36 cars in the 2017 ELMS grid

Years pass and it looks like the European Le Mans Series momentum won't go down, as another season of big car counts is expected, proving how popular the competition became.

Although the number of 36 full season cars is really pleasing, it is heavily biased towards the prototype field by various reasons, like teams stepping up to prototype classes or to the FIA WEC, some teams lost to GT3 competitions and other reasons. In the end, the number of 7 cars in the LMGTE class isn't exactly disappointing, and the presence of a pair of Ferrari 488 GTE models by Spirit of Race may spice things up.

The LMP3 counts with 16 cars an is barely the most populated one, repeating the “Ligier Supercup” feel that was present last year, with only a pair of Norma M30 cars giving some variety with M. Racing – YMR and with Renault Sport Trophy refugee Oregon Team.

Most of the teams are continuing their operations in the class from 2016, and along with the mentioned above, AT Racing joins the group coming from the LMGTE class and making use of a Ligier JS P3.

The main class of the show, the LMP2 side will be the most interesting to see this year with the new prototypes coming to action and the variety of machines between the 13-car grid of the class, as only the Riley Mk. 30 model doesn't have a representative there and the other models having well balanced numbers.

G-Drive Racing joins the fray with an Oreca 07 run by Dragonspeed while the American team has also its own car, and Asian LMS champions Algarve Pro Racing return to ELMS with a single Ligier JSP217. The LMP3 champions from Europe and Asia step up their operations, as United Autosports and Tockwith Motorsports come with a Ligier each, with Graff Racing and Villorba Corse being the other LMP3 operations to step up to LMP2 machinery.

New teams also make presence, being them Racing Team Nederland and High Class Racing from Denmark, both using the Dallara P217.

Here is the full list:

PHOTOS: European Le Mans Series