Le Mans 09'

[HORNDAWG]

The Official list of 29 Auto-invites.

As the races and championships whose results are taken into account for the automatic selections for the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours have finished, 29 entrants have been invited out of the 55 at the start.

Taking into account the different results of the 2008 races and championships, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest has selected 29 entrants in application of the ACO regulations. They are eligible to take part in the test day on 31st May 2009 provided they have confirmed their entry by 12th January 2009 in the category for which they have has been selected with a car complying with the 2009 technical regulations.

LM P1

Audi Sport North America Audi R10 1st 24 Heures du Mans
Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 2nd 24 Heures du Mans
Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R10 1st Le Mans Series
Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 2nd Le Mans Series
Audi Sport North AmericaAudi R10 1st Petit Le Mans
Intersport Racing Lola B06/10 AER 2nd American Le Mans Series

LM P2

Van Merksteijn Motorsport Porsche RS Spyder 1st 24 Heures du Mans
Team Essex Porsche RS Spyder 2nd 24 Heures du Mans
Van Merksteijn Motorsport Porsche RS Spyder 1st Le Mans Series
Team Essex Porsche RS Spyder 2nd Le Mans Series
Penske Motorsports Porsche RS Spyder 1st Petit Le Mans
Penske Racing Porsche RS Spyder 1st American Le Mans Series
Horag Racing Porsche RS Spyder 1st Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge

LM GT1

Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin DBR9 1st 24 Heures du Mans
Corvette Racing Corvette C6.R 2nd 24 Heures du Mans
Luc Alphand Aventures Corvette C6.R 1st Le Mans Series
Team Modena Aston Martin DBR9 2nd Le Mans Series
Corvette Racing Corvette C6.R 1st Petit Le Mans
Bell Motorsports Aston Martin DBR9 2nd American Le Mans Series
Vitaphone Racing Maserati MC12 1st FIA-GT
Phoenix-Carsport Corvette C6.R 2nd FIA-GT

LM GT2

Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GTC 1st 24 Heures du Mans
BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari F430 GTC 2nd 24 Heures du Mans
Virgo Motorsport Ferrari F430 GTC 1st Le Mans Series
Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 997 GT3-RSR 2nd Le Mans Series
Flying Lizard Motorsport Porsche 997 GT3-RSR 1st American Le Mans Series
Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GTC 1st Petit Le Mans
AF Corse Ferrari F430 GTC 1st FIA-GT
BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari F430 GTC 2nd FIA-GT

[HORNDAWG]

The ACO have canceled the mandatory testing days, which this year would have started May 31st. So the first official day of Le Mans 09' will be scrutineering on Monday June 8th.
here

[Canada ALMS fan]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

The ACO have canceled the mandatory testing days, which this year would have started May 31st. So the first official day of Le Mans 09' will be scrutineering on Monday June 8th.
here

This is a smart way to cut costs. I have thought for years that the time in France was too long to be efficient budget-wise for the teams. If they are going to have a test day or two they should be closer to the actual race. Plus the impact on closing roads would be minimized. They are always over subscribed for entrants so I don't think this move was to ensure a full grid by making the race less expensive.

[kwokjk]

I agree somewhat and favor canceling the test day to save teams money. (Though I'm sad that there won't be a test day) But think they should have kept the race weekend to 4 days instead of shorting it one day.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by kwokjk

I agree somewhat and favor canceling the test day to save teams money. (Though I'm sad that there won't be a test day) But think they should have kept the race weekend to 4 days instead of shorting it one day.

There will still be a free practice/testing day on Wed., before the Thurs. 5 hrs of practice/"Q"ing sessions.
As to the 3 day vs. 4 day formatting, that is for the LMS races (series) not the Le Mans 24hr.

[kwokjk]

Very good... then I don't really care about that change lol

[HORNDAWG]

Brabs is under the impression that there will not be a defense of the title in GT-1 with a factory Aston Martin. He also has basically confirmed a P-1 project on the agenda but thinks there might not be any factory squad on the grid at Le Sarthe come this June. Here

[HORNDAWG]

List of auto-invite's who have confirmed.

LMP1
AUDI SPORT NORTH AMERICA
AUDI SPORT TEAM JOEST
TEAM PEUGEOT TOTAL
TEAM PEUGEOT TOTAL

LMP2
TEAM ESSEX

LMGT1
LUC ALPHAND AVENTURES
CORVETTE RACING
CORVETTE RACING

LMGT2
RISI COMPETIZIONE
RISI COMPETIZIONE
FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORTS
VIRGO MOTORSPORT
TEAM FELBERMAYR-PROTON
AF CORSE
BMS SCUDERIA ITALIA


Noticing that Aston Martin Racing did not take their GT-1 invite up. More

[HORNDAWG]

The ACO has put the kibosh to the grumblings about not enough cars to fill the 09 Le Mans grid with the releasing of the fact that there are 82 total applicants for the race. This is comprised of the 15 that have taken up their auto-invites and 67 others to fill the remaining 48 spots. 40 of which will make the grid and 8 reserves. Here

[HORNDAWG]

ACO announces press conference to release the full 09 grid to be on Feb. 26th.