Dossier: 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours

This week all the eyes in the motorsports community turn to Le Mans. The 24 Hours race is here and completing its 80^th edition it definitely promises to play its role as one of the most exciting races in the world.

This year’s Le Mans 24 Hours will have 56 cars on the track making it a total of 168 drivers speeding through the straights and turns of the Le Sarthe circuit. From these 56 entrants, more than half are prototypes, 13 in LMP1, 20 in LMP2 and the unclassified Nissan DeltaWing selected by the ACO as the Garage 56 entry to demonstrate new and alternative technology.

Hybrid technology has invaded this year’s race with Audi running two diesel-hybrid R18 e-tron quattro, while Toyota is bringing two newly developed TS030 Hybrids. If one of these prototypes wins this weekend’s race it will be the first time a car with hybrid technology ever wins the Le Mans 24 Hours.

With its 13.629 km and 38 turns the Circuit des 24 Heures, also known as Circuit de la Sarthe, is a semi-permanent race course near Le Mans, France, and the stage of the most famous 24 Hours race in the world. The track can be considered one of the Automotive Meccas, but for that you can read what our writer Tom Mallet has to say.

Check here the full entry list of the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours.

LMP1

Audi and Toyota start as the main contenders in the top category of the Le Mans 24 Hours. With a total of 13 cars this year the LMP1 may offer fans an historic moment, as there is the possibility that a prototype with hybrid technology to take a first ever win at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Check the full LMP1 line-up

LMP2

Comparing to last year’s race the LMP2 field has almost doubled, from 11 entries to 20 this year. Oreca, Morgan, Lola, HPD, Zytek and Norma are the six chassis manufacturers on the lineup, while Nissan, Judd and Honda have supplied the engines. Zytek start as main candidates after last year’s win, but HPD could be the car to watch.

Check the full LMP2 line-up

LM GTE PRO

With BMW focusing on its DTM program, the GTE PRO category in Le Mans now comes down to four manufacturers: Corvette, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Porsche. It seems like everyone has a shot for win, which can make this category one of the most competitives of this year’s race.

Check the full GTE PRO line-up

LM GTE Am

For this year’s race the GTE-Am category has seen an influx of new arrivals, mainly from teams that competed in GTE-Pro in 2011. With 13 entries, all the cars in this category must be at least one year old and feature two FIA-rated Bronze or Silver drivers. The Corvette C6.R of Larbre Competition will be one of the main contenders, as the team will be defending last year’s victory.

Check the full GTE Am line-up