Motorland Aragon Night Race Added to 2023 Schedule

Motorland Aragon will debut on the 2023 European Le Mans Series calendar, hosting a four-hour race in August that will run into the night.

The 4 Hours of Aragon will be held on August 25-26 and joins the calendar in place of Monza, which has dropped off the schedule as the series maintains a six-race schedule.

Motorland Aragon has long been a popular venue with teams for testing purposes, with its remote location making it one of the few circuits where endurance tests can be held.

The race, which like all other on the calendar will be four hours in length, is unique as the series states it will run ‘into the night’.

Exact details on the race’s starting and finishing times have not yet been released.

The 2023 season kicks off with the 4 Hours of Barcelona on April 21-23, following the official tests earlier in the week.

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last hosted the series opener last year and returns to that slot after hosting the fourth round in 2022.

It is followed by the 4 Hours of Imola in May 5-7, after which the series goes in its traditional June hiatus to make room for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The 4 Hours of Le Castellet, which primarily hosted the first race of the year since 2018, becomes round three held on July 14-16, followed by the new night race in August.

The season then concludes with a round at Spa-Francorchamps in September before the traditional finale at Portimao in mid-October.

“We are very pleased to announce this exciting 2023 calendar for the European Le Mans Series, which includes a brand-new circuit and a night-race format for the ELMS at Motorland Aragon to present a fresh challenge for our teams and drivers,” said Le Mans Endurance Management CEO Frederic Lequien.

“The new calendar is a great mix of tops European circuits.

“We look forward to seeing everyone next season in what will be a very special year for endurance racing.”

Automobile Club de l’Ouest president Pierre Fillon added: “The European Le Mans Series is a major component of the endurance pyramid.

“The quality and size of the grid increases year on year and the race calendar reflects that progress, with rounds held at Europe’s most prestigious venues.

“The unique format chosen for the 4 Hours of Aragon promises two full days of exciting track action with the race itself finishing after nightfall.”

2022 European Le Mans Series Schedule:
April 19-20 – Official tests (Barcelona)
April 23 – Barcelona
May 7 – Imola
July 16 – Paul Ricard
Aug. 26 – Aragon
Sept. 24 – Spa-Francorchamps
Oct. 15 – Portimao