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13-504: Initially launched as an independent racing series known as the Formula Le Mans Cup in 2009 , the formula has since been expanded to allow participation in three separate series for 2010. The American Le Mans Series used the title Le Mans Prototype Challenge since its inception. The Le Mans Series used the name Formula Le Mans until 2011. All ACO series adopted the name Le Mans Prototype Challenge in 2012. The Formula Le Mans car

26-502: A dozen entries and was dominated by the DAMS driving pair of Gavin Cronje and Nico Verdonck , the latter of which won the inaugural Drivers Championship. Most races were one hour in length with a mandatory pit stop to allow teams to change drivers, while a season finale at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours was held for three hours. As a further development of the Formula Le Mans Cup, Oreca launched

39-488: A four-point advantage of Cronje. Their team, DAMS , also won the teams championship. The Formula Le Mans Cup schedule consisted of several types of events. Four events, held in support for the Le Mans Series, featured two races of 60 minutes each. A fifth event at the 24 Hours of Le Mans utilized only a single 60 minute race. The final event of the season at Magny-Cours featured three 60 minute races in succession with

52-721: A six-speed sequential transmission operated by paddle shifters. Engine management is regulated by Magneti Marelli . Up to 2012, all FLM09 cars ran on Michelin slick tires based on their LMP tires but in March 2013, it was announced that Continental AG would be the tire supplier for the LMP Challenge class in the upcoming American Le Mans Series season owing to Continental's deal with NASCAR as sole tire supplier for their sportscar arm. Reinforced carbon-carbon disc brakes are supplied by Brembo . In order to accommodate endurance races in 2010, Oreca also offers an endurance upgrade for

65-462: A winner determined only at the end of the third race. Points are awarded to the top ten finishers in the order 20-15-12-10-8-6-4-3-2-1. An additional bonus point was available for individual drivers at each race; these could be earned by winning pole position or by setting the fastest lap of the race. A championship was also awarded to the best amateur driver over the season. Intersport Racing Too Many Requests If you report this error to

78-495: Is built by French manufacturer Oreca and known as the FLM09. The chassis is based on Courage's LC75 LMP2 chassis, while the car's carbon fiber and kevlar bodywork is a simplified version of the LC75's design. All FLM09s use a production-based General Motors small block LS3 V8 which produces approximately 430 horsepower (440 PS). Transmissions are supplied by Xtrac and feature

91-539: The 2010 season the Formula Le Mans Cup was integrated into the Le Mans Series , becoming one of five categories within the series. The inaugural season, Formula Le Mans cars participated in four of the Le Mans Series' European races, while a fifth event held solely for Formula Le Mans cars. Teams will be required to have at least one amateur driver in order to further driver development. Championships will be awarded for professional drivers, amateur drivers, and teams, with

104-542: The 2014 unification of sportscar racing in North America, tyres changed from Michelin to Continental, owing to the carryover Grand American Road Racing Association specification tyre contract with Continental. IMSA decided to drop the Prototype Challenge class from the championship at the end of 2017, thus retiring the class altogether. 2009 Formula Le Mans Cup season The 2009 Formula Le Mans Cup season

117-577: The Sportscars Winter Series in late 2009 in order to allow further amateur driver development during the Le Mans Series off-season. The series, which is held exclusively at the Circuit Paul Ricard , France, combines Formula Le Mans cars with competitors from the GT2 and GT3 grand tourer categories. The three race season includes two races of thirty minutes and one race of an hour in length. In

130-559: The FLM09 which adds an air restrictor to the engine to increase reliability as well as slowing the car in comparison to LMP2 category cars. When the Formula Le Mans category was introduced in 2009, it was initially a support series for many races in the Le Mans Series in Europe as well as at the 24 Hours of Le Mans . The ten race Formula Le Mans Cup organized by the ACO and Oreca included over

143-412: The Formula Le Mans ruleset similar to the Le Mans Series, and competes in all nine American Le Mans Series events. American Le Mans Series regular Intersport Racing became the first North American team to purchase an FLM09, allowing the team to progress drivers from IMSA Lites , through LMP Challenge, and into their LMP1 category entry. After NASCAR Holdings purchased IMSA in late 2012 in preparation for

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156-708: The winning amateur driver earning a test in an Oreca Le Mans Prototype. In 2012, the class adopted the Le Mans Prototype Challenge name and took part in the European Le Mans Series until 2014 . On 16 August 2009, the International Motor Sports Association announced a reorganization of the class structure of the American Le Mans Series , creating a new category known as Le Mans Prototype Challenge. The class utilizes

169-575: Was the only season of the Formula Le Mans Cup , a support series for the Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans . All competitors utilized the Oreca FLM09 spec prototype. The season featured ten races held over six events from 10 May to 20 September 2009. Nico Verdonck claimed the title ahead of Gavin Cronje , despite the drivers sharing a car all season. Verdonck benefitted from points awarded for pole positions and fastest laps, giving him

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