The Le Mans General Discussion Thread

Shinshiki
http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_9719.jpg
They've actually had them for a while now. I like them. It's definitely something different, but that's not bad thing.
Click to expand...

Yep, and also it has been on the M3 GT since last year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. So technically, it's not really a brand new wheels for the M3.

According to BMW Motorsport from last year's Le Mans, they said that the wheels actually help in the airflow of the car. Unsure if it 'really' do though. :P
 
Jav
Right now GT3 cars are faster than GT-E cars, so if anything it'll be getting some concessions.
Click to expand...

The Emil Frey Jaguar had their work cut out for them. The car is possibly the slowest one in the BES field.
 
Mt. Lynx
The Emil Frey Jaguar had their work cut out for them. The car is possibly the slowest one in the BES field.
Click to expand...

So nothing changed from ALMS to BES...

I noticed that the ESM Ferrari's have black wheels on one side, and silver on the other...


I sort of wish that Dyson would become competitive at some point... I've been a Pickett fan since last year (Because Aston Martin), but still. Having no competition... I might as well just watch WEC LMP1...
Whatever happened to the Oryx Mazda?
 
Last edited:
So I'm starting to wonder what Highcroft are going to do... They had their fun with the DeltaWing, but i was pretty crushed when they had a VERY strong run at Sebring in 2011, and then suddenly stopped...

If they do return, what from will it be in? HPD again (Even though MM Pickett seems to have that under control)? Or will they show Dyson how to run a Lola program?

What I think will happen though... They re-enter as LMP2 with Nissan backing, and run the Oreca 03. Although... Level 5 also run 2 of the same cars...

Zytek maybe?
 
Last edited:
It was sad when Highcroft switched their agenda to focus on the Deltawing after Sebring last year. In my opinion, they could have walked the ALMS championship last year if they would have stayed in it.
 
I may be wrong but I suspect Highcroft really struggled last year after they lost their title sponsor (Tequila Patron) and most probably they just made a fantastic "tour de force" by showing up, sponsorless (bar Michelin) at Sebring, and it was amazing that they came 2nd overall and in front of both Audi and Peugeot factory squads. Quite an achievement.

Then HPD "pulled the plug". I suspect Highcroft felt really abandoned/let down by Honda, because litle after Sebring they were still boasting about their Le Mans chances.

Duncan Dayton is not someone to keep still though, and somehow he got an invite to make Highcroft the professional team running the Deltawing/Garage 56 operations.

(according to the OFFICIAL TIMELINE Bowlby had his first meeting with Dayton in April 2011)

Probably the funding of this project was not a problem (a one-off race, lots of technical partners to find, plus Don Panoz and AAR already on board) so he accepted the challenge. Bearing in mind that this would give Highcroft great visibility too.

Now I think whatever Highcroft will do, it'll probably be with Nissan. Dayton had very strong words here, and I'm not sure who are the prairie dogs he mentions, but they know who they are so I don't think they are happy with this analogy and with its author :D

Duncan Dayton
And Nissan's involvement?
Nissan wants to become known as the most fuel-efficient car manufacturer out there. Kudos to them, and in particular to Darren Cox, for putting their neck on the chopping block. They really have the courage of their convictions and believe in the engineering. But change is something that scares a lot of people. We spoke not just to Nissan but to other car companies to help progress this project and they all claimed to be risk takers, but in reality they are what we Americans call Prairie Dogs... they keep their heads down in case some guy is going to shoot it off. No doubt, Nissan is taking a great gamble but by really pushing the envelope they will differentiate themselves from the other car makers.
Click to expand...

Full Q&A here
 
Last edited:
Maybe they could try what Honda initially failed at, and run the Oreca or Zytek in LMP1 with a Nissan engine.

I am very curious to see how that all pans out.
 
Have there been any word of Honda's scouting at LeMan's this year? Maybe Highcroft was interviewed, who knows? Maybe we'll see them return as the works Honda team!
 
I hope Highcroft returns, I loved that Acura and they were my favourite prototype team for the longest time.
 
Ahhh, Highcroft TV. That's what made me their fan. But that video, IMHO, is not part of their finest. Let me give out a few examples, one of them inboard also. Warning, they are not in chronological order:

REDEFINING BEAUTY (ALMS EDITION)






THE GT5 SEASONAL AT LAGUNA SECA
(LAST TO 4th IN FOUR LAPS)






18 HOURS TO BUILD A CAR
(Petit Le Mans 2009)

After THIS happened




IF YOU DON'T GET THIS YOU DON'T GET SPORTS CARS RACING
(Petit Le Mans 2010)

​
 
I like the video I posted because I love seeing the HPD ARX-01e shooting flames.
The time lapse video of the team rebuilding the car is another favorite.
 
I reckon that BMW will be on its last year for 2013.

With no money coming from corporate, thus leading to their lack of upgrades, their car is already showing its age. It still mixes it up at the front, but if Corvette/Porsche/Ferrari develop in the offseason, and come out with an even better car, I think that will be the end of BMW as a possible winner. And if they aren't winning, I can't imagine Rahal running a no-win car for more than a year. Unless they shock the grid and come out with some surprise upgrade. But this is still basically the same car from last year- No change.

(I think) 2013 will be the end of the E92 M3 program. But I reckon that when the New M3 comes out, BMW will come back to the ALMS(RLL) and possibly the WEC(Schnitzer or Schubert).
 
hawkeye122
(I think) 2013 will be the end of the E92 M3 program. But I reckon that when the New M3 comes out, BMW will come back to the ALMS(RLL) and possibly the WEC(Schnitzer or Schubert).
Click to expand...

Well, I think it'll all depend on what happens on the European side with GT1/3 BES and Grand Am here on the States with that new GT-X class. I think for sure we will see the new M3 run, but not so sure on what series it will be! Hopefully RLL will go to LeMans next year and that will put them on a good standing with BMW again!
 
Jav
Well, I think it'll all depend on what happens on the European side with GT1/3 BES and Grand Am here on the States with that new GT-X class. I think for sure we will see the new M3 run, but not so sure on what series it will be! Hopefully RLL will go to LeMans next year and that will put them on a good standing with BMW again!
Click to expand...

Well if they didnt go this year (BMW said "Sure, pay your own way", RLL couldnt put up the $) why would they go next year, with a not-as-competitive car?
Also, they'll have to get an Invite... do you get one for winning the class at Sebring? I just dont see them getting an invite for winning the Championship OR winning Petit Le Mans...

But thats a good point with the Grand Am. And didnt they do BES with the M6 GT3? Or was that the FIA Gt3?
 
They did! The Alpina M6, but now they have a lot of custumer teams running the Z3s so I could understand them focusing on DTM with someone else running their GT programs...
 
hawkeye122
Well if they didnt go this year (BMW said "Sure, pay your own way", RLL couldnt put up the $) why would they go next year, with a not-as-competitive car?
Also, they'll have to get an Invite... do you get one for winning the class at Sebring? I just dont see them getting an invite for winning the Championship OR winning Petit Le Mans...

But thats a good point with the Grand Am. And didnt they do BES with the M6 GT3? Or was that the FIA Gt3?
Click to expand...

The winning team in class at Sebring always gets an invite for Le Mans as far as I can remember. I believe championships also count towards invites, at least I remember the ELMS doing so.
 
Hun200kmh
Ahhh, Highcroft TV. That's what made me their fan. But that video, IMHO, is not part of their finest. Let me give out a few examples, one of them inboard also. Warning, they are not in chronological order:

REDEFINING BEAUTY (ALMS EDITION)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEkwen-o2Bg">YouTube Link</a>

THE GT5 SEASONAL AT LAGUNA SECA
(LAST TO 4th IN FOUR LAPS)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0jvkArqjl4">YouTube Link</a>

18 HOURS TO BUILD A CAR
(Petit Le Mans 2009)

After THIS happened

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBr3-DA0LQk">YouTube Link</a>

IF YOU DON'T GET THIS YOU DON'T GET SPORTS CARS RACING
(Petit Le Mans 2010)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABABU8TqoFc">YouTube Link</a>
Click to expand...

ALMS glory days...
 
RACECAR
The winning team in class at Sebring always gets an invite for Le Mans as far as I can remember. I believe championships also count towards invites, at least I remember the ELMS doing so.
Click to expand...

I know the championship and Petit count, I just dont think BMW can win either right now.

But they should have one from Sebring, right? So there is still a slight chance they could make a comeback.
 
Hun200kmh
Ahhh, Highcroft TV. That's what made me their fan. But that video, IMHO, is not part of their finest. Let me give out a few examples, one of them inboard also. Warning, they are not in chronological order:

REDEFINING BEAUTY (ALMS EDITION)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEkwen-o2Bg">YouTube Link</a>

THE GT5 SEASONAL AT LAGUNA SECA
(LAST TO 4th IN FOUR LAPS)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0jvkArqjl4">YouTube Link</a>

18 HOURS TO BUILD A CAR
(Petit Le Mans 2009)

After THIS happened

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBr3-DA0LQk">YouTube Link</a>

IF YOU DON'T GET THIS YOU DON'T GET SPORTS CARS RACING
(Petit Le Mans 2010)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABABU8TqoFc">YouTube Link</a>
Click to expand...

After seeing these videos, I'm a fan of Highcroft! Love the videos, espically the last four laps on Laguna and the one where they have to finish a LMP racecar under 24hrs.

Truly amazing material right here and what this team represents. I hope they can get something with Nissan or another car company.
 
I really hope they get back to competitive racing! The silly Delta Wing thing was a marketing stunt and it served its purpose putting the team on the public's eye, hopefully they've played their cards right and have a good solid program in the works for 2013!
 
Jav
I really hope they get back to competitive racing! The silly Delta Wing thing was a marketing stunt and it served its purpose putting the team on the public's eye, hopefully they've played their cards right and have a good solid program in the works for 2013!
Click to expand...

Spoken so true. Hopefully they will have Brabs back in the car in 2013.

I hope Risi Competizione as solved their financial issues and is able to compete again in 2013.
 
Woot! I have just switched to Dish. What relevence is this to the thread? I get Speed 2 :D Take a look at the series I get to watch:

Code: 
[B]WEC[/B]
WRC
BTCC
WTCC
DTM
MotoGP
Superbike
Continental Sports Car Challenge
American Le Mans Series

relevance to this thread in bold
 

Similar threads

Dylan
2025 NASCAR Discussion Thread
2
Replies
45
Views
5K
Eggstor
Eggstor
Famine
2022 Le Mans 24 Hours: Preview, Live Streams, Schedules and Discussion
2 3 4
Replies
110
Views
9K
Coquico
Coquico
Famine
24 Hours of Le Mans 2024 Entry List Announced: Nine Hypercar Marques in Record-Breaking Field
Replies
17
Views
4K
TexHill
TexHill
Famine
Aston Martin Confirms its Valkyrie Hypercar Will Race at Le Mans in 2025
2
Replies
50
Views
6K
Quakebass
Quakebass
Famine
24 Hours of Le Mans 2023 Entry List Revealed for Centenary Race: 16 Hypercars Lead the Way
2
Replies
40
Views
7K
jonoholland29
jonoholland29

Latest Posts

Back