braunracing88
(Banned)
- 908
- Troy, MI, USA
- braunracing88
The Le Mans General Discussion Thread
- Thread starter arvin charles
- 10,290 comments
- 589,845 views
- 3,587
Not sure if this is final, but I posted this a few pages ago. Has the complete entry list for Sebring (up to that date at least). Gulf Racing has a few Astons racing, not sure if that's what you're talking about, though.
- 567
- S. Shields
Assuming you are talking about the new series that combines the ALMS and Grand-Am, I think a lot will depend on how well it will be run this new series that merges the ALMS with Grand-Am and the broadcast set-up.
A good set of sporting regs and a good TV package that includes on-line streaming like many Championships do and they will be laughing.
- 3,915
- California
- gdwest1
freshseth83
(Banned)
- 8,246
- freshseth83
If he's saying Toyota vs. Audi vs. Porsche, that's not Grand-Am's new series. They don't want LMP1s for some odd reason (even though there are 3 very capable non-manufacturer teams running ALMS P1 this year).
- 35,467
- Addison,Texas
- GTP_RACECAR
Again with this? They're droppping P1 because costs, not because "they don't want them". You also keep forgotting to notice that you are looking at literally the ONLY priveteer teams competing in P1 in the ALMS. The fact that NONE of the Factory teams have had a full season entry the past few years should tell you already the ALMS is clearly NOT high on their priority anyhow so whats the point of keeping it?
- 7,177
- Lisboa
- FLAT_TWELVE
The way I see it, Sports Cars Racing is much more about particular races with their very own distinct identity then about series or championships.
Sure, regional championships (north america, europe, asia) are needed to keep the teams running and the drivers busy, but - unlike what happens in F1 - a sports cars racer and a sports cars manufacturer will be remembered for wins at races, not championships.
Take, as an example, Johnny O'Connel. Here is what is written on his twitter account about him:
So, I think it is wrong to keep LMP1 cars out of whatever series results from this merger. Not that LMP1 teams will care much for full entries. But they will care about:
Sebring
Le Mans
Spa
Daytona
Petit Le Mans
And Rebellion's "visit" to Petit Le Mans last year is significant, there you have an european based team making a monumental effort to be present at a race that didn't give them anything relevant for any championship, why was that?
Exactly ... they got a prestigious win in the sports cars world. Something to brag about. And be listened. Not to mention respected.
I know this post is confusing, but I hope I'm understood. It's all about individual races, and it would/will be a shame if the likes of AUDI, TOYOTA, ALPINE-RENAULT, PORSCHE, NISSAN can't dice it out with their big LMP1 cars in prestigious north american races, apart from the one and only WEC event to be run there each year.
Sure, regional championships (north america, europe, asia) are needed to keep the teams running and the drivers busy, but - unlike what happens in F1 - a sports cars racer and a sports cars manufacturer will be remembered for wins at races, not championships.
Take, as an example, Johnny O'Connel. Here is what is written on his twitter account about him:
So, I think it is wrong to keep LMP1 cars out of whatever series results from this merger. Not that LMP1 teams will care much for full entries. But they will care about:
Sebring
Le Mans
Spa
Daytona
Petit Le Mans
And Rebellion's "visit" to Petit Le Mans last year is significant, there you have an european based team making a monumental effort to be present at a race that didn't give them anything relevant for any championship, why was that?
Exactly ... they got a prestigious win in the sports cars world. Something to brag about. And be listened. Not to mention respected.
I know this post is confusing, but I hope I'm understood. It's all about individual races, and it would/will be a shame if the likes of AUDI, TOYOTA, ALPINE-RENAULT, PORSCHE, NISSAN can't dice it out with their big LMP1 cars in prestigious north american races, apart from the one and only WEC event to be run there each year.
- 7,177
- Lisboa
- FLAT_TWELVE
I see no problem in having big guns showing up to particularly prestigious races. It's the "nothing anywhere else" that needs addressing. Unless you think - and I can respect that point of vue, although I disagree myself - that what causes the "nothing anywhere else" is exactly the fact that the big guns are allowed in 1 or 2 races.
- 35,467
- Addison,Texas
- GTP_RACECAR
Let me say this: In no way am I saying P1 shouldn't be racing in North America, hell I miss them already and the season hasn't begun yet. What I'm saying is what point is there in having a championship for a class that primerily never grows beyond more then three outside of the big races and when only three privateers can afford to run it, contrary to the likes of the early 2000s where there were at least six or seven of them running around.
- 7,938
- LMSCorvetteGT2's Mom's House
- GTP_LancerEvo7
^^Because it's Grand-ALMS.
- 7,177
- Lisboa
- FLAT_TWELVE
Sebring is one of the most prestigious sports casrs american races.
It had 11 LMP1 cars in 2011
It had again 11 cars entered in 2012, even with Peugeot out of it.
It will have 5 cars in 2013 (the list shows 6, but Dyson pulled out apparently)
Sebring 2014 ... will have ZERO of these cars. And I think it is a pity that the Le Mans main contenders don't show up to a race with this heritage. The WEC race at COTA doesn't replace this loss IMHO.
It had 11 LMP1 cars in 2011
It had again 11 cars entered in 2012, even with Peugeot out of it.
It will have 5 cars in 2013 (the list shows 6, but Dyson pulled out apparently)
Sebring 2014 ... will have ZERO of these cars. And I think it is a pity that the Le Mans main contenders don't show up to a race with this heritage. The WEC race at COTA doesn't replace this loss IMHO.
freshseth83
(Banned)
- 8,246
- freshseth83
Nailed it. They also want to keep ties to LeMans and want their DP's to be there. So they want all this but cut out LMP1? It's not costs, it's because they can't make DP's LMP1 speed, and that's their bread and butter.
Toyota was running in the WEC. They didn't have the budget to send a car over here to run. On top of that there was a conflict in scheduling. Besides there was a Toyota engine in the back of the Rebellion that won that race.
- 7,177
- Lisboa
- FLAT_TWELVE
- 3,019
- Essex
Hun200kmh
Brilliant! Another classic name back in the mix
- 7,177
- Lisboa
- FLAT_TWELVE
Caterham paid for by Lotus? No, forget Lotus, it has nothing to do with this.
As for the Caterham-Alpine-Renault-Nissan connections, here's what you should know:
1. Alpine is now co-owned by Renault AND Caterham
2. Renault and Nissan are themselves one BIG automotive group so that explains why an Alpine will get a Nissan engine to start with.
As for the Caterham-Alpine-Renault-Nissan connections, here's what you should know:
1. Alpine is now co-owned by Renault AND Caterham
2. Renault and Nissan are themselves one BIG automotive group so that explains why an Alpine will get a Nissan engine to start with.
- 3,587
"Alpine is now co-owned by Renault AND Caterham."
I'm sorry all I saw was "Alpine (words) Renault (more words) Caterham."
I'm sorry all I saw was "Alpine (words) Renault (more words) Caterham."
- 3,207
freshseth83
(Banned)
- 8,246
- freshseth83
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105905 has what you're looking for. Basically a rebadge with a chance to become something more.
- 1,124
- TexasTyme214
Lotus, Renault, Toyota, and Audi in LMP this year? That's very cool. Sometimes, I wonder if we would see this kind of mix if Toyota wasn't near competitive last year.
freshseth83
(Banned)
- 8,246
- freshseth83
Audi's new R18 for this year
- 3,819
- Auckland New Zealand
- gtone339
Audi's new R18 for this year
Probably used for 6 hour races? Not Le Mans?
Similar threads
