Photo: MPS Agency
Details of the second-gen LMP3 regulations, which will debut in 2020 and act as an upgrade of the current cars, were released by the ACO on Thursday.
They follow the initial details of the updated rulebook published last May, when four constructors – Ligier Automotive, Duqueine Engineering, Ginetta and ADESS – were selected to build cars for the 2020 class, which will race until 2024.
ORECA remains the exclusive powertrain supplier, while a new Nissan VK50 engine will be introduced with an additional 35 hp taking the overall power output to 455 hp.
Traction control will also be introduced, while some safety-related changes have been made to the driver’s headrest and seat, along with Zylon side panels.
The regulations focus on upgrading existing cars, and a cost of €54,900 ($62,300) has been declared for upgrading to Gen 2 spec.
A new 2020 car will cost a maximum of €239,000 ($271,000).
“In other disciplines, the regulations require a change of car every four or five years,” explained ACO sporting director Vincent Beaumesnil.
“We wanted to avoid that as it would have meant 170 unusable cars with each team forced to invest €239,000 to embark on a new five-year cycle.
“Instead, current teams can significantly upgrade their cars for an annual cost of €16,500.
“The kit seemed the obvious choice because all the manufacturers selected for phase 2 have already produced LMP3 cars.”
The cars will debut in 2020 in the European Le Mans Series, Michelin Le Mans Cup, Road to Le Mans, Ultimate Cup and VdeV, before joining the Asian Le Mans Series for the 2020-21 season.
They will run in other series beginning in 2021.
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