Sportscar/GT (and Le Mans) Rumours and Repetition

[aneesh99]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Really hoping BMW will send the Z4 into the GTE battle next year.

Yeah, that would be great, except one large obstacle... homologation.

[MitchZ06]

IMSA didn't homologate the Z4 GTE, the ACO did. IMSA said they won't nationally homologate race cars hence why the Viper is an ACO homologation and the Z4 is too.

[aneesh99]

Originally Posted by MitchZ06

IMSA didn't homologate the Z4 GTE, the ACO did. IMSA said they won't nationally homologate race cars hence why the Viper is an ACO homologation and the Z4 is too.

My bad, I knew the Viper was good with the ACO, I didn't know that the Z4 was as well. In that case, I'm utterly surprised that BMW apparently aren't interesting in LM24!

[Dead-Eye]

Originally Posted by MitchZ06

IMSA didn't homologate the Z4 GTE, the ACO did. IMSA said they won't nationally homologate race cars hence why the Viper is an ACO homologation and the Z4 is too.

That was the idea, but as far as I know the Z4 isn't homologated by the ACO (yet?).

[deggis]

No idea, but not being homologated would be a bit funny because ACO still bothers to BoP it:

http://www.fia.com/sites/default/fil...ded-070313.pdf

[joeb]

Originally Posted by deggis

No idea, but not being homologated would be a bit funny because ACO still bothers to BoP it:

http://www.fia.com/sites/default/fil...ded-070313.pdf

Good catch. So I guess that makes the Z4 aco compliant. Although that document is from the FIA, I didn't see aco labled on it anywhere.

[deggis]

It's from here: http://www.fia.com/sport/competitors...pionship%3A100

Since WEC is officially FIA series, I think missing ACO label is irrelevant.

[Mt. Lynx]

Think of it like this:
The ACO runs the homologations, and the FIA runs the racing.

[deggis]

Maybe this part is relevant if Z4 is actually not homologated: "Exception possible in case of newcomer manufacturer (without any model already homologated). In such case a special handicap will be applied by Endurance Committee" (page 1).

[aneesh99]

So it isn't homologated...?

[Dead-Eye]

Apparently not: https://twitter.com/specutainment/st...42410232991745

[aneesh99]

Thought so, was confused when Mitch told me it was!

Regardless, I'm still at odds with the fact that BMW don't seem particularly interested in Le Mans...

[MitchZ06]

That's quite interesting, I guess once they fix whatever the issue is it'll be homologated (and it is an ACO homologation going by that).

[aneesh99]

The engine is an issue as I understand it, not sure what else is a problem, maybe something to do with chassis dimensions? I think the guys on Radio Le Mans have talked about this, I'll have to ask.

[Koenigsegg]

Originally Posted by aneesh99

Thought so, was confused when Mitch told me it was!

Regardless, I'm still at odds with the fact that BMW don't seem particularly interested in Le Mans...

I'm sure they are. They're still developing the car. Car is not fast enough yet. BMW also waited a year with the M3 to go to Le Mans.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by aneesh99

The engine is an issue as I understand it, not sure what else is a problem, maybe something to do with chassis dimensions? I think the guys on Radio Le Mans have talked about this, I'll have to ask.

The Midweek Motorsports twitter response seemed to indicate the 100 yard wide car could be the problem; " At Laguna Seca I was told it was not yet fully Homologated by the ACO in GtE Pro as there issues with the bodywork."

[aneesh99]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

The Midweek Motorsports twitter response seemed to indicate the 100 yard wide car could be the problem; " At Laguna Seca I was told it was not yet fully Homologated by the ACO in GtE Pro as there issues with the bodywork."

Here's something else that I've heard regarding what you were talking about straight from RLM:

'The GTE rules allow for the car to be widened by a maximum of 15 cm, up to a width of 205 cm. So the maximum width for the GTE should be 194 cm front and 205 cm rear. The GT3 car is wider than that at the front - 201 cm. The wheelbase has been lengthened too, which isn't allowed in GTE.'

[MitchZ06]

I always thought the allowance was just a total of 205cm total, not 15cm extra max either side so no wonder I never considered that. I do know the front end of the wheelbase had length added tho I'm not sure how much but it too would be a concern of the ACO.

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Sports-carracing.net,
Greaves Motorsport will make the contract of 2014 chassis by the LeMans week at the latest.
http://www.sports-carracing.net/2013...tm#130606news1

[Simmi]

So did we miss an announcement this weekend at Test Day?

I was under the impression we'd get something announced from a new manufacturer to the sport - so not the Rebellion news. Didn't happen.

[Christian Mogami]

Delayed!

From PR point of view: "they want to be lead(top) story"

The Rebellion and Oreca press release at the Le Mans test day makes that hard to do!

Also you want to keep your chassis basic aero out of sight as long as possible (Mr Fuller will have it broken down the same day as release to the press)from other teams!(the only reason Perrin and Dome release pictures of their chassis is because they are looking for a customer to buy it!!!!!)

[TF110]

Im guessing its honda or another new make. Being center of the news is a must to get thecattdntion and hype.

[gustavobamba]

I believe that´s Honda with an american team!!!!!

Probably they will do the announcement in Le Mans

[gregtummer]

Highcroft?

[Simmi]

Maybe that was why Rebellion slapped their release out at like 6am on Saturday? Who knows.

As long as it comes eventually that's fine by me.