A new international racing series has been confirmed for next year. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), organisers of Le Mans, have formed a partnership to run the FIA World Endurance Championship starting in 2012.
The calendar of the first season will mirror the existing Intercontinental Le Mans Cup series, and the famous 24 Le Mans race will be the highlight. ACO’s ILMC made its debut at the end of last year with a three-round pilot series. Besides Le Mans, this year’s ILMC calendar includes races such as the Sebring 12 Hours, Spa-Francorchamps 6 Hours, Imola 6 Hours, Silverstone 6 Hours, Petit Le Mans (Road Atlanta, USA) and a 6-Hour race in China.
In order to symbolically seal this partnership, FIA president Jean Todt has been asked to start the 79th edition of the 24 Hours Le Mans race next week. “I am delighted to welcome the return of the FIA Endurance World Championship, especially with a promoter like ACO. I am also very pleased to have a legendary race like the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of it,” the Datuk Seri said.
With the WEC in place, FIA World Endurance Championship titles will be awarded to constructors and drivers, and an FIA GT Endurance World Cup will be created for constructors.
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Madam Michelle Todt, pls ask ur hubby to bring it to sepang. Ill purchase the tic. promise~
Did she actually marry Dato Seri Jean? Thought they have just been ‘living in sin’ :) :)
Exactly. Whats the point of having Dato Sri if you cant bring anything to Malaysia :-).. hehehe… We already have the 12 hour Merdeka Millenium Race, just include that into the calendar and we will see bigger teams participating. Perhaps we can make it into 2 race. 6 hour for FIA Endurance, and 6 Hour for locals.
Very interesting news and reminds me of the World Sportscar Championship days which saw the Sauber C9, Rothmans Porsche and discovery of one Michael Schumacher. This series even had some rounds in Batu Tiga back in the 80s. Refreshing racing alternative rather than all about F1
yup..1985. what a GREAT DAY.