[Fogelhund]

From Speed TV.

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/alms/26627/

he Automobile Club d'Ouest (ACO), organizers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has announced the extinction of the "roadster" prototypes that have dominated the race in the past few years as, from 2010 onwards, only coupes will be allowed to compete in the event's top class, LMP1.

Current LMP1 specs allow for both coupes and open-top prototypes; however, by the current set of regulations, the roadsters have proven to have the competitive edge. In the last seven years, only one coupe - Bentley's EXP Speed 8 in 2003 - has claimed overall honors at La Sarthe.

The measure intends to make the top Le Mans machines more recognizable for the public as coupes look closer to road cars. The specs for the second prototype class, LMP2, will remain unaffected, allowing roadsters to race on in the junior category.

"People should be able to identify with the front-running technology of the 24 Hours of Le Mans," said ACO sporting director Daniel Poissenot. "We have discussed this with the manufacturers, and there will be no choice to have an open roof from 2010. Cars will still use the same engines and bottom chassis.

"This will be the spirit of Le Mans for the future."

The new regulations will also be in effect for all championships that abide to ACO's specs, including the American Le Mans Series in the U.S.