Le Mans Series creates new category

The ACO has announced a new, more affordable category for the Le Mans Series. The theory behind it seems to be similar to GT Challenge category introduced to the American Le Mans Series.

The new category will rear its head in 2012, with the 2010 and 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Ferrari F430 Challenge and Lotus Evora GT4/GTC cars being eligible.

A maximum of one professional driver will accompany up to two amateur drivers in the five 1000km races scheduled for 2012.

A welcome boost for the new category is the interest shown by Sebastian Loeb. The seven-time WRC world champion already has a 911 GT3 car and has registered an interest with the organisers. Loeb said his team will be running in the Porsche Supercup next year and as the car is eligible for the GTC class “another programme could come online as a compliment.”

One concern for the competitors and the organisers will be a number of high profile accidents suffered at the 2011 Le Mans 24 hour race, which involved some of the faster prototypes colliding with GT cars. Organisers were not able to comment but the lack of the fastest ‘LMP1’ cars will reduce the risk.

It is expected that roughly ten GTC cars will compete for class honours next season, boosting numbers from the already healthy entry in 2011.