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The categories
The 24 Hours of Le Mans technical regulations distinguish two major car families: "Prototype" and "Grand Touring", each of them being split into two parts. Every category fights very hard for the victory in class.
"PROTOTYPES"
The "Prototype" category refers to cars exclusively developed for competition and which meet the technical regulations of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. The performance levels and technological development make this category the headliner class in endurance.
"LM"P1
Open or closed cockpits, the summit technologically, the "LM"P1 cars battle for the overall race win. In this category there are the Peugeot 908 HDi FAPs, Pescarolos, Courage Orecas and Lola Coupé with the all-new Aston Martin engine. And, of course, the fearsome Audi R10, winner of the past two 24 Hours of Le Mans. A battle of titans between the two manufacturers who, for the first time, will race against one another with their diesel solutions on Europe’s best circuits.
There are several new regulations for 2008: the performance levels of the “LMâ€P1 petrol cars are closer to those of the diesel “LMâ€P1 and the class received authorisation to use production based engines. Bio-fuels: gasoline with a (10%) ethanol mix and Diesel BTL will be permitted for 2008.
- Minimum weight: 900kg
- Wing length: 2mt.
- Maximum engine capacity: 6000ccs for atmospheric engines, 4000ccs for turbo engines and 5500ccs for diesel engines
- Maximum disc diameters: 38cm
- Fuel cell capacity: 90 litres (81 litres for diesel engines)
- Lights: White
- Race number: Red 1-24 + red category sticker
"LM"P2
Lighter and less powerful than the "LM"P1s, the "LM"P2s can also be either open or closed cockpit and are essentially reserved for private teams. For 2008 there is a new addition to the category in the form of the Porsche RS Spyder that will compete against the Pescarolo Judds, Lolas, Pilbeams and Radicals.
Several changes have been instituted for 2008 with the goal of reducing costs. To avoid the search to reduce the weight of the cars, those in “LMâ€P2 have been raised 50kg. In the same tone, like in “LMâ€P1, the use of production based engines has been authorised. The P2 category is also open to bio-fuels. The 2008 regulations highlight the series’ attention to protecting the environment.
- Minimum weight: 825kg
- Wing length: 2mt.
- Maximum engine capacity: 3400ccs and a maximum of 8 cylinders for atmospheric engines or 2000ccs with a single turbo and a maximum of 6 cylinders for turbo engines
- Maximum disc diameters: 38cm
- Fuel cell capacity: 80 litres
- Lights: White
- Race number: Black 25-49 + blue category sticker
"GRAND TOURING"
The "Grand Touring" category features cars derived from models homologated for the road and that can be purchased. A minimum of 100 street legal examples must be built by the major constructors and a minimum of 25 for the smaller makes. Easy identifiable by the public, the GTs deliver a top drawer level of popularity.
"LM"GT1
In the "LM"GT1 category, Aston Martin and Lamborghini take on the American built Saleens and Corvettes. Considerably modified compared to their production based homologues, the "LM"GT1 cars are rear-wheel drive with a power output that can reach 650bhp with a minimum weight of 1125kg. Top speeds often near those of the Prototypes. There have been no changes made to the regulations for 2008.
- Minimum weight: 1,125kg (+25 for the Aston Martin DBR9 & Corvette C6R)
- Maximum width: 200cm
- Maximum engine capacity: 8000ccs for atmospheric engines, 4000ccs for turbocharged engines
- Carbon brakes authorised
- Fuel cell capacity: 90 litres
- Maximum 6 speed gearbox
- Lights: Yellow
- Race number: Red 50-74 + green category stickers
"LM"GT2
Less modified than the "LM"GT1s, they are also less powerful (between 450 and 500BHP). The Ferrari F430s and Porsche 997s, which are well known by the general public, take on cars that are lot more exotic like the Panoz Esperante and Spyker C8, respectively powered by Ford and Audi V8s.
There have been no technical changes made to this extremely competitive category for 2008.
- Minimum weight: 1,125kg
- Maximum width: 200cm
- Identical maximum engine capacity to the “LM"GT1 category
- Carbon brakes forbidden (exclusively iron based)
- Fuel cell capacity: 90 litres
- Maximum 6 speed gearbox
- Lights: Yellow
- Race number: Black 75-99 + orange category sticker