- New agreement ensures successful continuation of continental championship
- 24 Hours of Le Mans invitation extended to winner of combined Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS and Asian Le Mans Series classification
- Second invite allocated to Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS
SRO Motorsports Group has confirmed exciting plans to work with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and Asian Le Mans Endurance Management (ALMEM) to jointly oversee the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series.
The new agreement will ensure the successful continuation of the multi-class championship, which caters for mixed grids of LMP2, LMP3 and GT3 machinery, while safeguarding the long-term health of sports car racing in Asia. SRO can draw upon extensive experience in the region as the organiser of Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS, as well as a variety of other events stretching back more than 25 years.
The collaboration will also see two 24 Hours of Le Mans invitations awarded for the race's 2024 edition. The first will be allocated to Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS, with an invite extended to the champion of either the Pro-Am or Gold Cup class, while the second will be given to the winner of a combined Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS and Asian Le Mans Series classification. Further details regarding both will be confirmed in due course.
Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS is set to return in 2022 following two years in which Covid-19 restrictions have prevented on-track activity. The series plans to stage a minimum five-round season that could ultimately increase to six events, with the opener currently scheduled for 15-17 July at Suzuka.
Pierre Fillon, ACO President: “This joint collaboration is the best way to ensure the success and the development of the Asian Le Mans Series, the expertise of the three companies will be beneficial for the competitors. Alongside the ACO, Stéphane played an important role in the creation of the European Le Mans Series and we share a lot of the same values when it comes to the vision of our sport.”
Frédéric Lequien, LMEM and ALMEM CEO: “We are very excited to work with Stéphane and the SRO Motorsports Group team to ensure the continued success of the Asian Le Mans Series. We have great respect for everything that Stéphane and his team have done across GT racing, and we strongly believe that a joint collaboration between our companies can be hugely beneficial for everyone.”
Stéphane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group Founder & CEO: "It is my great pleasure to work alongside the ACO and ALMEM on the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series. This collaboration owes a great deal of thanks to Benjamin Franassovici, Paul Yao and their SRO Motorsports Asia team, who in just a few years have made Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia Powered by AWS one of the most important series in the region. Strengthened by its new association with the Asian Le Mans Series, I am certain that more success will follow. I would also like to thank the ACO and ALMEM for awarding a 24 Hours of Le Mans invitation to Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS. This illustrates the determination of our organisations to work together for the worldwide success of the GT category. I see this venture as the start of a very exciting period for our sport and SRO is delighted to be playing its part."
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