The Automobile Club de L'Oueste, which operates the Le Mans 24-Hour race and other endurance racing series, announced which teams have earned automatic invitations to the 2012 Le Mans endurance classic via their performance in 2011.
Le Mans class winners, first- and second-place class finishers in the ACO series, class winners of the Petit Le Mans endurance races, plus class winners of the ALMS and LMS Michelin Green-X Challenge for using the least natural resources in a race, all get invites.
Topping the list is Audi Sport Team Joest, winner of the 2011 24-hour event. Peugeot sport Total got an invite for winning Petit Le Mans, guaranteeing yet another face-off between the two diesel giants.
Both Dyson Racing and Muscle Milk Racing from the ALMS are invited, along with BMW Team RLL, and Corvette Racing, and Level 5 Racing, ensuring a powerful American presence at the 24 Hours.
Complete list:
2011 24 Heures Du Mans Class Invitation
1st LMP1 Audi Sport Team Joest LMP1
1st LMP2 Greaves Motorsport LMP2
1st LMGTE Pro Corvette Racing LMGTE Pro
1st LMGTE Am Larbre Competiton LMGTE Am
2011 Le Mans Series
1st LMP1 Rebellion Racing LMP1
2nd LMP1 Pescarolo Team
1st LMP2 Greaves Motorsport LMP2
2nd LMP2 Strakka Racing
1st LMGTE Pro AF Corse LMGTE Pro
2nd LMGTE Pro JMW Motorsport
1st LMGTE Am IMSA Performance Matmut LMGTE Am
2nd LMGTE Am AF Corse
1st FLM Pegasus Racing LMP2
LMP Michelin Green X Challenge Pescarolo Team LMP1
LMGTE Michelin Green X Challenge AF Corse LMGTE Pro
2011 American Le Mans Series
1st LMP1 Dyson Racing Team LMP1
2nd LMP1 Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing
1st LMGTE Pro BMW Team RLL LMGTE Pro
2nd LMGTE Pro Corvette Racing
LMP Michelin Green X Challenge Dyson Racing Team LMP1
GT Michelin Green X Challenge BMW Team RLL LMGTE Pro
2011 Petit Le Mans
LMP1 Peugeot Sport Total LMP1
LMP2 Level 5 Motorsports LMP2
LMGTE Pro AF Corse LMGTE Pro
LMGTE Am Krohn Racing LMGTE Am
