In Pit Lane

**New Asian Le Mans Cup Opens Fresh Pathway for Emerging Australian Talent**

As predicted the big news stories keep rolling out at Le Mans.
Along with the move of Australian driver Matt Campbell to Ford. (Which we did predict on Full Course Yellow about 6 weeks ago)
We got this news today as well.

A new endurance racing championship has been unveiled at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, creating additional opportunities for aspiring Australian drivers to compete on the international stage.

Announced during the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) press conference at Le Mans, the newly formed **Asian Le Mans Cup** will provide a dedicated home for LMP3 and GT3 competitors across Asia, running alongside the existing Asian Le Mans Series (ALMS) calendar.

The move comes ahead of the arrival of Hypercar machinery in the Asian Le Mans Series from the 2026/27 season. With ALMS set to focus on Hypercar, LMP2 and GT competition, organisers have elected to establish a separate championship for LMP3 competitors, modelled on the highly successful Michelin Le Mans Cup in Europe.

The Asian Le Mans Cup will feature three classes: LMP3, LMP3 Pro/Am and GT3. The LMP3 category will be reserved for Gold and Silver-rated drivers, while both LMP3 Pro/Am and GT3 entries must include at least one Bronze-rated driver. Platinum-rated drivers will not be eligible to compete in the new championship.

For Australian drivers and teams, the announcement is particularly significant. The new series creates another realistic pathway into top-level international endurance racing, offering young talent the opportunity to gain experience in professionally run events associated with the Asian Le Mans Series while competing against strong international fields.

Australia has produced a growing number of successful endurance racers in recent years, and the addition of another Asian-based championship could make international competition more accessible for emerging drivers looking to build careers in sports car racing. It also provides a potential stepping stone towards higher categories, including the FIA World Endurance Championship and the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.

ALMEM and LMEM CEO Frédéric Lequien said the decision was designed to ensure continued growth for both LMP3 and GT3 competition in Asia.

"We are pleased to announce the creation of a new Asian endurance series for LMP3 and GT3 cars modelled on the highly successful Michelin Le Mans Cup," Lequien said.

"With the arrival of Hypercar in the Asian Le Mans Series it has been decided to give the LMP3 competitors the opportunity to race on the same weekends as the ALMS in a separate series, with GT3 cars also being eligible to race in the new Asian Le Mans Cup as well as in the ALMS.

"We are confident that the Asian Le Mans Cup will attract more teams and drivers to compete, which will become the first step on the endurance racing ladder with the ultimate goal of competing in the FIA WEC and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans."

While the inaugural calendar has yet to be announced, speculation continues that Australia could again feature on the schedule. Rumours persist that a return to The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia remains a possibility, although no official confirmation has been provided by organisers.

Should Australia secure a round, it would further strengthen the country's growing links to international endurance racing and provide local teams and drivers with a valuable opportunity to compete at a major international level on home soil.