24 Hours of Le Mans
ACO confirms GT1 for 2010; LMP1 rules for 2011
After meeting with the constructors racing or being interested to race at Le Mans and in the various Le Mans Series in Paris today, the ACO announced several decisions for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
First of all the ACO announced the equalization of air restrictors for open and closed cars for 2011. As a result the advantage of the closed cars should have been reduced and both type of cars should be on the same level of competition. The announcement of the ACO is as follows:
“In the context of the new 2011 rules, entrants in LM P with an open or closed body will therefore set off on an equal footing. Results of studies carried out by the ACO technical consultants confirm that the aerodynamic advantages as from now offset the constraints linked to maintaining a maximum temperature in the cockpit of closed cars.”
“Furthermore, the problems linked to windscreen wipers, condensation, etc. are from now on appreciated by everyone. Lastly, the time in pit stops, extended as a result of the new rules concerning tyre changes, no longer gives an advantage to open cars, as used to be the case.”
“It was therefore essential to confirm this decision here and now, so as to allow the constructors to adopt a position with regard to their choice of new cars to be constructed for 2011.”
Furthermore the ACO also confirmed that the GT1 class continues to exist in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as the Le Mans Series. All cars that are eligible for the FIA GT1 World Championship will be accepted to race in 2010.
According to the ACO three constructors have confirmed their intention to race at Le Mans in 2010. The manufacturers will also have to run their cars in the European and Asian Le Mans Series, an absolute requirement to be invited to Le Mans. All teams that have won an automatic entry for Le Mans will be joining them, which means the ACO expects some 8-10 cars on the grid of the 24 Hours in June 2010.
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Why have a class for tuner-built cars? Nissan doesn’t seem that serious about the GTR in GT1 anyway.
‘All cars that are eligible for the FIA GT1 World Championship will be accepted to race in 2010.’
The ACO is that desperate to fill the GT1-class?
Well that’s alright you know..I do like GT1; you can see the difference in performance with you eyes close – from a GT2.
But if they end up keeping GT2, the category should be reclassify as GT and ACO should be less rigorous on specifications or rules.
I was at Petit and GT2 clearly shows to be an obstacle on the track for LMP’s..there a huge gap. Even the Corvette is not nearly what is was.
ya but i think that is what it should be. the GT’s are supposed to be very slow relatively to the P’s. it makes it more interesting to watch and to be in.
GT1 should have been skipped, the new WC GT1 cars are likely to be slower than Gt2..
“advantage of the closed cars should have been reduced” will be reduced then?
3 constructors in LMP1? GT1?
The new WC GT1 cars are FASTER then the GT2’s ( cfr. this year in the FIA GT championship ). So, why should they have been skipped? Why are they accepted? Super GT in Japan will follow the rules of WC GT1 from 2011 on, so by then it’s possible to have Honda and Lexus in GT1 too.
Micky, don’t be so negative about this…
I think this is outstanding for the sport!
gt1 ok, be nice to see a maserati mc12 or two. will they be accepted now it says ALL FIA GT cars are allowed in? surely if they let that joke team JLOC in in for 2009 [what a debacle], the maserati should be given a go.
I hope Maserati is allowed in. They did everything in the FIA-GT Series. The only thing left on the list is Le Mans. That’s if it was on there list…
For some reason, I see Maserati moving up to a LMP class in the future, if they get tired of GT1.
GT2 are an obstacle now, but in 2011 P1 will be slowed down as well…they will have P2 engines. So it should all work out.
this is great! ACO..AUDI’s mama’s boy.
Now Audi will have to make only minor modifications to its R15 TDI because the ACO feels they won’t come back but they do penalize close cockpit.
The move on the part of the ACO follows threats by Audi not to continue with its prototype program next year if it was forced to make major changes.
“We think this is not enough,” he said. “The aerodynamic benefit will still be there. Audi can change the angle of the flap to recover the downforce. We believe the modifications will not have a big affect or will have no affect at all.”
if the MC12 will be allowed for next year World GT1, Bartles team for sure will be at Le Mans with Maserati ! can’t wait for that
The MC12 is wider and longer than a GT car is supposed to be. It has prototype dimensions. Result: better downforce and grip. So it’s not an even playing field for the other GT1 cars. Corvette is only holding up because of their deep research budget.
MC 12 was shortened by it is still too long and wide.
The closed cockpit cars are not penalized. they always had a bigger restrictor (horsepower for the AC unit). The ACo just made everything equal now.
A closed cockpit has better aerodynamics anyway so it evens out.
Why are we discussing a Maserati MC12? It’s not a 2010 GT1 car…
So far, Lamborghini (Reiter), Ford (Matech) and Nissan (Nismo) have confirmed 2010 cars.
Jake, the ACO was clear, all FIA GT1 2010 can race at Le Mans, if SRO and the FIA allow Maserati in World GT1, so the MC12 could compete at Le Mans too, as simple as that, the same for the DBR9 and C6.R GT1
Yes but I thought they weren’t allowing current GT1 into world GT1? GT1 2010 are wholly different regulations.
and as far as i know, the FIA havent released their 2010 regs, so we have to wait and see what their regs are to see what LMS regs will be. correct me if i am wrong please…
Why not build modern day equivalents to say the Ferrari 512S Spyder. Open top(no AC required) yet good aerodynamics!
Just be nice to see a full grid again this year – hopefully without the Lambo that should have lost its place to a more deserving team who would have at least tried to race…
ya, like look at the Aston, they had HUGE problems early on, but they came back for 3rd place and their fastest lap was like 2 seconds faster than the Luc Alphand Vettes and only 8 tenths off the Factory Vettes. so they at least put in an effort. the Lambo didn’t even do theat
they should add the k plus saleen of ryan sharp and karl wenlinger to that list they didnt win the championship but there really fast