Audi has been granted two of 16 automatic entries to the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours by organizing body the Automobile Club de l'Ouest.
The invitations have been awarded based on the results of the 2012 event, as well as the European and American Le Mans Series and the FIA World Endurance Championship. The invitations represent a maximum of 16 cars out of the 55 places on the grid for next year's 24 hour endurance. To validate the invitations the teams must enter at least one of the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series, American Le Mans Series or Asian Le Mans Series in 2013.
Audi Sport Team Joest has been granted two entries, one for its 2012 Le Mans triumph and one for winning the Michelin Green X Challenge in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Three invitations have meanwhile been handed to AF Corse, winner in the LM GTE Pro category in this year's Le Mans 24 Hours.
The 11 teams with one invitation are Starworks Motorsport, Larbre Competition, TDS Racing, OAK Racing, JMW Motorsport, JMB Racing, IMSA Performance Matmut, Boutsen Ginion Racing, Conquest Racing, Level 5 Motorsports and Extreme Speed Motorsport.
The International Motor Sports Association – sanctioning body of the American Le Mans Series – selected the American trio as at-large picks to represent the ALMS in the 24 Hours. Level 5 won its second straight ALMS P2 championship just ahead of Conquest, a first-year team in the series. Extreme Speed finished third in the ALMS' GT class.
The full list of entries for the 81st running of the Le Mans 24 Hours will be released Jan. 31, with additional ALMS entries likely to be announced. The race is set for June 22-23, 2013.