2018 European Le Mans Series
European continental series for LMP2, LMP3 and GTE cars in a short series of 4 hour races.
LMP2 and GTE teams from the ELMS regularly join WEC & IMSA competitors at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The series is supported by the Michelin Le Mans Cup, 2 hour races for LMP3 and GT3 cars.
ELMS Google/iCal Calendar links: ICAL -or- HTML
For more championships click here.
*As at 23 January 2018*
2018 ELMS
| Date | Race | Track | Location |
| 15 Apr | 4 Hours of Le Castellet | Paul Ricard Circuit | Le Castellet, France |
| 13 May | 4 Hours of Monza | Autodromo Monza | Milan, Italy |
| 22 Jul | 4 Hours of Red Bul Ring | Red Bull Ring | Spielberg, Austria |
| 18 Aug | 4 Hours of Silverstone | Silverstone Circuit | Silverstone, UK |
| 23 Sep | 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | Francorchamps, Belgium |
| 28 Oct | 4 Hours of Portimao | Autodromo Internacional do Algarve | Portimao, Portugal |
What’s Changed?
- Silverstone moves to August.
Just the one change since last year, the ELMS retains its supporting slot at the WEC’s Silverstone weekend which now moves to mid-August.
The five rounds are otherwise a model of consistency with no venue changes. The series will again visit Le Castellet (Paul Ricard), Monza, Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, Spa and Portimao.
Excellent tracks, decent grids with often high quality teams and drivers, free streaming and free archives on YouTube – what’s not to like?
The ELMS is often a stepping stone on the road to the WEC, but for many teams and drivers it is a destination in its own right and a title worth winning.
The mix of LMP2, LMP3 and GT cars seems to work well. This is something of an under-rated gem of a series and could do with a decent promotional push.
Support Series
If the ELMS is the step to the WEC, the Michelin Le Mans Cup is aimed as a stepping stone to the ELMS. It holds 2 hour races at every ELMS round except for Silverstone (where the ELMS is itself the supporting act). It also holds a couple of shorter races over the week of the Le Mans 24 Hours, including on Saturday morning before the big race.
It is designed around funded “gentleman” drivers so isn’t for everyone, though I’ll take any excuse to watch more races with LMP3 cars in!
I Watch Too Much Racing 