Lamera Cup: The Race for All (update 2024)

By RobinB on 17 July 2024
Circuit / Race
banner image banner image

The Lamera Cup is a European endurance car championship organized under the auspices of the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile. It captures the attention of motorsport enthusiasts with its original concept and accessibility, thus standing out in the world of motor racing competitions.

Since its inception in 2012 by Wilfried MERAFINA and the TTM Competition company, this series of endurance races has distinguished itself with a unique proposition: a single-make championship open to everyone, from beginners or "Gentlemen Drivers" to professional drivers.

The goal is clear: to provide a platform where each participant can progress at their own pace, improve skills and speed, within three distinct categories: Gentleman, Pro-Am, and Elite.

The Lamera: Presentation and Technical Sheet

At the heart of the Lamera Cup is the championship's iconic car: the Lamera.

Lamera Cup - Castellet circuit

Historically, the Lamera is equipped with a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 325 horsepower, inherited from the legendary Ford Focus RS, and mounted in a mid-rear position. The power is transmitted to the rear wheels, making the Lamera a rear-wheel-drive car.

In 2024, this 5-cylinder engine was replaced by a standard 2.3-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, still sourced from Ford. It increases the power output to approximately 330 horsepower and enables a slight weight reduction. Lap times are improved by around 0.5 seconds.

Its tubular chassis and fiberglass body reduce its weight to 1020 kg (empty), offering a power-to-weight ratio of 3 kg/hp.

It is equipped with a 6-speed 3MO sequential gearbox with paddle shifters.

For those who love numbers, 0 to 100 km/h is achieved in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 240 km/h. With a max torque of 470 Nm, 19-inch wheels, and Continental Sport Contact 7 tires, the Lamera is designed for a perfect balance between performance, durability, and cost.

Unlike other series, the Lamera uses regular tires and not competition slicks. This allows for a 12-hour endurance race with the same set of tires! And a set of 4 tires will cost you approximately €800. A real plus for keeping budgets in check!

To top it off, the Lamera has an amazing look. It’s a true race car. It is entirely free of electronic aids: no ABS, no traction control. The only assistance provided is power steering.

Lamera Cup - Valencia Circuit

In terms of pure performance, the Lamera sits halfway between a Fun Cup and a TCR or a small GT like the Ligier JS2R.

Lamera Cup: The Accessible Motor Racing Competition for Everyone!

The Lamera Cup stands out for its cost-to-driving time ratio, probably the most attractive in the world of motor racing. With around 120 hours of track time, including 90 hours of racing per season, the championship offers participants unbeatable track time: when you love it, you don't count!

A significant amount of track time allows drivers to improve their skills. During free practice, it is even possible to be coached by a driving instructor who will be allowed to sit beside you: ideal for rapid progression!

Depending on the teams and your budget, it is possible to involve an engineer who can help you refine your skills by analyzing videos and data from your sessions.

Lamera Cup - Coaching

The Lamera Cup is therefore an ideal formula for discovering and starting in motor racing.

Renting a Lamera Cup for the Season or a Single Race

The budget to participate in a racing weekend will depend on its duration. The average cost is €30,000 excluding tax for an 11-hour race including free practice and the qualifying session. This rate is to be divided by the number of drivers. Thus, for a crew of 5 drivers, the budget amounts to approximately €6,000 excluding tax per person. This rate generally includes the rental of the car, the entry fee, regular maintenance, consumables (tires, brake pads, fuel...), transport, coaching, and insurance.

Do not hesitate to inquire with the team you wish to race with about the exact insurance conditions as well as the number of tires included in the contract, the presence of an engineer, etc.

Many teams also offer track days or driving sessions in a Lamera. It will cost around €1,800 excluding VAT for 1 hour of track time.

Buying a New or Used Lamera Cup

For those who want to go further or own their own car, it is possible to purchase a used Lamera Cup. The average price for a race-ready car with the latest upgrades is between €70,000 and €80,000 excluding VAT.

A brand-new Lamera Cup will cost you around €103,000 excluding VAT, as new Lameras are produced each year to meet demand.

Buying a Lamera Cup

Buying a Lamera allows you to create your own team or join an existing one, a formula often preferred by crews wishing to be more involved in the Lamera Cup adventure by freeing themselves from all the logistics and car maintenance.

List of Teams Participating in the Lamera Cup Championship

Do you want to contact a team participating in the championship? Here is a list of teams you can contact to find out the rates and availability:

Belgian Teams

French Teams

Luxembourg Teams

Dutch Teams

In 2023 and 2024, the championship was won by team 73 AUTO LECLERC (Adrien HARANG, Emmanuel ORGEVAL, and Benoit GRUAU).

Lamera Cup: 2024 Calendar

The 2024 Lamera Cup calendar promises to be even richer than previous years, with seven events across Europe, including three in France and four internationally (Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Italy).

  • Magny-Cours - 29/03-31/03/2024 (11-hour race)
  • Lausitzring - 03/05-05/05/2024 (11-hour race)
  • Valencia - 07/06-09/06/2024 (12-hour race)
  • Paul Ricard Circuit, Le Castellet - 13/07-14/07/2024 (12-hour race)
  • Portimão - 06/09-08/09/2024 (26-hour race)
  • Dijon-Prenois - 18/10-20/10/2024 (11-hour race)
  • Mugello - 09/11-10/11/2024 (11-hour race)

🆕 New: 2025 Lamera Cup Calendar 🆕

In 2025, there will still be 7 events across Europe, including 4 abroad. The championship will also visit 2 new circuits: Estoril and Seville!

  • Magny-Cours - 28/03-30/03/2025
  • Jarama (Spain) - 09/05-11/05/2025
  • Estoril (Portugal) - 06/06-08/06/2025
  • Paul Ricard Circuit, Le Castellet - 11/07-13/07/2025
  • Portimão (Portugal) - 05/09-07/09/2025
  • Dijon-Prenois - 17/10-19/10/2025
  • Seville (Spain) - 07/11-09/11/2025

In previous years, the Lamera Cup has also visited the Misano Circuit in Italy and the Nogaro Circuit.

What is the Format of the Races?

These are endurance races ranging from 11 to 26 hours, depending on the events.

In races lasting up to 16 hours, teams can consist of 3 to 6 drivers. For competitions exceeding this time (like the 26-hour race), the number of allowed drivers ranges from 3 to 8.

Lamera Cup - Cockpit and Interior

Each driver must adhere to a minimum driving time defined by the regulations.

Onboard Camera in Lamera Cup at Dijon-Prenois Circuit

Conclusion

Over the years, the Lamera Cup has seen drivers from all walks of life compete, each bringing their personal touch to the competition. The past results testify to the diversity and dynamism of the championship, with races often close and unpredictable, reflecting the very spirit of the Lamera Cup: the passion for motorsport accessible to all.

In conclusion, the Lamera Cup offers a unique experience in the world of motorsport.

Whether for beginner or more experienced drivers, the championship promises adrenaline, competitiveness, and camaraderie, all in a spirit of passion and accessibility.

For more information, visit the site lameracup.fr

Similar posts
See all blog posts arrow right icon
arrow up