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Published on February 16, 2026 by Electric Le Mans Initiative

Our Benchmark: "Beat LMGT3 on Total Time" - What It Really Means

One-sentence promise: We are not claiming LMGT3 class entry; we are using LMGT3 total race outcome as a hard benchmark for endurance competitiveness.

First, What Is LMGT3?

LMGT3 is Le Mans/WEC GT competition based on the FIA GT3 platform and is a useful endurance benchmark because it combines pace, reliability, and pit execution.

What "Beat LMGT3" Means Here

It means this:

  • after 24 hours, our total race outcome should exceed LMGT3 winner-level result
  • race outcome is measured by laps completed, then elapsed gap after 24 hours

So this is not a single-lap claim. It is a full-race systems claim.

Why LMGT3 Is a Useful Benchmark

LMGT3 performance is strongly affected by:

  • repeatable pace
  • low-error pit operations
  • traffic management and driver consistency

If a pure EV can outperform that total outcome, the concept is endurance-credible.

Where Hypercar Pace Fits

Our concept target can be summarized as:

  • on-track pace target near Hypercar-like levels
  • acceptance of longer pit events for charging
  • final objective still tied to total race outcome against LMGT3 benchmark

This is a strategy model, not a class claim.

Core Engineering Question

If on-track pace is faster but pit events are longer, then the central equation is simple:

Can cumulative lap-time gain exceed cumulative pit-time loss over 24 hours?

Post 4 turns that into a race model.

Open Questions (TBD)

  • Which LMGT3 reference should we use: winner, top-5 average, or median?
  • What lap-time target is realistic for the EV mass and aero concept?
  • How many seconds per lap are needed to offset charging-related pit losses?

Written by Electric Le Mans Initiative

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