In LMP1, the team that was built around Nigel Mansell and his son (Beechdean Mansell) has disappeared, as has the Ginetta-Zytek which crashed out on Lap 4 of the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours. The team went into receivership at the end of the year.

Another British outfit that has brought its endurance racing activities to a close is Drayson Racing. The home page of its website still provides access to footage of the green Lola-Judd’s win at Road America in 2010, but the former British Minister for Science and Technology has this year turned his attention to the EVCUP.

We’re without news of Kolles Racing, the team founded by dentist Colin Kolles who entered the 2010 Le Mans Series but whose Audi R10s only showed up at Le Mans. Dr. Kolles is Team Principal of the F1 team HRT. Michael Lewis/Autocon has not been invited to contest Le Mans this year after dropping out on Lap 1 last June. The American squad is still operational and is expected to appear in the ALMS later this year. Last but not least, Signature Plus has been renamed Signatech-Nissan and competes in another class.

The LMP2 teams KSM, Gerard Welter, Pegasus Racing, Racing Box are missing from June’s entry, while Highcroft Racing turned down its invitation. Team Bruichladdish has been renamed Greaves Motorsport.

The majority of last year’s GT1 runners have disappeared from the paddock (Matech Competition, Luc Alphand Aventures) or have emigrated to the FIA GT1 World Championship, like Marc VDS Racing and Young Driver AMR, while the ACO did not extend an invitation to the works Jaguar RSR or Spyker C8 Laviolette. The JLOC Lamborghini, the BMS Scuderia Italia Porsche and the Risi Competizione Ferrari won’t be with us either this time round.

24 Hours of Le Mans, Beechdean Mansell, Drayson Racing, Highcroft Racing