Asian Le Mans Series Calendar change
Within that context and in order to compensate for the track time situation of the second round of the season (i.e. 1h20 race in Shanghai), an alternative solution has been sought.
The Asian Le Mans Series, after consulting and in accordance with the teams, is now able to announce that the Shanghai (China) event scheduled on November 1st 2015 is going to be replaced by a round in Sepang (Malaysia) on November 8th 2015 with a 3H race.
The 2016/2017 calendar which will count five events (each with a 3H race minimum), will include a round in China which still remains a strategic and ‘must have’ destination for the ACO.
This new date will not only offer more track time but also allow additional teams to join the series and significantly reduce the competitors’ freight expenses.
The full 2015/2016 calendar will include four events, as follows :
Fuji (Japan) – 10/11 October 2015 : 2 hours race (WEC event)
Sepang (Malaysia) – 7/8 November 2015 : 3 hours race
Buriram (Thailand) – 8/10 January 2016 : 3 hours race
Sepang (Malaysia) – 23/24 January 2016 : 3 hours race
As a result of this calendar change, it has also been decided to extend the Early Bird rate’s registration period until Monday June 22nd 2015. The deadline for the full season entries remains on August 15th 2015 and for the race by race entries, it stands fixed at three weeks prior to each event.
The three invitations to the 2016 Le Mans 24 Hours will be awarded (with no minimum entries condition) to the teams that have participated in all rounds and are winners of the:
LM P2 class, invited in LM P2
LM P3 class, invited in LM P2 (or in GTE subject to the Le Mans 24 Hours selecting committee)
GT class, invited in GTE
Cyrille Taesch Wahlen, Asian Le Mans Series Operations Director: ® With this change made in total partnership with the teams, the Series is now gearing up to start the second phase of its revitalization plan. Our ambition is that the Asian Le Mans Series soon becomes the synonym for Endurance Racing for Asia ».
Dato' Razlan Razali, Chief Executive Officer, Sepang International Circuit: "It is an honor for Sepang International Circuit to host the Asian Le Mans Series race in November. Le Mans has a faithful following amongst motorsports enthusiasts who love the rawness of the race. And Sepang Circuit being the only F1 Circuit in the region and the hub of Southeast Asian motor sports, are always looking at bringing in world class races and events to keep all motorsports fans enthralled. We welcome the Asian Le Mans Series back to race at the Sepang Circuit."