The Le Mans General Discussion Thread

[RACECAR]

Since the Speed Channel to ESPN/ABC move of ALMS coverage, I haven't been as active following the ALMS. A terrible shame, but still a fan.

Well if it helps slightly, Speed (assuming it still will be called Speed next year) will air both Sebring and Petit Le Mans live.

 

[Jav]

Regarding the Lola situation, I just thought of this:

Lola cars is out of business but from what I read, Lola Composites (I'm assuming thats the people that do the sculpting of the bodywork and the carbon fiber) is still in business. I'm thinking two allternatives can be done with the former Lola Chassis:

1. Maybe Toyota can perhaps do something along the lines of what HPD did with the Courage LC75 chassis and possibly design a new car around it. Lola Composites could make the new bodywork and Toyota could supply them to the teams. It clearly worked out for the former Reynard 02S (look at how many evolutions came out of that) so why not here?


2. Maybe Dome can perhaps be subcontracted in to doing the redesigns (reffer to their BMW V12 Reworking) with Lola Composites as consulting roll.
Again once all that is complete, Toyota can supply that to the teams.

Now obviously In both scenarios, The chassis will have to be continue being made, but because the chassis and tubs are already compliant with the ACO's Crash standards, there wouldn't be any work necessary for crash testing. Toyota can also continue their factory P1 Program withoujt much interuption.

Didn't Multimatic come to the rescue at the last moment?

I mostly followed highlights of Petit Le Mans. All congratulations to Rebellion with that lovely Lola B12/60 (or whatever it is called) as well as to the Muscle Milk team for their 2012 P1 title. I don't care whether you love or loathe the DeltaWing- finishing 5th overall with perhaps one of the most unique sportscar racing machines in history is an impressive accomplishment.

Since the Speed Channel to ESPN/ABC move of ALMS coverage, I haven't been as active following the ALMS. A terrible shame, but still a fan.


Congratulations to all other winners in the respective classes at Petit Le Mans 2012.

Youtube to the rescue:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ALMSOfficialVideos

They've been uploading every race of this season for the past few weeks.

 

[vetteman24]

Well if it helps slightly, Speed (assuming it still will be called Speed next year) will air both Sebring and Petit Le Mans live.

Could this have been Speed channel as we know it saving grace

 

[Bhowe83]

Alright, how long until Nissan Deltawing DLC for GT5

 

[RACECAR]

Didn't Multimatic come to the rescue at the last moment?

Don't think I recall hearing about that.

 

[Jav]

It was mentioned a couple pages back before the start of Pettit.

Edit: Here it is:

GREAT NEWS, LOLA LIVES ON !!!! 👍 👍 👍

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?p=7718093#post7718093

 

[RACECAR]

It was mentioned a couple pages back before the start of Pettit.

Edit: Here it is:



https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?p=7718093#post7718093

Ah, great news. Just to be clear, is this the Carl Haas owned company or Gene Haas? (the Sprint Cup Co-owner with Tony Stewart)

Could this have been Speed channel as we know it saving grace

Appears to be that way.

 

[Hun200kmh]

Sebring 2013: Audi will (maybe) go, Toyota (probably) not

 

[Northstar]

Ah, great news. Just to be clear, is this the Carl Haas owned company or Gene Haas? (the Sprint Cup Co-owner with Tony Stewart)

Carl.

Glad to see someone picked them up, would be a shame for them to disappear.

 

[Jav]

Because they're a standardized car which was designed prior to that rule being in place.

(Aston Martin perhaps?)

Could be, they started out GT racing with an Aston Martin afer all.

 

[Sam48]

The 2013 ELMS schedule is out.

1. Silverstone
2. Imola
3. Red Bull Ring
4. Hungaroring
5. Paul Ricard

 

[RACECAR]

One of those races also shares a weekend with the WEC.

 

[boiltheocean]

It's Silverstone. Should be great having even more cars on track.

 

[R0ssingt0n]

By shares a weekend with the WEC, does that mean all in the same race or 2 separate races over the weekend?

 

[RACECAR]

By shares a weekend with the WEC, does that mean all in the same race or 2 separate races over the weekend?

Pretty much whats in bold. If they were all in the same race, that would have been a combined event (like with the Petit Le Mans with ALMS & ELMS).

 

[R0ssingt0n]

Pretty much whats in bold. If they were all in the same race, that would have been a combined event (like with the Petit Le Mans with ALMS & ELMS).

Nice one, thanks for clearing that up. Looks like I'm going to silverstone next year!

 

[Jav]

Very interesting...

 

[CodeRedR51]

Nissan?

Sorry I don't follow endurance racing much, but is that new?

 

[Jav]

Not sure if it just is a fan rendering or a Nissan leaked rendering. If real it would be a new effort from Nissan.

 

[Ardius]

Nissan?

Sorry I don't follow endurance racing much, but is that new?

The P1 is the clue . I believe its Nissan entering the LMP1 category, though that looks a bit like a Lola, so I'm assuming its as an engine supplier?
Edit: Oh, or it could just be a fan-render.

 

[Mt. Lynx]

Fan-render. That thing does not adhere very much to any rules of construction for P1.

 

[SuperShouden]

Hmm...only 4 races under their belt and SRT lead a few laps and managed to finish mid-pack at Petite le Mans...In fact, ALL the GT teams were pretty competitive, it seemed. Seems like they're all eager to get the final ALMS trophy before ALMS and Grand-Am join together.

 

[spooble]

It was a great race! Looked like it was going to be killer at the beginning. Muscle Milk right on the tail of the Lotus... lap after lap. They pit at the same time and Muscle Milk comes out ahead, but the Lotus is hanging right there. At that point I got caught up in the GT battle and the next thing I know, Muscle Milk is blasted in turn 1. Still a great race, though! Already looking forward to the trip next year. Might try to get one more in next year as well if the wife will go for it. Sebring would be nice.

 

[R0ssingt0n]

It was a great race! Looked like it was going to be killer at the beginning. Muscle Milk right on the tail of the Lotus... lap after lap. They pit at the same time and Muscle Milk comes out ahead, but the Lotus is hanging right there. At that point I got caught up in the GT battle and the next thing I know, Muscle Milk is blasted in turn 1. Still a great race, though! Already looking forward to the trip next year. Might try to get one more in next year as well if the wife will go for it. Sebring would be nice.

Go all out, get a few mates together and go to Le Mans!

 

[Furinkazen]

Fan render. For a start Denso are a Toyota sponsor.

 

[Jav]

Hmm...only 4 races under their belt and SRT lead a few laps and managed to finish mid-pack at Petite le Mans...In fact, ALL the GT teams were pretty competitive, it seemed. Seems like they're all eager to get the final ALMS trophy before ALMS and Grand-Am join together.

I find it offensive that the sanctioning body can make a factory team competitive by the use of "concessions" in just 4 races but yet do nothing for a privateer like Alex Job in the Lotus. It's just ridiculous!

 

[gogatrs]

SRT can bring much more money into the series than Lotus. Look how much more their return is publicized than Lotus' debut.
I'd rather see the Lotus do well than the Viper too.

 

[Kakarot]

I find it offensive that the sanctioning body can make a factory team competitive by the use of "concessions" in just 4 races but yet do nothing for a privateer like Alex Job in the Lotus. It's just ridiculous!

If I remember correctly they already did make concession for the evora earlyer in the season I think it was weight reduction and maybe larger restrictor. Be great if someone can confirm this. That evora is sexy too bad lotus isnt really helping Alex Job much with it.

As for lotus not doing well in the gt class its a shame but Id much rather see american manufactures do well over foriegen ones.

 

[Jav]

SRT can bring much more money into the series than Lotus. Look how much more their return is publicized than Lotus' debut.
I'd rather see the Lotus do well than the Viper too.

That's the problem, politics shouldn't be involved in racing at any level!

If I remember correctly they already did make concession for the evora earlyer in the season I think it was weight reduction and maybe larger restrictor. Be great if someone can confirm this. That evora is sexy too bad lotus isnt really helping Alex Job much with it.

As for lotus not doing well in the gt class its a shame but Id much rather see american manufactures do well over foriegen ones.

It definitely wasn't enough if that's the case.
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Alex Job has been a loyal part of this series since the begining, the sanctioning body should be a bit more gratefull and help teams like that suceed, if a concession proves too much just dial it back on the next round. Afterall this is a team that havs been on its own from the begining of the program not an industry giant that can throw thousands of dollars at a specific part to go .3 faster!

 

[gogatrs]

That's the problem, politics shouldn't be involved in racing at any level!


It definitely wasn't enough if that's the case.
-----------------------------------------------------
Alex Job has been a loyal part of this series since the begining, the sanctioning body should be a bit more gratefull and help teams like that suceed, if a concession proves too much just dial it back on the next round. Afterall this is a team that havs been on its own from the begining of the program not an industry giant that can throw thousands of dollars at a specific part to go .3 faster!

Racing is the most political sport in existence. And it will remain that way until money becomes irrelevant (aka never).