[FIRE]

New single make prototype series for 2009:

In the field of endurance Le Mans
is synonymous not only with
the most prestigious race in
the world but also with a label
that denotes excellence. It has
exported this label with success
to the United States (ALMS) for
the last ten years and to Europe
for five (LMS).
The ACO wants to complete this
increasingly successful venture
and extend its development,
which is why the club has
decided to take another big step
forward by launching its own
single-make Formula.
In 2009, the ACO in partnership with
ORECA and Hugues de Chaunac will
launch a new prototype championship
named Formula Le Mans.
This single-make championship derived
from the LM P2 championship will use
a fast prototype, and will be easily
accessible from both a sporting and
budgetary point of view. The ACO’s
and ORECA’s aim is to meet the everincreasing
demand engendered by
endurance racing.
From the opening round of the 2009
season, the ACO and ORECA will jointly
organise the Formula Le Mans Cup
providing gentlemen drivers and young
hopefuls with the opportunity to drive a
Le Mans Series prototype, and discover
the mythic endurance circuits in curtainraisers
to the 1000km events counting
towards the Le Mans Series.

Technical description of the Formula Le Mans prototype
• Open prototype
• Carbon monocoque
• 420 bhp V8 engine

Sporting description of the Formula Le Mans Championship
• 7 race meetings
• Two 1-hour races per meeting
• 2 drivers per car with an obligatory drive change

Source: http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans..._lemans_gb.pdf