The Start Procedure of an ELMS Race

The ELMS uses rolling starts, where the grid forms up behind a leading car for one or more formation laps before being released on the start line to begin the 4-hour race.

Qualifying

It all begins the day before where the places each car takes on the grid is decided in the three qualifying sessions. Each category has its own session, starting with LMGTE, then LMP3 concluding with the LMP2 session. Unlike the WEC, where two drivers set a time and the average is taken to give a qualifying time for each car, in ELMS each team chooses one driver to take part for the entire session and set the best time possible.

The Grid

The grid for the race is formed by the fastest car being on pole position, followed by the second fastest, then the third and so on, with the slowest car at the back of the field. If two cars have identical qualifying times, priority is given to the competitor who set the time first.

If a car fails to take part in qualifying due a technical issue, the stewards can allow the car to take part in the race, but it must start from the pitlane after one race lap has been completed.

The grid is always set out in a 2 x 2 formation and the teams must inform the officials which driver will take the start of the race.

Access to the grid closes 15 minutes before the established time for the start of the formation lap as specified in Appendix 1 for each event. Any car that has not taken its place on the grid must take the start from the pits.

Reconnaissance Laps

At least 30 minutes before the start of the formation lap the cars will leave their pits to cover one or more reconnaissance laps. If a car covers several reconnaissance laps it must use the pitlane at a maximum speed of 60kph.

The opening and closing times of the pitlane is specified in Appendix 1. Once the pit exit is closed any car that is still in the pits will start the race from the pit exit.

Countdown to the Start

The approach of the start will be announced by boards reading ‘5 minutes’, ‘3 minutes’, ‘1 minute’ and ’30 seconds’ accompanied by an audible warning.

These boards mean:

5 minutes – Start of the countdown: drivers on board their cars, no further work allowed except for tyre changes. At this stage the Safety Car leaves the grid, and uses that lap to relay any important information to Race Control if it is the case, once he concludes his lap he will be on his stand by position.

3 minutes – tyre changes forbidden, everyone except the drivers, team members and officials must leave the grid.

1 minute – the doors of the cars must be closed, and team members must leave the grid.  Engines are started without external assistance.

30 seconds – 30 seconds before the formation lap.

Formation Lap and The Start of The Race

The formation lap is led by the Leading Car and followed by a Medical Intervention Car. In the ELMS the Leading Car is driven by four time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Yannick Dalmas.

An official or, in some cases a special guest, will wave the green flag to begin the formation lap. The cars form up behind the Leading Car in the same 2 x 2 formation.

If a driver is delayed leaving their start position, they have three options;

1 -If they are capable of starting their lap before the last car on the grid crossed the start line they may regain their position as long as they can do it without endangering others and before they reaches intermediate timing loop 2 on track.

2 - If the driver can only start moving after the last car has crossed the start line, then they are allowed to join but they must remain at the back of the grid.

3 - If the driver cannot start moving, their car will be pushed by the marshals to the pit lane were the team mechanics may attempt to solve the problem. If the car starts,s then the driver may start from the pit lane once it opens at the end of the first racing lap.

In cases 2 and 3, the position of the car must be left vacant at the end of the formation lap.

At an agreed point on the circuit, the Race Director will instruct all competitors to form up in their grid positions behind the Leading Car and to close any gaps between them. If another formation lap is not required, the Leading Car will pull off into the pitlane and the pace of the field is controlled by the car on pole position.

As the field approaches the start line the red lights on the gantry will be switched off, signalling the start of the race.  No overtaking is permitted until a car has passed the start line.

Eduardo Freitas, the ELMS Race Director said: “This is a high-tension moment for all involved, a lot of concentration and discipline is required from the drivers.

“Yannick [Dalmas] in the leading car is informed of air and track temperature in order to drive in a way that allows the race cars behind him to get a decent tyre temperature and at the same time to allow drivers the correct perception of car behaviour on a full tanks as well as the track grip conditions.

“Communications from race control to the drivers at this point are done via the pit wall radios that all teams are monitoring in order to relay the information’s to the drivers. Drivers on their side also have to adapt to the fact they are all grouped up, they are in very different cars and the levels of driving expertise are also very diverse.

“At this stage because the cars are all grouped up all safety systems from the track are on full alert, Medical Cars, Rescue Cars, Ambulances, Recovery Trucks and Safety Car all have their engines running until the end of the third racing lap. s

“Once the first lap finishes and the last car crosses Safety Car line 2 the pit exit opens for any cars still in the pits.”

The time has come.. We're underway in Barcelona, 4 hours on the clock, get prepared for day & night racing! #ELMS | #4HBARCELONA pic.twitter.com/GlhIbOYbY6

— European Le Mans Series  (@EuropeanLMS) July 20, 2019