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The Le Mans Series (LMS) is a European sports car racing endurance series based around the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and run by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). The series was originally named the Le Mans Endurance Series, but changed its name prior to the 2006 season.

It is similar to the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) based in the United States and Canada that has been running with ACO backing since 1999, but is run by IMSA. It is also seen as a rebirth of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) which was created by IMSA and the ACO, but only ran in 2001. LMS champions and runners up in all four categories receive an automatic entry to the following year's Le Mans 24 Hour Race.

History[]

The ACO, seeing the success of the American Le Mans Series but not completely satisfied with the fact that IMSA did not fully comply with the ACO's regulations in order to help attract privateer teams, as well as the failure of the FIA Sportscar Championship to succeed in Europe, decided that a series run by themselves would be a better alternative for Europe. The ACO would instead attempt to attract factory backed teams with longer endurance races then ALMS and FIA SCC ran, but less races in a season to help keep costs down. The series would also be European based instead of international, thus it could be closer to the factories of a large number of sportscar teams to help attract them to the series. Winners of the LMES championship would go on to earn automatic entries in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, similar to the American Le Mans Series.

The series was initially previewed in an open race run under the LMES banner in 2003 at the 1000km of Le Mans, a one-off event before the season started in 2004.

For the 2004 Le Mans Series season the series participated in four events, including resurrecting classic races like the 1000km Monza, 1000km Nürburgring, and 1000km Spa. A large number of competitors turned out, making the racing very exciting.

2005 saw the series expand to a five race format with the addition of the Istanbul Racing Circuit. For 2007, the LMS will go to its first overseas race when they contest their sixth round in Brazil's Mil Milhas.

Champions[]

  LMP1 Team LMP2 Team GTS/GT1 Team GT/GT2 Team
LMP1 Driver(s) LMP2 Driver(s) GTS/GT1 Driver(s) GT/GT2 Driver(s)
2004 25px United Kingdom Audi Sport UK Veloqx 25px France Courage Compétition 25px France Larbre Competition 25px United Kingdom Sebah Automotive
25px United Kingdom Johnny Herbert
25px United Kingdom Jamie Davies
25px Switzerland Alexander Frei
25px United Kingdom Sam Hancock
25px The flag of Portugal Pedro Lamy
25px France Christophe Bouchut
25px Switzerland Steve Zacchia
25px Russia Roman Rusinov
2005 25px France Pescarolo Sport 25px United Kingdom Chamberlain-Synergy 25px Italy BMS Scuderia Italia 25px United Kingdom Sebah Automotive
25px France Jean-Christophe Boullion
25px France Emmanuel Collard
25px United Kingdom Gareth Evans 25px Italy Michele Bartyan
25px Italy Christian Pescatori
25px Switzerland Toni Seiler
25px France Xavier Pompidou
25px Germany Marc Lieb
2006 25px France Pescarolo Sport 25px France Barazi-Epsilon 25px France Aston Martin Larbre 25px Italy Autorlando Sport
25px France Jean-Christophe Boullion
25px France Emmanuel Collard
25px France Juan Barazi
25px Netherlands Michael Vergers
25px The flag of Portugal Pedro Lamy
25px Switzerland Gabriele Gardel
25px Belgium Vincent Vosse
25px Germany Marc Lieb
25px Switzerland Joel Camathias
2007

External links[]

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