The organisers of the FIA International Authorised SPEED EuroSeries are pleased to announce the calendar for the 2012 season.
The 6 event, 12 race programme will once again feature at Le Mans Series events as well as the new FIA World Endurance Championship meeting at Spa Francorchamps. The championship will also make visits to the iconic Ferrari-owned Mugello circuit in beautiful Tuscany and will finish on the Grand Prix circuit at Barcelona, Spain, for the end of season fiesta.
Date / Round / Circuit / Event Mar 30 – Apr 1 / 1 + 2 / Paul Ricard / LMS May 4 – 6 / 3 + 4 / Spa / WEC June 1 – 3 / 5 + 6 / Mugello / V8SS July 13 – 15 / 7 + 8 / Donington / LMS Sept 7 – 9 / 9 + 10 / Brno / LMS Oct 5 – 7 / 11 + 12 / Barcelona / CER (Es)
The points scoring structure of the championship has changed for 2012 with 3 categories in which to score: Elite, Sporting League & Classic League.
The Elite Class will be the general FIA classification and will feature all drivers taking part in the races throughout the season.
A new category has been established, referred to as the Sporting league (often known as the gentleman drivers’ category) which will acknowledge the talents and results of eligible drivers registered for the Sporting Drivers League.
A final category is being initiated to award owner-drivers of earlier model CN cars. A specific model list of these makes of vehicle will be posted on the SPEED website in due course and additional awards instigated for this category.
Championship organiser, Oli McCrudden: “The 2012 calendar gives competitors a season of real race tracks at quality events. We’re very pleased to be part of the LMS events on the calendar; Paul Ricard will see the spectacular launch of the LMS and SPEED year whilst Donington and Brno are two of the most formidable drivers’ circuits in the world. The FIA WEC event at Spa will be a real highlight; we had 25 cars there in 2011 and it promises to be an even bigger event as the WEC makes its first European splash in 2012. Our visit to the beautiful Mugello circuit will be as part of the Italian touring car package, the V8 Superstars – a huge ticket in Italy and which promises a packed circuit. The finale at Barcelona will see SPEED starring, comes at a good time in the year and is the perfect location for a grand finale. We’re looking forward to a great year.”
The decision to run three categories in the championship recognises the clear demand for extra race opportunities.
“There’s a vast amount of older chassis on the market available at remarkably low prices and we want to offer people a way into sports proto racing on this stage at a low-cost level,” says McCrudden. “Entry fees for these older chassis will be priced accordingly to encourage high entry levels and points and trophies will be available for drivers in the Classic League. Whilst we feature some star names on the grid, we remain firmly a pro-am series and it’s important to recognise that gentleman racers are putting in superb performances week in, week out. Amateur drivers’ achievements will be recognised in the Sporting League.”
