*Updated* Entrants for 24 Hours of Le Mans Show Strong Prototype Pack

*Update* Audi has released a statement clarifying a little more about its plans for this season. "The first test results are very encouraging and we are intrigued to see just how this technology performs in combination with our ultra lightweight technology on the race track at Le Mans. This is why we are absolutely delighted that the ACO and FIA selection committee has accepted our entries and that we can join the grid with four cars at the commemorative running of the Le Mans race,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. 

In today's announcement of entrants into the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans there were some major surprises and newcomers to the field. Prototypes make up a large contingent of cars this year with 21 entries split between LMP1 and LMP2.

There is one car that will be in the race but not competing for points this year – the Highcroft Racing Deltawing. The car is powered by a 1.6 liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engine with 300hp. It is meant to test car that is half the weight, uses half the fuel and uses half the tires as a standard LMP car. It is in the race this year to test the waters for sports car racing's future. 

We can say officially now that Audi will have a hybrid at Le Mans. The car uses the R18 chassis with a hybrid system. Audi has not revealed much about the car yet, but the main drivers will be Andre Lotterer and Allan McNish. Audi will also have two other non-hybrid R18s entered in the race. 

Audi will not present the R18 hybrid until the end of February, and it will make its competition debut at the 6 Hours of Spa. 

By now you all know plenty about the Toyota TS030 with its V8 petrol engine and hybrid system. Check out our other post for more information about its two-car Le Mans entry. 

The other big announcement for this season is the Honda HPD ARX 03a what will compete in the LMP1 class. Honda has not released any pictures or information about the car yet. The cars will be campaigned by Strakka Racing and JRM with drivers Nick Leventis and David Brabham, respectively for each team. 

Rounding out the rest of the class are a variety privateer cars with Toyota, Judd and Mazda power. 

“In 2012, the Le Mans 24 Hours will, more than ever before, pursue its vocation as a test bed for the most daring innovators and visionary manufacturers. Thus, Audi and Toyota will cross swords with hybrid-powered cars, the new challenge of the eightieth race," said Jean-Claude Plassart, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.

The LMP2 class should almost be called the Nissan-powered class this year. Of the 18 cars entered, 11 are Nissan-powered Oreca, Lola and Zytek chassis cars. The other standouts in the field are the two Morgan-Judd cars and the two Honda HPD ARX 03b cars. There is also a factory entered Lotus-powered Lola. 

There are four reserve cars in the class in case any of the teams fail to make it into the big race. One is a hybrid Oreca and the other is another Lotus-powered Lola. The other three reserves are Judd-powered Lolas and Orecas. 

Compared to the action in the prototype categories, the GT cars are quite boring this year. There are just 9 cars entered in the GTE Pro class. Four of them are Ferrari 458 Italias. There are two factory-entered Corvette ZR1s, and a factory-entered Aston Martin Vantage V8. The two other cars in the class are 911 RSRs. 

The GTE Am class has 13 entries this year, plus four reserve cars. The field is made up of two Corvettes, five Porsche 911 RSRs, five Ferrari 458 Italias and a lone Aston Martin Vantage V8. The reserve cars are two Porsche 911 RSRs, an Aston Martin Vantage V8 and a Lotus Evora GTE. 

If you want to download the entire entry list, a pdf is available here. The ACO also put together a video promoting the race that you can view below.