Changes in Le Mans racing

In a press confrence held today at the Musee automobile de la Sarthe, Mr. Jean-Cleade Plassart President of the Automobile club de l'Ouest (A.C.O) announced some of the changes we will see in the future of the 24 heures du mans.

Safety at the track for the drivers, continued addition of sand traps, and revamping of corners.

Further work on fuel consumption Diesel vs. petrol vs. hybrid technology. In 2008 Bio-fuels will be used for the first time. Further research into Hybrid and regenerative technology is also an ongoing plan.

Continuing of The Michelin Energy Challenge which rewards reward those teams that make the best use of the fuel they consume, expressed as an Energy Performance Index (EPI) calculated after each event.


Prizes will be awarded to the best-performing teams in all four categories (LM P1, LMP2, GT1, GT2).


The Energy Performance Index is based on the following parameters:
- The vehicle’s average speed over the total distance covered,
- The vehicles weight,
- The actual fuel consumption of each vehicle (litres/100km)

Reduction of costs in the sport for the GT2 and LM2 Categories, along with more manufactures, like Porsche offering turn key race cars.

Current cars are eligible only up to 2011

Closed roof LM1 and LM2 cars.

Things that Mr. Plassart would like to see, are more diversity in car designs, He stated that historically manufactures have used colors (Ferrari Red). As I see it he would like to see more "production looking" cars, so that someone car easily tell that was a Audi, Porsche, Panoz, Etc..

Continuation of an International strategy with more races all over the world.