The Prototype Cup Germany is picking up speed: From 15th January, teams will be able to register for the new series for LMP3 prototypes and CN sports cars, which the ADAC and Dutch promoter Creventic are organising together. Four race weekends and attractive racetracks in Belgium and Germany are planned for 2022. All the races will be streamed live and in full at adac.de/motorsport and youtube.com/adac. The Prototype Cup Germany is under licence from Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the rights holder for the LMP3 class and organiser of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
From a sporting perspective, the Prototype Cup Germany is based on the successful format of the ADAC GT Masters. Each race weekend will feature two races, each lasting roughly an hour and with a driver changeover in the middle. Two 15-minute qualifying sessions and two 30-minute free practices round off the schedule for the weekend. The mandatory pit stop is solely to change drivers, with refuelling and tyre changes not intended. Three sets of tyres, provided by exclusive supplier Michelin, may be used per weekend.
When it comes to the driver line-ups, the ADAC and Creventic are following a Pro-Am concept. Each pair must include one driver from the FIA Bronze driver category. Professional drivers from the FIA Platinum category are not permitted in the Prototype Cup Germany. As well as the Drivers’ Championship, a Team, Junior and a Trophy competition for FIA Bronze drivers are also planned.
In its inaugural season, the Prototype Cup Germany will visit four racetracks. The season opens in April at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. In July, the Prototype Cup Germany will feature on the same bill as the iconic ADAC Truck Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. The second half of the season, with races at the DEKRA Lausitzring as part of the Family & Friends Festival and at the Hockenheimring, will take place on the far-reaching platform of the ADAC GT Masters. Two to three joint test days are planned before the start of the season.
The Prototype Cup Germany is the only series for Le Mans prototypes in Germany. The sports cars in action are those in the LMP3 class. This is the entry-level class of Le Mans prototypes and was introduced by the ACO in 2015. Cars will be provided by the four licenced manufacturers: Adess, Duqueine, Ginetta and Ligier. The 950-kilogram prototypes are powered by standard V8 engines from Nissan, which generate 455 hp. Michelin is exclusive tyre partner of the Prototype Cup Germany. The LMP3 sports cars provide outstanding opportunities to progress into the LMP2 class or the top class of sports cars, the Le Mans Hypercars.
Teams interested in registering for the Prototype Cup Germany can do so online from 15th January at adac.de/motorsport. The deadline for registrations is 15th March.