Lotus LMP2, and 2 Lotus GT2's? - Page 11

AGD · 20 Jan 2012, 19:04 (Ref:3014674)

Quote:

Originally Posted by vogelmann4

Is anyone going to run the GTE car this year or is that dead?

It was planned that Ian Dawson would run Evoras in the ALMS, but that seems to have fizzled out. That may not be the case though. Who knows with Lotus. Supposedly they have been doing development work on the Evoras during the off-season, but who knows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

So now we have 2 manufacturers in P2 (Nissan and Lotus) coming in through the back door. If they did build their own chassis' and ran them that would be against the spirit of the regs IMO. As they are doing it currently I see no problem. Nissan needs to step up to LMP1 and perhaps this is a toe in the water for 2014. With Pug gone it sure would be good. One has to wonder if the Honda will go with a works effort as well in the future? A shot at Le Mans glory has a lot of marketing value. Sorry for wandering from the theme of the tread... Bottom line, more manufacturers are always good as long as you don't cater to them at the expense of privateers.

It's hard to say about the P2 situation. I suppose if Lotus did build a P2 coupe, it would be built to cost-capped specs presumably and they would probably sell it to other interested parties. Maybe not, but that would have to be my guess. Having said that, we know that cost-capped status is a joke. I think it was Greaves who said that the Norma is the only true cost-capped chassis in P2. Maybe the Bailey too, but that has not hit the track yet for a race. The new P2 just seems to be a free-for-all with all sorts of things being considered legal even if they aren't within the spirit of the rules. Added to that is a seemingly new BoP rule on paper for P2 in 2012. Yippee. P2 cars may end up with more waivers (albeit pseudo-waivers) than GTE cars.

As for Nissan, I think they only come in if they can compete on the cheap. Peugeot leaving makes things cheaper. To tie this into the Lotus topic, I guess Lotus might even become interested in P1 if the price to compete becomes cheap enough. They're in everything else, so why not? Honda, well, who knows. Even if the factory money never arrives, I wonder if there is enough privateer interest in the Wirth coupe. If there is, will HPD sell it? Can they create a good privateer hybrid option for 2014?

wolfhound · 20 Jan 2012, 19:40 (Ref:3014687)

How are Lotus going to afford all this now that are no longer owned by the
Malayian government?

**joeb** · 20 Jan 2012, 20:37 (Ref:3014707)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

So now we have 2 manufacturers in P2 (Nissan and Lotus) coming in through the back door. ... Bottom line, more manufacturers are always good as long as you don't cater to them at the expense of privateers.

Actually there are 3 manufacturers in P2, you forgot Morgan

KA · 21 Jan 2012, 08:00 (Ref:3014849)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfhound

How are Lotus going to afford all this now that are no longer owned by the
Malayian government?

If the team have got adequately-funded paying drivers on board, Lotus might not be putting much money into this- I mean, how much does it cost to paint a Lola-Judd black and stick a Lotus badge on the nose....?
Colin Chapman must be turning in his grave...

gwyllion · 31 Jan 2012, 14:03 (Ref:3019391)

The Kolles Lotus LMP2 story is confirmed: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97239

gucom · 31 Jan 2012, 14:31 (Ref:3019398)

so if I understand this correctly, this is a Lola chassis with a BMW engine that was adapted for LMP2 racing by Judd / Engine Developments, and Lotus has nothing to do with it other than the sponsoring? I really hope they haven't scrapped the Evora GTE programme for this...

Porsche917K · 31 Jan 2012, 15:37 (Ref:3019415)

They also quote their success at Le Mans with the Evora.

"More than anything else, we’re looking forward to our return to Le Mans in this capacity after our success with the Evora last year."

The car was way off pace, and although they did get one to finish it was behind the GTEAM leader.

Simmi · 31 Jan 2012, 15:49 (Ref:3019419)

Really hope they can still put at least one Evora into the ELMS to get some more development. It's a pretty car for sure.

lms · 31 Jan 2012, 15:54 (Ref:3019422)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmi

Really hope they can still put at least one Evora into the ELMS to get some more development. It's a pretty car for sure.

yes, its a beautiful car. So no lotus gte in wec?

cmk · 1 Feb 2012, 06:16 (Ref:3019707)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gucom

so if I understand this correctly, this is a Lola chassis with a BMW engine that was adapted for LMP2 racing by Judd / Engine Developments, and Lotus has nothing to do with it other than the sponsoring? I really hope they haven't scrapped the Evora GTE programme for this...

Yes, it is about as much involvement as they got from slapping their badge on a combination of DAMS management and Enstone factory people in F1, or cramming their badging onto KV Indycars that were all independently funded anyway. Lotus as a brand is now merely an exercise in branding whatever one can as long as Bahar or his disciples in actuality or spirit are involved, and maybe long after they are gone. Wonder how Colin Chapman would feel about a Lola chassis being called a Lotus?

Graham Goodwin · 1 Feb 2012, 07:06 (Ref:3019717)

Quote:

Originally Posted by lms

yes, its a beautiful car. So no lotus gte in wec?

My understanding is that there are prospects for a single Lotus is ELMS and another in ALMS (though the team owner linked with the latter told me very specifically recently that the deal is not done - I believe the Ian Dawson deal is not going to hapopoen - No plans that I'm aware of for WEC and the Evora

rich07 · 1 Feb 2012, 09:25 (Ref:3019742)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche917K

They also quote their success at Le Mans with the Evora.

Reading that was confusing to say the least.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmi

Really hope they can still put at least one Evora into the ELMS to get some more development. It's a pretty car for sure.

I hope so to. Its more relevant to have one of their road cars racing in GT then it is to rebadge someone elses engines in someone elses chassis and race it in LMP2. That said the gold and black livery looks really nice on the Lola, I just hope that they'll hire some decent drivers and get a good result.

wolfhound · 1 Feb 2012, 18:35 (Ref:3019919)

Colin Chapman must be doing rapid rotations inhis grave watching all those racing cars that have been badge engineered by Lotus.

TF110 · 1 Feb 2012, 20:54 (Ref:3019967)

Like they're the only car company to ever do this.

R4z3rw33n · 1 Feb 2012, 22:23 (Ref:3020017)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

Like they're the only car company to ever do this.

Perhaps not but, they're quickly becoming one of the most prolific offenders.

As an aside, at least they're placing a car (or two?) on the grid.
Regardless of however nefarious the means, they're supporting the championship.

Pandamasque · 2 Feb 2012, 10:01 (Ref:3020181)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfhound

Colin Chapman must be doing rapid rotations inhis grave watching all those racing cars that have been badge engineered by Lotus.

He's been well on the rev limiter for some time

courageous · 4 Feb 2012, 15:58 (Ref:3021520)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

I believe the Ian Dawson deal is not going to happen

Funny, I had a suspicion that would be the case.
Is this 3 or 4 failed projects in a row for Dawson?
The guy has now got less credibility than JLOC

kurski · 7 Feb 2012, 08:05 (Ref:3022515)

Sauber's James Key headed for Le Mans with Lotus.

Simmi · 7 Feb 2012, 10:00 (Ref:3022553)

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurski

Sauber's James Key headed for Le Mans with Lotus.

It makes you hope that they have got bigger things on their plate regarding LMPs. With the current situation it seems to be a waste of his talents. Maybe he can make the stick-on Lotus badge more aerodynamic.

LC2guy · 9 Feb 2012, 11:53 (Ref:3023660)

"There is also a possibility that Key could be involved in the LMP1 category. Lotus is exploring another badging deal similar to the arrangement it has with Kodewa. Rebellion Racing, which is running a pair of Toyota-engined Lola coupes in 2012, is favourite for the deal."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97429

rich07 · 10 Feb 2012, 13:28 (Ref:3024098)

Quote:

Originally Posted by LC2guy

"There is also a possibility that Key could be involved in the LMP1 category. Lotus is exploring another badging deal similar to the arrangement it has with Kodewa. Rebellion Racing, which is running a pair of Toyota-engined Lola coupes in 2012, is favourite for the deal."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97429

You would've thought they would've run out of Lotus badges by now...

However I think its great to hear about a GT3 programme. It was good to see the Exige in GT3 a while back and the Evora's done well in GT4 so upwards would be the logical progression.

KA · 10 Feb 2012, 16:41 (Ref:3024168)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich07

You would've thought they would've run out of Lotus badges by now...

However I think its great to hear about a GT3 programme. It was good to see the Exige in GT3 a while back and the Evora's done well in GT4 so upwards would be the logical progression.

At least they won't be able to just slap a Lotus sticker on somebody else's car in GT3...

There's a single Evora GTE confirmed on the ELMS entry list, so sounds like they're persevering with that as well, which is good news

lemansfan · 1 Mar 2012, 19:23 (Ref:3033669)

http://www.lemans.org/fr/courses/fia...otus_6352.html

First Test for the Lotus .

wolfhound · 1 Mar 2012, 20:23 (Ref:3033698)

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemansfan

http://www.lemans.org/fr/courses/fia...otus_6352.html

First Test for the Lotus .

Is that a Lotus?

Looks like it was built in Huntington to me.

The Badger · 1 Mar 2012, 21:51 (Ref:3033740)

Woooo .... that thing looks sinister . Hope it runs as well as it looks . Shame about the drivers though .

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