ACO plans new GT3 series for 2016 with Le Mans 24 Hours support race

The Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the organiser of the French endurance classic, is working on plans for a new championship that would race on the undercard of the European Le Mans Series and then fill one or both of the Saturday morning slots ahead of the 24 Hours usually reserved for one-make and historic events.

The new series would likely take the format of a pair of two-driver, one-hour races without refueling each weekend.

It would be reserved for silver and bronze-rated drivers and would be intended as a feeder into the GTC class for GT3 cars in the ELMS.

ACO sporting manager Vincent Beaumesnil would not comment on the plans for the new championship except to say "we always look at everything".

The championship has been made possible by the expansion of ELMS race weekends from two to three days as a result of the.

The Formula Renault Eurocup and the French manufacturer's Renault Sport Trophy one-make sportscar series will join the bill at selected races.

The new championship could be announced as early as this weekend's Estoril ELMS finale.