The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) is delighted to announce the arrival of a new six-round LMP3 series into Australia in for 2019.
The announcement has come to light following a partnership agreement between the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, (ACO) and LMP3 Cup Australia Pty Ltd with the support of CAMS.
With the cup to use FIA driver seedings and the current ACO sprint cup format, each car will be required to run with both bronze and silver drivers – with the goal to develop and teach less experience drivers through their professional teammates.
CAMS CEO Eugene Arocca is encouraged by the category’s increased popularity across the world, and believes it plays another crucial role in Australia’s link to the global driver pathway.
“LMP3 will be an exciting addition to the Australian motor sport scene in a category that is popular around the world,” Arocca said.
“This category has already seen its share of success with series in Asia, Europe and the USA. It will no doubt help young drivers help establish their careers here too and provide more opportunities to race.
“While a calendar is yet to be confirmed, we believe the Shannons Nationals will be able to host this category in future and will be able to showcase some exciting racing on circuits around Australia.”
For each round, LMP3 Cup Australia will consist of two one-hour races with specific LMP3 class vehicles to provide a pathway for drivers to enter the FIA World Endurance Championship.
LMP3 Cup Australia spokesperson Josh Hunt believes that the category will be the perfect stepping stone for young drivers wanting to make it to the world stage, including the internationally famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
“The concept of fast, great sounding cars that are cost effective to run has been so successful around the world and it is so exciting to bring it to Australia,” Hunt explained.
“We have seen so many Australian drivers travel overseas to compete in LMP3 recently, so now LMP3 Cup Australia gives those drivers a place to compete in Australia and also gives so many more drivers the opportunity to progress to Le Mans and prototype racing.
“The partnership with ACO gives Australian drivers a better opportunity than ever to progress into overseas racing and hopefully a world championship in WEC like Mark Webber, Alex Davison and Matt Campbell.”
Since the category’s inception in 2015, more than 150 LMP3 cars have been produced and competing within a dozen different series across the world, including the Asian Le Mans Series and European Le Mans Series.
LMP3 Cup Australia eligible cars will be specific homologated LMP3 machines created from five ACO designated constructors as with new cars cost capped at €206,500.
While teams and drivers will fight for the outright title, or an amateur trophy for all silver/bronze driver line ups, the outright cup winner will be rewarded with free entry to the Asian Le Mans Series in 2020.
Whilst the official calendar details are yet be announced, events such as the Shannons Nationals and world class race tracks such as The Bend, Phillip Island and Sydney Motorsport Park have been confirmed to host rounds.
Category officials have also received a significant amount of interest from a large contingent of Australian and New Zealand drivers interested in taking part in the series closer to home
