Record 48-Entry Grid for 2025/2026 Asian Le Mans Series
The upcoming 2025/2026 Asian Le Mans Series (ALMS), set to kick off in December at Sepang, will feature a record 48 full-season entries across three classes, the largest in the series’ history. All three defending championship teams—LMP2 champion Algarve Pro Racing, LMP3 champion Bretton Racing, and GT champion Manthey Racing—will return to defend their titles.
LMP2 Class:
The LMP2 category sees a significant increase, with 16 entries—up from 10 in the previous season. Notable participants include:
- Algarve Pro Racing: Two entries, including the championship-winning Crowdstrike Racing by APR.
- Inter Europol Competition: One entry, recent winners of the LMP2 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- Ponos Racing: First-time entrants with a car featuring a lineup of Kei Cozzilino, Marino Sato, and Yorikatsu Tsujiko.
- Proton Competition and United Autosports: Each will field two cars, the latter also incorporating the father-son combo of Horst and Horst Felix Felbermayr.
Former champions Nielsen Racing and DKR Engineering will each enter a single car, while multiple teams return, including CETILAR Racing and ARC Bratislava.
LMP3 Class:
The LMP3 grid will comprise ten entries, a notable increase from six last season. Key details include:
- Nine Toyota-powered Ligier JS P325s and one Duqueine D09.
- CLX Motorsport and Bretton Racing: Each returning with a single car.
- New entrants, 23Events and Forestier Racing by VPS, also joining the field.
GT Class:
The GT category showcases 22 entries, representing seven manufacturers:
- Ferrari: Six 296 GT3s.
- Porsche: Five 911 GT3 Rs.
- Corvette: Four Z06 GT3.Rs.
- Mercedes: Two AMG GT3 EVOs, along with BMW M4 GT3s and Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3s.
- New Zealand’s EBM will field an Aston Martin, while Americasian Fragrance by AFRacing enters with a Ferrari.
Noteworthy entries also include TF Sport with two Corvettes and Blackthorn entering under the Ecurie Ecosse banner to commemorate the 70th anniversary of their Le Mans victory.
Key Quotes:
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, remarked, “It is very encouraging to see the Asian Le Mans Series continue to grow with a record-breaking 48 car grid. The series begins with its first double-header in Sepang in just three months’ time.”
Frederic Lequien, CEO of ALMEM and LMEM, emphasized the growing importance of the series: “We received many more applications than the 48-car maximum…It’s disappointing that we have to turn some very good entries down.”
Schedule:
The 2025/26 ALMS will consist of six races, starting with double headers at Sepang (December 12-14), followed by Dubai (January 30-February 1) and Yas Marina (February 6-8).
This season promises to deliver competitive racing as the ALMS continues its legacy in promoting endurance racing across Asia.
