Next year's 24 Hours Le Mans race will get even more competitive next year, as two of the biggest absentees in these past few years, Nissan and Maserati, are now said to plan a comeback.
The two manufacturers are reportedly trying to profit from a decision of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the organizer of the event. This decision allows cars who compete in the new FIA GT1 series to take a place on the grid for the endurance race.
Such an outcome is even more likely, given the fact that teams who race vehicles built by the two have expressed their willingness to attend Le Mans. Both Gigawave Motorsport and Vitaphone confirmed a possible entry, with the latter already trying to do so since 2005.
"If we get an entry, we'll be at Le Mans," Nigel Stepney, Gigawave team principal was quoted as saying by Autosport. "It is one of the team’s ambitions and we will do everything we can to fulfill the criteria required by the ACO." Gigawave races the Nissan GT-R in the FIA GT.
"We have been trying to go to Le Mans since 2005 and the Maserati board is very supportive of the idea of racing there. I would like to be there, but we have to see what we can put together," Michael Bartels, Vitaphone chief driver added. Vitaphone races Maserati MC12s in the FIA GT.
The decision which will allow FIA GT1 racing cars to take part in Le Mans is said to bring around 10 such vehicles to the starting line next year. If so, we are to expect several similar announcements from other teams in the months to come.
The two manufacturers are reportedly trying to profit from a decision of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the organizer of the event. This decision allows cars who compete in the new FIA GT1 series to take a place on the grid for the endurance race.
Such an outcome is even more likely, given the fact that teams who race vehicles built by the two have expressed their willingness to attend Le Mans. Both Gigawave Motorsport and Vitaphone confirmed a possible entry, with the latter already trying to do so since 2005.
"If we get an entry, we'll be at Le Mans," Nigel Stepney, Gigawave team principal was quoted as saying by Autosport. "It is one of the team’s ambitions and we will do everything we can to fulfill the criteria required by the ACO." Gigawave races the Nissan GT-R in the FIA GT.
"We have been trying to go to Le Mans since 2005 and the Maserati board is very supportive of the idea of racing there. I would like to be there, but we have to see what we can put together," Michael Bartels, Vitaphone chief driver added. Vitaphone races Maserati MC12s in the FIA GT.
The decision which will allow FIA GT1 racing cars to take part in Le Mans is said to bring around 10 such vehicles to the starting line next year. If so, we are to expect several similar announcements from other teams in the months to come.