The 2016 ELMS calendar was unveiled today at Paul Ricard by Gerard Neveu and ACO President Pierre Fillon.
The headline news is the addition of a sixth round, Spa Francorchamps added to the current quintet of circuits on the 2015 Calendar. There is a theme emerging on calendars for the major endurance racing series, stability!
Whilst a race at Spa is confirmed he date for the race in Belgium is not yet finally fixed, and coud move by a week or so, in part to accommodate a stable and improved support package that sees the Renault 2.0 Eurocup join the bill for the final four rounds of the season and the new Renault RS01 Trophy join for the final five, there being no room for either Renault series on the opening round’s bill at Silverstone, again shared with the WEC.
The other major change is a move to a three day race meeting format, and whilst the circuit selection was welcomed by the teams, that part of the package was not universally endorsed!
One other potentially interesting snippet is that the venue for the Prologue is listed as TBA. Is that merely a nod to the as yet unannounced FIA WEC calendar or might the pre-season tests move from Paul Ricard?
Pierre Fillon, President of Automobile Club de l’Ouest said: “The 2016 calendar represents the next step in the growth of the European Le Mans Series. The 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is an important addition to the ELMS, while the five other races, held on the same tracks at the same time of year, are well established and growing in popularity.”
Gérard Neveu , European Le Mans Series CEO said: “We are very happy to welcome the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and RS01 Renault Sport Trophy and our thanks go to Renault Sport Technologies for their full support. The addition of these two high profile single seater and GT race series will enhance the popularity of the ELMS weekends and give the fans two more reasons to join us for an exciting 2016 season.”
Jean-Pascal Dauce, Motorsport Director at Renault Sport Technologies : “We are very happy to have concluded this agreement with ELMS. We have worked together on several occasions in the last two years, and the organisation of the events has always been done in a strong and professional manner. This collaboration will offer great value to spectators who travel to the events as well as to all our competitors. In addition, this will give professional and amateur drivers an opportunity to visit legendary circuits and create valuable potential contacts for the Formula Renault 2.0 and Renault Sport Trophy drivers.”
European Le Mans Series Provisional 2016 Calendar
Prologue test 29/30 March
RD1 15/16 April Silverstone WEC
RD2 13-15 May Imola RST
RD3 15-17 July Red Bull Ring RST / FR2.0
RD4 26-28 August Paul Ricard RST / FR2.0
RD5 23-25 September Spa-Francorchamps* RST / FR2.0
RD6 21-23 October Estoril RST / FR2.0
*to be confirmed
