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TheLMP3 Cup Championship (previously known as thePrototype Cup) is a British-basedsports car racing endurance series, endorsed by theAutomobile Club de l'Ouest.[1] The championship is designed as an initial step on the ladder to the24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as providing further opportunities for teams to run the increasingly popularLMP3 specification cars.[1]
Aninitial race was held atSnetterton Circuit on 8/9 October 2016, ahead of a 12-race season in 2017, featuring five rounds in theUnited Kingdom and one atCircuit de Spa-Francorchamps inBelgium.[2] Following the low turn out of cars for the previous seasons, it was decided by Championship Organisers Bute Motorsport that they would shift its focus to its more successful sister championship, the GT Cup for 2019. However, it was noted that Bute Motorsport would continue to assess its viability, and would consider bringing it back, should it become viable once more.[3]
The championship is open to LMP3 cars which areAutomobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO)-homologated, each carrying an ACO-issued technical passport to ensure all cars meet the correct specifications.[1] Engines are supplied byNissan, utilising theVK50VE V8 engines.
The championship regulations initially stated that one of the drivers must be of Bronze designation, as specified by theFédération Internationale de l'Automobile,[4] though this was changed mid-season to allow Silver/Silver pairings, in an attempt to open up the number of competitors in the series.[5]
Each round follows the same format:
Saturday: Practice (60 minutes), Qualifying (10 minutes), Race (60 minutes).
Sunday: Qualifying (10 minutes), Race (60 minutes).
The Bronze-rated driver must qualify the car and start the race, which contains a mandatorypit stop of prescribed length.
Points are scored as follows:[6]
| Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 25 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
A one-off race was held atSnetterton Circuit on 8/9 October 2016, to showcase the newPrototype Cup Championship ahead of a full-season in 2017. Eight cars entered the event, which was won by Phil Hanson andNigel Moore for Tockwith Motorsport.[7]
The 2017 season was announced on 4 November 2016, and would take in 12 races at six rounds, including an overseas trip toCircuit de Spa-Francorchamps in June.[8] The calendar was amended on 7 December 2016 due to theBritish Grand Prix date changing.[9]
On 6 January 2017, it was announced that the Prototype Cup would be renamed the LMP3 Cup Championship after agreement from theAutomobile Club de l'Ouest.[10] As part of this agreement, it was also announced that the Driver Champion of the 2017 LMP3 Cup Championship would receive a complimentary entry into the 2018Michelin Le Mans Cup, with a value of over €45,000. The prize included an entry in theRoad to Le Mans race, which takes place hours before the famous 24-hour race.
Scottish pairing Alasdair McCaig andColin Noble secured the inaugural championship at the season's tenth race, at Snetterton Circuit.[11]
The 2018 calendar was revealed on 8 November 2017, with the series visiting the same circuits as before, but in a different order, with the season ending at Silverstone in October.[12]
| Year | Drivers | Team | Chassis | Engine | Poles | Wins | Podiums | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 |  Alasdair McCaigColin Noble | Écurie ÉcosseNielsen Racing | Ligier JS P3 | Nissan VK50VE | 1 | 6 | 10 | 232 |
