The seven events include races of four different formats and add up to a staggering 98 hours of racing over six months, six countries and two continents.

The three 24 hour races at Le Mans, Oschersleben and the Bol d'Or will be classic tests of the performance and stamina of both man and machine. The two 8 hour events at Albacete and Suzuka will test competitors in gruelling heat and - at Suzuka - humidity. The Assen 500km (approximately three and a half hours) and Zolder six hours races will put the emphasis on lap times and faultless pit stops.

The two classic French 24 Hour races rejoin the championship after a four year break. Both were cornerstones of the championship through the 1970s, '80s and '90s and their return will be welcomed by the competitors, spectators, sponsors and the championship organisers.

The two races were last part of the World Endurance Championship in 2001. That season's Le Mans 24 hour race was won by GMT94, who became World Endurance Champions in 2004, while the 2001 Bol d'Or was won by Suzuki Castrol, winners of the 2005 World Endurance Championship.

25th October 2005

Note: The Zolder race was initially a 1000km event; this duration was changed to 6 hours on the 16th of January.