Asian Le Mans Series attracts 23 entries for opening race at Okayama

Remember when Le Mans was the name of a town in France and the race that took place there? International endurance racing has come a long way since then – the headline race has branched out into the European Le Mans Series (LMS) and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), and race organizers ACO are now preparing for the start of the inaugural Asian Le Mans Series.

Like the European series – but unlike ALMS which is supervised by IMSA – the Asian LMS is being operated directly by the Automobile Club de L'Ouest (ACO), the century-old group responsible for the 24 Hours of Le Mans since its inception. Taking the place of the defunct Japan Le Mans Challenge, the Asian Le Mans Series is set to kick off at the end of October with the 1000km of Okayama at the circuit that hosted the Pacific Grand Prix in 1994 and 1995.

Race organizers have done their best to attract both local entries as well as established teams from the American and European championships, and they have brought in some big guns: Aston Martin will be there in the top LMP1 category along with a pair of private entry Audi R10s and a few privateer Orecas and Judds. A few Porsches, Astons, Lambos, Saleens and Ferraris are set to round out the lower classes, including Rahal Letterman's BMW M3 GT2, fresh from their double class victory at Road Atlanta. All in all, 23 entries have been confirmed for the inaugural event, which will include two races in support of the World Touring Car Championship round the same weekend.

So far, the Okayama event is the only race on the calendar, but winners from each of the four categories will qualify for automatic entry at the title event in France next year. Follow the jump for more information in the press release.

[Source: Asian Le Mans Series]