The Le Mans General Discussion Thread

[IforceV8]

LMP2 news http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115026

The ACO and the FIA are setting up a working group that will involve constructors from Europe, Japan and the US to define the new rules.

Beaumesnil said that the plan for the USC, which will allow Daytona Prototypes to race against P2 machinery in its top class up to the end of 2016, was to give manufacturers the chance to produce their own bodywork for LMP2 chassis.

"Clearly we have different targets for LMP2: for us it is a privateer category, but over in the USA it is a bit different," he explained.

"They will use the same car, but we have agreed the principle of using different bodywork: if Chevrolet wants a car that looks like a Corvette it can do that.

"But if a car comes to race at Le Mans, for example, it will have to be fitted with WEC bodywork."


and LMP3 news http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115028

 

[Brutaka]

LMP2 news http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115026

The ACO and the FIA are setting up a working group that will involve constructors from Europe, Japan and the US to define the new rules.

Beaumesnil said that the plan for the USC, which will allow Daytona Prototypes to race against P2 machinery in its top class up to the end of 2016, was to give manufacturers the chance to produce their own bodywork for LMP2 chassis.

"Clearly we have different targets for LMP2: for us it is a privateer category, but over in the USA it is a bit different," he explained.

"They will use the same car, but we have agreed the principle of using different bodywork: if Chevrolet wants a car that looks like a Corvette it can do that.

"But if a car comes to race at Le Mans, for example, it will have to be fitted with WEC bodywork."


and LMP3 news http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115028

So they're basically phasing out the Open-top Prototype car, That's quite a shame since those are some of my favorite Prototype designs.

 

[RACECAR]

So they're basically phasing out the Open-top Prototype car, That's quite a shame since those are some of my favorite Prototype designs.

Well, that kinda already started when they made P1 all closed Cockpit only and made the new regs for LMP2 also closed Cockpit only after, I believe, 2015.

 

[cnd01]

Hopefully, the new rules will have no more fins on those cars. Those things kill those cars visually.

 

[hawkeye122]

Hopefully, the new rules will have no more fins on those cars. Those things kill those cars visually.

It's a safety thing. Nobody likes it, but it helps.

 

[GTPorsche]

Those fins add stability if a car were to go sideways at high speed. It's the same thing with the "sharkfin" in NASCAR.

Those new LMP2 regs, with allowing manufacturers to have their brand identities on their cars sounds like they're more open to Daytona Prototype styled cars.. of course that LMP3 class is dead on Daytona Prototype influenced.

 

[hawkeye122]

that LMP3 class is dead on Daytona Prototype influenced.

Uh, no.
It's a development of the CN regs, which are totally independent.

 

[sumbrownkid]

It's a safety thing. Nobody likes it, but it helps.

I think those fins actually help out on high speed turns such as the Porsche Curves greatly. Rare instance of a safety rule leading to a faster car?

 

[Furinkazen]

This is cool. http://www.freeonlinegames.com/game/le-mans-24-racing

 

[karl53]

FIA giving the LMP1-L cars a performance boost for COTA http://www.fiawec.com/en/news/new-e...itiveness-of-lmp1−l-entries-at-cota_2196.html

 

[fortbo]

FIA giving the LMP1-L cars a performance boost for COTA http://www.fiawec.com/en/news/new-eot-rules-to-increase-competitiveness-of-lmp1−l-entries-at-cota_2196.html

I'm going to be there this year!

 

[IforceV8]

Too bad it is only 1 car. http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/exclusive-corvette-racing-preparing-fia-wec-entry-for-cota/ maybe they will run 2 cars after Petit.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Good for them and hope it works out. I'm just a little surprised they haven't seemed interested in WEC before, does this mean that perhaps they may expand the car to WEC in the future? I've always wondered it they would go that route instead of just sticking to the American based series

 

[RACECAR]

They've never really expressed interest in a series outside the US so for them to field a car for this WEC round is interesting. Maybe this could be sort've a test run for that European team that usually fields Corvettes in the WEC. There of course is the possibility that maybe they are also putting together a third team specifically for the enduros and to boast their chances at a Manufacterers title.


I'm not gonna lie though, I'm seriously hoping this opens up the possibility of them somehow convincing Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jeff Gordon (assuming Rick Hendrick doesn't mind) into coming to run the Rolex 24 for them.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

They've never really expressed interest in a series outside the US so for them to field a car for this WEC round is interesting. Maybe this could be sort've a test run for that European team that usually fields Corvettes in the WEC. There of course is the possibility that maybe they are also putting together a third team specifically for the enduros and to boast there chances at a Manufacterers title.


I'm not gonna lie though, I'm seriously hoping this opens up the possibility of them somehow convincing Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jeff Gordon (assuming Rick Hendrick doesn't mind) into coming to run the Rolex 24 for them.

Junior isn't going to go back, he made that pretty clear when he was burned after wrecking a GTS Vette some years ago.

 

[catamount39]

#75 anyone? lol

I can't wait for next year and that French team to acquire one of these beauties lol. But I've also been wondering why GM hasn't made a specific WEC team yet, it's an even bigger stage than just being here in the States...plus it'd give them a third contender at Le Mans.

Still wishing the AMR V8 Vantages the best of luck.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

#75 anyone? lol

I can't wait for next year and that French team to acquire one of these beauties lol. But I've also been wondering why GM hasn't made a specific WEC team yet, it's an even bigger stage than just being here in the States...plus it'd give them a third contender at Le Mans.

Still wishing the AMR V8 Vantages the best of luck.

That's a good question I mean the BTCC team of Chevy use to be factory backed and though not as expensive as Le Mans. I can't see one car costing them all that much more, but I'm not too sure. I think the image of Vette winning a predominant European series would be good for GM branding in the region to an extent.

 

[Furinkazen]

That's a good question I mean the BTCC team of Chevy use to be factory backed and though not as expensive as Le Mans. I can't see one car costing them all that much more, but I'm not too sure. I think the image of Vette winning a predominant European series would be good for GM branding in the region to an extent.

Chevy Europe are closing soon though aren't they? I remember reading about it when Manchester United signed them as football sponsors.

Oh and @DaxCobra ... article isn't english yet but i've used translate..

AC Cobra GT3 and GTE possible. Yes you read that right. AC Cobra...

http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/ac-cobra-prepare-une-arrivee-en-gte-et-gt3/

 

[Azure Flare]

A Cobra? That's a bad idea waiting to happen.

 

[Kingofweasles]

A CHEVROLET POWERED AC Cobra? Just bad taste waiting to happen.

 

[DaxCobra]

A CHEVROLET POWERED AC Cobra? Just bad taste waiting to happen.

Not sure if serious... As it was Shelby's first pick for the Cobras engine...

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Chevy Europe are closing soon though aren't they? I remember reading about it when Manchester United signed them as football sponsors.

Oh and @DaxCobra ... article isn't english yet but i've used translate..

AC Cobra GT3 and GTE possible. Yes you read that right. AC Cobra...

http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/ac-cobra-prepare-une-arrivee-en-gte-et-gt3/

I'm not all that sure you guys know more about the BTCC reasoning for the pull out than I do, but if that's why they did it then that's a shame.

 

[Furinkazen]

I'm not all that sure you guys know more about the BTCC reasoning for the pull out than I do, but if that's why they did it then that's a shame.

http://www.chevrolet.co.uk/owners-area/important-customer-information.html

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

http://www.chevrolet.co.uk/owners-area/important-customer-information.html

Thanks for the info, so then I'm thinking that expanding the car to a series that is mainly European wont achieve too much.

 

[Furinkazen]

Another note. HPD will have six of the new ARX 04b coupes built and in either the USCR or WEC apparently next year. The LMP1 engine project they wanted to work on has been canned however.

 

[IforceV8]

Krohn Racing likely switching to LMP2 with either a Ligier HPD or maybe a ARX-04b and moving to ELMS. http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/krohn-closing-in-on-lmp2-decision/

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Is his activities of wrong doing too much for him to stay in the states, does he get a warmer welcome overseas when he does it?

 

[cnd01]

There's just as many gravel traps for him to find in the ELMS as there are in the WEC and TUSCC

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

There's just as many gravel traps for him to find in the ELMS as there are in the WEC and TUSCC

That's not what I'm talking about.

EDIT:

Not exactly I should have said.

 

[cnd01]

That's not what I'm talking about.

Ok...