A couple that are longer, more evening night racing! As always...best of luck of Team Modena - hoping for that GT2 win!!! Carol During the Prize Giving Ceremony of the Le Mans Series this evening at the Le Mans circuit a revised provisional calendar was announced. Weeks of rumours and guessing came to an end when the organisers were able to announce the final circuits on the five-race calendar for 2010. After the annual pre-season test at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit on March 7-8 the opening race weekend will take place at the same circuit on April 10-11. Unlike the rest of the season the race at Paul Ricard will not be a six hour long race. For the first ever Le Mans Series race at the French circuit the race distance will be extended to an eight hour race. The race is planned to start late in the morning with a finish at 7 pm. As confirmed before the second race of the season will take place at the famous Spa-Francorchamps on May 8-9. The third race of the season will again be held in Portugal on the Portimão circuit. This time however the start of the race will be earlier in the day, with the finish of the race still set to take place at night. The Portuguese round will take place on July 16-17, one month after the Le Mans 24 Hours. After Portugal it is time for the second new addition to the Le Mans Series calendar. On August 20-21 the teams will be racing at the Hungaroring near Budapest, Hungary. It is the first time the Le Mans Series will race in Eastern Europe and the inaugural event at the Hungaroring will be the season’s second night race. For spectators this circuit is probably the best of the calendar. The season ends (almost traditionally) with the Autosport 1000 KM of Silverstone on September 11-12 and will again have its traditional format (day time race and maximum of six hours. 7-8 March // Paul Ricard Circuit (official test) 10-11 April // Paul Ricard Circuit (8 hours) 8-9 May // Spa-Francorchamps (1000km) 16-17 July // Portimao (1000km - night race) 21-22 August // Hungaroring (1000km - night race) 11-12 September // Silverstone (1000km)
You're welcome. I was hoping they might have gone back to Monza :-( The Algarve race is a Saturday one. I wonder how the Hungaroring in August will be, I think it's suppose to be very hot there at that time. Carol
from the LeMans Series website: 2010 calendar 2009 is fading, 2010 is appearing! At the same time as the past season is officially declared over and many guests are gathered at the Le Mans circuit for the 2009 prize giving ceremony, the complete 2010 calendar is finally disclosed. Five races for this seventh season, including some novelties. First of all, the opening race of the season will be held on the Castellet circuit and will last 8 hours. After the success of the night race on the Portimão circuit in 2009, the experience will be repeated and reinforced with two nocturnal races: once again in Algarve, and in Hungary. The 1000 Km of Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone, firmly rooted in the Le Mans Series tradition, conserve their format and date. 7-8 March Official Tests Paul Ricard Circuit 9-10-11 April 8H of the Castellet Paul Ricard Circuit 7-8-9 May 1000 Km of Spa-Francorchamps 15-16-17 July 1000 Km of Algarve (Night race) 21-22 August 1000 Km of Hungaroring (Night race) 10-11-12 September Autosport 1000 Km of Silverstone In a nutshell The 8 Hours of the Castellet (9/10/11 April) The first race of the 2010 Le Mans Series season will be held on the Castellet circuit, in the south of France, on 9, 10 and 11 April. This circuit, both ultra modern and firmly rooted in the history of motor sports which has just reopened its doors to the public, has welcomed the Official Tests of the Series since 2004 and will do so again in 2010 on 7 and 8 March. For an exceptional race, an exceptional format! The opening of the season will not be done with the usual 1000 Km schema (or 6 hours), but will last 8 hours with a late morning start and an arrival at sunset around 7pm. Note that this race will award the same number of points as a 6 hour race, only races 50% longer than the usual 1000 Km distance count double. The 1000 Km of Spa Francorchamps (7/8/9 May) This race is now a traditional meeting for all Endurance racing enthusiasts. Always held in May, it is the last race before the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Belgian track, winding and hilly is a big challenge for the drivers but also for the machines and remains one of the favourite circuits of all motor sports lovers. In front of the many enthusiastic spectators, the line-up for the start is often the biggest of the season. This year, the tradition of the Belgian race will no doubt be respected. The 1000 Km of Algarve (15/16/17 July) The first edition on Portuguese soil in 2009 was a success: summer ambiance, high tech circuit, a present public everything combined to make this meeting one the series musts! The Le Mans Series competitors will return to the Portimão circuit for this night race after having had time to recover from the 24 hour race. The 1000 Km of Hungaroring (21/22 August) Another novelty for Le Mans Series: Hungary. The race, which will be held over two days, will be the season's second night race. The Hungaroring circuit, 19 Km from Budapest, is nicknamed the "Turnstile". Measuring 4,381 Km, it is very narrow and winding. Built along a natural valley and flanking the hillsides, its natural implantation allows an 80% visibility of the circuit for practically all the spectators, wherever they may be. It will be a first for the teams who will discover during this nocturnal race, life "by night" in Hungary! The Autosport 1000 Km of Silverstone (10/11/12 September) Another Le Mans Series classic: the 1000 Km of Silverstone. Traditionally established as final race of the season, the 2010 edition will respect the rule. Held over 3 days, the British race is always one of all challenges for the teams and drivers, such as Jean-Christophe Boullion in 2009, admired by all for his incredible comeback trying to win against all odds until the very last moment. The British soil witnesses these heroes' assaults. Very Shakespearian, isn't it?
