20 Nov 2015 2016/2017 Asian Le Mans Series calendar
The second round of the Asian Le Mans Series is taking place this weekend on the Sepang circuit with a bigger entry, and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest is already in a position to unveil the 2016-2017 calendar! This mid-season announcement confirms the total involvement of the ACO in this series as well as its determination to become a benchmark operator on the Asian continent.
Several factors have led to the ACO announcing the next calendar well in advance. The growing number of entrants is confirmation of the new appeal of the Asian Le Mans Series since it has been taken over by the ACO. The increasing interest in the series shown by new Asian and European teams for next season is another encouraging sign. The possible creation of a sprint series for LM P3s and CNs in the spring and summer that will enable teams to use these cars in a bigger number of events, is an integral part of the development of the ACO’s activities in Asia.
After the 2015-2016 season devoted mainly to getting the series up, it’s just as important to accompany the teams in their development and to reinforce the series with their presence. Thus, the decision was taken to continue year 2 with the same number of events, while increasing the duration of the races from three to four hours and bringing China back onto the calendar.
The provisional 2016-2017 calendar (subject to validation by the FIA World Council and finalisation of contracts) is as follows:
- China – Zhuhai: 30th October 2016
- Japan – Fuji: 4th December 2016
- Thailand – Buriram: 8th January 2017
- Malaysia – Sepang: 22nd January 2017
Reminder: the next rounds on the 2015-2016 calendar of the Asian Le Mans Series will take place on 6-8 November 2015, Sepang (Malaysia), 8-10 January, 2016 Buriram (Thailand), and again at Sepang (Malaysia) 23-24 January, 2016.
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: “With the relaunch of the Asian Le Mans Series, ACO-type endurance races as a whole are continuing their expansion on the international scene. The evolution of the Asian market and its activity reinforce both our progressive approach and our specific positioning. Our return to China balances and boosts our presence on the Asian continent.”
Cyrille Taesch Whalen, Asian Le Mans Series Managing Director: “We thought it was very important to bring forward the announcement of our 2016-2017 calendar to help the teams to begin working on season 2. Our return to China, which was vital, is an additional step in establishing the series on the continent. Now that the Asian Le Mans Series is visiting China, Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia its spread is becoming an increasingly attractive one.”