Le Mans News

narboza22 wrote:Based on the performance at Sebring, the R15++ was second only to the new 908 and maybe the HPD in terms of pure pace. It was faster than the Oak Pescarolos and the Rebellion Lolas, which would have put it near the top 5 at Le Mans.

The R15++ was definately quicker than the HPD, it was only dude to a collision with the Peugeot that made the Audi lose the race!

It would be nice to see the factories slugging it out in the WEC next year with customer teams competing in the ALMS and LMS

lfcnicklfc wrote:

narboza22 wrote:Based on the performance at Sebring, the R15++ was second only to the new 908 and maybe the HPD in terms of pure pace. It was faster than the Oak Pescarolos and the Rebellion Lolas, which would have put it near the top 5 at Le Mans.

The R15++ was definately quicker than the HPD, it was only dude to a collision with the Peugeot that made the Audi lose the race!

Highcroft managed to the the 908 behind them while in fuel saving mode at the end of the race. I don't remember the R15++ being that much faster than the Peugeot.

alrighty (cracks knuckles) In 2001 Audi started to run customer cars limited factory support for the teams. there were 2 customer Audi R8's one to American based Champion Racing and UK based Johanson Motorsports (the Gulf Audi R8 that is already in the game) both teams used the previous years spec R8. In 2002 it was the same thing only Johansson Motorsports had folded and the 2nd Cutomer Audi was sold to Japan based Team Goh, Champion Racing Got to stay on as one of the teams as they nearly beat the factory Audi's at multiple venues. In 2003 the factory team for Audi switched it's efforts to the Bently and this time the Audi's were ran with HUGE factory support the teams being Audi Sport North America Team Joest, Champion Racing with Audi Sport, Audi Sport UK, Audi Sport Japan Team Goh. 2004 the full factory team turned into the Audi Sport UK team and Team Veloqx took over the reins of the team that now had 2 cars as Joest went on to run DTM. the other teams were still there. In 2005 there were only 3 Audi's, 2 from Audi Sport North America's Champion Racing (who also had support from Audi Sport UK) And Oreca Racing. in 2006 Joest came back to debut the R10 (the diesel) at Sebring, this was the only Audi team as the factory had the new cars to suit the new rules and felt the R8 would be very uncompetitive against the newer cars. after LeMans of 2006 Champion Racing took delivery of the R10's and ran those cars as the facoty team for any of the races in the ALMS (outside of Sebring) as the factory team. 2007 and 2008 was the same thing. 2009 when the R15 had its debut there was also an Aero change to the rear wings for all LMP's turns out the R10 did not adapt to that Aero change very well thus why Audi didn't see the car as much of a threat to the factory efforts so they decided to sell 2 of the cars to Kolles. 2011 We see the New R18, as we wonder why they don't have customer R15++, well their outright pace at Sebring probably scared them as R15 was only a mere .2 seconds a lap slower around the circuit in the hands of factory drivers. and it wouldn't look good if the older model went out there and beat the new car because then Audi would look at Ullrich and more than likely say "We spent the money to build this new car why? When the old car works just as good."

Hope that clear's up some questions for ya dude.

Toyota have been testing an LMP1 car since last year.

Expect some hybrid tech!

They sure have, they're meant to be using a Dome chassis i think!

AudiSport Louis wrote:alrighty (cracks knuckles) In 2001 Audi started to run customer cars limited factory support for the teams. there were 2 customer Audi R8's one to American based Champion Racing and UK based Johanson Motorsports (the Gulf Audi R8 that is already in the game) both teams used the previous years spec R8. In 2002 it was the same thing only Johansson Motorsports had folded and the 2nd Cutomer Audi was sold to Japan based Team Goh, Champion Racing Got to stay on as one of the teams as they nearly beat the factory Audi's at multiple venues. In 2003 the factory team for Audi switched it's efforts to the Bently and this time the Audi's were ran with HUGE factory support the teams being Audi Sport North America Team Joest, Champion Racing with Audi Sport, Audi Sport UK, Audi Sport Japan Team Goh. 2004 the full factory team turned into the Audi Sport UK team and Team Veloqx took over the reins of the team that now had 2 cars as Joest went on to run DTM. the other teams were still there. In 2005 there were only 3 Audi's, 2 from Audi Sport North America's Champion Racing (who also had support from Audi Sport UK) And Oreca Racing. in 2006 Joest came back to debut the R10 (the diesel) at Sebring, this was the only Audi team as the factory had the new cars to suit the new rules and felt the R8 would be very uncompetitive against the newer cars. after LeMans of 2006 Champion Racing took delivery of the R10's and ran those cars as the facoty team for any of the races in the ALMS (outside of Sebring) as the factory team. 2007 and 2008 was the same thing. 2009 when the R15 had its debut there was also an Aero change to the rear wings for all LMP's turns out the R10 did not adapt to that Aero change very well thus why Audi didn't see the car as much of a threat to the factory efforts so they decided to sell 2 of the cars to Kolles. 2011 We see the New R18, as we wonder why they don't have customer R15++, well their outright pace at Sebring probably scared them as R15 was only a mere .2 seconds a lap slower around the circuit in the hands of factory drivers. and it wouldn't look good if the older model went out there and beat the new car because then Audi would look at Ullrich and more than likely say "We spent the money to build this new car why? When the old car works just as good."

Hope that clear's up some questions for ya dude.

Thank you.

nickyf1 wrote:Toyota have been testing an LMP1 car since last year.

Expect some hybrid tech!

I'm sure Audi and Peugeot are losing a lot of sleep over the thought of a Prius racing against them lol.

Hmm.. With the sort of budget Toyota were spending on F1, there will have been a LOT off money freed up for this.

Hybrid tech is ideal for Le Mans.

nickyf1 wrote:Hmm.. With the sort of budget Toyota were spending on F1, there will have been a LOT off money freed up for this.

Hybrid tech is ideal for Le Mans.

same with hond-

oh wait.

So rounding up the rumors for new prototypes:

Honda's been working on a coupe version of the ARX for a couple of years.
Toyota's looking at works program presumably incorporating some kind of hybrid tech.
Mazda is talking about fielding their own diesel competitor.
Ferrari may or may not be working on their own prototype.
Porsche is likely to get back into the LMPs if VW will let them.

Of those, I think Honda was ready to challenge for a win this year, Ferrari and Porsche would be competitive out of the box, and Mazda, if they do go diesel, should be competitive too. Toyota, based on their debacle of an F1 team, I have little faith it.


But, if all of those turned out to be correct, we could potentially have a grid consisting of:
LMP1:
3 Audis
3 Peugeots
2 Ferraris
2 Porsches
2 Mazdas
2 Toyotas
2 Hondas
2 Astons
? Lolas
? Orecas
? Pescarolos

LMP2:
What ever disaster the ACO can come up with.

GT:
2 Corvettes
2 BMWs
? Ferraris
? Porsches
? Astons
? Fords
? Lotuses
? Lambos

Please do not let the FIA screw this up. PLEASE.

Sources for these rumours?! I certainly ain't heard these.

Did you not watch LMP2 at Le Mans this year? It was fantastic...

As for your LMP1 rumours, someones been eating too much strong cheese i think, Mazda are looking at TDi tech for LMP1 so fair doos with that, Porsche have been saying they're looking at Prototypes for the last 80 years so who knows if that's going to happen. I haven't heard anything at all about Ferrari and LMP1 i can't see that happening there focus is on F1 and GT2, Honda would only be under HPD and Highcroft which have now switched their focus to the Delta Wing concept. I think off of the list you're missing Nissan who look very likely to enter into LMP1 likewise with Toyota, i think the future for Le Mans is extremely bright!

Toyota will likely be a 3 car attack, with some fancy Hybrid tech. Wether or not it will be a Petrol or Diesel. I really don't know! In their first year, I predict they will be somewhere between the current Petrol and Diesel cars. They have been testing for almost two years now with the new LMP1 car.

As for Ferrari.... No. Ferrari have little interest in sportscar racing, they don't even build the GTE cars themselves; Micheloto are in charge of that programme.

Porsche. No. VAG have Audi in LMP1. Why spend millions each on two LMP1 programmes when you can just have one that is very good?

Honda. No. There is still that HPD chassis kick'na boot, but Honda, the manufacturer. No.

LMP2? The ACO don't come up with tha... What?! There will always be a healthy LMP2 field, there are plenty of chassis and engine combos kicking around for the private teams to pick up. P2 is not for manufacturers.

GT2. Lambourghini..

I'm beginning to think you are saying things for the sake of saying things.

nickyf1 wrote:Toyota will likely be a 3 car attack, with some fancy Hybrid tech. Wether or not it will be a Petrol or Diesel. I really don't know! In their first year, I predict they will be somewhere between the current Petrol and Diesel cars. They have been testing for almost two years now with the new LMP1 car.

As for Ferrari.... No. Ferrari have little interest in sportscar racing, they don't even build the GTE cars themselves; Micheloto are in charge of that programme.

Porsche. No. VAG have Audi in LMP1. Why spend millions each on two LMP1 programmes when you can just have one that is very good?

Honda. No. There is still that HPD chassis kick'na boot, but Honda, the manufacturer. No.

LMP2? The ACO don't come up with tha... What?! There will always be a healthy LMP2 field, there are plenty of chassis and engine combos kicking around for the private teams to pick up. P2 is not for manufacturers.

GT2. Lambourghini..

I'm beginning to think you are saying things for the sake of saying things.

lfcnicklfc wrote:Did you not watch LMP2 at Le Mans this year? It was fantastic...

As for your LMP1 rumours, someones been eating too much strong cheese i think, Mazda are looking at TDi tech for LMP1 so fair doos with that, Porsche have been saying they're looking at Prototypes for the last 80 years so who knows if that's going to happen. I haven't heard anything at all about Ferrari and LMP1 i can't see that happening there focus is on F1 and GT2, Honda would only be under HPD and Highcroft which have now switched their focus to the Delta Wing concept. I think off of the list you're missing Nissan who look very likely to enter into LMP1 likewise with Toyota, i think the future for Le Mans is extremely bright!

LMP2 was a joke this year. Yes the Nissan engine performed relatively well, but the only reason the lead LMP2 car finished as high as it did was because so much of the LMP1 dropped out. None of the 2011 LMP2 cars were up to the last years HPD standard (few cars can compare with Strakka's run last year) or previous years' Porsche Spyder standard. If you think P2 is only for privateers, then why even bother having the class? Any good privateer team that can win is going to essentially be factory backed anyway. Plus, you need to get rid of all the privateers in P1 for that to make sense. I count myself as somewhat of a Level 5 fan as they were one of the few American teams there, and even I was depressed that they reached the podium. They trundled along so slowly the entire race that they never showed up on TV to my knowledge, and yet they finished 3rd in class. This is the same class that last year saw the top P2 car running within 4 seconds or so of about half the P1 field.

Mazda attended the race this year to talk with the ACO about a future program. That was mentioned on Eurosport and RLM.

Porsche is the most winning constructor in Le Mans history. I was not aware that it wasn't well known that they wanted to return to LMP1 and the only thing stopping them is whether VW want them competing against Audi. For a brand that is as based around motorsport as Porsche is, I think its kind of a stretch to think they do not want to compete for overall wins.

Its mentioned almost every week on RLM that Ferrari is planning something for the sportscar world once they get the 458 program on its feet. According to them, the only reason that Level 5 isn't running a Ferrari powerplant in their Lola is because Ferrari has other plans for prototypes. Plus, Audi overtook them this year for total wins at Le Mans. Why wouldn't Ferrari be interested in an LMP1 program? They had one in the past.

I never said Honda would show up as a Honda branded team, but I would count Strakka or RML as Honda entries as they are running HPD engines in HPD chassises. As for how far along the HPD coupe is, I have no idea. I said it was a rumor, but its one that I've heard since Highcroft and de Ferran ran P1 cars in the ALMS a few years ago.

I didn't list Nissan because I haven't heard anything about them making their own car. If they do, that would be great.

narboza22 wrote:

nickyf1 wrote:Toyota will likely be a 3 car attack, with some fancy Hybrid tech. Wether or not it will be a Petrol or Diesel. I really don't know! In their first year, I predict they will be somewhere between the current Petrol and Diesel cars. They have been testing for almost two years now with the new LMP1 car.

As for Ferrari.... No. Ferrari have little interest in sportscar racing, they don't even build the GTE cars themselves; Micheloto are in charge of that programme.

Porsche. No. VAG have Audi in LMP1. Why spend millions each on two LMP1 programmes when you can just have one that is very good?

Honda. No. There is still that HPD chassis kick'na boot, but Honda, the manufacturer. No.

LMP2? The ACO don't come up with tha... What?! There will always be a healthy LMP2 field, there are plenty of chassis and engine combos kicking around for the private teams to pick up. P2 is not for manufacturers.

GT2. Lambourghini..

I'm beginning to think you are saying things for the sake of saying things.

lfcnicklfc wrote:Did you not watch LMP2 at Le Mans this year? It was fantastic...

As for your LMP1 rumours, someones been eating too much strong cheese i think, Mazda are looking at TDi tech for LMP1 so fair doos with that, Porsche have been saying they're looking at Prototypes for the last 80 years so who knows if that's going to happen. I haven't heard anything at all about Ferrari and LMP1 i can't see that happening there focus is on F1 and GT2, Honda would only be under HPD and Highcroft which have now switched their focus to the Delta Wing concept. I think off of the list you're missing Nissan who look very likely to enter into LMP1 likewise with Toyota, i think the future for Le Mans is extremely bright!

LMP2 was a joke this year. Yes the Nissan engine performed relatively well, but the only reason the lead LMP2 car finished as high as it did was because so much of the LMP1 dropped out. None of the 2011 LMP2 cars were up to the last years HPD standard (few cars can compare with Strakka's run last year) or previous years' Porsche Spyder standard. If you think P2 is only for privateers, then why even bother having the class? Any good privateer team that can win is going to essentially be factory backed anyway. Plus, you need to get rid of all the privateers in P1 for that to make sense. I count myself as somewhat of a Level 5 fan as they were one of the few American teams there, and even I was depressed that they reached the podium. They trundled along so slowly the entire race that they never showed up on TV to my knowledge, and yet they finished 3rd in class. This is the same class that last year saw the top P2 car running within 4 seconds or so of about half the P1 field.

Mazda attended the race this year to talk with the ACO about a future program. That was mentioned on Eurosport and RLM.

Porsche is the most winning constructor in Le Mans history. I was not aware that it wasn't well known that they wanted to return to LMP1 and the only thing stopping them is whether VW want them competing against Audi. For a brand that is as based around motorsport as Porsche is, I think its kind of a stretch to think they do not want to compete for overall wins.

Its mentioned almost every week on RLM that Ferrari is planning something for the sportscar world once they get the 458 program on its feet. According to them, the only reason that Level 5 isn't running a Ferrari powerplant in their Lola is because Ferrari has other plans for prototypes. Plus, Audi overtook them this year for total wins at Le Mans. Why wouldn't Ferrari be interested in an LMP1 program? They had one in the past.

I never said Honda would show up as a Honda branded team, but I would count Strakka or RML as Honda entries as they are running HPD engines in HPD chassises. As for how far along the HPD coupe is, I have no idea. I said it was a rumor, but its one that I've heard since Highcroft and de Ferran ran P1 cars in the ALMS a few years ago.

I didn't list Nissan because I haven't heard anything about them making their own car. If they do, that would be great.

LMP2 is for the private teams that want to do Prototype racing, but can't go with the big boys. Its a place for them to race without the cost and assured failure of an LMP1 entry. It can also be used as a stepping stone to the big class. Sportscar racing has always had a class for smaller Sports Prototypes since the 60's.

Porsche will not be racing in LMP1 in the short term, because VAG already have a successful Prototype programme, and they are spending a lot of money on that at the moment. Porsche, at the moment, have a fantastic customer programme in GT racing, and are developing great new Hybrid tech, and taking the fight to the ever growing list of manufacturers in GT.

Yes, Ferrari did race sportscars in the past. But thats no reason to start doing it again. Thats in the past now and Ferrari's ''other plans'' may be nothing at all for Prototypes, how can we know?

We are too fond of nostalgia in motorsport. Let new legends be born I say!

P2 should not have to be artificially restricted like it currently is to keep the cars from being too near the P1 cars. If I was Strakka, I would not be happy with the ACO.

You're free to feel that way about Porsche, but I still don't see them just accepting that Audi is going to take their win record from them.

There is plenty of reason for Ferrari to get into prototypes. F1 is becoming less and less road related. They like winning. It's going to be a world championship now. Etc.

Porsche is a company that builds cars. Not some competitive hoon with a massive ego that is jealous of their brother.

You could say Ferrari is just a company that builds cars too, but being a car company and having a massive ego are not mutually exclusive. Plus, its not just bragging rights. Porsches business is based around motorsport. They cars don't look that great when they get beat by Corvette, Ferrari, and BMW on a fairly regular basis, and even when they win, its not an overall victory.

they talked about this on the RLM preview...

the pecom racing team was basically the other risi competizione team.

scott tucker originally wanted to run 458 motors in those lola's. he's got a long standing history with ferrari and runs cars in the ferrari challenge over here in the states.

Yep.

let's lighten the mood.

your 24 hours of lemans winner...

lol, what? Is there a story to go with that?

That's awesome! Where do you get your racing torrents from? I want to watch some Super GT

Yeah please say I really want to see super GT never get to see it. . .