TheLe Mans Prototype Challenge (shortened toLMP Challenge orLMPC) was aspecsports prototype formula created by theAutomobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), organisers of the24 Hours of Le Mans, andsports car constructorOreca. The formula is intended as part of aladder system for young and upcoming drivers into the world ofendurance racing while also serving as a value engineered entry for drivers and teams intoLe Mans Prototypes due to limitations on manufacturers and suppliers.[1]
Initially launched as an independent racing series known as the Formula Le Mans Cup in2009, the formula has since been expanded to allow participation in three separate series for 2010. TheAmerican Le Mans Series used the title Le Mans Prototype Challenge since its inception.[2] TheLe Mans Series used the nameFormula Le Mans until 2011. All ACO series adopted the name Le Mans Prototype Challenge in 2012.[3][4]
 | |
| Category | Le Mans Prototype |
|---|---|
| Constructor | Oreca-Courage |
| Technical specifications[5] | |
| Chassis | Carbon fibremonocoque |
| Suspension (front) | Double wishbone,push rod operated overdamper |
| Suspension (rear) | Double wishbone,push rod operated overdamper |
| Axle track | 1,990 mm (78 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm (113 in) |
| Engine | General MotorsLS3 6.2 L (380 cu in)V8naturally aspiratedmid-engined,longitudinally mounted |
| Transmission | Xtrac 6-speedsequential manual |
| Weight | 900 kg (2,000 lb) minimum |
| Lubricants | Motul |
| Tyres | Michelin,Continental |
| Competition history | |
| Notable entrants | Various |
| Notable drivers | Various |
The Formula Le Mans car is built by French manufacturerOreca and known as the FLM09. Thechassis is based on Courage's LC75 LMP2 chassis, while the car'scarbon fiber andkevlar bodywork is a simplified version of the LC75's design. All FLM09s use a production-basedGeneral Motors small blockLS3V8 which produces approximately 430 horsepower (440 PS). Transmissions are supplied byXtrac and feature a six-speedsequential transmission operated by paddle shifters. Engine management is regulated byMagneti Marelli. Up to 2012, all FLM09 cars ran onMichelinslick tires based on their LMP tires but in March 2013, it was announced thatContinental AG would be the tire supplier for the LMP Challenge class in the upcomingAmerican Le Mans Series season owing to Continental's deal withNASCAR as sole tire supplier for their sportscar arm.Reinforced carbon-carbondisc brakes are supplied byBrembo.
In order to accommodateendurance races in 2010, Oreca also offers an endurance upgrade for the FLM09 which adds anair restrictor to the engine to increase reliability as well as slowing the car in comparison to LMP2 category cars.
When the Formula Le Mans category was introduced in 2009, it was initially a support series for many races in theLe Mans Series in Europe as well as at the24 Hours of Le Mans. The ten raceFormula Le Mans Cup organized by the ACO and Oreca included over a dozen entries and was dominated by theDAMS driving pair ofGavin Cronje andNico Verdonck, the latter of which won the inaugural Drivers Championship. Most races were one hour in length with a mandatory pit stop to allow teams to change drivers, while a season finale atCircuit de Nevers Magny-Cours was held for three hours.
As a further development of the Formula Le Mans Cup, Oreca launched theSportscars Winter Series in late 2009 in order to allow further amateur driver development during the Le Mans Series off-season. The series, which is held exclusively at theCircuit Paul Ricard, France, combines Formula Le Mans cars with competitors from the GT2 and GT3grand tourer categories. The three race season includes two races of thirty minutes and one race of an hour in length.[6]
In the2010 season the Formula Le Mans Cup was integrated into theLe Mans Series, becoming one of five categories within the series. The inaugural season, Formula Le Mans cars participated in four of the Le Mans Series' European races, while a fifth event held solely for Formula Le Mans cars. Teams will be required to have at least one amateur driver in order to further driver development. Championships will be awarded for professional drivers, amateur drivers, and teams, with the winning amateur driver earning a test in an Oreca Le Mans Prototype.[7] In 2012, the class adopted the Le Mans Prototype Challenge name and took part in theEuropean Le Mans Series until2014.
On 16 August 2009, theInternational Motor Sports Association announced a reorganization of the class structure of theAmerican Le Mans Series, creating a new category known as Le Mans Prototype Challenge. The class utilizes the Formula Le Mans ruleset similar to the Le Mans Series, and competes in all nine American Le Mans Series events.[2] American Le Mans Series regularIntersport Racing became the first North American team to purchase an FLM09, allowing the team to progress drivers fromIMSA Lites, through LMP Challenge, and into their LMP1 category entry. After NASCAR Holdings purchased IMSA in late 2012 in preparation for the2014 unification of sportscar racing in North America, tyres changed from Michelin to Continental, owing to the carryover Grand American Road Racing Association specification tyre contract with Continental.[1]
IMSA decided to drop the Prototype Challenge class from the championship at the end of 2017, thus retiring the class altogether.[8]