On Tuesday, 6th October, the ACO held a meeting in Paris to which were invited those constructors involved, or who could become involved in the 24 Heures du Mans, and in the series which are run under the same rules (ALMS, LMS, Asian Le Mans Series).

 After announcing the new engine types for the new 2011 rules, the aim of this meeting was to validate the different technical options before fixing the definitive rules which will be published some time in 2009. However, so as to allow the competitors to prepare their 2011 project, the ACO wished to confirm and make official 2 specific points in advance:

LM P: Suppression of the advantage of air restrictors for closed cars in 2011.

In the context of the new 2011 rules, entrants in LM P with an open or closed body will therefore set off on an equal footing. Results of studies carried out by the ACO technical consultants confirm that the aerodynamic advantages as from now offset the constraints linked to maintaining a maximum temperature in the cockpit of closed cars.
Furthermore, the problems linked to windscreen wipers, condensation, etc. are from now on appreciated by everyone. Lastly, the time in pit stops, extended as a result of the new rules concerning tyre changes, no longer gives an advantage to open cars, as used to be the case. It was therefore essential to confirm this decision here and now, so as to allow the constructors to adopt a position with regard to their choice of new cars to be constructed for 2011.

To conclude, the ACO took advantage of this meeting to return to the 2010 GT 1 rules, and to clarify some points which support the future of this category for the next 24 Heures du Mans and Le Mans Series.

2010 GT 1 Le Mans: both innovation and continuity

Those cars eligible for the new GT 1 World Championship will be accepted to race in the 24 Heures du Mans and in the Le Mans Series in 2010. Already, three constructors have written to the ACO, confirming their intention to be present at the next season with cars until now never seen at Le Mans. These same constructors will also have to participate in our European or Asian series, this being a determining requirement for the selection of those invited to race at the 2010 24 Heures du Mans.

Moreover, those competitors who won an automatic entry to the 2009 24 Heures du Mans, and to the different Le Mans Series will swell the ranks of a category which should include no less than 8 to 10 cars on the starting grid of the next 24 Heures du Mans, on 12th and 13th June.

Source : ACO