3rd April 2012

The ACO and Patrick Peter took the difficult decision to cancel the 2nd round of the European Le Mans Series scheduled for 20th May at Zolder.

The decision was taken at a meeting held the day before the Le Castellet 6 Hours. The small number of entries (19) for the Belgian round was judged to be insufficient to ensure that the race unfolded in the best possible manner to ensure media fallout worthy of a 6-hour endurance event. The aim is to have 25 cars for the Donington 6 Hours on 15th July.

Patrick Peter remains optimistic for the future: “I hope to have five more Formula Le Mans and five more GTs to finish the season with thirty cars. We couldn’t go to Zolder with only nineteen cars and this cancellation will give us the time to find twenty-five for Donington. And we’ll have them!”

With this aim in mind, expanding the models of the cars eligible in GTC is being studied as no car of this type was entered at the start of the season.

Pierre Fillon (Automobile Club de l’Ouest Vice President) has repeated the ACO’s interest and its determination to see the European Le Mans Series develop with the aim of having 35 cars in 2013. In the meantime, a certain number ELMS teams should be accepted to complete the World Championship field at the Spa 6 Hours (6th May).

The 2012 ELMS calendar consists of 3 further rounds: Donington 13-14-15 July, Brno 7-9 September and Algarve 2-4 November.

Text: François Hurel – Photo DPPI