The 2015 ELMS calendar and circuit presentation

Two-day weekends:

Organised by the ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest), ELMS events are run by LMEM (Le Mans Endurance Management).  From 2015, ELMS competitors will be able to take part in two 90-minute free practice sessions on Saturdays and a qualifying session on Sunday morning.  A four-hour race will be held on Sunday afternoon.

Five European circuits – 2015 Calendar

In 2015, the ELMS will visit five top European circuits, all of which host top level motorsport. - 10/11 April:                  Silverstone (Great-Britain)

- 16/17 May:                   Imola (Italy)

- July 11/12:                    Red Bull Ring (Austria)

- 5/6 September:         Paul Ricard (France)

- 17/18 October:           Estoril (Portugal)

Silverstone :

Known for being a mecca for motorsport enthusiast from around the world, Silverstone Circuit (in the county of Northamptonshire) is a true British institution. 

Ninety minutes from the UK's capital city of London, the 5.9km (3.66 mile) Silverstone track has everything to excite and entertain spectators.  Built on the site of an old airfield in the late 1940s, it has undergone regular upgrades and is host to the British F1 Grand Prix. 

European Le Mans Series results (2014)

LMP2: Thiriet by TDS Racing – No.46 Morgan Nissan – Gommendy/Thiriet/Badey

LMGTE: AF Corse – No.55 Ferrari 458 Italia - Cameron/Griffin

GTC: Team Ukraine – No. 96 Ferrari 458 Italia - Pier Guidi/Kruglyk/Chukanov

Imola:

For the third consecutive year, the European Le Mans Series will return to the famous Imola circuit, renamed as Autodromo Enzo & Dino Ferrari after the death in 1988 of the ‘Commendatore'. 

Il Autodromo Enzo & Dino Ferrari is known for its very technical layout, which is difficult to conquer, its twists and turns require a superior level of driving. In addition, it's one of the few European tracks where cars circulate anticlockwise.

European Le Mans Series Results 2014 :

LMP2: JOTA Sport – No. 38 Zytek SN Z11 – Albuquerque/Tincknell/Dolan

LMGTE: SMP Racing – No. 72 Ferrari 458 Italia – Zlobin/Bertolini/Shaitar

GTC: Formula Racing – No. 60 Ferrari 458 Italia – Laursen/ Mac

Red Bull Ring:

The Red Bull Ring, originally known as the Österreichring or the Zeltweg Circuit (near Knittelfeld) was opened in 1969 and totally rebuilt in 2011 at the instigation of Dietrich Mateschitz, owner of Red Bull energy drinks.

The 4.326 km layout of the circuit is situated in the Styrian Alps between Zeltweg and Knittelfeld located 660 meters above sea level. It includes nine corners (2 left-hand and 7 right-hand), the width of the circuit is between 12 to 13 metres and the track offers competitors gradient changes of 9.3% downhill and 12% uphill – definitely enough to guarantee drivers as well as spectators an exciting and a most certainly hotly contested event.

European Le Mans Series Results (2014):

LMP2: Signatech Alpine – No.36 A450b Nissan – Chatin/Panciatici/Webb

LMGTE: AF Corse – No.55 Ferrari 458 Italia – Cameron/Griffin/Rugolo

GTC: SMP Racing –No.71 Ferrari F458 Italia GT3 – Ladygin/Basov/Persiani

Paul Ricard Circuit:

Built in 1970 by the French aniseed drink tycoon, Paul Ricard, the circuit which bears his name has been totally renovated by Philippe Gurdjian at the start of the 2000s.

Following this modernisation, the circuit has become a benchmark for motor sport safety, notably because of the asphalt run-off areas used instead of gravel traps, and it re-opened its doors to the general public in 2009. In 2015 the Circuit Paul Ricard will welcome the world famous motorcycle endurance race the Bol d'Or.

The Paul Ricard circuit is one of the very few with a long straight line, the Mistral Straight which covers 1.8km and therefore makes it one of the best circuit for endurance racing, with 25 corners (15 right, 10 left) and the width of the track is 12 meters. The longest of the many track configurations is 5.8 km.

European Le Mans Series Results (2014):

LMP2:  NewBlood by Morand Racing – No.43 Morgan Judd – Klien/Hirsch/Ragues

LMGTE: AF Corse – No.55 Ferrari 458 Italia – Cameron/Griffin/Rugolo

GTC: SMP Racing – No.73 Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 – Ladygin/Markosov/Beretta

Estoril:

Located near the Atlantic coast about thirty kilometres from Lisbon, the Estoril circuit was created in 1972 and has undergone numerous transformations since. It offers a unique configuration with a long straight followed by a series of highly technical sequences. It requires a versatile car, with a good top speed and agility through the series of fast bends.

The Estoril Circuit will again be the venue for the final round of the ELMS season.  In 2014, Estoril hosted a fantastic finale which saw a fifth different team climb onto the highest step of the podium, rounding out a high quality season in front of 20,000 spectators.

European Le Mans Results (2014):

LMP2:  Sebastien Loeb Racing – No.24 ORECA 03R Nissan – Capillaire/Eriksson

LMGTE: SMP Racing – No72 Ferrari 458 Italia – Zlobin/Bertolini/Shaitar

GTC:  BMW Sport Trophy Marc VDS – No.87 BMW Z4 GT3 – Leinders/Paltalla/Hassid