The Le Mans General Discussion Thread

[Jav]

I wonder if ESM ditching the Ferrari's is a result of Risi coming back?

This is an absolute shocker for me! They had 2 cars this past weekend at Sebring, I guess they saw no point in running 4 of the same car in 2 different classes...
It'll be pretty cool to see some Patron LMP cars again, the Ferraris will definitely be missed.

 

[hawkeye122]

They are but are not sure which class.

http://www.motorsport.com/alms/news/conquest-racing-to-focus-on-sportscar-program-for-2013/

Ah, sweet! Hopefully they get into P2, maybe a deal with Oreca to run the 03? Either way, glad to see them back!

 

[cnd01]

Esm is contemplating a full season effort in grand am gt too. I think esm just wanted to win a championship by going to the class that no one races in. Maybe L5 will come back.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Esm is contemplating a full season effort in grand am gt too. I think esm just wanted to win a championship by going to the class that no one races in. Maybe L5 will come back.

The winner of that class probably gets more prize money. And perhaps more sponsorship at that level.

 

[cnd01]

The winner of that class probably gets more prize money. And perhaps more sponsorship at that level.

It's probably just that. A financial move.

 

[freshseth83]

Is your glass half empty all the time!

A cockpit differs from this Monocoque. That's the chassis of the car, not just a 'cockpit' 💡

We, as in if we're invited?

These events happen more than you may think.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Or am I missing something here?

I guess you didn't get the context. That's a GTE car running the Daytona Road course. You know, GTE that's going to be apart of GA's new class structure next year? The GTE that currently doesn't visit this track in sanctioned racing?

 

[Northstar]

A cockpit differs from this Monocoque. That's the chassis of the car, not just a 'cockpit' 💡

Does it really matter?

 

[Mac K]

Why couldn't SPEED be like this anymore?

 

[Snaeper]

The winner of that class probably gets more prize money. And perhaps more sponsorship at that level.

It's probably just that. A financial move.

Seeing that they mentioned continuing their P2 effort into the merged series, this may also be ESM's move at potentially being the leading team in the combined series next year, since the DP/P2's will be running at the front.

They might be betting on the P2's being a little faster than the DP's even after the performance balancing. All that may be moot point if Level 5 Comes back, though.

 

[hawkeye122]

Seeing that they mentioned continuing their P2 effort into the merged series, this may also be ESM's move at potentially being the leading team in the combined series next year, since the DP/P2's will be running at the front.

They might be betting on the P2's being a little faster than the DP's even after the performance balancing. All that may be moot point if Level 5 Comes back, though.

Think about this- Patron won't be the title sponsors next year, they may want their name still on top

 

[Mac K]

http://www.speedhunters.com/2013/02/gte-z4-breaks-cover-with-history-lesson-in-tow/

 

[Hun200kmh]

Great read, great pics, thanks! 👍


(love the "Fancy" button on the wheel )

 

[freshseth83]

Does it really matter?

Maybe you didn't get what I was saying. You stated it was the cockpit. I touched up on your comment saying that's the monocoque- the car's chassis! I wasn't trying to correct you, just furthering the proof that these Lotus (Kodewa) LMPs will race because they exist. 👍

 

[01GTP]

I guess you didn't get the context.

Got it now. 👍

 

[freshseth83]

Seems like Level 5 will be back in ALMS LMP2 this season thanks to ESM. So basically since they entered P2 they not only saved the class, but attracted competition. Lose 2 GTE's and gain 4 LMP2s.

 

[Mac K]

Seems like Level 5 will be back in ALMS LMP2 this season thanks to ESM. So basically since they entered P2 they not only saved the class, but attracted competition. Lose 2 GTE's and gain 4 LMP2s.

Huge GT fan, I can deal with that though.. GT field will still be great and the more LMPs the better.

 

[Snaeper]

And considering Risi is coming back, the GT field is really only losing one car and (hopefully) becoming even more competitive in the process.

 

[freshseth83]

No ESM specific 458 breaks. The car doesn't need it.

 

[hawkeye122]

According to Speed, Lucas Luhr will be piloting the JOTA Zytek at Le Mans this year. Good for him, getting back to the big one

 

[Jav]

ESM's new toy:

 

[Mac K]

^ Ed took to that pretty fast surprisingly, nice lap.

 

[Tower Turn 13]

Watching that ESM video makes me wonder how many thumbs Sebring has broken in its day.

 

[Earth]

Why couldn't SPEED be like this anymore?

Why cant LeMans be like that anymore. Toyota vs BMW vs Porsche vs Mercedes Benz

I can be a nostalgia critic and say that broadcast doesnt have timing update graphics or quality onboard cameras like we do now.

 

[Jav]

Watching that ESM video makes me wonder how many thumbs Sebring has broken in its day.

Oh I'd imagine quite a few, this is Richard Westbrook's hand after Daytona which is a lot smoother than Sebring. Yes I know it's twice the lenght, but Sebring is twice as physical:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...3290427.-2207520000.1361171374&type=3&theater

 

[RACECAR]

Watching that ESM video makes me wonder how many thumbs Sebring has broken in its day.

Probably nowhere near as much as the many suspensions, drivetrains and axles that have snapped for the last 60 years.

 

[karl53]

Just found this, haven't seen it in the rest of the topic so, enjoy.

 

[Mr.Skyline09]

The new GT class seems to be taking shape

 

[Tower Turn 13]

Wow I need more coffee. I totally misread that article at first as saying they were going with a two-class overall system and calling it Grand-Am. I was like waaait a minute

 

[Jav]

Lol!! Still a bit confusing, looks like it'll stay pretty much the same. GT-AM will have inferior equipment("kit") while GT-E will get all the new shinny parts!
They'll be using the same car but using different packages for GT-AM and GT-E.

 

[sumbrownkid]

That GT-E Z4 is making me excited for more GT3 derived models.