ACO to organise European Le Mans Series from 2013

2012 was the first year of the rebadged ELMS, which was closed to LMP1 entries, but it hit trouble early on as organisers cancelled the second round, due to be held at Zolder, due to a lack of entries.

The following round at Donington Park then attracted just nine LMP2 entries, alongside one LMPC car and three GTs, prompting the cancellation of the remaining rounds of the season.

At the FIA WEC's round at Silverstone however it was announced that the championship will go ahead next year under the jurisdiction of the ACO, Le Mans Endurance Management - which already controls the WEC - and Peter Auto.

"With this decision, we are once again sending a strong signal to our partners, to constructors, and to the teams," ACO president Pierre Fillon said.

"We are shouldering our responsibilities. It is for the ACO to ensure that it guarantees the best possible future for this series, considered to be one of the mainstays of our discipline."

Le Mans Endurance Management president Gerard Neveu said he was confident the original expectations of the ELMS could be met.

"We are very aware of the additional responsibility which is being entrusted to us," he said. "Expectations are high and it will be a challenge.

"With the ACO's expertise and the support of everyone in endurance racing, the LMEM teams will have all that is required to reposition the ELMS in its proper place on the European stage.

"Economic constraints and the series' prestige will be the essential parameters in our approach, and for the sporting programme we are proposing for the 2013 season."

For 2012 only, the ELMS title will be decided at Petit Le Mans on 20 October.

A provisional 2013 ELMS calendar is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.