27.10.2003 FIVE FERRARIS AND ONE LAMBORGHINI AMONG THE ENTRIES FOR NEXT MONTH'S LE MANS 1000KMS

The ACO, organisers of next month's inaugural Le Mans 1000kms, have announced a strong entry list with 42 cars in five categories. Six Italian cars will be represented, five Ferraris and a suprise entry for the new Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT.

Heading the Ferrari entries will be two LM GTS class Care Racing owned 550 Maranellos, the Prodrive built cars fresh from winning the driver's and team's titles in the FIA GT series and ending the ALMS season with a string of wins. For this event, Frederic Dor's Care Racing Developments and Prodrive, will again be teaming up with Veloqx Motorsport, recreating a partnership which yielded a stunning GTS victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Joining them in LM GTS will be the Reiter Engineering run Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT, making its second competitive appearance as the team make use of the endurance event to develop the car into a competitive racer for next year.

In the LM GT class French outfit XL Racing will run their Ferrari 550 Maranello, seen at the Le Mans 24 Hours earlier this year, for Rousselot and Lesourdier. They are joined by a Ferrari 360 Modena from new team Scuderia Ecosse driven by ChampCar star Dario Franchitti's brother Marino, Carter and Niarchos, while US based Cirtek Motorsport will run their 360 Modena for Engelhorn and Montermini.

Heading the bumper entry will be the Audi Japan LMP class R8, led by five times 24 Hours winner Tom Kristensen, while Panos, Morgan, Spyker, Porsche, Saleen, Chevrolet and TVR will be among the marque's represented in the 1000km race which starts at midday on the 9th November.