ACO Tweaks Series’ Le Mans Auto Invites

Photo: Asian LMS

The GT class of the Asian Le Mans Series will no longer award multiple invites to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, following a tweaking of the system by the ACO.

The ACO’s sliding system that was dependent on the number of entries will be eliminated for the GT class, which will just award the class champion an auto-invite to GTE-Am.

This year’s season saw four invites in the class, as the season-long car count featured 19 entries.

The change is believed to have been made ahead of the series’ realignment with SRO Motorsports Group, which will become a co-promoter beginning in the 2022-23 season.

An option, however, still exists for up to two auto invites in LMP2, should the season-long car count exceed ten cars. Otherwise, only the champion will receive an invite.

Last season, an invite was given for up to 11 LMP2s, with two invites from 12 to 17 and three from 18 to 23.

There will be no change to the LMP3 invite rules, with the Asian class champion again receiving a ticket to Le Mans for use in the LMP2 class.

 As was the case in recent years, teams must participate in the full season and register for an ACO-labeled championship in order for their auto invites to be valid.

The Asian LMS kicks off on Feb. 11 at the Dubai Autodrome for the first of two double-header rounds completing the season one weekend later at Yas Maria Circuit on Feb. 19-20.

Laurent Mercier contributed to this report

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John