ELMS – 2014 calendar finalized, track time extended

“We have had a lot of discussions with the teams currently registered, and the changes to the regulations that we have implemented reflect the wishes of the teams” announces Gérard Neveu, director of theELMS. To give new impetus to the series, the governing bodies have looked into various improvements, particularly on the sporting level.

First big change for next season, the composition of the crews in each car. The ELMS divides each driver into four categories according to their level: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. To standardize the series as much as possible and offer more opportunities for fans to race, the organizers have determined the following rules for 2014:

– In LM P2, for a crew of two to three drivers, at least one participant classified Silver or Bronze must be entered. No change compared to 2013
– In LM PC, a maximum of one Gold or Platinum driver can ride in a crew of two competitors.
– Finally in GTE and GTC, at least one Silver or Bronze, with the possibility of racing two Bronze drivers.

ELMS officials have also planned more running time for competitors. The tests will last four hours instead of three this year. The two free practice sessions of the first day will see their duration increase by 30 minutes (90 compared to 60 currently). On race day, qualifying will last 20 minutes. Which, in the end, increases the maximum possible time on the track to 440 minutes compared to 320 today. “Economically, this is interesting for everyone. » explains Gérard Neveu.

Finally, the provisional schedule has been defined. After the official Paul Ricard tests on April 1 and 2, 2014, the Imola and Estoril rounds were postponed by a week to finally take place on May 17-18 and October 18-19. The races will take place on Sunday except for the season opener at Silverstone (Saturday April 19), which will be held at a joint meeting with the WEC.

Provisional ELMS 2014 calendar (subject to validation)
April 1-2: official Paul Ricard tests
April 18-19: Silverstone
May 17-18: Imola
July 19-20: Red Bull Ring
September 13-14: Paul Ricard
October 18-19: Estoril