The Le Mans General Discussion Thread

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I was backing you up there 👍

I totally see a Ford backed EcoBoost LMP2 customer program. That's nothing out of the ordinary. They're getting serious like you're saying in Tudor, but I highly doubt a GTE pro team will happen

I did too but more info seems to be coming around about them planning something in the next years. The problem with trying to go LMP2 (which might be best for Ford as you put it) is you only provide an engine thanks to people Ironically like Penske the days of factory backing in that area are gone. Even when he pretended not to be factory backed by Porsche.

 

[RACECAR]

Recalling the Factory Porsches automatically springs to mind that incredible drive by Helio Castroneves. Here he is put in a third car just to play defense for the main two cars and ends up being THE winning car.

Anyhow, I think Ford would likely take the same approach SRT did with their effort should they pursue a GTLM effort, Though I imagine it'll be difficult considering there's not many outfits like Riley Technoligies. Multimatic is easily the first company that comes to mind and would already be perfect for a packaged LMP2 effort by supplying the chassis for ford's ecoboost engines.

 

[cnd01]

I did too but more info seems to be coming around about them planning something in the next years. The problem with trying to go LMP2 (which might be best for Ford as you put it) is you only provide an engine thanks to people Ironically like Penske the days of factory backing in that area are gone. Even when he pretended not to be factory backed by Porsche.

That engine has been around and tested to be pretty durable. I'm sure it's better suited for the lighter LMP2 even though the LMP2 version is a much smaller displacement than the one in the IMSA P DP+ chassis run by Ganassi and Shank. I think they could get some takers. Like what @RACECAR is saying, Multimatic has sold LMP2 chassis both in America and in Europe since they took over Lola after Lola lost the lawsuit with Krohn and went under more/less shortly thereafter. That's an easy plug and play option now going forward

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

That engine has been around and tested to be pretty durable. I'm sure it's better suited for the lighter LMP2 even though the LMP2 version is a much smaller displacement than the one in the IMSA P DP+ chassis run by Ganassi and Shank. I think they could get some takers. Like what @RACECAR is saying, Multimatic has sold LMP2 chassis both in America and in Europe since they took over Lola after Lola lost the lawsuit with Krohn and went under more/less shortly thereafter. That's an easy plug and play option now going forward

What does durability have to do with anything? I know it's a good engine, that isn't up for debate what is is if it's feasible for Ford to step out of their little safety bubble and go racing more like GM or try like Dodge is with the Viper regionally and internationally.

 

[cnd01]

What does durability have to do with anything? I know it's a good engine, that isn't up for debate what is is if it's feasible for Ford to step out of their little safety bubble and go racing more like GM or try like Dodge is with the Viper regionally and internationally.

I'm saying that Ford isn't going to put something out there that isn't quality if they're going overseas because their intentions are more to sell engines rather than actually compete the car themselves

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I'm saying that Ford isn't going to put something out there that isn't quality if they're going overseas because their intentions are more to sell engines rather than actually compete the car themselves

I already agreed to that long ago, that's why I think LMP2 is a better choice than GTE unless they have a team that can ensure wins over the already difficult Factory teams. I've only said that it seems not as unlikely anymore for them to join GT due to these latest rumors that are more frequent than ever.

 

[cnd01]

I already agreed to that long ago, that's why I think LMP2 is a better choice than GTE unless they have a team that can ensure wins over the already difficult Factory teams.

Totally the same opinion here as I've said.

 

[GTPorsche]

ACO unveiling a new category.

http://www.motorsport.com/elms/news/the-aco-presents-the-new-lm-p3

My first thought is that it looks like a copy of the Daytona Prototypes, aside from having sidepods...

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

As if another category was needed

 

[catamount39]

Yay a track car class! XD

As for Ford, it wouldn't be the first time a Mustang headed to Le Mans, albeit the previous effort was a full privateer effort with a custom made GT(2?) car in the 90's, so I wouldn't be surprised if they did do something like that. However, I do think it is more likely they'll make an engine available for LMP2. Either way, I'm glad Ford is stepping out of their Nascar sandbox, they have too good a history to not try and succeed again at the greatest sportscar endurance race in the world...even if they just develop a customer engine basically.

 

[AerodyManiac]

The Pescarolo 02 coupe looks horrendously proportioned to me, as the front of the car is just too short.
A massive improvement from this, but it still doesn't look great.

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

ACO unveiling a new category.

http://www.motorsport.com/elms/news/the-aco-presents-the-new-lm-p3

My first thought is that it looks like a copy of the Daytona Prototypes, aside from having sidepods...

Dear AOC we want GT3 not LMP3.

 

[cnd01]

A closed cockpit FLM car. It'll be slower than GTE in a straight line probably. That'll cause more accidents than it's worth

 

[catamount39]

I mean, as a stand alone feeder series yes...but at Le Mans? O_o Oh well, I'll make my mind up about this class when they are driven in anger for the first time.

Someone make a petition for FIA GT3 cars at Le Mans.

 

[hawkeye122]

LMPC was never meant to run in the main series, they were supposed to do their own 60(?) minute race on the same weekend.

They won't run these at Le Mans, or in the WEC. They'll be filler for the ELMS and ALMS races.

I see no reason why these would cause accidents if they have competent drivers behind the wheel.

GT3 will never go to Le Mans in its current form.

 

[catamount39]

GT3 will never go to Le Mans in its current form.

A man can dream lol.

 

[SagarisGTB]

ACO unveiling a new category.

http://www.motorsport.com/elms/news/the-aco-presents-the-new-lm-p3

About time. We've known about this class and car since fall of last year. (Article from December 3rd: http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/aco-moving-ahead-with-lmp3-regulations/ )

 

[Furinkazen]

A closed cockpit FLM car. It'll be slower than GTE in a straight line probably. That'll cause more accidents than it's worth

Only with bad drivers. Why does slower = more accidents?

Put Dumas/ Kristensen / Lapierre in a P1 you would get a fantastic team. Same if GTE or P3. Car isn't the problem, it is driver.

 

[G.T.Ace]

ACO unveiling a new category.

http://www.motorsport.com/elms/news/the-aco-presents-the-new-lm-p3

My first thought is that it looks like a copy of the Daytona Prototypes, aside from having sidepods...

Diggin' it, maybe Radical, Caterham and others will jump in.
Looks like a great hillclimb car.

 

[catamount39]

Wonder what engines these new cars will have.

Only with bad drivers. Why does slower = more accidents?

Put Dumas/ Kristensen / Lapierre in a P1 you would get a fantastic team. Same if GTE or P3. Car isn't the problem, it is driver.

Have to excuse us here in the states, LMPC in TUSCC has scarred us all. XD

 

[Furinkazen]

Wonder what engines these new cars will have.


Have to excuse us here in the states, LMPC in TUSCC has scarred us all. XD

GTE-AM class Ferrari's did same here since 2011.

 

[cnd01]

Only with bad drivers. Why does slower = more accidents?

Put Dumas/ Kristensen / Lapierre in a P1 you would get a fantastic team. Same if GTE or P3. Car isn't the problem, it is driver.

Frustration plays a part. The GT cars don't want to be held up in a straight line, and the P3 would hate not being able to pass a GT car because it has a speed advantage. Leads to more aggressive moves even by the best of drivers

 

[SagarisGTB]

Frustration plays a part. The GT cars don't want to be held up in a straight line, and the P3 would hate not being able to pass a GT car because it has a speed advantage. Leads to more aggressive moves even by the best of drivers

I remember during the ELMS race at Imola last year, an LMPC car that fell to the back early was stuck behind GTC cars, unable to make any moves on track. It simply followed those GT cars lap after lap for the longest time. The P2 cars pass the GT cars easily out of corners, but the LMPC cars lacked the power to do the same. There was no aggressive moves, but it was unfortunate that the prototype had it's progress completely stunted by having GT cars in front of it on track. It was anti-racing, the car was running 3-4 seconds slower than it was capable of because of "slower" cars holding it up.

I was glad that LMPC disappeared at the end of last season, they added very little to the racing, but the ACO quickly revived the class in November under a new name. I was not happy about it, and I'm still not. LMP2 is already a cost capped category as it is, and GTC was added to ELMS to provide low-budget teams of an even more cost effective way of racing. I just don't see what LMP3 can add to the sport.

 

[Azure Flare]

I think the original concept of LMPC when it was Formula Le Mans should have stayed that way.

 

[ProjectWHaT]

It's just a glorified Daytona Prototype.

 

[cnd01]

With the LMP3, you're getting a neutered LMP2 which is a neutered LMP1-L which is a neutered LMP1-HY. It's pretty much a gen 1 DP with a carbon chassis and side pods.

 

[RACECAR]

Why didn't they just make a series with LMPC? This is what I'm not understanding, they could have easily made a series that functions like the Porsche Supercup (Only with prototypes) and it'd race on both continents instead of being confined as a class in a regional series that apart from same bringing new drivers, doesn't do much for either series. Now it looks like they are doing the same with LMP3.

 

[cnd01]

Why didn't they just make a series with LMPC? This is what I'm not understanding, they could have easily made a series that functions like the Porsche Supercup (Only with prototypes) and it'd race on both continents instead of being confined as a class in a regional series that apart from same bringing new drivers, doesn't do much for either series. Now it looks like they are doing the same with LMP3.

If they did sprint races with that series as a support to the big show with those cars, it would be fun to watch. Grid starts. Put all the up and coming talent in those cars. Go get some veterans too. I'd watch it because there'd be a full grid

 

[trustjab]

Not sure if posted, but http://jalopnik.com/how-close-did-toyota-come-to-winning-le-mans-1593718613 and a couple other sources tell the story of the #7 Toyota's stoppage as an FIA part failure. The same thing caused a failure to a gte-am Ferrari 458 in a practice session!

 

[hawkeye122]

Why didn't they just make a series with LMPC? This is what I'm not understanding, they could have easily made a series that functions like the Porsche Supercup (Only with prototypes) and it'd race on both continents instead of being confined as a class in a regional series that apart from same bringing new drivers, doesn't do much for either series. Now it looks like they are doing the same with LMP3.

They did. It wasn't sustainable because nobody would cover it on TV, so there was little to no money left to go around.
As an Am driver, why would I race in a support series in a really old, slower P2 car with no aids, when I could be in the main show with a car which is easier to drive, and a pro driver to carry me in qualifying?
LMP3 is supposed to fix that, and fill grids. And give the CN guys something to do.