ELMS looks forward to Imola

The first race of the season took place alongside the FIA World Endurance Championship at the Silverstone circuit in mid-April.  The English Jota Sport team chalked up the first points for the 2013 season with an overall win for Simon Dolan and Oliver Turvey in the LMP2 Zytek-Nissan.  The event took place in difficult weather conditions and under driving rain, which caused the race to be shortened for safety reasons. In the LMPC category, Soheil Ayari and Anthony Pons clocked in at the head of the class, while LMGTE was led by the No.77 Proton Competition Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of Nick Tandy and Gianluca Roda.  In GTC it was the BMW Z4 of Ecurie Ecosse, driven by Ollie Millroy, Andrew Smith and Alasdair McCaig who successfully opened proceedings in a category which looks to be very evenly matched for the season ahead. 

For the second round, 2013 ELMS entrants will undoubtedly find a climate more suitable for endurance racing on a circuit well known for having hosted the F1 Grand Prix of San Marino.

Autodromo Enzo & Dino Ferrari – Imola, Italy 

The Enzo & Dino Ferrari Circuit is situated near the town of Imola, 40 kilometres to the east of Bologna.  It hosted the 1980 F1 Grand Prix of Italy before becoming the venue for the Grand Prix of San Marino over a period of 25 years, from 1981 to 2006. 

Originally known for being an ultra-quick track, it underwent modifications in the ‘90s which notably transformed the Tamburello and Villeneuve corners, losing a little of its character as a result.  It was substantially modernised in 2007, the work being overseen by famous F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke.  Made up of 9 right-hand and 13 left-hand corners, the 4.909 km Imola track is one of relatively few on which cars run anti-clockwise. It offers a very technical layout which is difficult to conquer, with complicated corners which require superior driving skills.

Numerous endurance events have taken place at Imola, with races ranging from 250km to 1000km, or from three to six hours.  The forerunner to the ELMS, the Le Mans Series, held only one race there as part of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in 2011. 

The European Le Mans Series will share this weekend of racing with the FFSA GT Tour.  Fans will also be able to profit from seeing a round of the Peugeot RCZ Racing Cup on track, as well as single-seater Formula 3 Classic and XL Formula races. Don't miss the 17th and 18th May at Imola.  The ticket office is open at www.autodromoimola.com .