LMP2 Pro-Am Driver Classifications to Continue in 2015

Photo: DPPI/Onroak Automotive

The LMP2 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship will continue to enforce Pro-Am driver classifications, despite an initial push to eliminate the ratings requirement from its regulations next year.

Speaking to Endurance-Info last week, ACO Sporting Director Vincent Beaumesnil confirmed the reversal of its original proposal to allow all-pro driver lineups in the cost-capped prototype class.

Instead, each FIA LMP2 entry must continue with at least one Bronze or Silver-rated driver in its lineup. The same regulations also apply to the European and Asian Le Mans Series.

Beaumesnil also confirmed an increase in the maximum price of a cost-capped LMP2 car from 370,000 Euros ($479,000) to 450,000 Euros ($582,000).

“With the arrival of closed-top LMP2 cars, the price has risen to 450,000 Euros,” he told Endurance-Info. “This is a rule we’ve adopted for 2015. But we want a 30 percent reduction in costs for the 2017 season. We’ll need to take a different approach.

“We can’t ignore that the number of LMP2 cars in the FIA WEC is down this year, even though the level of [competition] is still very high.”

The ACO’s clarification on the driver classification system could help solidify a number of prospective LMP2 teams for 2015.

Extreme Speed Motorsports will contest at least a partial FIA WEC season next year, while Paul Gentilozzi’s RSR Racing squad is working towards a potential program with an Oreca 03 Nissan.

Gentilozzi’s program had been dependent on retaining the Pro-Am driver rules.

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