Press Release – April 28, 2022
The long-awaited moment has finally arrived. Registration for the Ligier European Series round at the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours circuit is now open! With more than twenty full-season entries, the series is preparing to welcome an even larger field for this unique round and third stop on the 2022 calendar. Some 50 Ligier JS P4 and Ligier JS2 Rs are anticipated to race from 8 to 11 June on the 13.626 km legendary circuit. Competitors who want to join this unique adventure have until 18 May to submit their entry application.
The 2022 Ligier European Series season kicked off on 15 and 16 April at Circuit Paul Ricard in France with a stellar field of 20 Ligier JS P4 and Ligier JS2 Rs, including returnees and new stars among the gentlemen drivers and young guns. A successful launch with hard-fought battles in both categories, promising an exciting season of on-track battles.
The competitors will reconvene in a few weeks on 13 and 14 May at the Imola circuit in Italy. But the focus has already shifted to round three of 2022. The Ligier European Series has made a big splash in its third season. In addition to five meetings at Europe’s iconic F1 circuits (Le Castellet, Imola, Monza, Spa-Francorchamps and Portimao), the series organised by the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup teams will, for the first time since its launch, be in action at endurance racing’s Holy Grail, the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit. Like its big brother, the Michelin Le Mans Cup’s Road to Le Mans, the Ligier European Series will be the curtain-raiser to edition 90 of the Le Mans 24 Hours from June 8 to 11, 2022.
“To race on the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit is the dream of every amateur and professional driver”, says Frédéric Lequien, CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management, Organiser of the Ligier European Series. “It is a unique opportunity that we are proud and honoured to offer to the competitors of the Ligier European Series. This season’s outstanding field with 20 Ligier JS2 R and Ligier JS P4s will be even more impressive with some 50 cars expected. There is no doubt that this round will be the high point of season three. We can’t wait to see the Ligier JS2 R and Ligier JS P4s battle on the track in full respect of the Spirit of Le Mans!”
While the track time for the 24 Hours of Le Mans weekend will be identical to the other rounds, the schedule is slightly different from a regular Ligier European Series meeting.* The competitors will have two 45-minute free practice sessions on Wednesday, 8 June, followed the next day by two 20-minute qualifying sessions to determine the grid for races 1 and 2. The first race will take place on Friday, 10 June, and the second on Saturday, 11 June, immediately prior to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The teams entered for the 2022 Ligier European Series season will be joined by entries from the Ligier JS Cup France, the French sister series organised by Benoît Abdelatif from M3, which benefits from twenty wild-card entries. Entries are open until midday on 18 May for the few places remaining. A selection committee will meet at the end of the registration period to determine the list of cars accepted.
The organiser of the Ligier European Series will administer all applications. To participate in this exceptional event, contact Simon Devillepoix at the following address: s.devillepoix@europeanlemansseries.com.
*A standard Ligier European Series meeting format: two 40-minute free practice sessions, two 15-minute qualifying sessions on Friday and two one-hour races on Saturday.
