ELMS – Longer races and a new event in 2014

The European Le Mans Series evolves in continuity. After turning things around in 2013 following a disastrous season, the organizers of the discipline announced that the events would go from a three to four hour format. As a result, the organizers have chosen to return to specific meetings and will therefore no longer share the circuits with the GT Tour FFSA and the World Series by Renault as is the case this year. “We wanted to respond to these requests, and associated with a list of participants which promises to be more extensive in 2014, this modification in the organization of the weekends ELMS does not allow us to continue the partnership we had established with Renault”, explains Gérard Neveu, the general manager of Le Mans Endurance Management.

The teams will carry out pre-season testing at Le Castellet at the start of April before starting the season at Silverstone on April 18 and 19. The ELMS paddock is then expected to return to Imola on May 10 and 11, but these dates have yet to be confirmed. THE Red Bull Ring (July 19 and 20) and Paul Ricard (September 13 and 14) are also on the program, but Hungary disappears in favor of Portugal which will host the season finale in Estoril (October 11 and 12). “The 2014 calendar is very interesting. It is a further step in the evolution of the championship.", underlines Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO. “More running time and longer races will also allow teams to have greater exposure. The 2013 season was a fantastic springboard for endurance racing in Europe, and 2014 will be even stronger. We are expecting many of you at Silverstone for the opening round. »

Provisional calendar 2014 European Le Mans Series:

1/2 April – Collective tests Paul Ricard FRA
April 18/19 – Round 1 Silverstone GBR
May 10/11 – Round 2 Imola ITA (date awaiting confirmation)
July 19/20 – Round 3 Red Bull Ring AUT
September 13/14 – Round 4 Paul Ricard FRA
October 11/12 – Round 5 Estoril PRT