The Learning Curve in Racing: Manufactuers and Cars

[JohnBM01]

GTPlanet, this thread is open for discussion on the sort of learning curve that goes into racing on the standpoint of manufacturer involvement and cars raced. This specific topic is about manufacturers and cars. After all, you can put the world's greatest drivers into a virtually unproven car, and regardless of that, the car won't hold up all the way. What's the biggest case in which this has happened? That's right! Sportscar racing. Sportscar racing is every bit of abusive and enduring as Formula One. And speaking of, last I checked, Jaguar is 4 or 5+ years old in F1 and how many wins and titles they have? I don't know (maybe since Jaguar is owned by Ford, they can't win). Anyhow, the Panoz that raced Le Mans in 2001 was a fiasco both at Le Mans and in the first few rounds of the ALMS in 2001. The Toyota Supra nor the Nissan Skyline have done well at Le Mans. The TVRs that raced Le Mans this year and last are quite beautiful, but have some shortcomings on the track. And I guess you can say that the Ferrari 360 GT (one of my favorite cars) is doing alright, but not impressive. Oh, and ever since Dodge returned to NASCAR, I don't think any titles have been won since their reappearence.

So let's discuss the learning curve that cars have in racing. Also to mention, Toyota is a newcomer to NASCAR trucks, and their best finish was second. I really hope Toyota can win one day or night. Learning curve, folks. Hit it!

 

[pimp racer]

And speaking of, last I checked, Jaguar is 4 or 5+ years old in F1 and how many wins and titles they have? I don't know (maybe since Jaguar is owned by Ford, they can't win).!

Thats what I was thinking and speaking of panoz I really want them to win or place in top 5. And ferrari is getting killed by the C5R's And the lamborghini Rgt is getting killed by saleen and the C5's

 

[RB26DETT]

And speaking of, last I checked, Jaguar is 4 or 5+ years old in F1 and how many wins and titles they have? I don't know (maybe since Jaguar is owned by Ford, they can't win).

jaguar has a tiny budget compared to the top teams and in f1 money is a quite a a factor for succes

 

[pimp racer]

jaguar has a tiny budget compared to the top teams and in f1 money is a quite a a factor for succes

I agree I really dont see alot of NEW jaguars anymore. Seems like not alot of people like jaguar.

 

[JohnBM01]

I guess you can say the Murcielago GT-R is doing pretty well in the ALMS. Most new sportscars would have all their car entries out of their first race. The Murcielago GT-R has yet to win in GTS, and I'd love to see them win here in the States. I believe these machines are more lovely than the Diablos that race the Lamborghini Supertrophy from what I can remember. Those Diablos were nothing to scoff at. They'll take the fight to absolutely anyone. When "Motorsport Mundial" shown this 2 or 3 years ago, I was impressed. You have a powerful, popular sportscar (in which some adore in black, but I preferred red as usual), but made for racing. Of course, if you know about the JGTC, you may have seen the Nomad Diablo. But then, a Murcielago would be nice in the JGTC. Maybe the Nomad team can tune up one of those and take the fight to the Japanese powerhouses (but will probably have as much luck as the McLaren F1 in the JGTC).

In 2003, the Daytona Prototypes were first unleashed on the high banks of Daytona. These machines were a bit fragile first time out, even considering that Grand-Am is SO getting to be road racing NASCAR that a GT Porsche won over the bigtime Daytona Prototypes. And I think some other car got overall pole for the 2003 Rolex 24, but was pushed back. So do you think the biggest learning curve in racing is in sportscar/endurance racing? If so, why? If not, why not and tell us what has a bigger learning curve for the cars that race in that series?

 

[kart racer]

I feel that it takes about 3 years to get all of the bugs worked out (in sports car racing).After that you are fine tuning to get that little extra out of the car.Look at cadi,when they left they were just starting to give it to Audi.If they had continued just think were they would be now.

 

[JohnBM01]

Kart, I can recall Audi's history over the past 5 years. At Le Mans 1999, I think they came up with the beautiful R8C and R8R. Whichever one did better would be researched and made into a race car. And since LM 1999, you know where Audi is right now, so no need for discussion. I guess research and development, coupled with money to back things up, usually makes for a dominant race car. The McLaren F1 won Le Mans in its first year (1995). Audi won Le Mans in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004 with the R8. Bentley won Le Mans 5 times within the first 10 years of the Le Mans enduro, and won again in 2003. But Bentley's return meant some trial-and-error. I think they raced in 2001 and got podium. Forgot how they did in 2002, but in 2003, they struck gold.

And for what I know, since Dodge's NASCAR's return (other than in trucks), I think Dodge has yet to win a title. So I think it's different for everyone.

 

[kart racer]

In 2002, I could be out in left feild on this but I beleive that the Bently was in a class all to its self.So you could say that they won in 2002.