2009 is fading, 2010 is appearing!

At the same time as the past season is officially declared over and many guests are gathered at the Le Mans circuit for the 2009 prize giving ceremony, the complete 2010 calendar is finally disclosed. Five races for this seventh season, including some novelties.

First of all, the opening race of the season will be held on the Castellet circuit and will last 8 hours. After the success of the night race on the Portimão circuit in 2009, the experience will be repeated and reinforced with two nocturnal races: once again in Algarve, and in Hungary. The 1000 Km of Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone, firmly rooted in the Le Mans Series tradition, conserve their format and date.

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FORMULA LE MANS is a genuine racing nursery and the "first step" towards endurance racing as such the Automobile Club de l’Ouest hold it dear and has granted the entrance to the "LE MANS SERIES" endurance races.

From the next racing season on, FORMULA LE MANS owners (ORECA FLM monotype prototype / 420 BHP GM engine) will have the grand opportunity to take part in LE MANS SERIES 1000 km races in Europe. The FLM are also announced in Northern America within the “ALMS” starting in 2010.

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The 2010 season is taking shape. As of today, we can announce three dates and three circuits:

▪ 9, 10 and 11 April on the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit

▪ 7, 8 and 9 May on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit

▪10, 11 and 12 September on the Silverstone circuit

Two additional races will be announced shortly (see the end of the release).

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We all have images of the 2009 season printed in our memories: the unveiling of the Aston Martin jewel at the Castellet, the British manufacturer’s first podium at Barcelona, Peugeot’s victory at Spa, the night race in Algarve, the victories of Luc Alphand’s courageous team, Jean-Christophe Boullion’s unbelievable come-back at Silverstone… and so many more!

To relive these moments of anthology, which will remain carved forever in the history of Endurance racing, discover the book dedicated to the sixth Le Mans Series season.

A complete review of the season’s five races, anecdotes on the teams and drivers, all the results, fabulous pictures taken by renowned sports photographers and an exclusive 32 page portfolio.

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To the very end, predictions were made on the teams who would win the season. In LMP1, before a mechanical failure, Henri Pescarolo’s team believed they would make it and Jean-Christophe Boullion’s driving talent nearly brought the team the same remarkable achievement as in 2006. They finish second in the classification, an impressive feat of David against Goliath.

Finally the British Aston Martin Team wins the 2009 title, exactly 50 years after the victory of the manufacturer in the Sports Car World Championship! A well deserved tribute to the history of the British brand.

In LMP2, the Portuguese team Quifel ASM, in spite of a shortened race, wins the title in its category concluding a very successful season for Olivier Pla and Miguel Amaral.

In LMGT1, the Luc Alphand Team, after a difficult season, had two happy experiences during the weekend: the return of their leader Luc Alphand in grand shape and winning the season with their Corvette C6.R n°72.

In LMP2, just the once won’t hurt: the battle raged until the last minute! The Felbermayr Proton Germans win this season by one small point in front of their opponents JMW Motorsport! In other words it was shoulder to shoulder and the smallest point had its importance including the one given during the qualifications to the team in pole position!

Last but not least we congratulate the team combining performance and energy saving: the Speedy Racing team Sebbah was awarded the Michelin Green X Challenge trophy.

If we are already looking towards the next season, we would like to take the time to thank all the teams who have fought for their colours during the season and at the same time for those of Endurance racing.

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The race has been tough and exciting till the end, but there was no dramatic reversal of the standings in the final round this year, whatever the classes, as all the favorites clinched the title.

Team ORECA-Matmut-AIM took the checkered flag in first place in the LMP1 class, whereas Speedy Racing Team Sebah won for the first time of the season in the LMP2 class. Gigawave Motorsport took the victory in the GT1 class and JMW Motorsport ruled the GT2 class.

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http://www.lemans-series.com/en/s52_circuits/s52p04_resultats.php?circuit=6

Team Oreca-Matmut AIM made a strong come back and posted the best time. The French team had decided not to enter the race at Nürburgring and so lost all chances for the title, but would like to end the season on a high note as a reward for the hard team work, as Nicolas Lapierre explained: “The practice sessions went well and the balance was getting better and better. Our package works well here and we want to finish the race tomorrow. It would be good for us to take the victory because we have been trying to win since the beginning of the season, but traffic and reliability will be key factors tomorrow.”

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This year is definitely a turning point for OAK Racing team. Further to the change of name (the team was formerly Saulnier Racing), 2009 is the year of development, of new identity affirmation and moreover, of the sporting successes.

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Fresh from its amazing podium clean sweep at the ADAC Nürburgring 1000km in August, the Aston Martin Racing squad is getting ready to shine at the top of the time sheets, especially here, for their home race.

As the teams and drivers titles are within reach, the fans are getting very excited, partly because Aston Martin and Aston Martin Racing’s headquarters are less than 30 miles away from the Silverstone circuit.

We have to keep in mind that 2009 is the 50th anniversary of the DBR1’s victory in the World Sportscar Championship. This car, which is forever engraved on the memory, should run one lap on Sunday before its descendants start the race in their Gulf Oil livery.

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Since his motorbike accident in last June, Luc Alphand took some rest by his family and followed an active re-education programme. Today we have the pleasure to announce you that former ski champion and above all, racing driver; Luc Alphand Aventure’s team eponymous founder will be present to support his troops at the occasion of the season final race.

Phone interview, this morning, with the French champion.

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The 1992 Formula 1 World Champion, will be back on one of his favourite circuits for the fifth and last race of the 2009 Le Mans Series season: the Autosport 1000 Km of Silverstone.

A major event to be followed in less than two weeks time; when for the first time in motor sport history, a World Champion will race with two of his children at the highest international competition level.

The 56 year old British driver will share the wheel of LNT Team’s LMP1 Ginetta-Zytek with Lawrence Tomlinson and his son, Greg.

Leo Mansell, Nigel’s other son, as since the beginning of the season, will also be on the track in another category with Modena Team’s Ferrari F430 (GT2).

Nigel gave an interview two weeks ago at the 1000 Km of Nürburgring where he was supporting and advising Leo.

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Aston Martin Racing fully achieved its goal: the British team scored as many points as possible and could take the lead of the series thanks to today’s victory. Indeed, the pre-race four-point gap could seem very hard to fill and victory was the only option today to keep the team chances alive for the title chase, and obviously, the team used the necessary resources to achieve its goal. No less than three cars raced this weekend and will race at Silverstone, the last round of the season, which shows how important the title is for Aston Martin Racing.

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Three Lolas-Aston Martin will start from the first and second row tomorrow! The goal is clear for Aston Martin Racing this weekend: the Britons aim to secure as many points as possible in their championship chase. The team is currently second in both Drivers and Team standings, four points behind Pescarolo Sport. Had they not changed the engine after the qualifying session at Spa, the squad would only be short by two points, as the drivers of the # 007 Lola-Aston Martin climbed on the podium three times in a row, but only once on the first step.

The team is up against the wall and will only target the victory as explained polesitter Stefan Mücke: “I chose to spend half of the session in the pits and waited for a clear lap. The car is good and the time could have been better without the yellow flag. It is great to have two Aston Martin Racing cars on the front row. We will try to do our best tomorrow, but it is true that we are in a good position for the race and that we score one point for the pole.”

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This day dedicated to the free practices began under the rain, and the first session took place on a humid track. The Speedy Racing Team Sebah’s car made the best time: 1.44.598s

As the time passed, the weather conditions got much better, and the times too. The 007 Lola Aston Martin made the best time (1.43.514) during the second session. Local favourite, The Stefan Mücke, was at the wheel during this lap.

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