The Le Mans General Discussion Thread
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- Drayton Bassett, North Warwickshire
- Duffers999
- Clark Duffy
Not really, having a GT3 as a base car doesn't really matter that much. The types of car are completely different. The GTE's are much lighter and run much wider tyres and track than GT3.
Every (only a few) attempt at building a GTE from a GT3 has failed, Primetime Viper in the ALMS, LP560 that ran one year in the LMS. They're completely different, hence why for example BMW used the M3 in GTE and the Z4 in GT3.
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Dunno why prime time would have used a gt3 viper when there was a gt2 competition coupe, seems silly that they would waste time and money on converting a gt3 car into a gt2. Especially when the gt2 version already exists. If they really did waste time doing that then they deserved to fail.
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Except there wasn't a GT2 CC. There are only two GT2 spec Vipers in existence which were specially built in 2007 for Racing Box by Oreca and they've never left Europe. IIRC they're racing in the Dutch Supercar Challenge this year.
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hmm well luckily they've retained his old co-driver who is quite fast as well...
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See Jav's post.
It's good to have a GT3 as a base because you can let it race in tons of series outside of the WEC. With the money gained from privateers you can fund a works GTE team.
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- OrlandoFL GMT-5
- GTP__Jav
By using an already developed platform you'll save a lot the work and resources involved in developing a new car. The differences pointed out are minimal a car can be adapted from class to class, weight/tires/special concessions can be swapped out or adapted. The fact that the regulation weight is higher doesn't mean the car itself is heavier, a team will go a long ways to develop the lightest possible car and then comply with the rules by placing the needed ballast to their favor to get the lowest possible CG.
It does make a lot of sense financially and strategically to run the same platform in various classes, don't believe me? Look at AF Corsa, look at how successfull and popular that program is right now. In a big part due to the adaptability of the cars and the lower cost of using a common platform for various classes. At the end it will only favor everyone and hurt no one.
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GT3 and GTE are too different to be able to build off from eachother. The only thing they can apply from the testing, is telemetry. The car itself has to be built from scratch. The only component they have incommon is the chassis. Possibly the engine block, but that depends on W12 or V8.
The car they have presented is a GT3.
As for
AF Corse, they have several cars. 2 GTE and 4 GT3 I think.
Jalopnik has it wrong, simple as that. I even doubt the W12 statement.
The car they have presented is a GT3.
As for
AF Corse, they have several cars. 2 GTE and 4 GT3 I think.
Jalopnik has it wrong, simple as that. I even doubt the W12 statement.
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- shinshiki204
Well, we'll just have to wait until late 2013 to see.
Anyways, the Bahrain round of the WEC is tomorrow. Toyota was ahead after FP1. FP2 saw the Audi on top, with Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer, and Benoit Tréluyer ahead TK and McNish. In FP3, the Audis swapped positions with the Toyota still in third.
Anyways, the Bahrain round of the WEC is tomorrow. Toyota was ahead after FP1. FP2 saw the Audi on top, with Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer, and Benoit Tréluyer ahead TK and McNish. In FP3, the Audis swapped positions with the Toyota still in third.
Tired Tyres
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Not sure if this deserves a thread or not, but in doubt, I post here:
Sebring is out of the 2013 WEC Calendar. It'll be a ALMS event only. The ACO are fools, and that's a kind word to choose so to remain within the AUP.
And before someone comes up and says (blah blah WEC one race per continent with the exception of Europe and 6 hours of Austin and whatever else ... " my reply is very simple. In two parts:
1) The world and heritage of Sports Cars Racing at the highest level is not, never was, about a championship, but always about selected prestigious and one-of-a-kind (unique) events. The open road ones were lost due to the raise in safety standards (Carrera Panamericana, Targa Florio, Mille Miglia), the closed circuit ones have mostly survived (but we also lost the Nurburgring Nordschleife one).
2) Therefore the WEC, to really be a world championship of the sports cars world, should aim to reunite all the BIG ones, then and only then each race would be important. As it is, and after not having Petit Le Mans this year (a new race, but one that quickly got fans and enough prestige to be a race that stands out on its own), it is an absolute SHAME that the WEC will not inlcude the 12 hours of SEBRING. All these races without history or distinct character, including the one happening this weekend, mean nothing, same happening in fact with the championship itself. They are training sessions for Le Mans, the only race that matters for WEC participants.
I just hope Sebring doesn't suffer much with this. But the way I see it, Petit Le Mans is doing pretty well without the WEC (I suspect it'll have 1000% of the number of spectators of the Bahraini race and if the TV shows it, a great world audience too) so I suspect Sebring will also do well or even great in 2013.
Sebring is out of the 2013 WEC Calendar. It'll be a ALMS event only. The ACO are fools, and that's a kind word to choose so to remain within the AUP.
And before someone comes up and says (blah blah WEC one race per continent with the exception of Europe and 6 hours of Austin and whatever else ... " my reply is very simple. In two parts:
1) The world and heritage of Sports Cars Racing at the highest level is not, never was, about a championship, but always about selected prestigious and one-of-a-kind (unique) events. The open road ones were lost due to the raise in safety standards (Carrera Panamericana, Targa Florio, Mille Miglia), the closed circuit ones have mostly survived (but we also lost the Nurburgring Nordschleife one).
2) Therefore the WEC, to really be a world championship of the sports cars world, should aim to reunite all the BIG ones, then and only then each race would be important. As it is, and after not having Petit Le Mans this year (a new race, but one that quickly got fans and enough prestige to be a race that stands out on its own), it is an absolute SHAME that the WEC will not inlcude the 12 hours of SEBRING. All these races without history or distinct character, including the one happening this weekend, mean nothing, same happening in fact with the championship itself. They are training sessions for Le Mans, the only race that matters for WEC participants.
I just hope Sebring doesn't suffer much with this. But the way I see it, Petit Le Mans is doing pretty well without the WEC (I suspect it'll have 1000% of the number of spectators of the Bahraini race and if the TV shows it, a great world audience too) so I suspect Sebring will also do well or even great in 2013.
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Tired Tyres
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2013 Provisional FIA World Endurance Championship Calendar
14 April - Round 1 - 6 Hours of Silverstone GBR
04 May - Round 2 - WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps BEL
22/23 June - Round 3 - 24 Heures du Mans FRA
24 August - Round 4 - 6 Hours of Sao Paulo BRA
22 September - Round 5 - 6 Hours of Austin * USA
20 October - Round 6 - 6 Hours of Fuji JPN
10 November - Round 7 - 6 Hours of Shanghai * CHN
30 November - Round 8 - 6 Hours of Bahrain BAH
*To be confirmed
Silverstone will be shared with a ELMS race and Austin shared with ALMS. Both as separate races.
Yes the loss of Sebring is bad but that race will continue to thrive with the Grand Am/ALMS deal.
14 April - Round 1 - 6 Hours of Silverstone GBR
04 May - Round 2 - WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps BEL
22/23 June - Round 3 - 24 Heures du Mans FRA
24 August - Round 4 - 6 Hours of Sao Paulo BRA
22 September - Round 5 - 6 Hours of Austin * USA
20 October - Round 6 - 6 Hours of Fuji JPN
10 November - Round 7 - 6 Hours of Shanghai * CHN
30 November - Round 8 - 6 Hours of Bahrain BAH
*To be confirmed
Silverstone will be shared with a ELMS race and Austin shared with ALMS. Both as separate races.
Yes the loss of Sebring is bad but that race will continue to thrive with the Grand Am/ALMS deal.
Glad I'll be able to get the Silverstone round for once as I usually miss it when on holiday. But April? Do the ACO not know that's basically the middle of winter going by this year!
Very disappointed about Sebring though. I was planning to go late last year for the 2013 with the promise of a mouthwatering Peugeot, Audi and Toyota battle.
Very disappointed about Sebring though. I was planning to go late last year for the 2013 with the promise of a mouthwatering Peugeot, Audi and Toyota battle.
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- OrlandoFL GMT-5
- GTP__Jav
Yeah, we know already posted a few weeks ago:
I really hope Sebring doesn't suffer too bad from it, numbers will be very low compared to the past 2 years but it'll pick back up on 2014 with the new series!
Their reasoning behind it is that they don't wanna deal with the ridiculous ammount of podiums/stewarding/logistical nightmare that having 2 separate series running at the same time. It was a mutual decission and the Austin event eventhough on the same date will be 2 separate races.
Tired Tyres
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Glad I'll be able to get the Silverstone round for once as I usually miss it when on holiday. But April? Do the ACO not know that's basically the middle of winter going by this year!
Very disappointed about Sebring though. I was planning to go late last year for the 2013 with the promise of a mouthwatering Peugeot, Audi and Toyota battle.
Silverstone in April did strike as "that can't be right".
Maybe it would be better to open the season in Bahrain to take advantage of the weather and run Silverstone in July instead of having the big two month gap between Le Mans & Brazil.
As it is, Silverstone in April stands a very good chance of being cold, wet and, if you don't have very good waterproofs, miserable.
freshseth83
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With Sebring so early in the year (March), WEC teams may just decide to run the race anyway before they go ahead to Silverstone in April. There is time and those capable of doing it (Toyota, Audi, even Rebellion) may use it as a test race for their 2013 cars. Here's to hoping.
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- gdwest1
Drop Sebring? Thats bold. They now lack a 12 Hour race, and have only one race which has any sort of Heritage.
Rebellion are coming to Petit Le Mans, so it seems likely that they would show up for Sebring as well.
Rebellion are coming to Petit Le Mans, so it seems likely that they would show up for Sebring as well.
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Yep. Unlike Petit and the Bahrain round This year, there's a good space of time between the events and that'll allow both races to be done.
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The Franchitti Brothers are in with Level 5 together at Petit!
Dario and Marino Franchitti Join Level 5 for Petit Le Mans
http://www.alms.com/articles/dario-and-marino-franchitti-join-level-5-petit-le-mans
BRASELTON, Ga. Reigning Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti is returning to Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda for the season finale of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. The four-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion and three-time 500 winner will join younger brother and sports car ace Marino behind the wheel of the No. 95 Level 5 Motorsports Honda Performance Development ARX-03b P2 car at Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda.
The Franchitti brothers will pair with regular Level 5 driver and team owner Scott Tucker in the 1,000-mile/10-hour race on Saturday, Oct. 2.
Were thrilled to have Dario and Marino Franchitti with us to close out the season, Tucker said. Weve had a great year, and we are looking forward to another strong effort at Road Atlanta for Petit Le Mans. And, having the Indy 500 champion on your side is always a plus.
It will be the second Petit Le Mans race for Dario, who has a Sebring P2 victory (2007) to his credit in four ALMS starts. Marino, twice a Prototype Challenge winner in ALMS this season, will make his second consecutive appearance with Level 5 at Petit Le Mans; the Scotsman finished fifth in class last year driving the No. 055 with Tucker and Luis Diaz. Marino Franchitti is a two-time P2 winner at Petit Le Mans 2009 and 2010.
Level 5s second car, the No. 055 HPD ARX-03b will be driven by Tucker, Christophe Bouchut and Luis Diaz. Level 5, Tucker and Bouchut are currently in a tight battle for the P2 team and driver championships with Conquest Endurance and its duo of David Heinemeier-Hansson and Martin Plowman.
This will be the first time the two brothers share a car in ALMS competition. They drove together previously in the Daytona 24 Hours.
Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda, the 1,000-mile/10-hour ALMS finale from Road Atlanta is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, Oct 20. ABC's broadcast begins at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 21. Full, live coverage starts at 11:15 a.m. ET on ESPN3.
Dario and Marino Franchitti Join Level 5 for Petit Le Mans
http://www.alms.com/articles/dario-and-marino-franchitti-join-level-5-petit-le-mans
BRASELTON, Ga. Reigning Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti is returning to Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda for the season finale of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. The four-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion and three-time 500 winner will join younger brother and sports car ace Marino behind the wheel of the No. 95 Level 5 Motorsports Honda Performance Development ARX-03b P2 car at Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda.
The Franchitti brothers will pair with regular Level 5 driver and team owner Scott Tucker in the 1,000-mile/10-hour race on Saturday, Oct. 2.
Were thrilled to have Dario and Marino Franchitti with us to close out the season, Tucker said. Weve had a great year, and we are looking forward to another strong effort at Road Atlanta for Petit Le Mans. And, having the Indy 500 champion on your side is always a plus.
It will be the second Petit Le Mans race for Dario, who has a Sebring P2 victory (2007) to his credit in four ALMS starts. Marino, twice a Prototype Challenge winner in ALMS this season, will make his second consecutive appearance with Level 5 at Petit Le Mans; the Scotsman finished fifth in class last year driving the No. 055 with Tucker and Luis Diaz. Marino Franchitti is a two-time P2 winner at Petit Le Mans 2009 and 2010.
Level 5s second car, the No. 055 HPD ARX-03b will be driven by Tucker, Christophe Bouchut and Luis Diaz. Level 5, Tucker and Bouchut are currently in a tight battle for the P2 team and driver championships with Conquest Endurance and its duo of David Heinemeier-Hansson and Martin Plowman.
This will be the first time the two brothers share a car in ALMS competition. They drove together previously in the Daytona 24 Hours.
Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda, the 1,000-mile/10-hour ALMS finale from Road Atlanta is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, Oct 20. ABC's broadcast begins at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 21. Full, live coverage starts at 11:15 a.m. ET on ESPN3.
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It should be noted that while the WEC is not visiting Sebring, they have an agreement to not have any WEC events 30 days before or after Sebring, so look to see the likes of Audi and Toyota show up, even if they use slightly outdated machinery.
Source.
Expect to see special provisions to allow LMP1 cars to race alongside the new series, even if there isn't a native LMP1 class (similar to how the LMPC and GTC cars raced with the WEC classes, even though the WEC has no challenge classes).
Source.
Expect to see special provisions to allow LMP1 cars to race alongside the new series, even if there isn't a native LMP1 class (similar to how the LMPC and GTC cars raced with the WEC classes, even though the WEC has no challenge classes).
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- gdwest1
So I was thinking... Will Aston Martin return to the USA for Petit Le Mans? At one point, they needed a number of US races to fulfill the Lowe's sponsorship. On the other hand, Adrian Fernandez (Who Lowes was sponsoring) hasn't been in the car lately..
Edit:
While the Entry list isn't up, the Scrutineering schedule is. You can get the PDF here, or just keep reading for an abridged version.
I'll list some of the Pro Teams. If you want Challenge info other than what I put, you're on your own.
The drivers are listed for confirmed or VERY possible line-ups
LMP1(WEC) Rebellion Racing Lola B12/60-Toyota (#12) (Neel Jani, Nicolas Prost, Andrea Belicchi)
LMP1(ALMS) Muscle Milk Pickett Racing HPD ARX-03a-Honda (#6) (Lucas Luhr, Klaus Graf, Romain Dumas)
LMP1(ALMS) Dyson Racing Lola B12/60-Mazda (#16) (Chris Dyson, Guy Smith, Eric Lux?)
LMP1(ALMS) Dyson Racing Lola B11/66-Mazda (#20)
LMP2(ALMS) Dempsey Racing Lola B12/80-Judd (#27) (Patrick Dempsey, Joe Foster, ______)
LMP2(ALMS) Level 5 Motorsports HPD ARX-03b-Honda(#055)(Christophe Bouchut, Luis Diaz, Scott Tucker)
LMP2(ALMS) Level 5 Motorsports HPD ARX-03b-Honda(#95)(Scott Tucker, Marino Franchitti, Dario Franchitti)
LMP2(ALMS) Conquest Endurance Morgan-Nissan (#37) (David Henimeier Hanson, _______, _____)
LMP2(ELMS) Oak Racing Morgan-Nissan (#46) (Olivier Pla, Dimitri Enjalbert, Bertrand Baguette)
LMP2(ELMS) Thiriet by TDS Racing Oreca 03-Nissan(#35) (Pierre Thiriet, Mathias Beche)
LMP2(ELMS) Murphy Prototypes Oreca 03-Nissan (#118) (Jody Firth, Warren Hughes, Brendon Hartley)
LMP2(ELMS) Greaves Motorsport Zytek Z11SN-Nissan (#1) (Brundle? Kimber-Smith?)
Unclassfied Highcroft Racing Deltawing-Nissan (#0) (Lucas Ordonez, _______, ______)
GT(ALMS) will be the same as usual (Both Vipers)
GTE-Am AF Corse Ferrari 458 (#60) (Piergiuseppe Perrazini, Marco Cioci, Matt Griffin)
GTE-Am Imsa Performance Matmut Porsche 997RSR (#67)(Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo, Anthony Pons)
Edit:
While the Entry list isn't up, the Scrutineering schedule is. You can get the PDF here, or just keep reading for an abridged version.
I'll list some of the Pro Teams. If you want Challenge info other than what I put, you're on your own.
The drivers are listed for confirmed or VERY possible line-ups
LMP1(WEC) Rebellion Racing Lola B12/60-Toyota (#12) (Neel Jani, Nicolas Prost, Andrea Belicchi)
LMP1(ALMS) Muscle Milk Pickett Racing HPD ARX-03a-Honda (#6) (Lucas Luhr, Klaus Graf, Romain Dumas)
LMP1(ALMS) Dyson Racing Lola B12/60-Mazda (#16) (Chris Dyson, Guy Smith, Eric Lux?)
LMP1(ALMS) Dyson Racing Lola B11/66-Mazda (#20)
LMP2(ALMS) Dempsey Racing Lola B12/80-Judd (#27) (Patrick Dempsey, Joe Foster, ______)
LMP2(ALMS) Level 5 Motorsports HPD ARX-03b-Honda(#055)(Christophe Bouchut, Luis Diaz, Scott Tucker)
LMP2(ALMS) Level 5 Motorsports HPD ARX-03b-Honda(#95)(Scott Tucker, Marino Franchitti, Dario Franchitti)
LMP2(ALMS) Conquest Endurance Morgan-Nissan (#37) (David Henimeier Hanson, _______, _____)
LMP2(ELMS) Oak Racing Morgan-Nissan (#46) (Olivier Pla, Dimitri Enjalbert, Bertrand Baguette)
LMP2(ELMS) Thiriet by TDS Racing Oreca 03-Nissan(#35) (Pierre Thiriet, Mathias Beche)
LMP2(ELMS) Murphy Prototypes Oreca 03-Nissan (#118) (Jody Firth, Warren Hughes, Brendon Hartley)
LMP2(ELMS) Greaves Motorsport Zytek Z11SN-Nissan (#1) (Brundle? Kimber-Smith?)
Unclassfied Highcroft Racing Deltawing-Nissan (#0) (Lucas Ordonez, _______, ______)
GT(ALMS) will be the same as usual (Both Vipers)
GTE-Am AF Corse Ferrari 458 (#60) (Piergiuseppe Perrazini, Marco Cioci, Matt Griffin)
GTE-Am Imsa Performance Matmut Porsche 997RSR (#67)(Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo, Anthony Pons)
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freshseth83
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Adrian Fernandez is no longer with Aston Martin. He wants to seek racing in North America.
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Oh 🤬.
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The Asian Le Mans series will go to a new circuit being built in South Korea:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103014
And unlike the Korean International Circuit, this one is going in a place that makes sense.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103014
And unlike the Korean International Circuit, this one is going in a place that makes sense.
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