The Le Mans General Discussion Thread

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GOTMAXPOWER
They could go in with a Oreca developed chassis since Oreca want a co-operation with a manufacture and they have Nissan engine's in their P2 cars (Signature in particular seemed close to Nissan with the size of their logo's on the cars).
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That's mainly because of GT Academy, and Nissan and PD being husband and wife.

How cool would it be though if GT Academy ran a program with an LMP1 team?
 
sumbrownkid
How cool would it be though if GT Academy ran a program with an LMP1 team?
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Pretty cool except wouldn't that be a pretty big jump for someone with potentially no in-car experience? Didn't Lucas O. start out in a Nissan Zed IRL, do some GT racing and move up from there

Plus I don't know if any major manufacturer is going to waste their time on a no-name tenderfoot driver when they can just hire seasoned pros to crash their expensive machines. :lol:

Sorry, couldn't resist.
 
Tower Turn 13
Pretty cool except wouldn't that be a pretty big jump for someone with potentially no in-car experience? Didn't Lucas O. start out in a Nissan Zed IRL, do some GT racing and move up from there

Plus I don't know if any major manufacturer is going to waste their time on a no-name tenderfoot driver when they can just hire seasoned pros to crash their expensive machines. :lol:

Sorry, couldn't resist.
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Well you do have a point there, but I figured with the whole cost-capped regs the ACO is favoring for the LMP2 cars, I thought that they will do the same for LMP1 cars. :dunce:

A factory team might not take on GT Academy drivers, but a privateer like Oak or Pescarolo will perhaps take them, provided they use Nissan engines of course.

And Lucas has already proven himself by getting a second in class finish for LMP2 ranks, so I think he can hang with the big boys in LMP1.👍
 
Hey dudes, this is all rumors and i dont have any trustworthy sources to this. But i talked to one of my friends a few days ago about the R18 view problems from the cockpit. (i got to say hes life i almost le mans so i do trust hes information though i dont have any sources.) And he said that Audi next year will have fixed the viewing problems for the cockpit for next year?

Do any of you know if theese rumors are true?

He also said that Audi at the 2012 le mans and forwards will start make their cars, or just having one of the cars or an extra as a semi hyrbid.

Can any of you confirm theese rumors? or decline them?
 
Greisen
And he said that Audi next year will have fixed the viewing problems for the cockpit for next year?

Do any of you know if theese rumors are true?

He also said that Audi at the 2012 le mans and forwards will start make their cars, or just having one of the cars or an extra as a semi hyrbid.

Can any of you confirm theese rumors? or decline them?
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Can't really confirm but one would imagine the visiblity issues will be fixed.

In addition. They will probably have a hybrid system because Peugeot will and Toyota will. more power and fuel consumption whenever you want it. Herd to believe Audi would be left behind.
 
2014 will be likely when Audi goes hybrid, they won't be keen on bringing out another new engine (I4 TDI) after only one year....
 
When was the Porche supposed to make it's comeback? Might be that Audi might step back for a while when another VW group marque takes part.
 
2014, which is when the regulations for LMPs changes to Grp.C style regulations (max amount of fuel or 'energy' allowed per race, no air restrictors, etc).
 
Sohvakettu
Might be that Audi might step back for a while when another VW group marque takes part.
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Yeah, it's a possibility, but VW Group seems to defy this logic. Shortly after Porsche's announcement in June:
"This is the decision of Porsche company, a decision in which Audi is not involved. Audi relishes the prospect of every strong new opponent at Le Mans and in the new FIA Sportscar World Championship. Porsche's entry into the LMP1 class is evidence of the high level of attraction of sport prototypes."

// http://www.motorsport.com/lemans/news/porsche-works-prototype-back-at-le-mans-in-2014/
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Rumour:
It has been officially announced that Porsche will return to the top class with a form of petrol hybrid. This has led commentators to assume that Audi will leave the endurance arena, the logic runs that the bean counters will not allow such duplication of effort, and more importantly budget. My sources from Germany disagree with this obvious conclusion, saying that after the victory at Le Mans this year, Audi have been given the green light to compete in the Great Race for the foreseeable future.

// http://www.doubledeclutch.com/?p=2186
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And recently another family member Bentley started flirting with the idea, reminiscent of "why not?" comments from Porsche much before their announcement. Wolfgang Durheimer (the latter quote) is ex-Porsche motorsport? director, btw.
"One question that needs to be answered is, 'Can we race Porsche and Audi in P1?' If two brands [Porsche and Audi] from the [VW] group can race against each other, can three?'" said Gush. "Or would there be more value to Bentley competing in a different class?

// http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110909/ALMS/110909839
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"The three brands of Bentley, Porsche and Audi could race in different regions and come together five or six times a year for the world sportscar championship and then once per year in France. It's not decided, but it is possible," he [Durheimer] said.

// http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.aspx?AR=259347
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Not sure if it's in the best interests of the sport to have too many brands from same group.

It would be weird but not new: Citroen vs. Peugeot in WRC.
 
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Stavelot
2014, which is when the regulations for LMPs changes to Grp.C style regulations (max amount of fuel or 'energy' allowed per race, no air restrictors, etc).
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No air restictors?

So Audi with an I4 TDI can run insane amounts of boost?

That sounds like real fun.👍
 
Essentially yes, the only thing that will be limited is fuel per race, any energy recovered during the race has no limit (so a K/ERS system can be used to create as much energy as is possible), engine size and number of cylinders is free, aspiration is free, etc. It is highly likely Audi will go with an I4 TDI (Baretzky has an unhealthy obsession with that engine) with a hybrid system on a R18 'variant'*.


*Variant as in the R18 will stay, just what powers it will be different.
 
It seems to me the new restrictions on diesels are enough to push teams away from it, though I don't have all the details.

The hybrid porsche was quite fast, though. I'd love to see what prototype teams could do.
 
Any form of powertrain will be allowed...only fuel (diesel, petrol, isobutanol, etc) will be limited for each race.
 
Petrol and diesel have different energy quantities, obviously, so there's still room for problems. But having basically one parameter instead of many like right now (displacements, restrictors, boosts, weights, fuel tanks) should make achieving parity much easier than it is right now.

Despite free engine regs, don't expect to see much bigger engines than right now:
A rumor is making the rounds about the direction the ACO's 2014 regulations will take. It is our understanding that a outline is being passed amongst the teams and manufacturers that proposes what effectively is a fuel energy content formula to start in 2014. The proposal allots 1500 liters of gasoline, or alternate fuel equivalent (diesel, methanol, etc.), for Le Mans. The energy content equivalency volume would be determined by the ACO. For a historical reference, in 1990, Group C1 cars were alloted 2450 liters for Le Mans. C2 cars were allowed 1650 liters. But most interestingly, the 2014 proposal allows for the complete freeing up of the engine regulations. But we can imagine the comparative draconian fuel allotment (compared to C1 in 1990) will drive engine capacities down not too far from what's being seen today. Obviously hybrid technology would play right into this as well.
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"7.19.11" @ http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsjuly11.html

Also, pretty interesting leaked minutes of a manufacturers' meeting held in July 2010 @ "7.19.10": http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsjuly10.html
 
Haven't seen anything about this in here.

ORECA to support Toyota LMP1 project

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/news/oreca-to-support-toyota-lmp1-project/

Sebring winners ORECA have signed a deal with TMG to provide track support on the new Toyota LMP1 project.
The French team will therefore bring its experience in sportscars, and specifically of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it has competed for several seasons. In recent years, ORECA has shown its qualities, rivaling the two official constructors, Audi and Peugeot. Most notably, Hugues de Chaunac’s men won the 12 Hours of Sebring in March 2011, and finished 2nd in the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta a few weeks ago. The LMP1 chassis that will be entered in 2012 has been designed, developed and built at TMG’s technical centre in Cologne. The prototype will be powered by a petrol engine equipped with hybrid technology, provided by Toyota Motor Corporation.
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GTC cars allowed to run at Sebring:

Speed
SPEED.com has learned that GTC cars will be eligible to compete in the 60th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring after all, following an agreement made Friday between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and American Le Mans Series.

ACO President Jean-Claude Plassart revealed last month that the single-make category for Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars would not be allowed in the 12-hour Florida classic, which will double as the opening round of the new FIA World Endurance Championship.
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Link


In all honestly, I'm not exactly for it. I hate the class to begin with as its essentially another Patron GT3 Series. LMPC is at least the first true step ladder for LMP itself so it actually has a legitimate purpose. GTC on the other hand has no purpose to me as again, its existance is negated by the existance of the Patron GT3 cup.
 
RACECAR
GTC cars allowed to run at Sebring:




Link


In all honestly, I'm not exactly for it. I hate the class to begin with as its essentially another Patron GT3 Series. LMPC is at least the first true step ladder for LMP itself so it actually has a legitimate purpose. GTC on the other hand has no purpose to me as again, its existance is negated by the existance of the Patron GT3 cup.
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Its rumoured that Black Swan Racing from GTC is stepping up to run BMW M3 GT2(s) next season...hows that for purpose?

I agree with you though.. I dont like the idea of GTC in such an important race....as long as theres not too many of them i guess i can live with it.
 
Haven't GT-C Porsches raced in Sebring in the past? Why wouldn't they be allowed in if they're a competing class for the championship ALMS points?

I don't get it. I love the class, it's quite fun to watch with some great racing. As well as LMP-C. Again there is very close racing by some talented drivers leading the field. What's with the hate?

They aren't all flash like R18s or M3s but there's some good racing in there.

Either way I'm planning on being at Sebring next year if all goes well with money. Can't wait no matter what cars are in the field.
 
Tower Turn 13
Haven't GT-C Porsches raced in Sebring in the past? Why wouldn't they be allowed in if they're a competing class for the championship ALMS points?

I don't get it. I love the class, it's quite fun to watch with some great racing. As well as LMP-C. Again there is very close racing by some talented drivers leading the field. What's with the hate?

They aren't all flash like R18s or M3s but there's some good racing in there.

Either way I'm planning on being at Sebring next year if all goes well with money. Can't wait no matter what cars are in the field.
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Its not because they aren't the other classes (Again I bring up how much I actually love LMPC), but its because of a series called Patron GT3 Challenge. Again, why do we need two GT development classes when one of them were just fine? I didn't like them being in ALMS to begin with last year and I still don't like them now because of it.
 
RACECAR
Its not because they aren't the other classes (Again I bring up how much I actually love LMPC), but its because of a series called Patron GT3 Challenge. Again, why do we need two GT development classes when one of them were just fine? I didn't like them being in ALMS to begin with last year and I still don't like them now because of it.
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Fair enough. Sorry I wasn't trying to single you out or anything, it was more of a general statement as there's a lot of dislike for GT-C it seems. I agree LMPC is quite fun to watch.

I still like the GTC class but I don't mind being on my own little island :)
 

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