A further change to the the calendar for the 2015/16 Asian Le Mans Series sees the race planned to support the WEC round at Shanghai replaced by a further round at Sepang on 8 November.
The planned 80 minute race in China then is replaced with a full 3 hour round in Malaysia, a race length that the ACO says is not possible to accommodate on the Shanghai bill on the WEC weekend.
Series organisers add that the replacement date will not only offer more track time but also allow additional teams to join the series and significantly reduce the competitors’ freight expenses.
Revised 2015/2016 calendar:
Fuji (Japan) 10/11 October 2015 – 2H race (WEC event)
Sepang (Malaysia) – 7/8 November 2015 – 3H race
Buriram (Thailand) – 8/10 January 2016 – 3H race
Sepang (Malaysia) – 23/24 January 2016 – 3H race
The 2016/2017 calendar will feature five events (each with a 3H race minimum), and will include a round in China “which still remains a strategic and ‘must have’ destination for the ACO”.
As a result of this calendar change, it has also been decided to extend the Early Bird rate’s registration period until Monday 22 June 2015. The deadline for the full season entries remains on 15 August 2015 and for the race-by-race entries, it stands fixed at three weeks prior to each event.
The three invitations to the 2016 Le Mans 24H will be awarded (with no minimum entries condition) to the teams that have participated in all rounds and are winners:
Of the LMP2 class, invited in LMP2
Of the LMP3 class, invited in LMP2 (or in GTE subject to the Le Mans 24H selecting committee
Of the GT class, invited in GTE
Cyrille Taesch Wahlen, Asian Le Mans Series Operations Director: “With this change made in total partnership with the teams, the Series is now gearing up to start the second phase of its revitalisation plan. Our ambition is that the Asian Le Mans Series soon becomes the synonym for Endurance Racing for Asia.”
Dato’Razlan Razali, Chief Executive Officer, Sepang International Circuit:
“It is an honour for Sepang International Circuit to host the Asian Le Mans Series race in November. Le Mans has a faithful following amongst motorsports enthusiasts who love the rawness of the race.
“And Sepang Circuit being the only F1 Circuit in the region and the hub of Southeast Asian motor sports, are always looking at bringing in world-class races and events to keep all motorsports fans enthralled. We welcome the Asian Le Mans Series back to race at the Sepang Circuit “.
The Asian Le Mans first visit to Sepang will come a month before the now SRO promoted 12 Hours of Sepang.
