ELMS – Vincent Beaumesnil takes stock of the LM P3

Vincent, can you remind us of the ACO?s objectives with the creation of LM P3?

“We have a long-term vision for the LM P3 category. It is indeed essential as a vehicle for access to our endurance pyramid. It will thus make it possible to bring new teams and young aspiring drivers into the discipline, for whom this is an essential step in our ?endurance driver sector?. In addition, the LM P3 will attract gentlemen drivers wishing to start prototypes in order to discover cars other than GTs while having a taste of endurance and why not, in the long term, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The perfect example is Sir Chris Hoy (six-time Olympic medal-winning cyclist), who will compete in the Championship this year ELMS with the ambition of taking the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016.
So we are offering everyone a real Le Mans-type prototype? a small closed LM P1! ? for a budget much lower than that required for an entry in a National GT Championship. Currently, according to the various simulations carried out, you have to count on €400 to €450 to compete in an all-inclusive ELMS season, which is extremely reasonable.

Can you take stock of the progress of the various projects?

Three chassis manufacturers have confirmed the production of cars. The first announced is Ginetta. The car exists. We are in the approval and crash test phases. There will be Ginetta-Nissans at the official ELMS pre-season tests scheduled at Le Castellet (March 23 and 24) and in competition from the start of the season. The schedule is respected. LAS Motorsport has also embarked on the creation of an LM P3. This is the association of the firm specialized in racing car design ADESS EG, of the Sébastien team Loeb Racing that we no longer need to present and from the Mayenne prototype manufacturer, SORA Racing. The third entity currently creating an LM P3 chassis is the association of AVE Motorsports with Riley Technologies. A great specialized American company which has focused on LM P3s. And we are expecting great news with the upcoming announcement by another prestigious manufacturer of the creation of its own car.
Oreca, for its part, provides all customer service related to the powertrain. Development of the Nissan engine (8 horsepower naturally aspirated V420) is nearing completion at Nismo in Japan. Reliable and inexpensive engines that will last 10 km between two services. X-Trac supplies the gearboxes. Michelin is the sole supplier of tires to guarantee sporting ethics and maintain costs.

Everything is in working order for the 2015 season to start without a hitch; several firm orders have been received from certain manufacturers. LAS Motorsport and Riley Technologies, who declared themselves after Ginetta, are working hard to supply their cars as quickly as possible. These are three serious and very high quality manufacturers.
We should have between six and nine LM P3s on the starting grid for the 4 Hours of Silverstone ELMS on April 11.

Will these cars be eligible for a number of championships?

Yes of course. But first I would like to point out that the pre-season tests at Le Castellet, obligatory for all teams entered in ELMS, are not obligatory for LM P3 following the delay in drafting the regulations. It is up to the manufacturers and teams to finalize their agreements but we do not want to constrain them with these March tests.

I also confirm that the LM P3s will be able to take part in the Test Day of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (May 31, 2015) subject to availability of places. The teams must be very vigilant regarding the entry procedures on this day.

The ELMS Championship is confirmed. The regulations are published. We have put in place specific rules to contain costs, such as those allowing teams to contain the number of workers on the cars with a minimum refueling time. The car is also eligible for the 2015 Asian Le Mans Series, the calendar and sporting regulations of which will be communicated later. But I can say that to date we are in advanced negotiations concerning the registration of several LM P3 cars in Asia.

We are of course targeting the United States. Our partner,IMSA, is aware of the existence of this car and we regularly discuss the subject. And let's not forget that national championships are very interested in it, like the V de V. Endurance Series. We could see LM P3s racing there this season. What we are currently seeing for a first season is above our forecasts!

What will be the prize money for LM P3 competitors?

The victorious driver(s) of the LM P3 Drivers' Championship in ELMS will be offered by Nissan a test in LM P2. This is a strong sign: we know the dynamism of Nissan in its pilot program; Nissan is entering LM P1 this year. A real opportunity is thus offered to be evaluated by a factory team. The winning team in the LM P3 team classification in ELMS will win an invitation to the 24 Hours of Le Mans the following year in LM P2, provided it is also entered in one of our series. When we currently see how expensive places are to register for this race, this is an exceptional endowment. For the Asian, it is too early to talk about prizes, but we will do so as soon as the regulations are finalized. »