44 full-season entries will contest the 2016 European Le Mans Series, following an announcement at the FIA preseason conference in Paris.
LMP3 is the largest category with 20 cars, featuring a huge assemblage of 19 Ligier JS P3s and a sole Riley AR-2. Five teams – Eurointernational, Graff, United Autosports, OAK Racing and Duquiene Engineering – will contest the season with two cars each.
The class has experienced a huge growth since its initial season in 2015 when seven cars took to the grid. Three teams have returned for season two of the ACO’s cost-cutting prototype formula, including RLR Sport, Villorba Corse and By Speed Factory.
In LMP2, 15 entries have been confirmed which is an increase of three from 2015. Greaves Motorsport will return to defend its overall title with a Gibson 015S and a Ligier JS P2, both Nissan powered. Jota Sport will return under the G-Drive banner, while Thiriet by TDS Racing is set to return with an Oreca 05-Nissan.
There are five new entries to note, coming from DragonSpeed, Panis Barthez Competition, So24! by Lombard Racing, Idec Sport Racing and Courage. All but the latter will field Ligier JS P2s, with Yves Courage’s team selecting the BR01-Nissan for 2016.
Changes have been made to the structure of the GT category, most notably the wrapping up of the GTC class. LMGTE remains, however, and there are nine entries on the list for the 2016 season.
Defending champions Formula Racing are back with a Ferrari 458 Italia that has Johnny Laursen as the listed driver. Other returnees include AF Corse (x2), JMW Motorsport and AT Racing, all of which will field the 458 Italia model.
Variety is provided by Proton Competition which has entered two Porsche 911 RSRs, and Aston Martin which is entering both a works team and a private entry for TDS Racing.
The 2016 European Le Mans Series will begin on March 22, when the teams assemble for the official pre-season test at Circuit Paul Ricard.
2016 European Le Mans Series Entry List
[table id=798 /]
