As from yesterday, the entries for the 86th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans are open. Teams wanting to compete in the legendary race at La Sarthe can send in their entry forms until the 5th of February 2018. The final entry list to be revealed on February 9th.
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Not only the entries for Le Mans are open, also competitors for the FIA World Endurance Series and the European Le Mans Series have to field their entry by 5 February 2018.
So far, nine teams have already been granted an invitation to take part in qualifying for the 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours. These invitations have been awarded following the 2017 results in the Le Mans 24 Hours, European Le Mans Series, Michelin GT3 Le Mans Cup, together with 2 teams that have been selected by
IMSA.
LMP2
- Jackie Chan DC Racing: winners of the 2017 LMP2 category in the 24 Hours of Le Mans;
- G-Drive Racing: winners of the 2017 European Le Mans Series title in LMP2;
- United Autosports: champions in the 2017 European Le Mans Series LMP3 category;
- JDC-Miller Motorsports: selected by IMSA for the Weathertech SportsCar Championship.
GTE
- Aston Martin Racing (Pro): victory in the LM GTE Pro category at the Le Mans 24 Hours;
- JMW Motorsport (Pro or Am) has received two invitations, following their win in the LM GTE Am category at Le Mans this year and their title in the European Le Mans Series. Their invitations are valid for the LM GTE Am of Pro category.
- TF Sport (Pro or Am): runner up in the 2017 European Le Mans Series in GTE;
- Ebimotors (Am): champions in the Michelin GT3 Le Mans Cup (GT class).
- Keating Motorsport (Am): selected by IMSA for the Weathertech SportsCar Championship.
The remaining four auto-entries for next season's 24 Hours of Le Mans will be appointed at the end of the 2017/18 Asian Le Mans Series. The winning teams in LMP2, LMP3 and GT plus the runner up in GT will be offered a place on the grid of next years Le Mans. There's no invite in the LMP1 class next year as Porsche has withdrawn their 919 Hybrid from Le Mans and the FIA WEC.
Each invitation can be awarded only if the car in question is entered for one of the following three championships in 2018: Asian Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The complete list of the 60 cars entered for the Le Mans 24 Hours on 16-17 June 2018 will be revealed on 9th February.
Kristof Vermeulen.