Season four of the Ligier European Series is launched! -

Press Release – September 22, 2022

The calendar for season 4 of the Ligier European Series is now known! On the eve of the fifth and penultimate heat of 2022 at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, the Ligier European Series has released its 2023 calendar. And for the second year running, the European series will organise an exceptional event for its competitors at the Le Mans 24 Hours circuit. The 2022 edition, with an international field of around 70 drivers, was a true success, and in 2023 the competitors will again have the opportunity to race on the legendary endurance circuit during the Centennial test day.

With three years of experience and a growing field, the Ligier European Series is preparing for its fourth season. Like this year, six rounds will be on the programme in 2023. The series will follow the calendar of its big brothers, the Michelin Le Mans Cup and the European Le Mans Series, except for the event at the Le Mans 24 Hours, which will take place as a curtain raiser to the Centennial, during the test day. Also renewed is the substantial prize scheme of €250,000, which will help the Ligier JS P4 and JS2 R category champions to continue their ascent up the endurance racing pyramid.

“The third season of the Ligier European Series is a success with the largest grid we have ever seen since the creation of the championship, in 2020”, commented Frédéric Lequien, CEO Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM). “We are happy to have this championship racing alongside the Michelin Le Mans Cup. Indeed, the Ligier European Series is the first step of the Endurance Pyramid. We are looking forward to the next season with this challenging calendar.”

Six heats on the finest circuits in Europe

After a year’s absence, the championship will return to Spain at the highly regarded Barcelona-Catalunya circuit to kick off the 2023 season on 21 and 22 April. The Ligier JS P4 and Ligier JS2 R drivers will then make their way to Italy for a meeting at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola on 5 and 6 May. A circuit that is very popular among the drivers and which debuted on the Ligier European Series calendar in 2022.

Then will come the showpiece round of the season at the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit in France on 4 June, during the test day. The first half of the season will end in the sunshine of the Var region at the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet on 14 and 15 July. Following the summer break, the competitors will head to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium on 22 and 23 September. The 2023 season will close with a bang on the rollercoaster Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portimão, Portugal, on 13 and 14 October.

Everything is in place for 2023 to be an exceptional year!

A few adjustments to the series’ technical and sporting regulations will be announced before the Portimaõ season finale on 14 and 15 October. One thing is sure; the 250,000-euro prize scheme established in 2022 will continue next season to allow the champions of both categories to continue to climb the endurance racing ladder. The Ligier JS P4 champions will receive a prize package worth €150,000 to race in the Michelin Le Mans Cup in the LMP3 category the following season in a Ligier JS P320. The Ligier JS2 R champions will receive a prize package worth €100,000 to race in a Ligier JS P4 in the Ligier European Series the following season.