Sepang, the venue for the final round of the 2018-19 Asian Le Mans Series on 23 February 2019, was also the setting for a key announcement for the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, its circuits and races. Pierre Fillon, ACO President, signed a friendship agreement with Susumu Yamashita, President of Mobilityland, uniting the Le Mans and Suzuka circuits for the next three years. The French and Japanese racetracks are major landmarks in the realm of motorsport and share many values, so it was only natural that they should join forces. The friendship agreement promises an array of benefits that will become apparent at numerous events and races.

The first, powerful symbol of the alliance will take the form of a trophy : Le Mans will have the honour of awarding a trophy at the Suzuka 8 Hours, while Suzuka will present a trophy at the 24H Motos. Both trophies will be designed to evoke the links between Le Mans and Suzuka, two major rounds for World Endurance Championship FIM EWC.

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest : “Today, thanks to Mr Yamashita and his staff, the signature of this friendship agreement with Suzuka marks the start of a robust and rewarding relationship between our circuits. We have many things in common, like Endurance, speed, safety and racing on two wheels or four, yet we each retain our own special character. Until now, it was the competitors who raced on our tracks who forged the link between us but, with this agreement, our respective organisations will actively strengthen those ties. These splendid trophies are the first sign of the concerted action Le Mans and Suzuka now intend to pursue.''
 
Susumu Yamashita, President of Mobilityland Corporation : “Mobilityland Corporation are very pleased to announce that We have concluded a Friendship Agreement with Automobile Club de L’ouest (ACO) today (Feb. 23rd, 2019). Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) has an unprecedented history of motor sports worldwide including The Le Mans 24 Heures Motos. We sincerely hope that this agreement will be of great significance for the Japanese and Asian motor sports as well as for us who hold The Suzuka 8hours. We will continue to cooperate with ACO and deepen our mutual relationship in order to carry out further development. '

(Illustration David Chua Seag)