Peugeot stops endurance racing

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Mr. S

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Title says it all. :dunce:

Just received confirmation - Peugeot LMP programme stops with immediate effect #WEC #LM24
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Source: Twitter

Now, who's left to stop AUDI? I don't think TOYOTA can stop them this year, maybe not even next year.

Edit: just saw that others mentioned it in the Le Mans topic, too.
 
Let's get a new rumor into the world.

Maybe they stop with LMP because they want to go into F1. :p
 
...And I thought Peugeot were getting themselves together as a brand. But nooooo. :rolleyes:

Scrapping a perfectly competitive project for road cars that are for the most part not perfectly competitive is madness.
 
Alex Wurz is laughing his way to the bank as we speak now. Leaves me to wonder about Citroen in the WRC now though.
 
Last I heard/read was that they were trying to keep their cars racing under a semi-works, semi-privateer entry. Oreca would be the obvious choice but TOYOTA got there first.


EDIT - Curious tweets from A. Wurz. No love for Peugeot, no nice words about fond or great past memories from this 2009 Le Mans winner, in a 908 no less.

alexander wurz @alex_wurz 36m Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
"@LuisKTM: @alex_wurz You recomend your ex-teammates, Marc & Anthony for the second Toyota. and @rubarrichello is good selection!" .....Done

alexander wurz @alex_wurz 55m Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
"@F1_Prof: Did @Alexwurz know about this before his brilliant Xmas card? #Peugeot" DONT BLAME ME MY FRIEND!!!

alexander wurz @alex_wurz 56m Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Very similar to the way they left group C when they pulled the plug during a pre season test of the 905 !

alexander wurz @alex_wurz 58m Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Shocking news about Peugeot pulling out of WEC !
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Terrible news for LMP1 class racing. One has to wonder if Nissan, Aston Martin, or any US brand would be willing to try and challenge the Audi.
 
Hun200kmh
EDIT - Curious tweets from A. Wurz. No love for Peugeot, no nice words about fond or great past memories from this 2009 Le Mans winner, in a 908 no less.
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That's all that he has got to say? No thanks to the team and no nothing except for the words saying how they left is similar to some 14 or 15 years ago? I know he has already secured a seat with Toyota but this just doesn't feel right...
 
I don't care who your a fan of, its to bad to see Peugeot pull the factory team. The Audi and Peugeot rivalry was one of the best in the history of Le Mans. Toyota isnt full time and Porsche won't be here until 2014. I don't think Toyota will be as quick as Audi this year seeing they are right out of the gates and with a hybrid, but stranger things have happened. I will bet ya any sum of money they do better then Aston Martin did though. I guarantee we will still see 908's next year. Now Peugeot has all those 908's from 2011 sitting around and they have those new 908 Hybrid4's they just made as well. Actually they had a test scheduled for the Hybrid4 at Sebring at the end of this week. Somebody will run them, I'm sure. May even see em pop up in ALMS.
 
InvincibleM5
That's all that he has got to say? No thanks to the team and no nothing except for the words saying how they left is similar to some 14 or 15 years ago? I know he has already secured a seat with Toyota but this just doesn't feel right...
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I guess it tells a lot about how their partnership ended.

The ACO isn't particularly happy either, here's their official statement (I bolded the acrimonious part):

ACO
The Automobile Club de l'Ouest notes the end of Peugeot Automobiles programme in endurance racing. As the creator and organizer of the Le Mans 24 Hours and promoter of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the ACO regret this decision.

After five years at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Hdi-FAP 908 and 908 programme, marked by a victory in 2009 and two titles in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (2010 and 2011), Peugeot has officially announced the termination of their sports programme.

The Automobile Club de l'Ouest deeply regrets the departure of the French manufacturer, nevertheless with the creation of the new FIA World Endurance Championship, the future of the discipline promises more prestigious than ever.

The grids of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship 2012 promise to be well filled. This Wednesday, January 18th marks the closing date for entries to both competitions. Many entries have been registered, some from major manufacturers, proof that automobile endurance racing is healthy and dynamic.

The lists of competitors of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship of 2012 will be revealed on the 2nd Feb

Jean-Claude Plassart, Président de l’Automobile Club de l’Ouest : "It is a big disappointment for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship​​, which begins in the year 2012. A competition created at the request of manufacturers in general and in particular Peugeot. No doubt the hundreds of thousands of fans who flock to the 24 Hours of Le Mans each year and millions of viewers who follow will regret the absence of the Peugeot 'lions' ".
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It is interesting that they reminds us that TOMORROW is the closing date for submission of entries BOTH for the LM 24 Hours and the WEC. Does this mean they're saying that - apart from Oreca's car, no idea who owns it now - no ex-works Peugeot cars will enter unless their entries are filed until tomorrow?
 
Terrible news. As a Peugeot fan and a Le mans fan in general, this is a double blow.

While I have nothing against Audi, in the spirit of competition, I'm hoping Toyota can work miracles on this one.
 
I'm a big Audi fan but I'm devastated to see Peugeot lead as this will most likely make Le Mans a walk in the park for Audi, the rivalry was what made it interesting. It seems to be a very hasty decision, all signs pointed to their participation this year and even Anthony Davidson was talking about Peugeots chances this season at the Autosport show last weekend.
 
Wonder how many Peugeot 'fans' on GTP will start supporting Audi all of a sudden. And the people who I mean know full well who they are, only became fans when they won in 2009.
 
For me this is both good and bad, good because im ahuge audi and bad because then there will be no audi vs. peugeot battle :( but then there is always the gt class :D
 
The only reason I like the Pugs as a Car Maker is dead :grumpy: .
I am sadened they couldn't Quit with a Le Mans win .And the Economy effects Resume to Torture us Petrol Heads.
 
InvincibleM5
That's all that he has got to say? No thanks to the team and no nothing except for the words saying how they left is similar to some 14 or 15 years ago? I know he has already secured a seat with Toyota but this just doesn't feel right...
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He probably said his goodbyes a while ago. Plus this decision was made by the manufacturer and not the racing team.
 
So gutted as i spent quite a bit of money last week booking up to go to this years race to see the great Audi vs Peugeot rivalry. Saddened by this news but the positive from it all is hopefully if Audi and Toyota both run hybrids (relatively unproven technology in motorsport) it might lead to just as an exciting event.

My fingers are crossed anyway
 
Awful news, and a gigantic blow not only to Le Mans itself but also the new WEC. It's going to be hard to keep people interested without that massive rivalry between Audi & Peugeot. Sucks that it also appears that no semi-works/privateer teams are available so it really is goodbye to Peugeot Sport. :(

Really hoping Toyota can step up the plate as quickly as possible. Hopefully.
 

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