The Le Mans General Discussion Thread

[AJ]

Losers

IIRC this year its just LMP-1H and LMP-1

Can't find my 2014 rule book just now.

IIRC its just LM P1.

why cant rebellion buy a hybrid drivetrain?

No one wants to sell, and if they did, no one could afford.

 

[AJ]

It's not about prize money.

Again IIRC, Prize money for the overall win for Le Mans is something like $/€ 25,000.

 

[TDZdave]

Again IIRC, Prize money for the overall win for Le Mans is something like $/€ 25,000.

It is rather pathetic

 

[cnd01]

It is rather pathetic

But think about it: are the factory teams in it for the prize money?

 

[TDZdave]

But think about it: are the factory teams in it for the prize money?

Highly doubtful, but I would think there would be more factory teams if the prize money was better, its an extreme exercise on funds to produce the equipment, even if the winnings totalled the personnel salaries we would see 1 or 2 more manufactures in

 

[trustjab]

If Rebellion buy an off-the-shelf hybrid system, they will need to run 870kg like the other factory teams. Without it, last season they ran close to 800kg. They need a new engine and more development of their package. Maybe then they can hang on the tail of the factory cars. But the punch they get from the hybrids leave Rebellion in the dust. That was their biggest complaint if you follow their news outlets.

 

[cnd01]

Highly doubtful, but I would think there would be more factory teams if the prize money was better, its an extreme exercise on funds to produce the equipment, even if the winnings totalled the personnel salaries we would see 1 or 2 more manufactures in

If prize money was better, there would be more privateer teams in

 

[TDZdave]

If prize money was better, there would be more privateer teams in

Which can only benefit the sport if they are professional

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

If prize money was better, there would be more privateer teams in

But Le Mans isn't about the money.

And if your involved in Motorsport for prize money your no doubt in the wrong job.

 

[cnd01]

Which can only benefit the sport if they are professional

But there's not much privateer entry due to the massive cost of it. It would take prize money in the 6 figure range for each race to get that model to work, but I'm sure the series doesn't have nearly the money to do that. Has to be profitable for the series and privateer teams for them to be there.

But Le Mans isn't about the money.

And if your involved in Motorsport for prize money your no doubt in the wrong job.

But a non-factory backed race team is a business and they have to balance the books to be on the track. Ask Kolles what happens when you try to race without the money. It takes sponsors and/or paid drivers.

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

But a non-factory backed race team is a business and they have to balance the books to be on the track. Ask Kolles what happens when you try to race without the money. It takes sponsors and/or paid drivers.

But if you go into Motorsport thinking you can solely survive on prize money then you have no hope.

 

[cnd01]

But if you go into Motorsport thinking you can solely survive on prize money then you have no hope.

No doubts, but if prize money were to be more than a joke, it would make the quality of the field better. Teams could afford more spares or time for testing making the field better

 

[Michael88]

But if you go into Motorsport thinking you can solely survive on prize money then you have no hope.

But if it works in Gran Turismo it works in real life too. Everybody knows that.-

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

No doubts, but if prize money were to be more than a joke, it would make the quality of the field better. Teams could afford more spares or time for testing making the field better

Or maybe teams should budget the money they have better 💡

 

[RACECAR]

But a non-factory backed race team is a business and they have to balance the books to be on the track. Ask Kolles what happens when you try to race without the money. It takes sponsors and/or paid drivers.

Did you seriously just use the guy, who as far as I can tell ruins everything he touches, as an example?

 

[TDZdave]

Or maybe teams should budget the money they have better 💡

Bit hard when your budget is $4 and a T-shirt

 

[cnd01]

Or maybe teams should budget the money they have better 💡

The teams get what the rich guys are willing to spend for the most part. Telling them to use it wiser is asinine

Hard to factor in crashes and part failures. No one plans to write off multiple chassis or engines in a season, and the teams that do are the ones that never would have any concerns in the first place like factory teams.

 

[SagarisGTB]

Still... since 1963, a mid-engined car (or rear engined, in the case of the 935s) has won Le Mans. That' 52 years in a row.

I don't want to jump to conclusions, and quote me back when the race is done in June, but the Nissan's not going to win, or even be in contention.

Heard the rumours about Oliveira and Quintarelli declining full season deals after they saw the testing times? Or the rumours about Heidfeld and Senna being circumspect about the program and declining driver deals?

From what I gather, it looks like Nissan is building a one-trick pony. They might be competitive at LM, but they'll be backmarker duds everywhere else. Which is a real shame, as there's 42 hours of racing which almost certainly won't be enhanced by a another pair of competitive LMP1 entries.

 

[trustjab]

Rebellion makes money off their "Time Pieces" (fancy ass word for an expensive watch), but thats minimal. The other part is made up by sponsorships and personal income. Rebellion even have a couple pay drivers.

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

The teams get what the rich guys are willing to spend for the most part. Telling them to use it wiser is asinine

Hard to factor in crashes and part failures. No one plans to write off multiple chassis or engines in a season, and the teams that do are the ones that never would have any concerns in the first place like factory teams.

So where does your argument of more prize money come into that then?

 

[cnd01]

So where does your argument of more prize money come into that then?

I do not know the exact dollar figures, but I have heard teams and gentlemen drivers talk about how prize money doesn't even cover the tire bill for the weekend. Say prize money covered the traveling expenses of man and machine each round or the tires, spares, and fuel costs of a race weekend. That adds up to 6 figures of savings making what limited money given to teams by ams or sponsors put to use better for testing, development, or the ability to pay a better driver for the car. That is a huge benefit

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

I do not know the exact dollar figures, but I have heard teams and gentlemen drivers talk about how prize money doesn't even cover the tire bill for the weekend. Say prize money covered the traveling expenses of man and machine each round or the tires, spares, and fuel costs of a race weekend. That adds up to 6 figures of savings making what limited money given to teams by ams or sponsors put to use better for testing, development, or the ability to pay a better driver for the car. That is a huge benefit

So who would get the prize money?

Correct the teams that can afford it. The teams that "struggle" for money won't be the ones winning races ala Formula 1 therefore extra prize money for winning races won't help anyone.

 

[RACECAR]

Or maybe teams should budget the money they have better 💡

You make it sound as if its so simple and sounds like you're implying that's what they aren't already doing.

 

[Kingofweasles]

Heard the rumours about Oliveira and Quintarelli declining full season deals after they saw the testing times? Or the rumours about Heidfeld and Senna being circumspect about the program and declining driver deals?

From what I gather, it looks like Nissan is building a one-trick pony. They might be competitive at LM, but they'll be backmarker duds everywhere else. Which is a real shame, as there's 42 hours of racing which almost certainly won't be enhanced by a another pair of competitive LMP1 entries.

Considering that the WEC rulebook basically demands that a team must compete in the full season in order to race at Lemans, and that Nissan are seemingly only interested in that one race and built a car specifically for the unique demands of the Circuit De La Sarthe...

Anyway, has there been any activity of note in LMP2? Because I can recall reading an article somewhere that there was going to be something in the order of 10-15 Manufacturers trying to get involved with the the WEC this year.

 

[Downhill Dino]

Would that not be the case for the other manufacturers? Le Mans is the ultimate race everyone wants to win, Porsche and Toyota definitely showed a lot of interest in running there specifically.

 

[cnd01]

So who would get the prize money?

Correct the teams that can afford it. The teams that "struggle" for money won't be the ones winning races ala Formula 1 therefore extra prize money for winning races won't help anyone.

Considering the privateer WEC classes only have a handful of cars full season, over half the class podiums...but that's aside from the point.

Point being. Increase payout through last in class. Even knowing that a decent bit of the travel budget or that spares, tires, and fuel is covered by the prize money makes a big difference in a worldwide endurance championship

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Was this artist rendering ever posted cause I can't seem to find it and the other forums have it being relatively new so...

It's not exact obviously but if it does look mainly like this then I think it may be the best looking car next to the Porsche for me.

@R1600Turbo blink once for yes and twice for no if this is pretty much the real deal

 

[R5]

Posted it in the Nissan thread, not seen it here.

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

Considering the privateer WEC classes only have a handful of cars full season, over half the class podiums...but that's aside from the point.

Point being. Increase payout through last in class. Even knowing that a decent bit of the travel budget or that spares, tires, and fuel is covered by the prize money makes a big difference in a worldwide endurance championship

Then there wouldn't be much point in trying to win if you get pay outs through out the class if that's the case then I've been doing Motorsport wrong for the last 10 years

 

[cnd01]

Then there wouldn't be much point in trying to win if you get pay outs through out the class if that's the case then I've been doing Motorsport wrong for the last 10 years

You have no clue how the racing business works then. Absolutely no clue. Ask any team if more prize money would allow them to get faster and more reliable. They all will say yes. Any team that's worth a crap will continue to race harder and win more money by finishing better. More prize money is never a bad thing in racing.