LM GTE Pro Category

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s decision to change the GT category regulations has resulted in a number of very high-quality entries, and has also generated considerable interest among car manufacturers. The GT1 category is finished. GT2 has been privileged and divided into two classes: LM GTE Pro and LM GTE Am. The first is reserved for new cars driven by professional drivers. Six manufacturers have entered for the GTE class: Aston Martin (which will race in both the prototype and GT categories), BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Lotus and Porsche. In GTE Pro, Ferrari, the reigning champion and winner of the 2010 ILMC Manufacturer’s Trophy, has entered three F458 Italias, the racing version of its new sports model.

They will be looked after by AF Corse and Luxury Racing, which will run only one car each at Sebring, as the manufacturer has encountered a few delays in delivering its F458s in time due to demand. Up against the Italian machines are two BMWs, considerably evolved versions of the M3s seen in 2010, the year the Bavarian manufacturer made its endurance comeback, and two Lotus Evoras. The latter, run by the Austrian team JetAlliance, signals the legendary British manufacturer’s return to long-distance racing. Nonetheless, like some of the F458 Italias, the Lotuses will not race at Sebring due to a lack of development time. Four out of the seven teams entered on a yearly basis will be present in Florida.

Two titles will be awarded at the end of the 2011 ILMC season in the LM GTE Pro category, one for manufacturers and the other for teams.