ACO expands LMP3/GT support races for Le Mans

The ACO will call on the combined field of LMP3s and GT3s to race twice in the days and hours ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.

The "Road to Le Mans" support races, featuring 46 total LMP3/GT3 entries, will set off for its first 55-minute race Thursday evening prior to the final qualifying session for 85th 24 Hours of Le Mans. The pro-am format calls for two drivers to share each car around the legendary 8.5-mile circuit, with a minimum drive time of 20 minutes for each and at least one pit stop lasting a minimum of one minute to be completed.

The second 55-minute race will take place in its familiar time slot late Saturday morning in the hours before the 24 Hours makes its start.

With the Road to Le Mans featuring gaining popularity among drivers and teams with aspirations of competing in the main event, the growth from 42 entries last year to 46 in 2017 and doubling the number of races could help the ACO to solidify LMP3s and GT3s as a standard entertainment package for the world's greatest endurance race.