Michelin Le Mans Cup

Mike E · 18 Nov 2015, 18:58 (Ref:3591316)

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 · 18 Nov 2015, 19:01 (Ref:3591317)

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 · 18 Nov 2015, 19:08 (Ref:3591320)

Thanks, Mike.

Deleted · 18 Nov 2015, 19:11 (Ref:3591321)

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** · 18 Nov 2015, 22:24 (Ref:3591346)

...or else they'll be trouble.

Deleted · 19 Nov 2015, 13:12 (Ref:3591485)

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 · 19 Nov 2015, 13:31 (Ref:3591489)

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 · 19 Nov 2015, 13:51 (Ref:3591492)

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 · 19 Nov 2015, 19:11 (Ref:3591555)

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

Deleted · 19 Nov 2015, 19:22 (Ref:3591560)

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 · 4 Dec 2015, 17:03 (Ref:3595497)

With Johnny Mowlem driving.

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

Deleted · 16 Dec 2015, 23:26 (Ref:3598247)

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 · 16 Dec 2015, 23:54 (Ref:3598250)

Quote:

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 · 17 Dec 2015, 00:56 (Ref:3598262)

Quote:

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 · 17 Dec 2015, 12:27 (Ref:3598345)

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

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

Deleted · 17 Dec 2015, 12:31 (Ref:3598347)

Lol the opening chapter, they're not even pretending LMGTE to be any different from GT3 BoP wise anymore. Just few years ago people like Patrick Peter and ACO faces were still saying otherwise and how hard GT3 would be to manage in comparison to GTE.

But I guess honesty is nice, rather than lying, so good for em.

antonylight · 17 Dec 2015, 16:08 (Ref:3598390)

They have a website under construction at www.michelinlemanscup.com where one can sign up for a newsletter.
There is also a Twitter site: @Gt3Lmc

Deleted · 17 Dec 2015, 17:37 (Ref:3598418)

Hopefully there will be a press section for the oneoff LMP3 guests in the website.

Deleted · 17 Dec 2015, 20:02 (Ref:3598446)

"Bailey-man" intends to bring his Adess P3 to the LM support race.
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/...ss-03-in-2016/

Deleted · 24 Dec 2015, 15:23 (Ref:3599979)

ACO has confirmed that the series will be televised, and by the ELMS team, so the LM support round (all I care for) should then go to Motors/Eurosport and/or live streaming. Good

NaBUru38 · 25 Dec 2015, 22:55 (Ref:3600197)

Quote:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122272

Series organiser the Automobile Club de l'Ouest has confirmed that gold-ranked drivers will be permitted to compete.

The original idea was that the series would be limited to silver and bronze pilots, although a driver categorised as bronze will be mandatory in each line-up.

Great, because gold drivers didn't have enough championships to run...

pablocomics · 26 Dec 2015, 12:25 (Ref:3600255)

I've heared that Teo Martin team will be on the grid with their new BMW M6

Deleted · 28 Dec 2015, 23:00 (Ref:3600629)

I've been looking around at the confirmed-for-ELMS - or elsewhere - LMP3 teams and which of them have already shown more direct interest towards the Le Mans support round (besides just CPB Sport as per few posts earlier)

Oak-'Ligier' from Duquine Engineering seems likely, last piece
http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/yan...l-faut-gagner/

Oak-'Ligier' from Extreme Limite Paris (my favorite Minardi wannabe is back!!

) is likely as they mention specifically 'Le Mans' on FB
https://www.facebook.com/TeamExtremeLimite

Race Performance has the race listed in it's calendar (has bunch of other stuff too, like WEC, so not sure how serious all of that is). But they do own Oak-'Ligier' P3 now too so maybe
http://race-performance.com/20152016-season-calendar-2/
http://www.autonewsinfo.com/2015/12/...ne-177584.html

The other, you know the MILLION other LMP3s showing currently interest particularly in Europe, we shall see, interesting times!

There are so many French teams popping up that the French Invasion (Revolution?) is almost inevitable.

Some LMP3-owning teams like Panis-Barthez and S024 are intending to enter LMP2s for the 24 hours, so maybe bring along the LMP3s too if you're there anyway.

Deleted · 22 Jan 2016, 20:37 (Ref:3607209)

Loads of LMP3 announcements have been coming through again, but none directly announcing intents for LM support race participation.

However, this is weird, as United Autosports seems to be entering GT3 for the said LM round only (not championship=, presumably expecting to get it because of their full season LMP3 campaign in ELMS. Class trade in?
http://united-autosports.com/burgan-...gt3-programme/

Unless they plan to enter LMP3s for the race after all (why not since they're gonna be there regardless?) but haven't just announced it yet, and this GT3 is just an addition to that.

All, of course subject to ACO selection.

MaskedRacer · 26 Jan 2016, 20:28 (Ref:3608251)

Will LMP3 and GT3 be balanced in performance. Would a car in either category have a shot at the overall win? I've heard nothing of this yet.

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