We’re approaching fast of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and this year’s edition will see some fresh new entries in all classes, as show by the entry list revealed this week, counting with a capacity grid of 60 cars and 2 hopeful reserve entries.
The main list wasn’t exactly changed since the announcement during the ACO press conference though some teams from the reserve list moved to join other ventures already in the grid, which allied to public announcement of withdrawals from other teams reduced the waiting list to two cars.
The LMP1 class will feature the same FIA WEC active entries, with good news coming from Manor that the pair of Ginetta G60-LT-P1s will be aligned as the promised funds will emerge in time for the race, and although the BR1s from SMP Racing and Dragonspeed are listed, a hint of doubt remains on it as the SMP car will need a rebuild while the Dragonspeed car was damaged beyond repair after the Spa crash and driver extrication procedures, which would mean a new tub will be needed, otherwise the American team is considering an last minute entry in the LMP2 class.
The LMP2 class features 20 cars with proportional grid distribution between Oreca and Ligier, while the Dallara P217s are the minority in the grid. The FIA WEC regulars are followed by some ELMS and Asian LMS entries, as well some one-offs like the Eurasia Motorsport Ligier which will have the Krohn Racing drivers on the cockpit and the second Jackie Chan DC Racing Ligier with Ricky Taylor, Come Ledogar and David Heinemeier Hansson.
Then there’s the LMGTE-Pro class with one of the biggest grids ever seen as 17 factory cars will fight in one of the most competitive classes under the ACO flag. Ford Chip Ganassi and Porsche are responsible for near half of the grid as they align four cars each, two from FIA WEC and two from IMSA. Right behind comes AF Corse with three Ferrari 488 GTE Evo models, while Corvette joins in with their usual pair of C7.Rs and BMW and Aston Martin align a pair of their new models, the M8 GTE and the new Vantage GTE.
The LMGTE-Am class will have a field of 13 cars spread between Porsches and Ferraris while TF Sport and Aston Martin Racing bring the old Vantage GTE to battle. Proton Competition comes with the biggest numbers as the two FIA WEC cars will be joined by a third entry, while the other teams comes with one car, with highlights going to Spirit of Race, Project1 and Ebimotors, while JMW Motorsport will count with the WeatherTech Racing guys behind the wheel and Keating Motorsports comes in also for a one-off.
Spirit of Race still has a second Ferrari in the reserve list, joined by the High Class Racing Dallara, but given the time now most of the programs are more than confirmed so there’s little hope for them to be racing at La Sarthe.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans will be held on June 16th and 17th, with the Journée Test day coming at the start of June.
PHOTO: ACO
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