Le Mans Prototype#LMP2
{{Short description|Sportscar endurance racing class}}
{{Use Oxford spelling|date=March 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
File:ALMS Prototypes.jpg, 2007]]
File:2008LMP1Winner12HoursofSebringAudi 1.jpg in the 2008 12 Hours of Sebring, 2008]]
A Le Mans Prototype (LMP) is a type of sports prototype race car used in various races and championships, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, FIA World Endurance Championship, IMSA SportsCar Championship, European Le Mans Series, and Asian Le Mans Series. Le Mans Prototypes were created by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). The technical requirements for an LMP include bodywork covering all mechanical elements of the car. {{As of|2023|post=,}} there are two classes within Le Mans Prototypes, designated LMP2 and LMP3.
While not as fast as open-wheel Formula One cars around a track, the LMP1s were the fastest closed-wheel racing cars used in circuit racing. Le Mans Prototypes are considered a class above production-based grand tourer cars, which compete alongside them in sports car racing. Later, LMP1 designs included hybrid cars that use electric motors to assist acceleration.{{cite web |last=Stoklosa |first=Alexander |date=4 March 2014 |url=http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/porsche-919-hybrid-le-mans-prototype-auto-shows |title=Porsche 919 Hybrid Le Mans Prototype |website=CarAndDriver.com |access-date=3 April 2022 }}
The Le Mans Prototype LMP1 class has been replaced by Le Mans Hypercars in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and in the 24 Hours of Le Mans from the 2021 season. Non-hybrid LMP1 cars were eligible to be "grandfathered" for two more seasons and compete alongside the new class for the 2021 to 2022 seasons.{{cite web |url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/12/06/le-mans-hypercar-where-things-stand-your-questions-answered.html |title=Le Mans Hypercar: Where Things Stand & Your Questions Answered |website=DailySportsCar.com |last=Goodwin |first=Graham |date=6 December 2019 |access-date=3 April 2022 }}{{cite web |last=Watkins |first=Gary |url=https://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/alpine-a480-grandfather-lmp1-2022/6687257/ |title=Alpine WEC LMP1 Car Granted Extra Year of Homologation |date=16 October 2021 |website=Motorsport.com |access-date=3 April 2022 }}
Starting from the 2023 season of WEC and IMSA SportsCar Championship, Le Mans Hypercars are joined by Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) cars.{{cite web |url=https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/lmdh-technical-regulations-2023.05.03_blackline.pdf |title=LMDh Technical Regulations |publisher=Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile |date=5 May 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023 }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.24h-lemans.com/fr/lemans/categories |title=Cátegories 24 Heures du Mans |date= |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=24h-LeMans.com }} These two kinds of prototypes will form the top class of endurance racing: {{em|Hypercar}} in WEC and Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) in IMSA.{{cite web |url=https://assets.lemans.org/explorer/pdf/courses/2021/24-heures-du-mans/presse/dossier-presse-hypercar-EN.pdf |title=2021 – The Dawn of a New Endurance Era with Hypercar |website=24 Hours of Le Mans |date=2021 |access-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304232034/https://assets.lemans.org/explorer/pdf/courses/2021/24-heures-du-mans/presse/dossier-presse-hypercar-EN.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2021 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/lemans/categories |title=Categories |website=24 Hours of Le Mans |date=2021 |access-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625075842/https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/lemans/categories |archive-date=25 June 2021 |url-status=live }}
Name variations
Le Mans Prototypes have used various names depending on the series in which they compete. The FIA's equivalent cars were referred to as Sports Racers (SR) or Sports Racing Prototypes (SRP). The American IMSA GT Championship termed their cars World Sports Cars (WSC), while the short-lived United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC) used the classic Can-Am (CA) name for their prototypes. Since 2004, most series have switched to referring to these cars as Le Mans Prototypes. The American Le Mans Series, the successor to the IMSA GT Championship and the predecessor of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, officially referred to the cars simply as Prototypes (P1, P2, or PC).{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}} An LMP is commonly referred to as a Le Mans car in the media.{{cite magazine |last=Pulman |first=Ben |date=19 January 2012 |url=http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/Industry-News/Toyota-reveals-new-Le-Mans-car-as-Peugeot-shuts-endurance-racing-programme/ |title=Toyota Reveals New Le Mans Car as Peugeot Quits |magazine=Car |access-date=31 March 2023 }}
History
{{More citations needed section|date=June 2021}}
The first use of what would become Le Mans Prototypes was at the 1992 24 Hours of Le Mans. In an attempt to increase the number of entrants beyond the small field of Group C competitors that the World Sportscar Championship had to offer, older Porsche 962s were allowed entry in Category 3. To further increase the size of the field, small open-cockpit race cars using production road car engines which were raced in small national championships were allowed in Category 4.{{cite web |last=Nye |first=Doug |title=A Brief History of Le Mans Prototypes |url=https://www.goodwood.com/grr/race/historic/2019/2/a-brief-history-of-le-mans-prototypes/ |website=GoodWood.com |access-date=26 October 2019 }}
Later, ACO announced its intentions to completely replace the Group C cars with Le Mans Prototypes. Two classes were created, with LMP1s running large displacement custom-built engines that were usually turbocharged, and LMP2s using the smaller displacement production-based engines. Both classes were required to have open cockpits. However, LMP1 cars that year were just former Group C cars, some still with closed cockpits (Toyota 94C-V, Courage C32, Kremer K8 Spyder, Porsche 962C GTI, ALD C289 and Alpa LM). At the same time, the IMSA GT Championship announced the end of their closed cockpit GTP and Lights classes, deciding as well to replace them with a single open-cockpit class of World Sports Cars equivalent to LMP1.
File:R&S MkIIIA.jpg, which competed in IMSA's WSC class]]
This formula continued up to 1996, with many manufacturers embracing the LMP and WSC classes, including Ferrari, Porsche, and Mazda. In 1997, the first European series based around Le Mans Prototypes was launched, known as the "International Sports Racing Series". Using classes similar to LMP1/WSC and LMP2, these cars were known as "SR1" and "SR2" by the FIA. 1998 saw the creation of another series of Le Mans Prototypes, with the new United States Road Racing Championship attempting to break away from the IMSA GT Championship. To differ from IMSA'S WSC class, the USRRC named their open-cockpit prototypes "Can-Am" in an attempt to resurrect the sportscar championship of the 1970s. However, the USRRC collapsed before the end of 1999, with the series becoming the Rolex Sports Car Series chose to use the FIA's SR1 and SR2 formula instead.
1998 saw a great expansion for the ACO's LMP classes. Following the cancellation of the IMSA GT Championship at the end of 1998, the ACO allowed for the creation of the American Le Mans Series. This series used the same class structure as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, meaning it was the first championship to use the LMP name. At the same time, the ACO greatly altered their LMP classes. The smaller LMP2 class were briefly eliminated, while a new class of closed-cockpit prototypes was allowed in, known as "LMGTP" (Le Mans grand touring prototype). These cars were evolutions of production-based road cars that the ACO considered too advanced and too fast to fall under the GT class regulations, forcing the ACO to promote them as prototypes.
File:Bentley Speed 8.jpg as used in 2003]]
In 2017, in order to limit the costs, FIA introduced a new set of LMP2 regulations, which will be locked in through 2020, aiming for a significant power increase, to the range of 150 horsepower (which is expected to lead to a four-second decrease in lap time at Le Mans). Gibson Technology is the exclusive engine supplier for LMP2, producing a four-litre normally-aspirated V8.{{cite web |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/120813 |title=Gibson Technology Lands Engine-Supply Contract for LMP2 from 2017 |website=AutoSport.com |access-date=15 March 2018 }}
Technical regulations
=LMP1=
File:Porsche 919 Hybrid - Audi R18 e-tron quattro (18866096545).jpg and Audi R18 e-tron Quattro]]
{{Listen|filename=Lola-Aston Martin LMP1 (2009).ogg|title=2009 Lola-Aston Martin LMP1|description=Lola-Aston Martin LMP1 at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009}}
The fuel tank size and minimum weight for non-hybrid cars was subject to adjustment to reduce the difference in performance between hybrid and non-hybrid cars.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
There were no limits on the number of cylinders for any type of engine.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
Bodywork was required to cover all mechanical elements of the car, so that they couldn't be visible when the car is viewed directly from the front, side, or top.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
The LMP1 cars were generally the most powerful, with higher straight-line speeds.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
The LMP1 category was retired at the end of the 2020 season, replaced by a new top class of the endurance racing: Hypercar.{{cite press release |url=https://newsroom.lemans.org/en/press/make-way-for-le-mans-hypercar |title=Make way for Le Mans Hypercar! |author= |publisher=Le Mans |date=2019-12-05 |access-date=2025-04-04}}
| class="wikitable" |
| ! Hybrid
! Non-hybrid |
|---|
| Minimum weight
| {{convert|878|kg|lb}} | {{convert|833|kg|lb}} |
| Maximum length
| colspan=2 | {{convert|4650|mm|in}} |
| Minimum width
| colspan=2 | {{convert|1800|mm|in}} |
| Maximum width
| colspan=2 | {{convert|1900|mm|in}} |
| Engine displacement
| no limit | max. {{convert|5.5|litres|in3}} |
| Fuel tank capacity for petrol engines
| {{convert|62.3|litres|USgal}} | {{convert|75|litres|USgal}} |
| For diesel engines
| {{convert|50.1|litres|USgal}} | |
| Maximum wheel diameter
| colspan=2 | {{Convert|28|in|mm}} |
| Maximum wheel width
| colspan=2 | {{Convert|14|in|mm}} |
=LMP2=
File:Le Mans 2011 Greaves Motorsport.jpg Z11SN-Nissan at the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans]]
File:Rebellion Oreca 07, GIMS 2018, Le Grand-Saconnex (1X7A1712).jpg Oreca 07 with LMP2 Endurance Trophy]]
From 2017, in order to limit the costs, FIA introduced a new set of regulations, which will be locked in through 2027.{{cite web |last=Cavers |first=Rachel |date=14 June 2024 |title=ACO Press Conference: Key Announcements |url=https://www.fiawec.com/en/news/aco-press-conference-key-announcements/8003 |website=FIAWEC.com |access-date=21 March 2025 }} The rules allow a significant power increase (150 horsepower) which is expected to lead to a four-second decrease in lap time at Le Mans. Gibson Technology is the exclusive engine supplier, producing a 4.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8.{{cite web |title=Classes |url=https://www.fiawec.com/en/classes/32 |website=FIAWEC.com |publisher=FIA WEC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030064814/https://www.fiawec.com/en/classes/32 |url-status=live |date=2021 |archive-date=30 October 2021 |access-date=3 December 2021 }} In seasons 2017 through 2020, the engine produced about 600 bhp.
Dallara, Onroak Automotive (Ligier), Oreca and the joint-venture Riley Tech/Multimatic were selected by FIA as the four exclusive chassis constructors, which must be closed-cockpit designs.{{cite web |url=http://www.fia.com/news/2017-lmp2-regulations-four-chassis-constructors-selected |title=2017 LMP2 Regulations – The Four Chassis Constructors Selected |date=9 July 2015 |website=FIA.com |access-date=3 December 2021 }}
Before the start of the 2021 season LMP2 cars have been slowed down to ensure the necessary lap time difference between the LMP2 and a new class—Hypercar. In the original version of the new ruleset, revealed in November 2020, only the power of the Gibson engine has been reduced—to 560 bhp. Right before the start of the season, the cars were further weakened, by trimming an additional 20 bhp to a total of 540 bhp. The minimum weight of the cars has also been increased by 20 kg and has been set at 950 kg. Furthermore, mirroring the Hypercar category, a single aero kit has been made mandatory across the whole season and is limited to the Le Mans specification in the WEC; the ELMS teams have retained the right to switch between the aero kits.{{cite web |url=https://www.fia.com/news/wec-lmp2-performance-level-refined |title=WEC: LMP2 Performance Level Refined |date=1 April 2021 |website=FIA.com |access-date=1 December 2021 }}
| class="wikitable" | |
| Minimum weight | {{convert|950|kg|lb}} |
| Maximum length | {{convert|4750|mm|in}} |
| Overall width | {{convert|1800|mm|in}} (min) to {{convert|1900|mm|in}} (max) |
| Maximum Height | {{convert|1050|mm|in}} |
| Engine | {{convert|4.2|litres|in3}} V8 naturally-aspirated petrol engine (homologated) |
| Fuel tank capacity | {{convert|75|litres|USgal}} |
| Maximum wheel diameter | {{Convert|690|mm|in}} front, {{Convert|715|mm|in}} rear |
| Maximum wheel width | {{Convert|342|mm|in}} front, {{Convert|362|mm|in}} rear |
=LMP3=
File:2016 24 Hours of Le Mans 3-1 (3) (27688656132).jpg Ligier JS P3 at the 2016 Road to Le Mans ]]
LMP3 is an entry-level prototype class intended for introducing young drivers and new teams to endurance racing before they progress to the higher classes of prototype racing, LMP2 and ultimately Hypercar.{{cite news |url=http://www.europeanlemansseries.com/en/s03_actualites/s03p02_detail_actualite.php?news=3019|title=ACO Press Conference: Presentation of the new LMP3 category|date=19 July 2014 |publisher=Automobile Club de l'Ouest |website=EuropeanLeMansSeries.com |access-date=7 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101161101/http://www.europeanlemansseries.com/en/s03_actualites/s03p02_detail_actualite.php?news=3019 |archive-date=1 January 2015 }} LMP3 uses closed-cockpit chassis, which can be built by any licensed constructor, with costs capped for the chassis, engine, and generational upgrade kits.
==Gen 1==
Cars eligible for the 2015–2019 first-generation ruleset were the Ginetta-Juno P3, Ligier JS P3, Norma M30, ADESS-03, and the Ave-Riley AR-2. The cars were eligible in a number of series, such as the Asian Le Mans Series, the European Le Mans Series, as well as the V de V Endurance Series and the IMSA Prototype Challenge.{{cite news |url=http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/135648-imsa-p3-sales-continue |title=IMSA: LMP3 Sales Continue |date=20 October 2016 |publisher=Racer }} A number of championships for the class have also been created, such as the FRD LMP3 series and the British LMP3 Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.cams.com.au/media/news/latest-news/lmp3-series-launch-for-2019 |title=LMP3 Series Launch for 2019 |website=Cams.com.au |access-date=30 December 2018 }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.frdsports.com/en/AGT |title=FRD LMP3 Series |website=FRDSports.com |access-date=30 December 2018 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.lmp3cup.co.uk/ |title=Home · Official Site of LMP3 Cup Championship |website=LMP3Cup.co.uk |access-date=30 December 2018 }} First-generation cars were powered by a 5.0-litre normally-aspirated Nissan VK50 V8 engine, producing {{cvt|420|hp|kW|order=flip}}.{{cite web |date=18 September 2014 |title=LM P3 Nissan Official Engine Supplier! |url=http://www.europeanlemansseries.com/en/s03_actualites/s03p02_detail_actualite.php?news=3157 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008064631/http://www.europeanlemansseries.com/en/s03_actualites/s03p02_detail_actualite.php?news=3157 |archive-date=8 October 2014 |access-date=7 January 2015 |website=EuropeanLeMansSeries.com |publisher=Automobile Club de l'Ouest }} Minimum weight was originally {{convert|900.|kg|lb}}, before being increased to {{convert|930.|kg|lb}} due to an unexpectedly heavy powertrain package.{{Cite web |last=O'Gorman |first=Leigh |date=24 August 2015 |title=LMP3: The state of play |url=https://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/lmp3-the-state-of-play/ |website=Racecar Engineering |access-date=9 March 2025 }}{{Cite web |last=Goodwin |first=Graham |date=19 July 2015 |title=LMP3 Review: Growing Fast, But In Need Of Close Attention |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/07/19/lmp3-review-growing-fast-but-in-need-of-close-attention.html |website=DailySportsCar.com |access-date=9 March 2025 }}
==Gen 2==
File:UA-ELMS-2021-Portimao-466.jpg and DKR Engineering Duqueine D-08, fighting for the lead of the 2021 4 Hours of Portimão]]
A 2nd Generation ruleset was introduced for 2020, with new cars introduced: the Ginetta G61-LT-P3, Ligier JS P320, Duqueine D-08, and the ADESS-03 Evo. These cars can be built from its predecessors using an upgrade kit.{{cite web |url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/06/13/its-all-systems-go-for-lmp3-gen-ii.html |title=It's All Systems Go for LMP3 Gen II |website=DailySportsCar.com |date=13 June 2019 |access-date=27 December 2019 }} The new LMP3 prototypes are used in Asian Le Mans Series, Michelin Le Mans Cup, IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge,{{cite news |title=IMSA Reveals Future Plans for LMP3 Class |url=https://www.imsa.com/news/2023/05/03/imsa-reveals-future-plans-for-lmp3-class/ |access-date=15 October 2023 |date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918183306/https://www.imsa.com/news/2023/05/03/imsa-reveals-future-plans-for-lmp3-class/ |archive-date=18 September 2023}} European Le Mans Series, and Prototype Cup Germany.{{cite web |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2021/12/22/prototype-cup-germany-launched-for-2022-organised-by-adac-creventic.html |title=Prototype Cup Germany Launched for 2022, Organised by ADAC & CREVENTIC |website=DailySportsCar.com |date=22 December 2021 |access-date=8 April 2022 }} For the second generation, engines were upgraded to the 5.6-litre Nissan VK56, increasing horsepower to {{cvt|455|hp|kW|round=5|order=flip}}.{{Cite web |title=2020 LMP3 Regulations Revealed |url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/02/07/2020-lmp3-regulations-revealed.html |website=DailySportsCar.com |date=7 February 2019 |access-date=18 November 2024 }}
==Gen 3==
For 2025, the engines used in the class are set to be replaced with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre Toyota V35A with modified turbochargers and a dry sump oiling system, bringing about a power increase to {{cvt|470|hp|kW|round=5|order=flip}}.{{Cite web |last=Lloyd |first=Daniel |date=3 October 2024 |title=V8 Farewell: LMP3 is Entering a New Turbocharged Era |url=https://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/sportscar/v8-farewell-lmp3-is-entering-a-new-turbocharged-era/ |website=Racecar Engineering |access-date=18 November 2024 }} The same gearbox is retained with the same gear ratios, but the bell housing has been changed to accommodate the new engine.{{Cite web |last=Kilbey |first=Stephen |date=8 July 2024 |title=2025 LMP3 Cars Set To Begin Track Testing |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/07/08/2025-lmp3-cars-set-to-begin-track-testing.html |website=DailySportsCar.com |access-date=9 March 2025 }} Due to the new engine and cooling package, the weight limit was increased to {{convert|1000.|kg|lb}}, necessitating a crash test. New cars will be introduced: the Ginetta G61-LT-P3 Evo, Ligier JS P325, Duqueine D09, and the ADESS AD25.{{cite web |last=Kilbey |first=Stephen |date=26 August 2024 |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/08/26/next-gen-lmp3-cars-shown-off-ahead-of-final-homologation.html |title=Next-Gen LMP3 Cars Shown Off ahead of Final Homologation |website=DailySportsCar.com |access-date=17 December 2024 }}
| class="wikitable" | |
| Specification
! Gen 1 ! Gen 2 ! Gen 3 | |
|---|---|
| Minimum weight
| {{convert|930.|kg|lb}} | {{convert|950.|kg|lb}} | {{convert|1000.|kg|lb}} | |
| Maximum length
| colspan="3" |{{convert|4650.|mm|in}} | |
| Overall width
| colspan="3" |{{convert|1800-1900.|mm|in}} | |
| Maximum height
| colspan="3" |{{convert|1050.|mm|in}} | |
| Engine | 3.5L TT V6 Toyota V35A |
| Power
| {{Convert|420.|hp|kW PS|abbr=unit}} | {{Convert|455|hp|kW PS|abbr=unit}} | {{Convert|470.|hp|kW PS|abbr=unit}} | |
| Transmission
| colspan="3" |Xtrac P1152 6-speed sequential | |
| Fuel tank capacity
| colspan="3" |{{convert|100.|litres|USgal}} | |
| Maximum wheel diameter
| colspan="3" |{{Convert|28|in|mm}} | |
| Maximum wheel width
| colspan="3" |{{Convert|13|in|mm}} |
=LMPC=
File:PLM12 25 Dempsey LMPC Ryan Lewis.jpg-Chevrolet at the 2012 Petit Le Mans]]
LMPC (Le Mans Prototype Challenge) was an earlier entry level class, introduced in 2009, consisting of competitors running identical Oreca FLM09 cars.{{cite web |last=Collins |first=Sam |title=Oreca FLM-09 |url=http://www.racecar-engineering.com/cars/oreca-flm-09/ |website=Racecar-Engineering.com |date=16 March 2011 |access-date=17 April 2023 }} The class was dropped in European Le Mans Series in 2014. As the cost of running an LMPC team was found to be comparable to that for an LMP2 team, the class was dropped after the 2017 season in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.{{cite web |title=Prototype Challenge Teams Weigh In on Class Future |url=http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/prototype-challenge-teams-weigh-in-on-class-future/ |website=SportsCar365.com |date=27 June 2015 |access-date=15 March 2018 }}
See also
{{Div col|colwidth=16em}}
- List of Le Mans Prototypes
- Daytona Prototype
- Daytona Prototype International (DPi)
- Formula Le Mans
- Group 6
- Japan Le Mans Challenge
{{Div col end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Le Mans Prototypes}}
{{Automobile Club de l'Ouest}}
{{European Le Mans Series}}
{{24 Hours of Le Mans}}
{{LMP3 championships}}
{{Class of Auto racing}}