62 cars on the grid for this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest is extending the number of pit boxes to accommodate 62 entries (*). High Class Racing and United Autosports are the two new competitors on the grid.

“In February, the selection committee faced a harder task than it has in many years," explains Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.

“There were 75 applications – all of a high standard – and it was particularly difficult to choose 60, 'only' 60 of them should I say. We quickly came to the conclusion that we had to find a way to accept additional competitors, and our team here at the ACO confirmed the feasibility of adding two garages to the pit lane.

We got to work and are overjoyed to be able to welcome 62 entrants for the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s a record number and a sign that this race is as popular as ever.”

Two temporary pit garages will be set up between the Module Sportif and the first garages of the existing pit building, and these will be in place from the Test Day (2 June) until the end of the race on 16 June. The project is in full swing and includes a new pedestrian flow and extra access for emergency services. It goes without saying that the two temporary garages will be fully compliant with applicable standards and safety requirements, just like the other 60.

The 13.626-kilometre track is already approved for up to 75 vehicles and on 15 June a record will be broken on the famous track as never before have 62 cars started the classic endurance race. The latest teams to have been invited to join the grid are two LMP2 outfits from the reserve list. High Class Racing will be fielding the No.20 ORECA-Gibson and United Autosports the No.32 Ligier JSP 217-Gibson.

The full entry list for this year's Le Mans 24 Hours can be found HERE.

(*) Subject to obtaining all administrative authorisations

Information taken from the ACO