ELMS Silly Season Update: GTE/GTC

While the European Le Mans Series LMP2 class is expected to grow for 2014, there is little chance of the same occurring in GTE, although there could be some added diversity on the grid.

READ: LMP2 Silly Season Update

With the races increasing from three to four hours in length, the Pro-Am enforced GT classes will mandate at least one Bronze driver and a second Bronze or Silver driver per lineup.

Here’s a rundown of the confirmed, likely and rumored entries for the GTE and GTC classes:

GTE

The championship will lose both Ram Racing Ferraris, which are off to the FIA WEC. Currently, the only confirmed 458 Italia GT is that of Team SOFREV-ASP, which will be driven by Anthony Pons, Soheil Ayari and Fabien Barthez.

The future of IMSA Performance Matmut’s program in the FIA WEC seems uncertain, meaning that it’s a safe bet that the Rouen-based team could contest the ELMS again in order to secure an invite to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Nothing has been finalized in the Proton Competition camp, for either FIA WEC or ELMS, while the situation is the same for ProSpeed Competition, where both series are being evaluated.

Crubile Sport, however, has already committed to the ELMS with an ex-Paul Miller Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR for Sebastien Crubile, Emmanuel Collard and Francois Perrodo.

It would not be a surprise to see at least one Ferrari from AF Corse, while Kessel Racing could also be on the grid.

Additionally, discussions are underway with a foreign team that wants to run a Corvette C6.R without requesting an entry for Le Mans.

On the Aston Martin front, Roald Goethe is believed to be eyeing a move to the ELMS with his Vantage GTE, while JMW Motorsport’s 2014 programs have yet t be determined.

Expected Entries: 8
Additional: 2-3 cars

GTC

While the GTC class was initially brought in to only help fill the grid, the GT3-based class is expected to see significant growth in 2014.

AF Corse (Ferrari 458 Italia GT3) and Ecurie Ecosse (BMW Z4 GT3), the only two teams that contested the entire championship last year, will continue, as will SMP Racing, which will defend its class title with its Ferraris in addition to expanding to the FIA WEC in LMP2.

The SOFREV-ASP team has already confirmed its presence with two Ferraris, while Pro GT by Almeras will field a pair of Porsche 911 GT3 Rs.

Swiss squad Kessel Racing will accept a new challenge by running two Ferraris, while ART Grand Prix boss Fred Vasseur revealed that he’s interested to run their McLaren MP4-12C in both ELMS and the Blancpain Endurance Series this year.

Morand Racing is also considering starting a GTC program, as well as DKR Engineering. In addition, to its commitment to LMP2, Sebastien Loeb Racing could also join the ranks with a car.

Expected Entries: 10
Additional: 4-5