The ACO presents the 2013 Asian Le Mans Series

After'ELMS (European Le Mans Series) and the ALMS (American Le Mans Series), the ACO will launch a new continental series next year: The Asian Le Mans Series. Six three-hour races are scheduled in three different countries, with a start in China, in Zhuhai, at the end of April, and an end in Indonesia, in Sentul, at the beginning of December.

Two categories of cars admitted to the 24 Hours of Le Mans (LM P2 and LM GTE) will be supplemented by another GT (GTC) and one Prototype, the LM PC (Le Mans Prototype Challenge). The GTC category will be made up of cars homologated in FIA GT3 and Super GT300; a balance of performance concerning this class will be defined by the ACO.

To allow a maximum of Asian competitors to become more experienced in endurance events with crews of two or three drivers (number of your choice but they must always contain an amateur and a professional), it will be imposed that at least each The team includes a native of the continent in each category. This should encourage the emergence of new talents but also help some professional drivers in need of driving.

Three invitations to participate in the 24 2014 Hours of Le Mans will be offered to the winners of the LM P2, LM GTE and GTC categories (the winners in GTC are responsible for lining up at Le Mans in GTE Am) in 2013. The victorious team in LM PC will have an invitation to participate in the Test Day of the 24 2014 Hours of Le Mans.

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest has entrusted this new series to promoters with a strong local presence. Mark Thomas' company S2M, already a partner of the ACO in Zhuhai in 2010 and 2011 and present in China since 1999, is in charge of commercial and marketing activities. “In reality, today marks the beginning of the considerable work that remains to be done to create a successful Asian Le Mans Series, admits the latter. Together with the teams and our partners, we are building one of the most beautiful championships in Asia. » Top Speed ​​Motors & Sport, a company managed by Davide De Gobbi and established in Shanghai since 2005, will be in charge of the logistics and operational organization of the competitions. The ACO will support this new championship for its launch in 2013 with its technical control and official teams.

The 2013 Asian Le Mans Series calendar:
April 28: Zhuhai (China)
May 26: Shanghai (China)
July 7: Ordos (China)
August 4: Inje / Autopia (South Korea)
September 22: Mount Fuji (Japan)
December 8: Sentul (Indonesia)