winning the ‘golden ticket’!
Teams in the 2018-19 Asian Le Mans Series will of course be hoping to take the title – but they will also be aiming to earn an invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. There are four golden tickets up for grabs this season. As in previous years, the winners of the LMP2 and LMP3 classes all receive an invitation to compete in LMP2. Meanwhile, the GT class winner is given the chance to compete in LMGTE Am.
And, new for this year’s Asian Le Mans Series, there is an additional prize for amateur LMP2 competitors. Not only will they battle it out for their own ‘LMP2 amateur’ trophy (for teams made up of gentleman drivers only), but the winners will also book their slot on the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 grid (15-16 June).
The invitation earned in the Asian Le Mans Series has given some Asian teams and certain European outfits (Race Performance and Tockwith Motorsports in 2016, Algarve Pro Racing in 2017) the opportunity to shine at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Others include Cleawater Racing (LMGTE Am), Team AAI (LMGTE Am in 2015) and KCMG (LMGTE Am in 2016). However, the best example of a team having made the leap from the Asian Le Mans Series to the 24 Hours of Le Mans remains Jackie Chan DC Racing, several times Asian LMS champion before going on to triumph (with a 1-2 finish) in LMP2 class at Le Mans in 2017.
Video: YouTube - Asian Le Mans Series
Photo: Algarve Pro Racing is a loyal competitor in the Asian Le Mans Series. The team ensured its 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans entry after taking the Team title in the Asian series.
