Michelin Le Mans Cup

[Mike E]

I know it's early days but have any teams been announced for this series? They made a point of not clashing with the French GT championship and even allowing teams to run with the same numbers in both series, so are they expecting most entrants to be French?

[Mike Hedlund]

I know of at least 3 teams running the series next year. But I don't think they've been announced yet. They should have a solid grid.

-mike

[Mike E]

Thanks, Mike.

[Deleted]

No the grid cannot be too big since Neveu said there will be artificial maximum limit of 45 spots in place at Le Mans for some reason (even though 61 are permitted for the track), and that number includes the oneoff LMP3s. Which could come up in hordes if the projected ELMS and other figures are to be trusted

Though in that same instance he and Fillion were still talking of three promised support races, incl the Legends, so they might backtrack on this 45 too. They better...

[Adam43]

...or else they'll be trouble.

[Deleted]

You may laugh all you want, but when certain LMP3s might get turned out because of some silly low number out of convenience, it is gonna suck to the involved parties as well.

You have seen the ELMS P3 projections for example? What if most of them not only materialized, but also wanted to race here? Entire program could be centered around that support race and getting there. Then theres the ASLMS, and the possible sprint series, and the other non ACO series (though ACO has already said no to them I think)

Thet could easily max it out, especially as I doubt Ferrari Challenge will reach 50 or possibly even 45 (didn't in 2013). In 2011 however, you had 63 entries in the Legends 1949-1965 race, and 50 in Ferrari Challenge.So it's no issue whatsoever acommodating such field.

Now one remaining question is whether ACO allows the LMP3s to actually win that race from GT3s. You know with the two being rather close in performance, and even more so if nothing is dumbed down for artificial gaps. It is the only ACO race in the world now after all which actually integrates non standardized visiting guest classes in it. Now you may so, 'well of course they will allow them win, P3 is their baby while GT3 is some filler in place of GT2'. But it is the biggest race of the season for this series and GT3s might moan for not being able to win it overall from outsidees... just like they have done when CNs and whatevers have ocassionally gone faster than them in other disciplines, imnediate bop outcry ensures from the babies...

So my hope is max grid with P3 in headline.

[Coach Ep]

Only full time ELMS and AsLMS P3 entrants are invited.

And I'd think the amateur/gentlemen driver capabilities are far more likely to make a difference than the sort of car they'll drive.

We'll see, it's only a support race.

[Deleted]

Support race at world's biggest racing event...

Because the ASLMS doesn't start until fall, you might see bunch of teams promising to commit fully on that to gain entry, only to "sadly having to withdraw from the series" later on without ever showing up.

ELMS, even if it's just full seasonal, might mean loads. And if there was theoretical huge influx of GT3s, like in BES or something few years ago, how would you even accomodate all P3s to the limited 45 slots, full season or not?

Plus ACO still says others may join if they so decide.
http://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/th...746_22604.html
No definitely no entry for mr Fillion from Vdev/FFSA/wherever

The drivers and squads do make most if the difference, but if the GT3s aren' artificially slowed down like has been the case until now, the two types will generally be quite close. Especiallt in 45 min sprint... and the two still have different cornering/acceleration behaviour, meaning accident possibilities.

[Mike E]

Maybe they said 45 max because they have no idea how many will turn up. If more apply they can accommodate them. Maybe.

[Deleted]

IIRC the AMR support race this year was already capped at 45 for some reason (though less than 40 showed up)

But if they did originally expect 3 support races, per the Neveu/Fillion interview, they surely had the eans for further capacity acommodations in the first place

[Mike E]

With Johnny Mowlem driving.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122131

[Deleted]

Some prize money
http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/ite...or-le-mans-cup

But more importantly, as apparently only bronzes will be able to qualify, that will make the GT3 time gap to LMGTE cars in the main race gigantic, which probably suits the ACO profile distinction between the two. Also gives LMP3s head start

[rich07]

The competitor receiving the least number of penalties over the course of the season will receive 40,000

Interesting. Haven't seen this in any other championship thus far.

[Jam3s]

Originally Posted by rich07

Interesting. Haven't seen this in any other championship thus far.

Given how inconsistent the ACO stewarding is, I can see this ruffling feathers over the course of the championship.

[Mike E]

Here is the garbled press release that informed that Racer article.

http://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/mi...746_22987.html