ELMS – The regulations are changing for 2015

With the arrival of a new category on the European grid Le Mans Series in 2015 – Le Mans Prototypes 3 (LMP3) – the regulations concerning the crew composition rule, the maximum and minimum driving time and the duration of refueling stops have been clarified.

It has also been confirmed that the winning drivers in the LMP3 category will be offered an LMP2 test in a Nissan Junior Team and that the team that wins the category will receive an entry ticket to the 24 2016 Hours of Le Mans in LMP2, if so much so that more than three cars entered this category in ELMS next season.

Composition of the crews:

A 3-pilot crew must be composed as follows:

– one Platinum pilot and two Bronze pilots,

– a Gold pilot, a Bronze and a Silver or a second Bronze,

– three Bronze or Silver drivers

A 2-pilot crew must be composed as follows:

– a Platinum pilot and a Bronze pilot,

– a Gold pilot and a Bronze or Silver,

– two Bronze or Silver pilots

Pit stop times

Pit stop times for LMP3s during the race:

The minimum pit stop time for refueling and/or driver changes is 1 minute and 30 seconds (pit entry loop – pit exit loop).**

The minimum stopping time (pit entry loop – pit exit loop) for any other operation is 2 minutes and 30 seconds.**

the final value will be confirmed after the LMP3 fuel filling test**

Supply towers

Any competitor entering two cars in LMP3 or one car in LMP2 and one in LMP3 will be required to use only one refueling tower.

Driving time

For crews composed of 2 pilots:

– maximum driving time for a Gold or Platinum driver: 1 hour 40 minutes

– minimum driving time for a Bronze or Silver driver: 2h20 minutes

If the crew does not include a Gold or Platinum driver:

– minimum driving time for a Bronze or Silver driver: 1h40 minutes

For crews composed of 3 pilots:

– maximum driving time for a Gold or Platinum driver: 1 hour 40 minutes

– minimum driving time for a Bronze or Silver driver: 0h40 minutes

Driving times for LMP2 and GTC categories

Changes have also been made to the maximum and minimum driving times for the crews of the LMP2 and GTC teams entered. All other driving times indicated in the 2014 regulations remain unchanged.

Driving time in LMP2

For crews made up of 3 pilots, if the crew includes 2 Platinum or Gold pilots:

– maximum driving time for a Gold or Platinum driver: 1 hour 30 minutes

– minimum driving time for a Gold or Platinum driver: 0h40 minutes

– minimum driving time for a Bronze or Silver driver: 1h30 minutes

If the crew is made up of 1 Platinum or Gold pilot:

– maximum driving time for a Gold or Platinum driver: 1 hour 40 minutes

– minimum driving time for a Bronze or Silver driver: 0h40 minutes

If the crew does not include a Gold or Platinum driver:

– minimum driving time for a Bronze or Silver driver: 0h40 minutes

For crews composed of 2 pilots:

– maximum driving time for a Gold or Platinum driver 1 hour 40 minutes

– minimum driving time for a Bronze or Silver driver: 2h20 minutes

Driving time in GTC only

Each relay must have a maximum duration of 50 minutes

For crews composed of 2 pilots:

– minimum driving time per driver: 1h30 minutes

For crews composed of 3 pilots including a Gold or a Platinum:

– maximum driving time for a Gold or Platinum driver: 1 hour 15 minutes

– minimum driving time for a Silver driver: 0h45 minutes

– minimum driving time for a Bronze driver: 1h30 minutes

For crews composed of 3 pilots without any Gold or Platinum pilot:

– minimum driving time for the Bronze driver(s) combined: 1h30 minutes

Compared to the 2014 sporting regulations, the other driving times in the 2015 sporting regulations remain unchanged.

Tire manufacturers

For the LMGTE and GTC categories, the sole tire supplier will be announced before the end of 2014.

Invitations to the 24 Hours of Le Mans

The automatic invitation of the teams having won their category for the 24 2016 Hours of Le Mans is confirmed for five of the teams entered in the 2015 ELMS season.

– The 1st LMP2 will be invited to participate in the 24 2016 Hours of Le Mans

– The 1st and 2nd LMGTE will be invited to participate in the 24 2016 Hours of Le Mans

– The 1st GTC will be invited to participate in the 24 2016 Hours of Le Mans in LMGTE Am

– The 1st LMP3 will be invited to participate in the 24 2016 Hours of Le Mans in LMP2. It is imperative that more than three cars are entered for the season, and that they have participated in all the events of the 2015 ELMS season.

Commitment 2015

Teams wishing to enter the 2015 European Le Mans Series will be able to download the entry form from the official website www.europeanlemansseries.com from December 20, 2014, the official opening date for entries to the series. Application files must be returned before January 27, 2015, the list of entrants will be revealed in February.