The ACO has revealed that 15 of the 29 cars offered an automatic entry into the 2009 running of the Le Mans 24 Hours have taken up the option to enter the round the clock classic.

In LMP1, Audi has accepted two of the three places it earned in its final season of competition with the R10 TDi, with two new R15 models set to go up against the two factory Peugeot 908s. The R10 will still be seen at Le Mans – entry permitting – in the hands of the privateer team run by Colin Kolles, who has revealed plans to purchase two cars for the year ahead. Intersport Racing has elected not to take up the entry secured through its performances in the ALMS.

In LMP2, doubts existed over whether any of the seven entries would be taken up, but Team Essex has taken up the option for one of its two automatic entries – a somewhat surprising move given the team was reported to have closed shop at the end of 2008.

Double entries from Penske Racing and van Merksteijn Motorsport have, as anticipated, not been accepted with neither team running the RS Spyder this year while Horag Racing has also turned down the entry offered.

In GT1, the much anticipated final battle between Aston Martin and Corvette could be over before it began, after none of the automatic entries offered to Aston Martin teams were accepted – including that of the factory team. With rumours abound of a possible prototype programme, the factory DBR9 has not been entered into the race, while Bell Motorsports and Team Modena have also not accepted entries – the latter having moved to GT2 over the winter. Vitaphone Racing hasn't accepted its entry with the Maserati MC12 being ineligible for La Sarthe, while Phoenix Racing hasn't accepted the entry offered to its Corvette C6.R.

In GT2, all entries have been accepted bar the second Ferrari of BMS Scuderia Italia.

Le Mans 24 Hours 2009 Automatic Entries - accepted:

LMP1:

Audi Sport North America Audi R10 TDi
Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R10 TDi
Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 HDi
Team Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 HDi

LMP2:

Team Essex Porsche RS Spyder

GT1:

Corvette Racing Corvette C6.R
Corvette Racing Corvette C6.R
Luc Alphand Aventures Corvette C6.R

GT2:

Risi Competizione Ferrari 430
Risi Competizione Ferrari 430
BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari 430
BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari 430
Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 997 RSR
Virgo Motorsport Ferrari 430
Team Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 997 RSR
AF Corse Ferrari 430

Le Mans 24 Hours 2009 Automatic Entries - rejected:

LMP1:

Audi Sport North America Audi R10 TDi
Intersport Racing Lola B06/10 AER

LMP2:

van Merksteijn Motorsport Porsche RS Spyder
van Merksteijn Motorsport Porsche RS Spyder
Team Essex Porsche RS Spyder
Penske Motorsports Porsche RS Spyder
Penske Motorsports Porsche RS Spyder
Horag Racing Porsche RS Spyder

GT1:

Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin DBR9
Bell Motorsports Aston Martin DBR9
Team Modena Aston Martin DBR9
Vitaphone Racing Maserati MC12
Phoenix Carsport Corvette C6.R

GT2:

BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari 430