Le Mans, March 25, 2005


The final choice of the field for the 73rd Le Mans 24 Hours has been made. The overall quality of the teams selected for the race on 18th – 19th June will ensure a fierce battle for outright victory; and the struggle for first place in each category will be no less intense.

This total of 50 cars represents 38 different entrants: 10 in LMP 1, 12 in LMP 2, 7 in LM GT1 and 9 in LM GT2. They will all take to the track during the Test Day on 5th June.

The 73rd Le Mans 24 Hours looks like being a very open race to which extra spice will be added by the presence of some newcomers. In addition to the Champion Audis, one-two in the 2005 Sebring 12 Hours, and the French ‘Blue’ Audi running under the Team Oreca colours, the new Dome-Mugen entered by the Jim Gainer International team will be making its Sarthe debut. It will not be the only Japanese representative as one of the two Rollcentre Racing Dallaras is powered by a Nissan engine. Zytek, DBA, Nasamax and Jan Lammers’ team’s Dome are also entered in LMP 1 in addition to the two Pescarolos and the two Courages with Judd power.

Yves Courage is making a welcome return to the LMP 1 Category and his name is well represented in LMP 2 with no fewer than seven C65 prototypes (a total of 9 cars in all for the local constructor). It will be interesting to compare the performances of the different engines and tyres, which vary from one Courage to another. In addition to the C65, winner of its class in the Le Mans Endurance Series in 2004 and more recently in the Sebring 12 Hours, the presence of the new Lolas and the Luchini as well as evolutions from WR and Pilbeam has led to an increase in both quality and quantity in the LMP 2 Category.

In LM GT1 the major attraction of the 2005 Le Mans 24 Hours is the return of Aston Martin (outright winner in 1959 and absent since 1989). The British manufacturer’s season got off to an excellent start with a category victory in the Sebring 12 Hours on Corvette’s home territory. The American make is the current Le Mans GT1 titleholder and will be out for revenge in the Sarthe with its new C6-R (6th generation). In addition to the above-mentioned makes other prestigious entries include no fewer than 5 Ferraris, four 550 Maranellos and one 575 GTC, entered by teams that are accustomed to the topmost step of the rostrum. A Saleen S7R, another American GT, completes the LM GT1 field.

Finally, the LM GT2 Category is more varied than in the past with a couple of Ferrari 360 Modenas, a TVR, and the comeback of the Dutch GT, the Spyker C8 in spyder form, plus the arrival of the new Panoz Esperante. They will be up against a formidable armada of Porsches, which is currently the make to beat in this category.

In addition to the 50 entries, the Selection Committee has also drawn up a reserve list of 8 cars. It will remain valid for withdrawals announced up to 27th May 2005 which will then be replaced by the reserves in their numerical order whatever the category.

2005 will be the first year of the new calendar with the Test Day two weeks before the race itself.


Le Mans 2005 Entry List

LM P1

2 Audi

3 Audi

4 Audi

5 Dome-Mugen

7 DBA-Judd

8 Dallara-Nissan

9 Zytek

10 Dome-Judd

12 Courage-Judd

13 Courage-Judd

14 Nasamax-Judd

16 Pescarolo-Judd

17 Pescarolo-Judd

18 Dallara-Judd R

LM P2

20 Pilbeam-JPX

23 WR

24 WR-Peugeot

25 Lola-MG

30 Courage-Judd

31 Courage-CG

32 Lola-AER

33 Courage-Judd

34 Courage-AER

35 Courage-Judd

36 Courage-Ford

37 Courage-Ford

39 Lola-AER

45 Lucchini-Judd

LM GT1

50 Ferrari 550 Maranello

51 Ferrari 550 Maranello

52 Ferrari 550 Maranello

55 Saleen S7R

58 Aston Martin DBR9

59 Aston Martin DBR9

61 Ferrari 550 Maranello

63 Chevrolet Corvette

64 Chevrolet Corvette

69 Ferrari 575 GTC

LM GT2

71 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

72 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

77 Panoz

78 Panoz

90 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

83 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

85 Spyker C8 Spyder

89 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

90 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

92 Ferrari 360 Modena

93 Ferrari 360 Modena

95 TVR Tuscan 400R

Reservefahrzeuge

91 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

60 Ferrari 550 Maranello

11 Dome-Judd

99 Ferrari 360 Modena

74 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

65 Saleen S7R Graham

86 Spyker C8 Spyder

75 Porsche 911 GT3 RS