[LM24 Race] Le Mans Entry List 2019 (and entry list speculation)

[Bentley03]

Graham's analysis of what we know so far:

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2018/1...-the-list.html

Not many places up for grabs for those without an auto invite...

[Deleted]

Will they even bother with the February ACO press conference this year, considering we already know majority of the field and there aren't new cars coming up in any of the classes

Now, assuming we are scratching Riley and Ginetta (?) out of the chassis equation, the number of chassis mfgs will shrink to 11 which is not a proud number in contrast to history books. And regardless of Ginetta showing up or not the engines will go to 10 with the AER switch
https://tentenths.com/forum/showpost...&postcount=198

At the start of the year I had initially hoped for more customer chassis growth in LMP1 by the time Sebring comes by. But it now seems that the LMGTP push-in has wrecked any chances of that going anywhere and we're stuck with what we have, or even less, for both 2019 and 2020... not that the (likely to be resumed) built-in-hybrid-advantage and shambles of non-Oreca manufacturers have helped either. And finally it doesn't seem as Oreca has particular hurry in supplying anyone else other than Rebellion still

I still strongly dislike the 'even-split' proto-GT concept, I mean yes the spec cartel LMP2s aren't the most interesting in the world, but the other option... zzzzzzzzzzzz. Well at least some of the regional auto invites have been transformed more into prototype entities rather than GTE(-AM)

[Adam43]

What week will the press conference be?

Are there significantly less unknowns than normal? I think my question is what is normal?

[MaskedRacer]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Will they even bother with the February ACO press conference this year, considering we already know majority of the field and there aren't new cars coming up in any of the classes

Now, assuming we are scratching Riley and Ginetta (?) out of the chassis equation, the number of chassis mfgs will shrink to 11 which is not a proud number in contrast to history books. And regardless of Ginetta showing up or not the engines will go to 10 with the AER switch
https://tentenths.com/forum/showpost...&postcount=198

At the start of the year I had initially hoped for more customer chassis growth in LMP1 by the time Sebring comes by. But it now seems that the LMGTP push-in has wrecked any chances of that going anywhere and we're stuck with what we have, or even less, for both 2019 and 2020... not that the (likely to be resumed) built-in-hybrid-advantage and shambles of non-Oreca manufacturers have helped either. And finally it doesn't seem as Oreca has particular hurry in supplying anyone else other than Rebellion still

I still strongly dislike the 'even-split' proto-GT concept, I mean yes the spec cartel LMP2s aren't the most interesting in the world, but the other option... zzzzzzzzzzzz. Well at least some of the regional auto invites have been transformed more into prototype entities rather than GTE(-AM)

GT's should get about 35 of the entries. I find it interesting that Graham is speculating that the ENTIRE Imsa GTLM grid could be at Le Mans in 2019 including the R.L.L BMWs.

[EffectiveSprinkles]

Why 35? If it's an even split it can't be more than 30.

[Aysedasi]

I can't see any reason for 35 GTs either.

[Simmi]

It's a strange one as the lack of options/surprise does remove a bit of the excitement for next year. But in reality you can normally guess over 75% of the entry list each year.

[Mike E]

The main guesswork will probably be around the drivers of the non-WEC entries, especially the juicy auto entries which are worth rather more than the hopefuls.

[MaskedRacer]

Originally Posted by Mike E

The main guesswork will probably be around the drivers of the non-WEC entries, especially the juicy auto entries which are worth rather more than the hopefuls.

Would be cool to see the entire IMSA GTLM grid there in 2019.

[antonylight]

From the ACO:
"The entry list for the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2019 to be revealed in two stages.
Next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans will be the grand finale of the FIA WEC 2018-19 Super Season and the culmination of the championship from now on. The names of the teams to line up on the grid – sixty slots plus ten reserves – will be announced in two stages, on 11th February and 1st March 2019.

The Super Season is the reason for the change in announcement of entries for the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2019, the culmination of the 2018-2019 season which started this May in Spa, paid a first visit to Le Mans on 16/17th June before races at Silverstone, Fuji and Shanghai in 2018.
As the calendar turns to 2019, the championship will also be visiting Sebring and Spa once again, before concluding in the Sarthe region of France.
Among the 60 competitors will be the full-season entrants of the WEC, plus the traditional recipients of invitations given to reward championship results in the European Le Mans Series (4), the Michelin Le Mans Cup (1), the Asian Le Mans Series (4), the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (2), and of course at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2018.
Teams wishing to take up one of the remaining places on the 2019 Le Mans grid will be able to apply from 20th December until 31st January 2019.
The ACO will announce first fifty teams on 11th February, followed by another ten teams on the grid and ten reserve teams on 1st March."

[Bentley03]

I think I'm missing something here, can someone enlighten me as to why the entry list is going to be announced in two parts please?

Apologies if it's obvious...

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

I think I'm missing something here, can someone enlighten me as to why the entry list is going to be announced in two parts please?

Apologies if it's obvious...

Asian Le Mans Series auto entries won't be known until 24 February due to their 2018-19 schedule.

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Asian Le Mans Series auto entries won't be known until 24 February due to their 2018-19 schedule.

Thanks mate!

[Coach Ep]

Do I dare say/ask about 'Ginetta'.....?

There could be 2 extra spots up for grabs!

[Bentley03]

Porsche have announced they intend to enter four cars in Pro again, the two IMSA cars in addition to the two WEC cars per 2018, as part of their 2019 GT racing programme (reported on numerous sites over the last couple of days). They have three auto entries, unlikely the ACO won't grant an invite for the fourth car. Would love them to present more retro liveries for the event, but not being an anniversary year, I guess that's unlikely.