A few weeks ago, Dutch agency CREVENTIC announced its plans for a series of endurance races for prototypes from 2017, with a triple-header of three-hour races at Dubai Autodrome in January on the support bill of the Hankook 24H DUBAI as a trial event. Teams currently running prototypes in competition were first contacted with further information about CREVENTIC’s plans during the ELMS round at Spa-Francorchamps (Sept. 23-25). Many positive reactions were received. During that weekend, the first articles about the proposed series also were published in the press.

“For a long time, teams owning and running prototypes have been asking us for permission to take part in our events with their cars, but so far, we have always kept our races exclusively open for GTs and touring cars”, CREVENTIC’s Ivo Breukers explains. “The speed and weight difference were the reason for us to say ‘no’ to prototypes running together with other cars in our events, but then, teams kept asking us whether why couldn’t organise races for prototypes as well. As a result, we talked with many prototype manufacturers such as Wolf, Ginetta, Radical and Onroak, and it became apparent that some of the customers of these manufacturers would be interested in endurance races organised by us. This prompted us to go ahead with the plans for our series and for a trial event in Dubai, news that was met with great enthusiasm in the Spa paddock, where we spoke with all the prototype teams who expressed their interest in taking part. Other teams were approached in different ways. All the teams were enthusiastic, not only outfits running LMP3 cars, but also teams with Group CN cars, Radicals and similar machinery.”

Last week, CREVENTIC received an e-mail from the Automobile Club de l’Ouest with the announcement that a letter via registered mail would follow. In the mean time, the ACO sent a statement to various media outlets, which is based on false information and contains many errors. Therefore CREVENTIC would like to respond to this statement from ACO. Below, quotes in italics are from the ACO statement, followed by CREVENTIC’s response in bold.

 ___________ ACO statement and CREVENTIC’s response _______

“Following the announcement and various statements made by the Dutch company CREVENTIC, about the creation of the 24H Proto Series, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) wishes to make the following clarification:

“The ACO intends to respond and denies having agreed with CREVENTIC on the organization of a racing series in 2017 called “24 Proto Series”, which is open to LMP3.“

CREVENTIC never claimed that it has an agreement with ACO. CREVENTIC does not need approval from ACO to organize the “24h Proto Series”

 “The ACO denies having granted to CREVENTIC the LMP3 brand, as well as LMP3 technical regulations, which are its exclusive property”.

CREVENTIC never declared that ACO granted any right to use the LMP3 band or any ACO regulations. CREVENTIC or any party does not require the permission of ACO to organize a racing event that welcomes LMP3 type cars.

“Similarly, the use of the list of LMP3 competitors entered in ELMS, as that of future events organized by the Dutch company, was made without the knowledge and against the will of the ACO.

CREVENTIC is not obliged, nor has it agreed with ACO, to share its provisional entry list with ACO. All the teams on the provisional entry list expressed their interest for the event during a personal meeting and/or have registered through our site http://www.24hprotoseries.com

“On this point, as on the above, the ACO strongly denies and reserves to defend its rights.”

The ACO then intend to defend their intellectual property within the LMP3 ‘brand’ and its associated regulations from other racing organisations who intend to promote races and series without prior discussion with them.”

CREVENTIC has tried to clarify this matter with ACO on a personal level in order to prevent any legal dispute with ACO. Unfortunately, ACO has decided to take legal steps against CREVENTIC and demands that it renounces from the organisation of the 24H PROTO SERIES and refrains from using the LMP3 name. CREVENTIC will defend its position and at the same time try to reach an amicable solution with ACO.

The proposed 24H PROTO SERIES is open for various prototypes such as Group CN cars, prototype cars from one-make series such as the Radical Cup and, also but by no means exclusively, prototype cars built by various manufacturers and commonly known as LMP3 cars. These are currently racing in the European Le Mans Series, for which the ACO is the promoter, but also in series like the VdeV Endurance Series, Supercar Challenge, previously in the French GT championship and various club-level series in Europe and the United States.

CREVENTIC’s Ivo Breukers explains: “A series with twelve-hour races for prototypes does not yet exist and we are convinced that it meets a demand that can currently be identified in the motorsport world. Many of the teams we have spoken to make it clear that they are happy to see more races for prototype cars coming up, as it is good for their business model, too. We provide a lot of mileage at an attractive rate.”

“In a few weeks CREVENTIC will announce the circuits on which the rounds of the  24H PROTO SERIES will take place. We are convinced that this initiative will help to strengthen the position of prototype racing in Europe and provide additional opportunities for teams and drivers to race these cars and thus enhance the team’s business model. We already know of teams now running GT cars who are seriously interested in running prototypes as well and have asked for quotations from prototype manufacturers. This could also add to the popularity and potential participants for other series as well, from which the sport in general, teams, organisers and fans will benefit.

 “In general,” Breukers says, “CREVENTIC has a passion for endurance racing and it is our aim to share this passion with as many people as possible. Manufacturers, teams, drivers and fans are happy with our initiatives and this latest one only helps to strengthen the prototype racing scene, rather than doing any harm to it. We remain a simple, small and open-minded organisation and our door is always open for any parties willing to co-operate with us, and it goes without saying that that includes the ACO.”

3x3H DUBAI as a trial event

In January, 2017, CREVENTIC is organising a triple-header of three-hour races for prototypes at Dubai Autodrome on the support bill of the Hankook 24H DUBAI. This can be considered as a trial event for the planned 24H PROTO SERIES. The number of teams that have already registered to participate in this event is rapidly increasing. Many drivers are already in Dubai for the Hankook 24H DUBAI anyway, so they are considering this prototype event as an ideal opportunity to get some additional track time whilst also getting familiar with prototype racing.

CREVENTIC is offering a very competitively priced package for participation in this race: the total entry fee for the three three-hour races is 10,000 Euros, including standard transport of race car and equipment from Europe to Dubai Autodrome and back, all the logistics including customs and handling in Dubai, free practice, qualifying, the three races and all the fuel that is needed for the event. Teams with a minimum of two and a maximum of three drivers, with a maximum of one professional driver (gold or higher), are admitted. Every race will include two mandatory pit stops with driver change. If required, air transport can be arranged as well. Further information can be found on the website at www.24h protoseries.com. Here, the full calendar for 2017, with three or four twelve-hour races at renowned and attractive circuits in Europe, will be published in due course.