Peugeot to confirm plans next month
Peugeot Sport will announce their turbo-diesel prototype programme for 2009 on February 9, in Paris, after the ACO confirmed that the 2007 Le Mans Series champions have opted to enter this year's championship on a race-by-race basis
Following the withdrawal of arch-rivals Audi from the five-round European-based sportscar series, Peugeot's future participation remains up in the air, though sources close to the French team expect them to enter at least the races that take place before the Le Mans 24 Hours in June, given that there is no longer a test day prior to the event.
Peugeot's entry for the Sebring 12 Hours in mid-March has also yet to be confirmed, though the team are believed to be considering measuring the developments of their pace-setting 908 HDi FAP against Audi's new R15 TDI and the new Acura LMP1 prototype, with a two-car assault on the American classic.
Despite the current absence of either of last year's top two factory teams, the LMS organisers have confirmed 49 entries for the 2009 series, including two factory Aston Martins in LMP1.
They will be joined by two entries each from Oreca and Pescarolo, and two privately-run Audi R10s under the Kolles Racing banner.
The Speedy Racing squad are to step up to the top class with an Aston Martin-powered Lola B08/60 - similar to that run by Charouz Racing in 2008 - with Nicolas Prost on the driving squad. Also joining the class are Team LNT and Strakka Racing with a pair of Ginetta-Zyteks and Signature Plus with an Oreca-Judd.
Creation have yet to announce their participation in the series.
The LMP2 category boasts a strong entry of 16 cars, with no less than three Lola Coupes, though only one Porsche RS Spyder, that of Horag Racing, returns for 2009.
GT1 is again currently expected to feature four cars, though Luc Alphand Aventures has switched to the FIA GT Series and will be replaced by two Saleen S7-Rs for ARC Bratislava and Full Speed Racing.
GT2 has so far received a packed 17-car entry that includes champions Virgo Motorsport, JMB Racing and Farnbacher. Reigning champion driver Rob Bell has switched to new squad JMW for 2009, while James Watt Automotive has entered two Aston Martin Vantage V8s, while Drayson Engineering, which competed in the ALMS last year, has also switched to the European series with the British sports car.
LMS 2009 entry list:
LMP1 Car Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Team Oreca Matmut - Aim Courage-Oreca LC70 - AIM Team Oreca Matmut - Aim Courage-Oreca LC70 - AIM Signature Plus Courage-Oreca LC70 - Judd Speedy Racing Team Sebah Lola B08/60 Coupé - Aston Kolles Audi R10 TDI Kolles Audi R10 TDI Pescarolo Sport Pescarolo - Judd Pescarolo Sport Pescarolo - Judd Team Lnt Ginetta-Zytek Strakka Racing Ginetta - ZytekLMP2 Car Rml Lola B08/80 Coupé - Mazda Bruichladdich Bruneau Radical SR9 - AER Horag Racing Porsche RS Spyder Racing Box Lola B08/80 Coupé - Judd Racing Box Lola B08/80 Coupé - Judd Team Barazi - Epsilon Zytek 07S - Zytek Speedy Racing Team Sebah Lola B08/80 Coupé - Judd Oak Racing Pescarolo - Mazda Oak Racing Pescarolo - Mazda Wr / Salini WR-Zytek Pegasus Racing Courage-Oreca LC75 - AER Quifel - Asm Team Ginetta-Zytek 09S - Zytek A.C. Racing Team Zytek 07S - Zytek Ranieri Randaccio Lucchini - Nicholson McLaren Bull Racing Lucchini - Judd Ksm Lola B09/86 - Mazda
GT1 Car Ipb Spartak Racing Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT Arc Bratislava - Kaneko Saleen S7-R Full Speed Racing Team Saleen S7-R Noel Del Bello Racing Ferrari 550 MaranelloGT2 Car Imsa Performance Matmut Porsche 997 GT3 RSR Team Felbermayr Proton Porsche 997 GT3 RSR Reiter Engineering Lamborghini Gallardo LP560 Easyrace Ferrari F430 GT Team Modena Ferrari F430 GT Snoras Spyker Squadron Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R Drayson Racing Aston Martin Vantage V8 Team Felbermayr Proton Porsche 997 GT3 RSR Hankook - Team Farnbacher Ferrari F430 GT Farnbacher Racing Ferrari F430 GT Farnbacher Racing Ferrari F430 GT Jmw Motorsport Ferrari F430 GT James Watt Automotive Aston Martin Vantage V8 James Watt Automotive Aston Martin Vantage V8 Virgo Motorsport Ferrari F430 GT Jmb Racing Ferrari F430 GT Jmb Racing Ferrari F430 GT
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