FIA to Govern Le Mans Series from 2012

In a move that will increase its control over the various racing series being organized around the world, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA, the governing body for the Formula 1, the World Rally Championship and the World Touring Car Championship) announced it has struck a deal with the organizers of the Le Mans Cup series, Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), giving the motorsport ruling body authority over the world's most famous endurance races.

As a result of the agreement, the new series will be called FIA World Endurance Championship. By new, we mean only a new name as, at least for the 2012 season, the calendar will be exactly that of the current championship, with the pearl of the crown being the Le Mans 24 hours.

The effects of the agreement between the two organizations will be seen as soon as the start of this year's Le Mans race, where the FIA president, Jean Todt, will be giving the start signal for the race.

As for the4 future of the new series, the full details are expected to be disclosed on June 9 at the Musee des 24 Heures du Mans, two days before the start of the historic race.

"I am very happy we have reached this agreement with the FIA, a partnership which underlines the rightful place that endurance racing has in motorsport, something we have been promoting since we first established the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1923. Jean Todt has accepted my invitation to start this year's 24 Hours race on Saturday June 11, a symbolic and visible way to celebrate our partnership," said Jean-Claude Plassart, ACO president.