LMP cars vs. GTP cars

[JohnBM01]

Hello GTPlanet. For this topic, GTP does not mean "GT Planet."

It's time to compare two types of pure endurance cars. One is the LMP, the other is the GTP. LMPs are usually open-cockpit roadsters packing some serious horses. Some are designed like two-passenger race cars, some are designed like a GTP minus the bodywork, and some look like 2-passenger Formula One cars. GTPs are among my favorite because they look like serious race cars and perform as such. Who can ever forget Bentley winning Le Mans once again in a long while in their EXP GT? These cars pack some nice aerodynamics. You may not see too many make them into streetcars, but they will be at the track any given weekend.

Which type of endurance race car is better? The LMP cars or the GTP cars? I'll start.

Both are pure race cars, but LMP seems to be a better choice especially in the rain. You don't have to worry about the chances of water getting into the cockpit and messing up machinery. I think they also are good in the heat, whereas in closed-cockpit machines, you have to contend with the heat outside and in the car. I might want to say that GTPs can cool the engine and stuff down faster, plus they have windshield wipers to better see in rainy conditions. None of the weather or anything get to the driver in his/her car. I might also want to say that LMPs kind of have more power. But to me, I see GTP cars more like more powerful race cars, while the LMPs are pure prototypes. They are pretty much exclusive to the track, more so than the GTPs. Then you don't see many other GTPs except for endurances.

Well, what do you think? LMP is better or GTP is better? Save yourself some time and reply right away.

 

[kart racer]

If I remember correctly,the first time the Bently ran in the rain, they fogged up really bad. They seemed to have missed sealing the windsheild properly. That has since been fixed. I like the GTP cars better as that design has run at Lemans scince day one. I feel that the GTP woujd be less tiring for the driver as they don't have to contend with the constent wind noise and the buffeting. If they would change the tire rule to let the GTP cars run a wider tread, they could be as fast as the LMP cars.

 

[VIPFREAK]

I Really liked the Bentley's EXP Speed 8 when it came out as well as the second generation. I've always liked GTP better than open cockpit cars for one because of the stigma that a closed car is always safer and protects more. One big problem I have with LMP and GTP is that the shape of the cars seem like "styled" squares in a sense which prevents more personality of the cars like the GT40's and Cobras from the old days which had nice sweeping curves all around that seemed to show muscle or aggression.

 

[JohnBM01]

Interesting. Anyone else?

GTPs are pretty sexy to me. The LMPs kind of seem more like pure race cars since they don't have as much of a canopy as GTPs. Sometimes, I even picture a canopy above where the driver sits, just to imagine how an LMP would look as a GTP. In fact, I think if the Ferrari 333SP had such a top to it, it would look better than the Ferrari Enzo.