2006 LMS entries.......

[HaraldB]

Originally Posted by brielga

but if there's no ROI for the sponsors I'm not sure how long this will last.

Keep the four classic 1000 km (plus the optional 24h LM) races.
Add 4 sponsor-friendly, i.e. TV-friendly, races to draw in people who are not hardcore fanatics(*).
This would give you with 8 (plus 1) races (one race per month from March to November, if you are concerned about strain on the teams).

TV-friendly means probably a total length of live coverage of three hours meaning a race length of max. 2h30m to 2h45m (to include pre race build up, post race coverage, podium, interviews) for sunday noon/afternoon or saturday evening.

But hardcore fanatics seem to despise shorter formats.

(*) Although, don't forget the 200 miles of Nürnberg at the Norisring in the DRM and Sportscar WC were a jewel in the last heyday-era of sportscar racing.