LMP1 to be coupes from 2010

Currently LMP1 rules allow for both open and closed types of prototype cars, however, the race's organising club, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), believe that the public want to watch closed cars battle for overall victory because they look closer to road going cars.

The last closed prototype car to win the classic endurance rate was the Bentley EXP Speed 8 in 2003, however that was the only coupe victory in the past seven years.

The second prototype category, LMP2, will remain unaffected.

ACO sporting director Daniel Poissenot explained the decision.

He said: "People should be able to identify with the front-running technology of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We have discussed this with the manufacturers, and there will be no choice to have an open roof from 2010. Cars will still use the same engines and bottom chassis.

"This will be the spirit of Le Mans for the future."

The ACO will also narrow the width of the rear wing for the new type breed of LMP1 cars, and will introduce higher front bodywork with a reduction in air-intake to attempt to slow the cars down.

Peugeot have yet to announce whether their new 908, to be launched in September for next year's race, will be a closed or open prototype. However, as the ACO conceded that they had reached this decision together with manufacturers, it is likely that the Peugeot will indeed have a roof.

The long timescale of the introduction is to allow teams to covert existing chassis, or begin to develop new ones for the 2010 race. The ruling will also affect all series that run to Le Mans rules, including the Le Mans Series and American Le Mans Series.