ACO 2010 Sporting Regulations

The ACO released their 2010 Sporting regulations in the last few days and there is plenty of red ink marking some major changes to the 2009 documentaation.

GT1

First up is the confirmation that the ACO will welcome the new 2010 GT1 cars to the fold.  The regulations make it clear that both the new (Ford GT, Nissan GTR and Lmborghini SV-R) and the grandfathered (Corvette C6.R, Aston DBR9 and Maserati MC12) will be eligible in 2010 and, with LMS sources predicting a substantial GT1 entry in 2010, including potentially a Maserati presence, that was really no surprise.  The ACO made it clear some time ago that GT1 entrants for the Le Mans 24 Hours must also enter other ACO sanctioned events if they are to be successful in their bid to race in France in June.

If any of these cards though require modifications to compete in the ACO's longer races (as opposed to the sprints in FIA GT1) then a new homologation must be submitted to the ACO with the manufacturer/ tuner paying the full cost.

dsc has also learnt recently that the MC12's grandfathering has been extended to 2011, matching the concession meted out to the C6.R and DBR9.

LMP Bodywork Changes

The ACO seem to have drawn a thick line between what it expects from Factory entries in 2010, and what it expects from their hard-pressed privateer entrants as far as making changes to their 2009 spec cars is concerned.

A raft of current machinery has received waivers for 2010 meaning that lengthy and costly development work need not, in some cases, now be needed.

The regulations specifiy the following cars (with detail) as having received waivers:

AUDI R10: The complete car (chassis, bodywork, engine, restrictor, ballast, etc.) remains in the 2009 configuration provided:

• the team who manages the car is not a factory team,
• the drivers have never competed with the official team AUDI

If necessary, the ACO can adjust the performance of the car after the first race of Le Mans Series.

LMP1 PESCAROLO: Waiver for rear fenders.
LMP1 ORECA: Waiver for rear fenders.
LMP1 LOLA: Waiver for rear fenders.
LMP1 LOLA COUPE: Waiver for rear fenders.
LMP2 PORSCHE: Waiver for rear fenders.
LMP2 PESCAROLO: Waiver for rear fenders.
LMP2 LOLA: Waiver for rear fenders.
LMP2 LOLA COUPE: Waiver for rear fenders.
LMP2 ARX-01c: Waiver for rear fenders.

Neither the Audi R15, nor the Peugeot 908 feature on that list, but then again neither does the Ginetta Zytek, or any number of the minnow entries including WR Salini, Lucchini, Courage, Lavaggi etc.

Audi have already made it clear that they intend to produce an evolution of the R15, dubbed internally the R15 Plus - Whether the 'Plus' refers to an increase in performance or development cost remains to be seen!

The decision on the Audi R10 would seem to suggest that there is active interest in the car (or cars) returning to the LMS in 2010, presumably at present from Kolles.

Incidentally dsc now believes that the only 2010 Porsche Spyder entry anywhere will come in the ALMS from Cytosport, sources suggest that Porsche appear unwilling or unable to support other prospective programmes in Europe

Brake Louvres

The ACO are clearly intent on cracking down on the issue of broken wheel louvres, an issue which caused much controversy at Silverstone's LMS round where a broken louvre cost the Speedy Sebah team dear.

The new regulations clearly intend to emphasise the seriousness of the issue and state:

"Competitors must permanently take care of the fixation and the good condition of the louvers above the wheels and behind the rear wheels. Any louver missing or with at least one strip missing must be replaced immediately during the pit stop. A repair by mean of adhesive tape is not acceptable. If the car leaves the pit without making the necessary repairs, it will be stopped by the race control."

Other Changes

The 2010 regulations also bring forward some clarifications and tweaks to the rules regarding Safety Car interventions in both LMS and at Le Mans itself.  All LMS races will have two Safety Cars to bring the race under control, The 24 Hours itself will have three.

The illuminaed number panels which have been much in vogue of late are made mandatory for any race which takes place in whole or in part in darkness.    

The number panels on GT2 runners change from yellow (which did not work well) in 2009, to orange.

The regulations can be found here