Michelin official tyre for Le Mans LMPC and GTC

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the organisation behind the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and other Le Mans series, and Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM), have selected Michelin as official tyre supplier for the LMPC and GTC classes in the 2013 European Le Mans Series.

LMPC will use the Michelin S9H tyre as it is the specification successfully used within the category in previous seasons. The S9H has shown a large working window, high performance and durability, with good consistency of performance and balance.

GTC will be limited to three sets of slick tyres for each of the five race weekends and each set will be marked either A, B or C. Each set will be assigned to a session – ‘A’ to Free Practice 1, ‘B’ to Free Practice 2 and ‘C’ to Qualifying.

The used sets will then be used in turn during the race. This regulation for three sets of tyres will help reduce the costs to each team while the more sustainable use of the tyres will mean the category is more environmentally friendly.

“We are pleased to welcome Michelin as the official tyre supplier for the LMPC and GTC categories,” said Gerard Neveu, CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management, said. “The company has a long and fruitful relationship with the ACO and is a leader in every category of endurance racing around the world. The use of control tyres in these categories will help reduce the costs to the teams while maintaining a good balance of performance on the track for all the competitors.”

“Michelin is delighted to have been chosen as a partner of the European Le Mans Series to supply tyres to competitors in its LM PC and GTC classes,” added Serge Grisin, manager of Michelin’s four-wheel motorsport programmes. “It provides us with a chance to showcase the benefits of the Michelin Total Performance plan not only to those involved in the championship but also to fans of endurance racing.

“The Michelin Total Performance plan uses unique technologies to develop tyres which deliver high performance on every front, even in those areas frequently believed to be irreconcilable,” continued Grisin. “Indeed, the championship’s regulations call for highly versatile tyres in both classes, since only one type of slick and one type of rain tyre are authorised.

“Also, in addition to supplying tyres from the Michelin endurance racing range, we provide competitors with an on-event support service, as well as advice from a team of experienced technicians.”

The European Le Mans Series will feature a grid of 29 cars at the opening round of the relaunched series at Silverstone on 13 April. The ELMS will also race at Imola in Italy (17-18 May), Red Bull Ring in Austria (19-20 July), Hungaroring in Hungary (13-14 September) and conclude at Paul Ricard in France (27-28 September). Each of the five events will feature a three-hour race on some of the most demanding circuits in Europe.