LMP3: a training ground for future stars

The class was added in 2015, on the initiative of the ACO. As organiser of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the ACO sees the new class as a stepping-stone towards LMP2 and even LMP1. LMP3 regulations are devised to keep the cost of competing to a minimum. The price of the car may not exceed €206,000. All cars in the class have the same engine, a normally aspirated 420 bhp Nissan V8 supplied by Oreca. X-!trac provides the gearbox. For the chassis/body assembly, however, teams can choose from six constructors: Adess, Dome, Ginetta, Ligier, Norma and Riley. LMP3s were introduced to the European and Asian Le Mans Series in 2015. Last year, they appeared in the United States in support races at some of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship rounds. They are also eligible to compete alongside GT3s in the Michelin Le Mans Cup. Two 55-minute legs of this competition – dubbed “Road to Le Mans” – will in fact be contested on the Thursday and the Saturday morning before the 24 Hours of Le Mans, giving contenders a first taste of the eclectic spirit of Le Mans!

All roads lead to the 24 Hours of Le Mans

The ACO has established championships across the world with the intention of diversifying the competitor base for the FIA World Endurance Championship and revealing new talent. The European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and the Asian Le Mans Series (Asian LMS) enable novice drivers to work their way up through the ranks. In North America, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship plays a similar role. The best teams in each championship earn an invitation to take part in the next 24 Hours of Le Mans.

European Le Mans Series

The ACO founded the ELMS – then called the Le Mans Endurance Series – in 2004 and instilled the values that underpin the success of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Originally consisting of 1000-km races with the four classes of car eligible for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the ELMS championship is now made up of six 4-hour rounds and is open to LMP2s, LMP3s and LMGTEs.

The winners of the LMP2 and LMP3 classes, and the winner and runner-up of the LMGTE class, are invited to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, if certain conditions are fulfilled.

Asian Le Mans Series

The idea for an Asian championship was initially brandished in 1999. After some trial and error, the Asian Le Mans Series was finally launched in 2013. The 2018–19 season of this championship, open to LMP2, LMP3, GT (LMGTE, GT3 and GT300) and GT Cup (amateur driver) classes, will comprise four 4­­‑hour races held in China, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia between November 2018 and February 2019. Until this year, the winners of the LMP2 and LMP3 classes, and the winner and runner-up of the GT class, were awarded an entry into the 24 Hours of Le Mans (subject to conditions). From next year, however, the best team in these classes will be joined by the winner of the newly created LMP2 Amateur trophy.

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

Formerly known as the American Le Mans Series, this championship began in 1999. Like its Asian counterpart, the American championship has undergone several changes over the years. The current format is a twelve-round championship featuring races of various lengths, run on the best-known circuits in North America. There are three classes of car in this championship: Prototype (LMP2 or equivalent), GT Le Mans (LMGTE Pro) and GT Daytona (GT3 sportscars modified for racing, but to a lesser extent than LMGTEs).

Two teams from the North American championship, whose drivers have won the Bob Akin and Jim Trueman trophies awarded to the best amateur drivers, are designated by the IMSA to contest the following year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans (in LMP2 and LMGTE Am).