Le Mans Series confirms 2010 calendar

During the Prize Giving Ceremony of the Le Mans Series last evening at the Le Mans circuit a revised provisional calendar was announced. Weeks of rumors and guessing came to an end when the organizers were able to announce the final circuits on the five-race calendar for 2010.

After the annual pre-season test at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit on March 7-8 the opening race weekend will take place at the same circuit on April 10-11. Unlike the rest of the season the race at Paul Ricard will not be a six hour long race. For the first ever Le Mans Series race at the French circuit the race distance will be extended to an eight hour race. The race is planned to start late in the morning with a finish at 7 pm.

As confirmed before the second race of the season will take place at the famous Spa-Francorchamps on May 8-9. The third race of the season will again be held in Portugal on the Portimão circuit. This time however the start of the race will be earlier in the day, with the finish of the race still set to take place at night. The Portuguese round will take place on July 16-17, one month after the Le Mans 24 Hours.

After Portugal it is time for the second new addition to the Le Mans Series calendar. On August 20-21 the teams will be racing at the Hungaroring near Budapest, Hungary. It is the first time the Le Mans Series will race in Eastern Europe and the inaugural event at the Hungaroring will be the season’s second night race. For spectators this circuit is probably the best of the calen

The season ends (almost traditionally) with the Autosport 1000 KM of Silverstone on September 11-12 and will again have its traditional format (day time race and maximum of six hours.

7-8 March Paul Ricard Circuit (official test)
10-11 April Paul Ricard Circuit (8 hours)
8-9 May Spa-Francorchamps (1000km)
16-17 July Portimao (1000km – night race)
21-22 August Hungaroring (1000km – night race)
11-12 September Silverstone (1000km)