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The categories
The 24 Hours of Le Mans technical regulations distinguish two major car families: "Prototype" and "Grand Touring", each of them being split into two parts. Every category fights very hard for the victory in class.
"PROTOTYPES"
The "Prototype" category refers to cars exclusively developed for competition and which meet the technical regulations of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. The performance levels and technological development make this category the headliner class in endurance.
"LM"P1
Open or closed cockpits, the technological summit, the "LM"P1 cars battle for the overall race win. In this category, there are the powerful Audi R10, the high-performance Courage Orecas, but also the Lola Coupé with the Aston Martin engines, the Pescarolos, the Ginetta-Zyteks…and, of course, the new official Aston Martins! A wonderful diversity for the queen of the categories which will one more time make the show.
As from 2010, LMP1 hybrid cars will be regularly classified.
Let's remind the main LMP1 characteristics, but also the fact that from 2008 on, the cars are using petrol including 10% of ethanol, as well as Diesel BTL. It is about biofuels of 2nd generation, elaborated from the not edible partof plants.
- Minimum weight: 900kg
- Wing length: 1m60
- Maximum engine capacity: 6000cc for petrol atmospheric engines, 4000cc for turbo engines and 5500cc for diesel engines
- Maximum disc diameter: 38cm
- Fuel cell capacity: 90 litres (81 litres for diesel engines)
- Lights: White
- Race number: 1-24
- Category sticker: red
"LM"P2
Lighter and less powerful than the LMP1s, the LMP2s can also have either open or closed cockpit and are essentially reserved to private teams. Among them, we find the Lolas with Mazda engines, the Pescarolo-Mazdas of the OAK Racing team, but also some Porsche RS Spyders and other Ginetta-Zyteks.
In 2008, several changes have been introduced in the view of reducing costs. To avoid the search to reduce the weight of the cars, those in “LM”P2 have been raised of 50kg. In the same tone, like in “LM”P1, the use of production based engines has been authorised.
- Minimum weight: 825kg
- Wing length: 1m60
- Maximum engine capacity: 3400ccs and a maximum of 8 cylinders for atmospheric engines or 2000ccs with a single turbo and a maximum of 6 cylinders for turbo engines
- Maximum disc diameters: 38cm
- Fuel cell capacity: 80 litres
- Lights: White
- Race number: 25-49
- Category sticker: blue
"GRAND TOURING"
The "Grand Touring" category features cars derived from models homologated for road use and which can be purchased. A minimum of 100 street legal samples must be built by the major car manufacturers and a minimum of 25 for the smaller makes. Easy identifiable by the public, the GTs deliver a top drawer level of popularity.
"LM"GT1
In the LMGT1 category, the Saleens will represent the category. Considerably modified compared to their production-based homologues, the "LM"GT1 cars are rear-wheel drive with a power output that can reach 560bhp with a minimum weight of 1200kg or 600 bhp with a minimum weight of 1250kg. Top speeds often near those of the Prototypes. The rule of the categorie is from now opened to the new generation of LM GT1.
There is no change to the regulations since 2007:
- Minimum weight: 560 bhp with a minimum weight of 1.200kg or 600 bhp with a minimum weight of 1250kg
- Maximum width: 210cm
- Maximum engine capacity: 8000ccs for atmospheric engines, 4000cc for turbocharged engines
- Carbon brakes authorised
- Fuel cell capacity: 90 litres
- Maximum 6 speed gearbox
- Lights: Yellow
- Race number: 50-74
- Category sticker: green
"LM"GT2
Less modified than the LMGT1s, they are also less powerful (between 450 and 500BHP). The 2010 season shows a wonderful diversity in this category, which should delight the novices as well as the motorsport lovers, thanks to the duels between the Porsche 997s, the Lamborghini Gallardo, the BMW M3, the Ferraris F430 but also the powerful V8 Aston Martins Vantage.
There have been no technical changes made to this extremely competitive category for 2010.
- Minimum weight: 1,145kg
- Maximum width: 200cm
- Identical maximum engine capacity to the “LM"GT1 category
- Carbon brakes forbidden (exclusively iron based)
- Fuel cell capacity: 90 litres
- Maximum 6 speed gearbox
- Lights: Yellow
- Race number: 75-99
- Category stickers: Orange