Le Mans Prototype Challenge

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A Le Mans Prototype Challenge car.

The Le Mans Prototype Challenge (shortened to LMP Challenge or LMPC) was a

Le Mans Prototypes due to limitations on manufacturers and suppliers.[1]

Initially launched as an independent racing series known as the Formula Le Mans Cup in

Le Mans Series used the name Formula Le Mans until 2011. All ACO series adopted the name Le Mans Prototype Challenge in 2012.[3][4]

Oreca FLM09

Oreca FLM09
naturally aspirated mid-engined, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionXtrac 6-speed sequential manual
Weight900 kg (2,000 lb) minimum
FuelMotul
TyresMichelin, Continental
Competition history
Notable entrantsVarious
Notable driversVarious

The Formula Le Mans car is built by French manufacturer

Reinforced carbon-carbon disc brakes are supplied by Brembo
.

In order to accommodate

air restrictor
to the engine to increase reliability as well as slowing the car in comparison to LMP2 category cars.

Series

Formula Le Mans Cup

Main article:
2009 Formula Le Mans Cup season

When the Formula Le Mans category was introduced in 2009, it was initially a support series for many races in the

Formula Le Mans Cup organized by the ACO and Oreca included over a dozen entries and was dominated by the DAMS driving pair of Gavin Cronje and Nico Verdonck, the latter of which won the inaugural Drivers Championship. Most races were one hour in length with a mandatory pit stop to allow teams to change drivers, while a season finale at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
was held for three hours.

Sportscars Winter Series

As a further development of the Formula Le Mans Cup, Oreca launched the Sportscars Winter Series in late 2009 in order to allow further amateur driver development during the Le Mans Series off-season. The series, which is held exclusively at the Circuit Paul Ricard, France, combines Formula Le Mans cars with competitors from the GT2 and GT3 grand tourer categories. The three race season includes two races of thirty minutes and one race of an hour in length.[6]

Le Mans Series

In the

Le Mans Series, becoming one of five categories within the series. The inaugural season, Formula Le Mans cars participated in four of the Le Mans Series' European races, while a fifth event held solely for Formula Le Mans cars. Teams will be required to have at least one amateur driver in order to further driver development. Championships will be awarded for professional drivers, amateur drivers, and teams, with the winning amateur driver earning a test in an Oreca Le Mans Prototype.[7] In 2012, the class adopted the Le Mans Prototype Challenge name and took part in the European Le Mans Series until 2014
.

IMSA

On 16 August 2009, the

2014 unification of sportscar racing in North America, tyres changed from Michelin to Continental, owing to the carryover Grand American Road Racing Association specification tyre contract with Continental.[1]

IMSA decided to drop the Prototype Challenge class from the championship at the end of 2017, thus retiring the class altogether.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b "Intersport adds to Prototype Program with FLM09 Purchase". American Le Mans Series. 23 October 2009. Retrieved 15 November 2009. [dead link]
  2. ^ a b "Series Announces Revised Class Structure for 2010". American Le Mans Series. 16 August 2009. Archived from the original on 19 October 2009. Retrieved 15 November 2009.
  3. Le Mans Series. 15 September 2011. Archived from the original
    on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Some changes for Formula Le Mans in 2012". 15 September 2011. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012.
  5. ^ "The Car". Formula Le Mans. Archived from the original on 18 September 2009. Retrieved 15 November 2009.
  6. ^ "Sportscars Winter Series: Go into Extra Time in Sunny Southern France!". Formula Le Mans. 10 September 2009. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2009.
  7. Le Mans Series. 13 November 2009. Archived from the original
    on 30 March 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2009.
  8. ^ Myrehn, Ryan (7 August 2017). "French, O'Ward Clinch Final PC Drivers' Championship – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com.
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