Sportscar/GT (and Le Mans) Rumours and Repetition

[chernaudi]

It's been stated several times over the past few years (since rumors of a hydrogen fuel cell car running at LM popped up about 3-4 years ago I'm guessing) that BMW might get involved in LMP1.

However, I don't think that they'd get involved right now (under the current rules) due to cost. That and their (in my opinion) cynical use of IMSA to run GT cars that don't fully conform to ACO regs and reliance on tech waivers to make sports sedans/coupes into sportscars doesn't breed much encouragement IMO to BMW going back to Le Mans very soon.

That is, unless, the 2018 rules LMP1s are equally tech and cost friendly, which remains to be seen at this stage.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Chiana

3) Evverything already proven/achieved in the sport
4) Full exposure to other VAG brand(s)
5) Money

6) want to focus on dpi project.

[carbon_titanium]

enter in dpi as bodywork/engine supplier should be very attractive for any manufacturer, having the chance to get a discrete visibility and media coverage for US market with reasonable not expensive costs.

[Coach Ep]

do we have any serious clues Porsche might be interested in such? Just asking.

[turboguy]

However, I don't think that they'd get involved right now (under the current rules) due to cost. That and their (in my opinion) cynical use of IMSA to run GT cars that don't fully conform to ACO regs and reliance on tech waivers to make sports sedans/coupes into sportscars doesn't breed much encouragement IMO to BMW going back to Le Mans very soon.

I absolutley agree. BMW have a history of building slow prototypes disguised as GT cars and using loopholes to get their creations admitted.

[gustavobamba]

This would be a fantastic Garage 56 project!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zPbvAUy8d8

P.S. - They already try once so....

[cokata]

I would love to see a Koenigsegg regera-like concept for G56

[hondafan37]

Roger Penske says he would love to take his American team back to the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time in over 40 years and he is open to a return to the sportscar arena and came close to running an ORECA LMP2 in this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. He also says "honestly, we talked to ORECA about running at the Daytona 24 Hours this year. But when we looked at how they were going to handicap the car [compared to the Daytona Prototypes], you were dead before you started".
http://www.motorsport.com/lemans/new...lex-24-679693/

[BullMan]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

Roger Penske says he would love to take his American team back to the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time in over 40 years and he is open to a return to the sportscar arena and came close to running an ORECA LMP2 in this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. He also says "honestly, we talked to ORECA about running at the Daytona 24 Hours this year. But when we looked at how they were going to handicap the car [compared to the Daytona Prototypes], you were dead before you started".
http://www.motorsport.com/lemans/new...lex-24-679693/

Then a P2 won Daytona and Roger looks a bit daft.

[Rcz]

Yeah, that's pretty funny...

But he said he might come to run a car next year.

Perhaps in a Oreca.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by BullMan

Then a P2 won Daytona and Roger looks a bit daft.

He probably means it on full season basis.

Also we don't yet know how bad BoP the Oreca would've (/has) received, particularly when Penske's potential pace would've very likely crushed Dragonspeed pace they've shown so far...

Anyway if the real reason running the thing was solely to get theLM entry I'm not sure how the IMSA BoP would've hindered them for LM...

[rich07]

I'd like to see him dust off the Spyders. I'm sure he's still got one.

[TF110]

The oreca just received negative bop for Sebring based on testing pace. Penske has a point.

[Mal]

So will the tie up between Red Bull and Aston Martin eventually lead to a Sportscar Racing project of some sort?

[PorscheFanNo1]

Originally Posted by Mal

So will the tie up between Red Bull and Aston Martin eventually lead to a Sportscar Racing project of some sort?

Red Bull Aston Martin LMP1, we all know it!

[Mal]

Originally Posted by PorscheFanNo1

Red Bull Aston Martin LMP1, we all know it!

I will believe it when I see it - but we know Aston Martin have the desire, Red bull have the money and expertise so lets hope it is in the pipeline

[FormulaFox]

Don't get your hopes up, people. Sounds like they're aiming to do something more like the Pagani Zonda R - not legal for any form of circuit racing. Don't expect to see it run anywhere but the Nurburgring. All on it's own, against the clock.

[YorkshireLad]

Maybe bowlby's with them too. unhinged front engined hypercar, 100% R+D, unlimited money, no regs.

[Mike Bell]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...ation-hypercar

[Deleted]

I suspect the RBR-AMR branding team will only further decrease the already shoestring budget for Aston's actual racing programs.

[Miguel]

The classy Aston Martin teaming up with the most skanky of brands, weird.

[YZFrider]

I swiped this from an F1 forum. I had wanted to post it in the Nissan LMP1 forum only to find out it was locked.
https://translate.google.com/transla...-text=&act=url

It is a portuguese to english translation so a little tricky to read. It is the most in-depth article yet (IMO) of what happened with the project...and maybe a little glimmer of a return (not trying to start a rumor ). Read it, interperet as you will but this is what caught my attention (paraphrasing):

Regulations were changing come 2017/2018, wouldn't make sense to continue current car, let's suspend the project. (makes sense). Keeping track of how rules will progress for 2018, still need backing of Nissan.

[MoMedic9019]

Originally Posted by YZFrider

I swiped this from an F1 forum. I had wanted to post it in the Nissan LMP1 forum only to find out it was locked.
https://translate.google.com/transla...-text=&act=url

It is a portuguese to english translation so a little tricky to read. It is the most in-depth article yet (IMO) of what happened with the project...and maybe a little glimmer of a return (not trying to start a rumor ). Read it, interperet as you will but this is what caught my attention (paraphrasing):

Regulations were changing come 2017/2018, wouldn't make sense to continue current car, let's suspend the project. (makes sense). Keeping track of how rules will progress for 2018, still need backing of Nissan.

If they choose to come back, it will likely be a traditional style chassis.

[FormulaFox]

Originally Posted by MoMedic9019

If they choose to come back, it will likely be a traditional style chassis.

Not likely given their insistence of wanting to do something different. They'll probabyl stick to providing equipment for other forms of racing unless tehy can come up with something unique. The way Nissan acted about WHY they went the route they did, I'm inclined to believe that if we see them run a traditional style chassis you'll be seeing the first serious effort at a competitive hydrogen fuel cell racecar(or something similarly drastic - assuming Nissan could afford to, which I doubt).

[CTD]

Originally Posted by FormulaFox

Not likely given their insistence of wanting to do something different. They'll probabyl stick to providing equipment for other forms of racing unless tehy can come up with something unique. The way Nissan acted about WHY they went the route they did, I'm inclined to believe that if we see them run a traditional style chassis you'll be seeing the first serious effort at a competitive hydrogen fuel cell racecar(or something similarly drastic - assuming Nissan could afford to, which I doubt).

The reason why they did as they did, and did the marketing the way they did, was because of a team who is no longer employed at Nissan.
IF Nissan returns my money is on it being a Japanese driven effort and not American.