BBM Sport to Commit to Pro-Am Hypercar Challenge in 2026/27 Asian Le Mans Series
In a significant development for the Asian Le Mans Series, UK-based BBM Sport has announced its intent to compete with Pro-Am crewed Hypercars starting in the 2026/27 season. The team plans to field Peugeot 9X8 vehicles, marking a notable entry into this new racing category.
BBM Sport has commenced preparations by acquiring three first-generation Peugeot 9X8s, with a second batch of 2024-spec cars expected to follow shortly. Technical Director Steve Briggs emphasized the necessity of high voltage training for all team members, underlining their commitment to mastering both basic and complex aspects of the vehicle’s control systems.
Briggs stated, “Everybody that works here will go through High Voltage training… Several of our guys will be interned within Peugeot Sport in the New Year to build up the next batch of cars.”
The operational framework of BBM Sport’s venture leans heavily on its past experiences with the Peugeot 908s. Managing Director Bob Berridge highlighted the importance of long-term planning, noting they aimed for a decade’s operation rather than a single-season focus. He remarked, “We needed to be operating them for ten years, and here we are in the eighth year of operating the diesels.”
BBM plans to enter the cars directly, with logistical support from an established LMP2 team. Both Berridge and Briggs expressed confidence in their relationship with Peugeot Sport, wherein Peugeot’s Chief Engineer Cyrille Jourdain will act as a key liaison, ensuring the team stays current with technical updates and requirements.
“There’s a lot to learn, and we’ve got significant challenges ahead, but we’ve got the full support of Peugeot Sport,” Berridge said. “They can fast-track our guys into a position where we’re able to operate the cars.”
The new Hypercar regulations pose challenges, including the need to balance performance across multiple classes while maintaining operational cost efficiency. Berridge noted that the structure of the Asian Le Mans Series must also consider the experiences of amateur drivers, advocating for solutions such as mandating Bronze drivers to start races.
As BBM Sport gears up for the new challenge, the organization is also closely monitoring ongoing discussions with the ACO and LMEM regarding regulations. Berridge commented, “We’re working with… Fred Lequien at LMEM on exactly that. They are listening to what is needed to make the class work both technically and commercially.”
BBM Sport’s ambitious plans represent a crucial step in the evolution of Pro-Am racing within endurance motorsport, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in the Asian Le Mans Series.
