24h Le Mans
The 2024-25 season of the Asian Le Mans Series begins this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The campaign will get off to a spectacular start with two four-hour races.
This weekend, the Asian Le Mans Series will raise the curtain on its 2024-25 season with two four-hour races at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The teams are all set to face a huge challenge in a punishing climate, with temperatures reaching 31°C (feeling like 40°C) and humid conditions which could conceal some surprises.
Race 1 will be run on Saturday 7 December. Thunderstorms are forecast for the following day when Race 2 is due to be held. A bumper 42-car field split into three classes – LMP2, LMP3 and GT – will line up on the tarmac for this double header.
Ten prototypes will face off in LMP2. Pure Rxcing, last season’s GT champions, are making their first prototype appearance with Louis Delétraz on the driver roster in the #91 Oreca. The other title contenders include AF Corse, Algarve Pro Racing, DKR Engineering, Proton Competition and RD Limited. The latter, led by two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Romain Dumas, are making their championship début.
In the LMP3 class, seven cars will be fielded by Asian Le Mans Series regulars. Inter Europol Competition, entering two Ligier JS P320-Nissans will face competition from Graff Racing, RLR M Sport and High Class Racing.
Spectators will be treated to an impressive GT grid with no fewer than 25 cars representing prestigious manufacturers: Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Lamborghini. The #89 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 entered by EBM, the #57 and #82 Ferrari 296 GT3s respectively fielded by Car Guy and AF Corse, and the #92 Porsche 911 GT3 R of Manthey EMA will surely be in the mix for the podium. The Iron Dames – Celia Martin, Sarah Bovy and Michelle Gatting – will also be present with the #85 Porsche.
The stakes are high as the LMP2 and GT title winners will be guaranteed a slot on the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans grid. The opportunity to compete in the world’s greatest endurance race will add a touch of spice to the proceedings.
The 4 Hours of Sepang will be broadcast live, free of charge, on the Asian Le Mans Series YouTube channel. Qualifying will be held at 01:40 UTC on Saturday while the two races will start at 05:30 UTC on Saturday and Sunday.
With a top-notch field, unpredictable conditions and a golden ticket for the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans at stake, the opening round of the season promises to be an unmissable event for endurance fans everywhere.
Check out the 2024 4 Hours of Sepang Spotter Guide.
