2015 General WEC/ELMS/AsLMS Discussion ThreadSports Cars 

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wowbaggerBR
They know they can't possibly win anything, right?
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I'm sure Rebellion know that, yet they keep turning up season after season. The P1-L category will only remain useless for as long as it's neglected.
 
It seems there has been a change in the 2017 P2 regs that will allow the ELMS teams to run the IMSA engine/chassis combos minus the bodywork. The WEC and AsLMS series will require the spec engine only.
 
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/07/12/lmp2-four-constructors-fia-aco-imsa/

I've never been so completely disgusted by an article of journalism that I was inspired to re-write it... that is, until now.

Please take the time to upvote my re-write to let autoblog and AOL know that their brand of shoddy journalism isn't received well. My comments name is the same same as my screen name here.
 
Snaeper
http://www.autoblog.com/2015/07/12/lmp2-four-constructors-fia-aco-imsa/

I've never been so completely disgusted by an article of journalism that I was inspired to re-write it... that is, until now.

Please take the time to upvote my re-write to let autoblog and AOL know that their brand of shoddy journalism isn't received well. My comments name is the same same as my screen name here.
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The original article was another case of using one's opinion to try and pass it off as fact. Your rewritten article was spot-on and clear in a way far too few are nowdays. Well done!
 
@fortbo On the first glance, I agreed with you, but after putting thought into it (especially due to my disdain for that autoblog piece), I realized that while the LMP2 formula they've chosen isn't perfect or maybe fair, it's actually got a good chance to improve prototype racing, and won't be as drastic as we all think it's going to be.

IMSA will finally be on the same page for all prototypes, and the loss of the different chassis will be offset by the different bodywork that will be available. The different engines will keep the class engaging, which is good and right for what IMSA wants and should want.

ELMS has also gotten a good break by also being allowed to use manufacturer engines, albeit without the bodywork. And considering Alpine, Caterham and SARD have all pretty much done that (putting their name or engine on an existing chassis and/or engine combo), there won't be that big of a difference there, either.

WEC has had diminishing P2 car counts, so forcing the spec engine for all of the teams should hopefully help teams keep costs controlled enough, and competition close enough, to make globe-trotting your gentleman drivers around an attractive idea.

And lastly, we have the door open for more LMP1 cars, even if they aren't hyper-competitive factory efforts.

Sure, it really isn't prototype racing, but it will be still be racing, and probably even better racing at that.

I may not be thrilled with the direction they've chosen to go, but I feel like I understand it now at the very least, and think that things may not be that different after these rules are implemented.
 
Just to put things out there, I've been informed that the "SARD" engine is just a Judd engine with a SARD badge on it.
 
Kamuifanboy
Just to put things out there, I've been informed that the "SARD" engine is just a Judd engine with a SARD badge on it.
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Yes the SARD-badged engine will be the lasting impression of the SARD-Morand partnership; which fell through a month or two before le mans when it became muddled over who owned what, and how did Kairos Technology played into the relationship.
 
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Furinkazen
I thought that was common knowledge.
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I didn't know until a few weekends ago. And it would appear that the post above my last post wasn't aware either.

Crashbroke23
Yes the SARD-badged engine will be the lasting impression of the SARD-Morand partnership; which fell through a month or two when it became muddled over who owned what, and how did Kairos Technology played into the relationship.
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I was one of the selected drivers in the RaceTo24 gimmick. It became a pretty big joke.
 
Furinkazen
From dsc: nissan testing high df aero kit, new suspension system at cota. Car will NOT use the flybrid system this year.
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In the article it mentions a WEC test and nurb. This is news to me, do you know what it is?
 
SK8RBOI
I know, he mentions both the WEC test at nurb and the race. The test is at the end of July and the race is in august, but its the first time I have heard of a WEC test mid season.
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The LMP1 constructors requested it. The test is open to all entrants and the main grandstand is allowing free admission to the test days so there should be some nice videos online.

A internet hand grenade was just tossed. http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/future-of-nissan-lmp1-program-under-review/
 
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I'm not reading into it too much. It's more a case of keeping a close eye on the progress, and if it's all functioning as normal and still having persistent issues, then they may want to pull it. It's still a very big if, it all rests with ToroTrak now.
 
The fact that this story is out there and they are skipping a public test to get a sunburn in Texas on the same weekend makes me think they will only run COTA and Fuji and this project will disappear.
 
I doubt they'll pull the plug. The fact that they are testing new parts leads you to believe that they are still going to run. If they are going to pull the plug, pull it immediately, don't run the rest or select races until the end of the year and waste money. Just pull the plug. The fact that they are still continuing, is a sign that they are still interested in continuing for the future. The meeting is probably to discuss to the designer of this mental design to make a proper race car, or get lost. At this point, the damage to the brand could be worse than pulling out entirely. They hyped this car/return to Le Mans up so much, they have to continue with it.
 
Regarding Jules Bianchi. Since his death I have been thinking a lot about the difference between an F1 car and Prototype. Soon after the accident Martin Brundke was on SkySportsF1 talking about a closed cockpit F1 car. He cited a number of cons.

He said something about a fire. Surely the ACO would want a LMP car that has some quick release mechanism on the door? Do they have some mechanism that makes an exit simple and quick?

He mentioned about condensation. Do they steam up as much as he thinks?

He also talked about dirt in the windscreen. At every pit stop the windscreen is cleaned I am sure.

How right or wrong is he about the disadvantages of a Prototype?
 
Dome canopy =/= roofed cockpit with doors. If a prototype goes over, the doors can still open. They're side exit. A dome canopy needs to open vertically, because it's one-piece and has no doors. That's not possible when the car is inverted.

Roofed cockpits have ventilation, and the windscreens are separate pieces. That's not the case with a dome canopy.
 
hsv
Dome canopy =/= roofed cockpit with doors. If a prototype goes over, the doors can still open. They're side exit. A dome canopy needs to open vertically, because it's one-piece and has no doors. That's not possible when the car is inverted.

Roofed cockpits have ventilation, and the windscreens are separate pieces. That's not the case with a dome canopy.
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^This. +1000000000000000000000000000

Which is why if F1 does go to a cover of some kind the car would have to become part LMP. The fighter cockpit idea is stupid, either open or LMP style. It would be a complete revolution of the Formula car concept.
 
Diehardracer
He said something about a fire. Surely the ACO would want a LMP car that has some quick release mechanism on the door? Do they have some mechanism that makes an exit simple and quick?

He mentioned about condensation. Do they steam up as much as he thinks?

He also talked about dirt in the windscreen. At every pit stop the windscreen is cleaned I am sure.

How right or wrong is he about the disadvantages of a Prototype?
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Firstly, Brundle's a World Champion so he knows his LMPs. Secondly, he's right on all counts. Thirdly, it's kind-of an academic argument in this thread as a closed cockpit would have made zero difference to the outcome.
 
TenEightyOne
Firstly, Brundle's a World Champion so he knows his LMPs. Secondly, he's right on all counts. Thirdly, it's kind-of an academic argument in this thread as a closed cockpit would have made zero difference to the outcome.
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Yeah in the case of that particular accident even a military vehicle (with the impact happening in the same spot) would have not helped.
 
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