LMP3, GT3 Endurance Race Confirmed for Marseille Games

Photo: MPS Agency

The FIA has confirmed that a combined LMP3 and GT3 endurance race will be part of this year’s Motorsport Games, which will take place at Circuit Paul Ricard near Marseille this October.

The new-for-2022 category will will consist of a 150-minute race featuring three drivers of the same nationality. Further details on the driver grading requirements have yet to be disclosed.

It joins the returning GT Cup for Pro-Am driver lineups, which debuted in the inaugural edition at Vallelunga in 2019, and a previously announced single-driver GT Sprint contest, which will be 60 minutes in length for pro pilots.

Original plans for a LMP3 standalone race appears to have been scrapped in favor of a combined LMP3/GT3 enduro.

The Oct. 26-30 event, hosted at Paul Ricard and also featuring events in Veynes and St. Baume, will take place for the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

A total of 17 disciplines have been confirmed, up from the six that took part in the inaugural event in Rome at Vallelunga in 2019.

While entries will open next month, Sportscar365 understands that both Australia (Steven and Brenton Grove) and Great Britain (Chris Froggart and Ian Loggie) intend to compete in the GT Cup.

“Participation in the FIA Motorsport Games offers myriad benefits for everybody, from grass-roots competitors to elite athletes,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

“This truly international event unites the global FIA community and allows participants to proudly fly their national flag.

“The Games present a platform for developing new disciplines and sporting frameworks. These are key to encouraging local participation, fostering diversity and making the sport more accessible and affordable.

“For upcoming talents in particular, the Games represent a great opportunity to showcase their skills in front of a receptive audience.

“This creates new role models who will in turn go on to inspire future generations.”

The inaugural Motorsport Games featured six disciplines, with 49 nations and 192 total drivers.

Those numbers are expected to increase significantly for this year with the debut of numerous other new disciplines including rallying, karting and esports.

The event will start with an opening ceremony held near the Vieux-Port, at the Mucem in Marseille on Oct. 26.

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