ACO Sporting Director Vincent Beaumesnil has broad shoulders. He must in order to deal with the pressure inherent in his function, especially relative to granting invitations to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In a driver's career, the legendary race is the equivalent of the Olympic Games. For constructors and team owners, the economic, competition and media considersations of participating in Le Mans are huge. So when the ACO Selection Commitee's verdict is given, there are some who are elated...and others highly disappointed!

The long road  to the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans began for the teams on December 18, 2015, the day the race regulations were released, and the opening of the entries. "Une fois que le règlement est publié, il est gravé dans le marbre, explains Beaumesnil. Ainsi ils savent sur quelles bases techniques travailler." The submission of candidate applications was open until January 5, 2016. "Pour chaque team, on demande un maximum d'informations sur l'écurie et son projet, l’identité des personnes-clé, le palmarès du ou des pilotes annoncés, les caractéristiques techniques de la voiture," clarified Beaumesnil. At this stage, the name of at least one of the three drivers must be given.

After January 25, 2016, the ACO Selection Committee gets together to choose the candidates. It is composed of 10 members including ACO President Pierre Fillon, President of the Regional Motorsports League Jacques Olivier and Vincent Beaumesnil.

To avoid any pressure, the date and place of the meetings are always kept under wraps! "It's a bit like electing a pope," jokes Beaumesnil. We lock ourselves in and do not emerge until there is white smoke, meaning once we have made our choice of candidates!"

This list of teams selected for 2016 was revealed to the public on February 5, 2016 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans press conference. Every year, the ACO receives between 70 and 80 applications, which this year became 60 cars for the year – thanks to the construction of four new pits - and 10 reserves.

Among the candidates, some are automatically chosen: participants in the 2016 World Endurance Championship (WEC) and teams invited as a result of good performances in any races, series and championships recognized by the ACO. Class winners at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans will be invited back for the 2017 edition of the race.

Other competitors are selected from their application. "For those candidates, the Selection Committee takes into account various criteria. One of the main ones is the entry and loyalty in the ACO championships. There is also the notoriéty of drivers and constructors, and of course the seriousness of the application, but also any other criterion of significant interest to the ACO Selection Committee, at its discretion. The choice would be easy if we had 200 applications with 140 bad ones! But we only receive good and very good ones," explains Beaumesnil.

To eliminate applicants is of course heartbreaking for the Selection Committee. "We know very well that if a team is not chosen for the 24 Hours, it will have a harder time finding drivers and sponsors. Actually the season takes shape around our race," says the ACO's Sporting Director. "But determination and perseverance pay off! A team that is not chosen one year, despite its solid application, often earns a spot the following year!"

Lastly, May 12th was also a key date for the teams. They were obligated to communicate by that date the names of their three drivers. Any driver change from what was submitted will then incur a fine of  5,000 €, except in case of force majeure (like an injury). One doesn't mess with the 24 Hours of Le Mans regulations!

Céline Gualde / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

Photo: The ACO Selection Committee, including Sporting Director Vincent Beaumesnil, selectes the entries for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.