2004 Le Mans Entries

  • Thread starter TahirNuri
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Originally posted by wee_man
Unfortunatly I feel the probability of a Shelby Cobra Daytona is about as likely as me driving it but nacked!!!:P :(
Though it would soooo kick ass to see a Shelby Cobra Daytona replica and a Ford GT go head to head!!!!

haha, yeah, it woiuld be quite a sight, but the Daytoa replica just wont happen. and if it does, hell... cool!
as for the Ford, I thunk that sometime or another we will see those racing in LeMans again. its just... logic. if Ford doestn do that. I'll piss on them :grumpy:

Cano
 
Well I don't know about the original post, that definatly seemed way off...

For 2004:
- Pescarolo may not be returning, they are apparently near broke and were lucky enough just to enter one car in the LeMans 1000km.
- Joest will not be back, they're going to concentrate on the DTM
- Bentley will not be back, the entire program has been killed off. There is a slim possibility of a privateer car though for LMP1.
- Creation Motorsports will be running the DBA4-03S they bought from RN Motorsports and running in the LMES, possible entry into LeMans
- Rollcentre Racing has bought the two former Oreca Dallara-Judd LMPs for use in LMES and at Sebring, again, possible LeMans entry
- Lola will be selling the new B04/40 for LMP2 class.
- Intersport to continue development of Judd-powered Lola EX257 for LMP2
- RML to run their EX257-MG in LMES for LMP2 class.
- Chevrolet C6-R debut in GTS class at LeMans
- Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT in GTS class
- Prodrive will run the 550-GTS Maranellos for the last year before switching to Aston Martin DB9s in 2005 in GTS class
- Carsport America to return with improved Pagani Zonda GR in GTS class.
- Spyker will be entering a racing model of their new C8 Spyder-T in GTS class, and running the C8 Double-12R in GT again.
- Porsche debuts their new 911 GT3-RSR in GT.
- Expect to see new Ferrari 575GTCs and 360GTCs in GT class, as well as improvement by the TVRs as all weight restrictions will be lifted.
 
Originally posted by The359
Bentley will not be back, the entire program has been killed off. There is a slim possibility of a privateer car though for LMP1.

WHAT!?!? No Bentley's!?!? :banghead: :(

Originally posted by audiracing
yeah it's called the the lemans quattro, it's got 610 bhp, 10 'biturbo' engine with FSI direct fuel injection and free revving

Is this car strickly a concept car or will it be put into production or raced?? I have seen it a lot but with little info about it? Thanks

Nick:cheers:
 
Nick, yes, Bentley have confirmed their withdrawal. It was always a three-year plan. They got to the end of the three years with all the goals attained.

Audi are making serious noises about the Le Mans Quattro concept, but then they have a history of making lots of noise about concept cars and then not building them. I suspect that it won't happen, and that the biturbo engine will feature in some future hardcore Lamborghini Gallardo.

Gran Turismo7058: You were perhaps a bit harsh in your response to TahirNuri. You can doubt the credibility of someone's sources, but I think you need evidence to suggest that someone is actually crafting untruths. Also, TahirNuri did state that the post contained rumours.

Your assertion that Toyota did not ditch their Le Mans programme because they were going into F1 is incorrect. Everyone knows this to be the case, Toyota even stated it themselves. The press release went something like "We are going into F1. Because of this, we are ceasing our Le Mans and WRC programmes". It's especially obvious given that the Toyota GT-One was built by TTE, who have now morphed into the Panasonic Toyota F1 Racing team.

I quote from the Toyota-F1 Web site:
1999
TMG steps up its technical research and staff recruitment for the new Formula 1 project, and Toyota secures the 12th and final entry position in the Formula 1 World Championship. At Le Mans 24 Hour race, Martin Brundle qualifies one of TMG's three cars on pole position. Two of the cars lead the race, but are eliminated by accidents after one had set a new lap record, while the third Toyota GT-One finishes a strong second. In rallying, TMG conducts its second full WRC programme with the Toyota Corolla WRC. The victory by Didier Auriol and Denis Giraudet on the first WRC event in China is the last for TMG before it pulls out of the WRC at the end of the season to concentrate on its Formula 1 project. It is one of no fewer than 15 podium (and 23 points-scoring) finishes during the WRC season by TMG drivers, but the only victory of the year - the 43rd in the WRC by a factory-entered Toyota. These results bring Toyota a third World Rally Championship of Manufacturers.

On the Audi 2005 roof/no roof, diesel/petrol thing, you're too strong calling TahirNuri a liar. Audi have been rumouring that they will do this, but the rumours are not sufficiently hazy to suggest it will actually happen.

You're correct on the Gallardo though. It would be in the GTS category, but we won't see it, because Lamborghini have said that it's not a racing car, and that they will be concentrating on the Murcielago R-GT. And with that car's difficult gestation, I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see it at Le Mans.

The Porsche Carrera GT probably won't race, and was (allegedly) built from a stillborn Le Mans project from 2001. Porsche have been quiet on their sporting aspirations recently, possibly because building a 2.5 ton behemoth isn't exactly sporting.

Aston will be back, but are currently planning to race the V8 Vantage, built by Prodrive (see here)

Anyone who's seriously into motor racing should register at Autosport.com. It's free (as stated earlier), and Autosport do seem to have the best and most reliable sources.
 
Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
Nick, yes, Bentley have confirmed their withdrawal. It was always a three-year plan. They got to the end of the three years with all the goals attained.

No :banghead: No :banghead: No :banghead: Why the hell do these manufactures waste so much money and then only race for a year or two??? Hell the Bentley's only raced like 2 or 3 races a season!??! Them and Cadillac both put out new versions and then quit!? :odd: doesn't make a lot of sense? eh... guess more money that brains... as aposed to Dodge staying in racing with the viper and making an ass out of themselves :odd:

Nick:cheers:
 
The Vipers aren't run by Dodge, they are privateer teams with no factory backing.

Chrysler dropped their Viper program in 2000 and dropped out of LeMans in 2001.
 
Originally posted by The359
The Vipers aren't run by Dodge, they are privateer teams with no factory backing.

Chrysler dropped their Viper program in 2000 and dropped out of LeMans in 2001.

Arn't they backing the new 2004 Vipers?

Nick:cheers:
 
You road racing fans impress me pretty well. I just came across this topic and hear some interesting points being mentioned. I don't have predictions, but I'll try to see what will happen, nationwise...

AMERICA
As much as I hear, Panoz may be done in the big-leauge sportscar ranks. If they AREN'T, however, they can still win one for the red, white, and blue. Corvette's struggles against Ferrari cost them the race. I think America is due for a Le Mans win. If the Ford GT goes racing at Le Mans, it will be history reborn. A "Ferrari slayer" (as in the words of "Car and Driver" magazine) reborn.

JAPAN
I think that Japan is the most active car-making country in the world. With their incredible GT series, their international succcess hasn't seriously reflected since Mazda's landmark win in 1991. Toyota came close, Nissan did good, and I think Honda won in GT2 with the Kunimitsu NSX (can be seen n Gran Turismo 1). Dome (pronounced "doh-may") did well in FIA sportscar, so they can use some help on the International scene. Although not a Japanese car, Team Goh has a lot to earn. The white and silver Audi R8 did well at LM2003. I wouldn't be surprised if they go for a podium, or even an outright win. Toyota making a possible LMP return, I say... MAKE UP FOR 1999!

GERMANY
Porsche will be there, no doubt. So will Audi. It would be cool to see BMW return. If they're coming back to the ALMS, then Le Mans would be cool as well. I wonder how a tuned Audi TT-R from DTM would do...

ITALY
Ferrari. The makers of the beautiful 360 Modena, the not-too-bad-looking Enzo (McLaren F1 is still the most powerful car in the world). I'm sure they will be there. But I hope Ferrari can put together a new sportscar program to bring a car as beautiful as the 333SP back, but in a new car with a new engine. Pagani? My goodness. They are eye-candy.

BRITAIN
TVR would be nice. Jaguars would rule as well. Lister, despite their ugly cars, can still win races.

OTHER COUNTRIES
Spyker cars would be alright in GT. If Holden came in, their Monaro would be killer. Maybe Renault would make a nice campaign. Oh, I forgot one for Germany. If Volkswagen made a racing version of the W12, it would be VW's coolest car.
 
Panoz is indeed dropping the LMP01s, because they do not conform to 2004 LMP1/LMP2 class rules. They will instead be concentrating on their Esperante GT car in GT class.
 
What is the new LMP1 and LMP2 stuff? Is LMP675 done in ALMS or just Le Mans???? I have been to busy racing my own car to read about any of this :banghead:
 
LMP1 = LMP900 and LMGTP grouped into the same class.
LMP2 = former LMP675 cars, but now have a weight limit of 750kg and allowed larger engines.

Most of the rules for LMP1 and LMP2 were changed, especially on what materials and engines are allowed, which is what makes a lot of older LMP675s no longer legal, and the Panozs no longer legal.

Those are the classifications that will be used in American LeMans Series, LeMans Endurance Series, and in the 24 Hours of LeMans.
 
Originally posted by The359
LMP1 = LMP900 and LMGTP grouped into the same class.
LMP2 = former LMP675 cars, but now have a weight limit of 750kg and allowed larger engines.

Most of the rules for LMP1 and LMP2 were changed, especially on what materials and engines are allowed, which is what makes a lot of older LMP675s no longer legal, and the Panozs no longer legal.

Those are the classifications that will be used in American LeMans Series, LeMans Endurance Series, and in the 24 Hours of LeMans.

You are correct. They only thing that got changed for next year is a major ALMS sceuale ( oh, shut up. I can't spell. ). Sebring is on the 20th, and im gonna be there.
 
This race is going to be on Father's Day weekend, so if you have nothing for your dad by that time, just tell him to check out this race. And if you don't have Speed Channel, then gosh darn it, GET IT!

http://www.speedtv.com

Anyhow... As a bit of wanting entries, I think TRD, Nismo, and Mugen/Dome should try Le Mans again. I mean, at least tune the car to have as much horsepower as the Corvette or the GTS Ferraris (not a real fan of the Front engine/Rear drive GTS Ferraris). But I think Japan got a good opening with Team Goh placing 4th overall, so I'm sure they will be back to do one, two, or three better. I'm not saying that Team Goh will dominate, but with Japan being the best car market in the world, why not get more wins for the Land of the Rising Sun? I have yet to hear of other entrants to the French classic, so I'll have to look online for more information.
 
GG: Old news I'm afraid. It has been confirmed that Pro Drive are going to run a DB9 as The359 also confirmed.

JohnBM01: Good points raised.
[snip]
and I think Honda won in GT2 with the Kunimitsu NSX (can be seen n Gran Turismo 1).
Damn right. You know much. I was there that year. They had an entry in GT1 and GT2. The GT1 car was trounced and the GT2 did whoop all the other opposition. 1995 LeMans. Man that was a good year :D . I'm hoping that after LeMans recently low (particularly in the recent field of entrants) that these next couple of years it will be back on form :).
 
Before I begin, I want to note these colleges for their Bowl game efforts:

USC def. Michigan (Rose Bowl)
Miami FL def. FSU (Orange Bowl)
Ohio State Def. Kansas State (Fiesta Bowl)
LSU def. OU (Sugar Bowl)

Anyhow, I just thought of something. I remember I talked about Panoz. Now if the Panoz boys wanted to stay in the big leauges, why not make a second-generation of their Esperante GT1 (as seen in Gran Turismo 3 for a "cheap" 2,000,000 Cr). And I am not talking about that glorified Esperante that I seen with GT1 badging out now, I mean something similar to the aerodynamic, wide-bodied, sexy at speed, candy to the eyes, a demon to race... yeah, you know what I mean. And if I'm not mistaken, they have to make at least a homologated copy of the race car (except LMPs). Panoz needs to bring back their Front/Rear Esperante GT1 from the late 1990s. And what the heck... make a second-generation GT1 with hybrid power (can you recall the Panoz Q9? It was purple with little lightning streaks on the sides.)

I think the times around 1996 to 2000 were the years of the pure prototype race cars. Porsche 911 GT1. Mercedes-Bens CLK-GTR. Nissan R390. Toyota GT-One. Ferrari 333SP (my favorite race car, especially the red one in MOMO livery). And even the Dodge Viper GTS-R, with two headlights and four auxillary lights.

Though it is 2004 as of now, the cars are still sweet, but those were the days. I didn't get into racing until 1999. I didn't get (at the time) Speedvision until 2000. So I missed out all those years :-(. In any event, I think car companies should look to the past. If girls are getting into those initalized tops and those bowling sneaker looking shoes, why not some team go retro, while keeping their eyes on the future? Hey, America is trying it, why not some car companies?
 
Wow... I see I been upgraded to a "Junior Member"...(disregard this post and look above)
 
It looks like Lola will challenge LMP2 next year (I'm guessing). In any event, I tihnk the new class names are more like the GT race cars before given the sometimes confusing GT and GTS classes. LMP1 can be thought more of as the GT1 of LMP cars, and LMP2 as the GT2 of LMP cars. In a way, when I first got into racing, I couldn't tell whether a certain car was a GT or GTS, much less GT3 to GT1. I knew that the more exotic they looked, the higher the class they were in. But I've always thought (at that time) the cars that look nothing like anything you'd see on the road was at the most GT2, and the ones you have to be hallucinating (try seeing a GT-One going down I-45) would be GT1s.

When I see the prototypes, however, I always thought they were the creme de la creme of road racing machines. But when the LMP675s were introduced, I STILL thought they were the best of the best. However, they proved that with James Weaver edging out the Audis last year as NBC killed the ALMS coverage at Infineon Raceway (Sears Point). (Yeah, NBC will tape delay ALMS but show NASCAR in its entirety. This sort of thing maddens road racing fans.)

In any event, hey, how about Lomborghini and Aston Martin (AM later this year) going into the GTS ranks?
 
At the ALMS race at the bugatti track of Le Mans, apparantly Panoz wheeled out the GT1 (be it a modified GT1 for the closed prototype class) one last time. I found a small report on it on Autosport.com, but nothing else :(. They would of run the class but had some problems with the car. I tried to find some more information about that race, but couldn't.
I remember the Q9 John, infact I was there at the qualifying session at Le Mans when they tried to get it to work. Out of the two days of testing it only managed a couple of laps, and was constantly in and out of the garage. I seem to remember when it did go it wasn't to quick either :odd: . I think it was quite a heavy car. I remember on the Saturday test session (me with my anicdotes :rolleyes: ) about half way through; me, my old man and some freinds of ours wandered out to the back of the circuit. At the end of the Mulsanne straight. The harpin at the end of the straight is actually a converted part of a roundabout. The straight after it which leads to indianapolis (that stretch is the second quickest part on the track). The straight which connects indy to the corner at the end of the mulsanne straight (the section where the Mercedes in the 1999 race took of and flew into the trees), we managed to sneak our way through to by the track. We were standing right next to the armco with the track several metres away. I was actually scared. Be it I was 11 or so, the cars were doing well over 150mph at that stage and were really getting a move on at that part. The most memorable bit was hearing the Panoz Q9 down the road, roaring down the mulsanne straight, braking for the hairpin, accelerating away, getting louder and louder as it came towards us, the suddenly emerging and ripping past. It was defining. You could a kind of supercharger scream to it though (which i guess were the generators it had). Amazing. Then after 15 minuetes there a martial found us and escorted us back to the main spectator area.

I thought that Prodrive (the people who developed the GTS Ferrari) were developing the Aston Martin DB9 over 2004 and entering it in 2005 :confused: :odd: ? I know that Lamboghuini are definatly in this year, which is fantastic it to see all the legendary sports car manufacturers coming back into GT racing. Hopefully in a couple of years time there will be a turn out of cars just like the mid 90's. Though with Maserati's new car as well, they're predicting that Maserati are going to dominate this season :(, like the Audi's did to ALMS and Le Mans.
 
Panoz brought out their old Esperante GTR-1 for the LeMans 1000km to run in the GTP class for one last time before it too would be illegal by the new rules. It suffered problems the entire race and I believe either withdrew or finished way down in the standings.
 
It must have been cool to bring the Esperante GT1 back though. (MY SHORTEST REPLY EVER!)
 
Here's the cars that I can all but guarentee will be at LeMans in 2004, or at least attempting to get into LeMans by running the ALMS or LMES seasons:

LMP1:
2 Audi R8s (Audi UK Veloqx)
1 Audi R8 (Champion Audi)
1 Audi R8 (Team Goh)
1 Lister Storm LMP (Lister Racing)
2 Courage C60-Judds (Pescarolo Sport)
1 Courage C60-Judd (Courage Competition)
2 Dome S101-Judds (Racing For Holland)
2 Dallara-Judd LMPs (Rollcentre Racing)
1 DBA4-03S-Zytek (Creation Motorsport)
1 Lola EX257-Judd (Intersport)
1 Lotus Elise GT1 (Team Elite)

LMP2:
1 Lola B2K/40-Judd (Intersport)
1 Lola EX257-MG (RML)
1/2 Lola EX257-MGs (Dyson)
2 Lola B2K/40-Nissans (Rand Racing)
1/2 WR2003-Peugeots (Walter Racing)
1 Courage C65-JPX (Courage Competition)

GTS:
2 Chevrolet Corvette C5-R/C6-Rs (Corvette Racing)
2/3 Ferrari 550-GTS Maranellos (Veloqx Prodrive)
2 Ferrari 575GTC Maranellos (Barron Conner)
2 Chrysler Viper GTS-Rs (Larbre Competition)
1 Saleen S7R (Konrad)
1 Chrysler Viper GTS-R (Carsport America)
1 Pagani Zonda GR (Carsport America)
1 Spyker C8 Spyder-T (Orange Spyker)
1 Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT (Reiter Engineering)
1 Saleen S7R (ACEMO)

GT:
2 Porsche 911 GT3-RSRs (The Racer's Group)
2 Porsche 911 GT3-RSRs (Freisinger)
1 Porsche 911 GT3-RSR (Zip/Hazardous)
1 Porsche 911 GT3-RSR (PK Motorsport)
1 Porsche 911 GT3-RSR (Taisan Advan)
1 Porsche 911 GT3-RSR (Orbit/BAM!)
1 Spyker C8 Double-12R (Orange Spyker)
1 TVR Tuscan T400R (DeWalt TVR)
1 Morgan Aero-8R (Morgan Motors)
1 Ferrari 550 Maranello (XL Racing)
1/2 Ferrari 360GTCs (JMB Racing)
1/2 Ferrari 360GTs (Risi Competizione)
1 Panoz Esperante GT (Hyper Motorsport)

These are my best guesses so far from all the news I've gathered.
 
You forgot Maseratti from the GTS catergori. If you go onto Autosport.com and go to the sports cars section there are some pics there. 👍
 
The Maserati MCC will not be running LeMans, only FIAGT, because they only plan to build 25 cars.

If they attempted to run LeMans they'd suffer a weight penalty.
 
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