Sportscar/GT (and Le Mans) Rumours and Repetition

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by Articus

Why why does Renault continue to play games with the F1 program. This is the perfect exit opportunity and straight to Le Mans.

There were certainly people well placed to be 'in the know' at Le Mans who believed a Renault LMP1 announcement was imminent, under the Alpine brand name. That said, I am not convinced a big budget LMP1 factory effort could be justified under anything other than the Renault name, should such a programme come to fruition.

[isynge]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

There were certainly people well placed to be 'in the know' at Le Mans who believed a Renault LMP1 announcement was imminent, under the Alpine brand name. That said, I am not convinced a big budget LMP1 factory effort could be justified under anything other than the Renault name, should such a programme come to fruition.

I can see the sense in Renault coming to Le Mans, both from the perspective of their troubled F1 programme and in the general appeal of Le Mans / WEC for a manufacturer.

Doing it as an 'Alpine' as chassis identifier but with Renault writ large on the side would serve to establish the Alpine brand, everyone would know it was a Renault (how many of us really remember the 1978 winner as an Alpine?) and thus could be a runner.

Intrigued about how it plays out.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Apologies if this has already been picked up and reported previously, but this was news to me....

According to Daily Sportscar, it seems there is a strong link between the proposed SARD 2016 LMP1 programme and Greaves Motorsport exploring the possibility of a 2016 LMP1 programme:

DSC Link

I don't know exactly what happened with SARD and Morand this year, but it seems weird that another team would be so eager to pair up with them. Then again things can change pretty fast if a check arrives

[Simmi]

A Greaves/SARD P1 team would really be something the fans could get behind and a great rival for Rebellion.

Have to admit I don't really understand the Kairos thing and I don't think I'm the only one apprehensive about that tie-up. But I guess ultimately it's probably their money which is the key to any P1 discussion.

Good luck to them I hope it all comes together. But as for that, Alpine, and really any privateer P1 effort. History has told me not to believe it until I see it on track.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by joeb

I don't know exactly what happened with SARD and Morand this year, but it seems weird that another team would be so eager to pair up with them. Then again things can change pretty fast if a check arrives

It goes to the other/business side of Greaves and Sard.

Team Greaves/Sard in an Renault powered Alpine Baged Gibson built P-1......





L.P.

[deggis]

http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/ite...=1&limitstart=

In a growing tradition, the Mazda-to-P1 rumor has become an annual item that circulated the paddock. A P1 announcement was said to be in the works at Le Mans...it never happened.

"The" P1 rumor has been finally found?

[Coach Ep]

ISC (Nascar) to take over runnings at Laguna Seca?

http://www.montereyherald.com/sports...guna-seca-deal

[BullMan]

Originally Posted by deggis

http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/ite...=1&limitstart=

"The" P1 rumor has been finally found?

He mentions the Mazda thing but I think the P1 announcement is unrelated.

[Salamus]

After the race, I learned the R18s struggled to get past the halfway point in 24-hour testing, which makes their struggles past halfway in the race less of a surprise.

Considering Audi's dominance of Le Mans and reliability, to hear something like this is shocking.

When manufacturers are pushing the envelope on technology, the cars will get faster and less reliable. I fear that if the ACO reduces the pace next year, reliability won't play as big of a factor because manufacturers won't take as many risks with their designs.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by Salamus

When manufacturers are pushing the envelope on technology, the cars will get faster and less reliable. I fear that if the ACO reduces the pace next year, reliability won't play as big of a factor because manufacturers won't take as many risks with their designs.

The slowdown is probably going to done via reducing the fuel flow and/or energy allocation, makes no difference to "envelope pushing". Everything is of course one year more mature but that would true even without the changes.

Less reliability issues makes for better racing.

[kvenom]

I don't think Mazda has the money for a P1 effort. They've only just righted themselves after the Ford break up and I would think they would like to shore up their cash reserves before even considering a factory effort.

[Deleted]

If Mazda had money for LMP1 - even for the 0MJ sub class - they wouldn't have entered USCC with ancient second hand Lola (that they still continue to rely on!), **** engine that didn't make any gains in 18 month period, race operations contract with alright but not that spectacular Speedsource team, almost non existent public relations campaign apart from the diesel marketing, and BoP that hasn't gained massive breaks.

[kvenom]

I think Mazda should just focus on the Spec Miata series for now.

[Bob Baldwin]

+1 on the SPEC MIATA series

[Coach Ep]

Mazda NA is probably one of the most active manufacturers in motorsport in the US right now - not at the top pro level but certainly at the lower pro and club racing levels, as referred, Spec Miatas is well known and probably the biggest success in club racing in recent years. They're also heavily involved with the 'road-to-Indy' ladder system for Indycars and have the Playboy MX-5 Cup.

Edit: don't forget the Miatas in CTSC ST class.

[TF110]

We cant confuse Mazda with Mazda NA. Like what was pointed out above. The Speedsource program probably has no relation to headquarters in Japan. They're putting up their own program based in the U.S.

[Deleted]

Yes I'm sure unlike the Mazda-Speedsource, Mazda-Mazda () would do fine at Le Mans, like Toyota. But since they are pretty much hiding in the shadows everywhere else except at North America, one naturally turns it head to that department and expects them to be the topic of discussion

Anyway I believe more in Mazda LMP1 than (non HPD) Honda LMP1, as little as that may mean

[TF110]

Who know how well they would do, but 'Mazda Japan' probably has more money to spend than 'Speedsource Mazda'. I dont think they'll return any time soon.

[Simmi]

Mazda still seem to be trying to milk PR value out of their '91 victory so it's clearly on their radar. Hopefully they can pull a programme together as they'd be a great addition.

[Starfish Primer]

Mazda can always restart their relationship with AER and rebadge the AER engine and go for the P2 contract.

[Pontlieue]

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/0...l-to-lmp3.html

Greaves are hoping to move up to LMP1 next year, in a partnership with Kairos Technologies and probably SARD as well. I'd like to see this happen, Rebellion need some real competition. As much as I like how the byKolles team keep trying, they're far from challenging Rebellion, and that's not good for the (sub-)class.

[Lagunaseca_4life]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

ISC (Nascar) to take over runnings at Laguna Seca?



http://www.montereyherald.com/sports...guna-seca-deal

That's a major bummer! But I knew something was going to happen after losing Moto gp and two other events merging into the Tudor event.the Rolex historics can only support it for so long, even with rennsport coming back this year.

Bummer.

[joeb]

I don't think isc managing the track is a bad thing, it didn't say they are buying it. As long as the general feel of the track is maintained and they can bring some new business to the track I'm all for it.

[Lagunaseca_4life]

As much as it would be a nightmare, it might be what it takes to keep the gates open.

[schmidder]

So what happens to SCRAMP