What is LMP3?

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From ACO Press Release

The philosophy behind this car is to have the fewest restrictions possible whether from a budgetary, technical, driving or running point of view.

The technical regulations of the car will be frozen for three years minimum and this set of regulations
will be in force for at least six years.

Around 2 seconds quicker per lap than that of an LM GTE on a normal circuit.

The safety standards imposed will comply with those required by the FIA (Fédération Internationale
de l’Automobile).

Chassis and bodywork

These elements will very close to those used on current LM Ps:

- Closed carbon chassis with a metal rollbar

- Slightly smaller dimensions than the LM Ps

- An obligatory crash test
- Identical visibility guaranteed
- Shark’s fin
- Openings on the top of the wheel arches
- Weight between 870 and 900 kg (to be confirmed)
- Obligatory power steering
- Plank under the chassis

Any constructor can build this chassis.

The following companies are already working on the creation of LM P3s or have shown an interest:
Onroak Automotive, SORA/Sébastien Loeb Racing, Tatuus, Riley-Scott, Norma and Juno.

Engine

The LM P3 powerplant is a NISMO-tuned Nissan VK50VE 5-litre normally-aspirated V8 engine.

There will be a single engine for all cars : a V8 putting out around 420HP.

The engine management system will come from Magneti Marelli.

Xtrac will provide the gearbox, a semi-automatic transmission with 6 speeds + reverse and steering wheel-mounted paddles. A minimum of 7000 km will be demanded between two revisions.

This package will be sold by Oreca, which will provide a back-up service to help the teams at all the
circuits in the different championships. As exclusive supplier of these packages ORECA is not allowed
to design or sell LM P3 chassis.

A single engine will be allowed per car per season and each one must be guaranteed for 10 000 km
without maintenance.

Common parts

A certain number of other common parts will be imposed on the different constructors and teams to
cap manufacturing and running costs. These may include wheels, brakes, fuel tanks, safety elements,
etc.

Tyres

The size of the tyres will be similar to those used in the Porsche Cup. Each championship can call on
the manufacturer of its choice and the entrants in the series will have to use these tyres.

Costs

The sales price of these cars by the constructors to the teams cannot exceed 195 000 euros (chassis:
around 135 000 euros, engine: around 60 000 euros).

The running costs of a car over an ELMS season should be between 350 and 400 000 euros. Thus, for
a car with three drivers the budget per driver for a full season will be in the region of 120 000 euros.

In order to cap costs of personnel at the circuits, the ELMS will take charge of refuelling the cars in
the race (but not tyre changes).

In the ELMS four people maximum will be required to look after an LM P3 in the race during a
meeting as opposed to eight at the moment in LM P2. Six to eight people will be enough for a
weekend in LM P3 compared to around twenty for an LM P2.

The selection criteria for the drivers will be defined later. However, the LM P3s, access-level
prototypes for endurance, are aimed in priority at young drivers and gentlemen drivers.

Specification:

CLOSED Car
Tubular steel roll cage
Safety Equipment’s homologated by the ACO
Fuel Refuelling managed by the ACO
Maximum Sale price : 195 000 €

Main Characteristics :
1. Length 4500 mm maximum including Rear wing.
2. Width 1900 mm maximum.
3. Height 985 mm maximum (except engine air intake).
4. Front overhang 1000 mm and Rear 750 mm Maxi.
5. Empty weight 870 to 900 minimum (tbc).
6. Tank capacity 80 Litre maximum.

Bodywork :
1. Type LMP2, free material.
2. Opening above wheels.
3. Engine air intake monotype.
4. Rear FIN with LM P2 look, fitted between the two rear wing
brackets, maximum height 960 mm.

Car bottom :
1. Flat bottom with lateral parts realized in a horizontal &
parallel plane to the reference surface.
2. Composite material allowed.
3. Specific Rear diffuser, free material.
4. Skid block mandatory in 3 parts max.

Power Train :
Selected by the ACO including :
(one and same supplier - NISSAN)
1. Complete engine including air box, air filter, roof air intake, ECU, exhaust and silencer.
2. Car Data acquisition system.
3. Engine and dashboard harness.
4. Spacer between motor & gearbox with integrated oil tank.
5. Catch tank.
6. Gearbox, drive shaft, clutch.
7. Complete Paddle shift and control unit.
8. Dashboard (to integrate in the steering wheel).

Homologated Safety Elements :
1. Roll cage.
2. Battery (fixations).
3. Safety belts (fixations).
4. Steering column.
5. Crashbox (carbon is mandatory).
6. Monocoque (tub) (carbon is mandatory).
7. Complete Steering wheel.

Free conception Parts :
(homologated)
1. Rear wing supported by 2 vertical brackets fitted to the gearbox.
2. Anti-roll bar, rocker, pushrod.
3. Headlight (insert), rear light.
4. Bodywork.
5. Steering rack (simple, FLM type), hydraulic or electric power assistant.
6. Exhaust exits.
7. Electrical equipment’s.
8. Car harness.
9. Flat bottom.
10. Skid block (3 parts maximum).
11. Hub carrier (identical on left side and on right side).
12. Front splitter.
13. Safety structures, monocoque (tub) and crashbox.
14. Metallic rear wing support.
15. Lubrication system.
16. Cooling system and thermostat.
17. Wishbones.
18. Wind screen.

Common Parts :
(from unique suppliers with unfalsifying identification markings)
1. Shock absorbers except fixations.
2. Battery (lithium).
3. Main Switch box.
4. Safety belt.
5. Oil / water cooling exchangers.
6. Brake system, steel discs.
7. Extinguisher.
8. Rim (mono-block) and casted magnesium alloy.
9. Pedal box with accelerator potentiometer.
10. Tyres.
11. Water cooler.
12. Lifting jack.
13. Fuel tank and internal circuit

Other Points:

Prizes awarded
1 invitation for the Le Mans 24 Hours in LM P2 for the squad winning the LM P3 teams’ championship, a one-day test in LM P2 in the Nissan Junior team for the champion drivers in LM P3 with the possibility of joining the Nissan drivers’ programme.

Driver line-ups
In the case of a 3-driver line-up, only one professional will be allowed. For each type of line-up the following maxima will be allowed: one Platinum driver must be associated with two from the Bronze category. A Gold driver shall be associated with a Silver and a Bronze and 3 Silver drivers can form a single line-up.

In the case of 2-driver line-ups: one Platinum and one Bronze or one Gold and one Silver.

The time spent in the car for each one will be defined to ensure the appropriate share-out of driving time and guarantee that the Silver and Bronze drivers’ stints are sufficiently long. The driving times as well as the detailed sporting regulations (including refuelling) will be announced in the near future