2017 General WEC/ELMS/AsLMS Discussion ThreadSports Cars 

  • Thread starter IforceV8
  • 2,611 comments
  • 109,023 views
I do see a need for the likes of a production series, such as the 306 Racing, as it can often be an entry point into higher level touring cars.

From a manufacturer perspective I guess it is a chance to market their cars at much nearer to production specification. The catch for doing this at this lower level is you don't get the exposure you would in an international championship.

I think Peugeot is a good example of a manufacturer that, where it not for the likes of the production spec series, may not have a motorsport department as companies of that size may look at the bottom line and see it is not financially viable and shut it down. I saw a report over a year ago or so saying that such series when successful can bring in a little money so firms can be quite content to let them carry on.

As for Peugeot Sport returning to top-flight sportscars in the future? I can see them coming to the WEC for 2019. I would love to see them back at Le Mans in particular as having a French company compete for the win added something extra to the excitement and atmosphere round the entire event. I would still be fully behind Toyota though!
 
It would be nice if somebody at the FIA realized that restricting the amount of tires required to run a race is a stupid idea. Maybe the P2 cars can finish this race on their rain tires since they will run out of usable tires in the last 1.5 hrs.:banghead:
 
Is there a reason the race isn't on FoxSports1 like it always is? I have no way to watch the final race of the season...
 
2,5,26,30,71,77,95 all have 5 sec penalties if there is not another FCY before the race ends. All failed to slow down soon enough for FCY.

EDIT: Those are suspended unless another breach occurs.
 
Last edited:
Congratulations to Audi, an absolutely fantastic job, and an absolutely fantastic win. I will miss them greatly, the whole group. Seeing them walk down the pitlane with all the other team's standing and applauding them in the pitlane was beautiful. It was a bit weird watching those last few minutes, the thought that we'll never hear that growling diesel and its squealing flywheel, or see those four rings on the front of a spaceship of a racer, ever again.

I only started getting into Sportscar racing in 2006/2007, and I grew up with Audi being the legendary and pinnacle of sportscar teams. It's strange to think that LMP1 will no longer have Audi in it. And its strange to think of Le Mans without Audi. I hope they return, and deep down I know they will someday. Le Mans has been sewn into their DNA, and someday, somehow, we'll see that legendary brand back again. And I look forward to that day.

Goodbye Audi, thanks for the memories. Thanks for the racing. Thanks for everything.
 
I have only just finished the race as I was working yesterday.

The pre-race build-up and final 30mins or so were very emotional and I found myself filling up when Dr Ullrich got teary eyed when being photographed with Rob Leupen from Toyota when they gave them the signed banner.

In the 25 years - I was 7 when I started properly watching F1 and BTCC - I have been watching motorsport we have had several 'end of an era' occasions, be it a team leaving, driver retirement or saying bye to V10 F1 cars for example, but never has a race had such a strong feeling for me that it was the closing of a chapter. In one race we watched the end for Audi Sport, Nismo, Mark Webber and the current LMP2 cars.

Mark Webber has always been one of my favourite drivers. I love his honesty the most and that he has not become a staid corporate face like so many others. He seems like a proper down-to-earth guy and never let his fame inflate his ego.

The outgoing LMP2 cars have provided us with some staggeringly entertaining racing over the last few years in various series. Hopefully 2017 is more of exactly the same albeit with 80-100bhp more!

Let us not forget the contribution Nismo has made through it's engine sully to LMP2. They are often forgotten about.

For me over the years Audi Sport has been the enemy in sportscars. I am not saying that I do not like them, I was delighted when they arrived on the scene and have loved near all of it's cars, but having a team that you see as the rival adds drama to racing. I was rooting for Peugeot, Pescarolo and Aston Martin throughout the years I was waiting for Toyota to return. Since then I have had 5 years of intense and emotionally involving rivalry against the giants of sportscars.

Despite them having only finished I already look forward to seeing Audi Sport return even though we are many years away from that and it may cost the participation of Porsche as VAG do not like seeing at least one of it's marques lose each race.

Audi belongs in sportscar racing and it will always be it's home. They may have been the 'bad guy' to me over the 18 years but the respect I have for them is immense and they are a big loss.


EDIT
LMP1-H REGULATIONS FROZEN UNTIL 2020
See dailysportscar.com for more.
 
Last edited:
Audi said goodbye and Webber did too, however, it was probably the last LMP1 race for Mark Lieb, too. There is an interview with Neel Jani in which he pretty much confirms that one of the last le mans winners would join Porsche next year. http://www.motorsport-total.com/wec...l-jani-wec-wird-weiter-bestehen-16112103.html

I would say that Nick Tandy is going to replace Mark Lieb, Earl Bamber could be an option, too. Andre Lotterer will most likely take Mark Webbers seat. I think that all LMP1 pilots are great race drivers, but Tandy and Lotterer are incredible.
 

Similar threads

Tsukishima
Ligier JS P2 Honda LMP-2 ESM Racing #30 / #31 2015
Replies
6
Views
1K
RACECAR
RACECAR
DesertPenguin09
Power-To-Weight Ratios - All Cars by Class
Replies
27
Views
23K
DesertPenguin
DesertPenguin
George Jakob
GT7 Suggestions revision 3. New year update.
2
Replies
36
Views
16K
Flagmo-T
Flagmo-T
Furinkazen
  • Locked
80th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours - 16–17 June 2012
177 178 179
Replies
5K
Views
212K
Desmo46
Desmo46
Patrick
FIA WEC 6 Hours of Spa
6 7 8
Replies
231
Views
21K
Tower Turn 13
Tower Turn 13

Latest Posts

Back