Ah yes, the beginning of another entry list speculation thread, nothing quite like it. Except I don't have to be in charge of it, because now we've got a capable individual at the controls.
That being said, prepare yourself for a blast from the past - another speculation Iliad from Beetle.
(*takes deep breath*)
OK, so last year I was quite honestly surprised that Audi didn't field a fourth car. Obviously cynicism pays big dividends in this business whereas optimism doesn't... I learned that the hard way! For 2014, I'd wouldn't be at all surprised if they only field two cars. Audi, as an organization, seems to be spreading out and potentially doing more stuff in America, therefore money is siphoning out. And quite frankly I don't think they really need three, let alone four. Additionally, Oliver Jarvis has pretty much a full-time seat with factory Audi GT divisions, and with all of the media buzz around Di Grassi and Formula E, I think it's a firm possibility that's where his full-time commitments will be from 2014-2015. Not sure about Marc Gene...
Toyota only ran a single car at Interlagos and Austin, which makes me think that running a third car is very unlikely. I'm not sure what Porsche has in the bank compared to the others but if they decide to drop their factory GTE-Pro effort (please no!), only then would I expect a three car effort. As far as drivers go, I think we've got our lineup: Dumas, Bernhard, Jani, Webber, Lieb, and Hartley. That's pretty solid.
Despite what Rebellion's plans are for the entirety of the 2014 WEC, they have shown up with more than one car, even back when they were a partnership between Speedy and Sebah. Since 2010 they've fielded two LMP1 cars at Le Mans, without fail. If they do end up attempting a two car attack for the entirety of the 2014 WEC, not just the European rounds, then that just solidifies it further. I doubt OAK will make the first two rounds but surely they'll have a package put together by the time June 2014 rolls around.
It was a while back but when Strakka pulled out didn't they say something about focusing on a two-car attack for the 2014 WEC? Is that still legit? I've been too busy following Porsche's LMP1 preparations to pay any attention to what HPD has been working on. Whatever the case, where's that "exciting 2014 campaign" that was mentioned
here?
On American P1 entries: both Muscle Milk Pickett Racing and Level 5 have been threatening to join the WEC LMP1 class for the full 2014 season. The least they can do now is enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With those sort of brazen claims, I expect to see them both there.
I honestly hope that we see both Perrinn and Welter at the 24 next year in full splendor but unfortunately something tells me that at least one of them won't be participating. These teams are both somewhat budgeted and probably better suited for LMP2 or ELMS LMPC because LMP1 is just a financial black hole these days. Nevertheless, I wish them luck.
Dome has been talked about a lot, Lotus not so much recently but I knew there were grumblings about it a few months back. Does anyone know about the status of those two cars?
Essentially everything is up in the air in LMP2 now, with the exception of Greaves and Alpine. Fortunately I think we'll see a better distribution of entry wealth between LMP1 and LMP2 next year, in the WEC and in Le Mans. OAK Racing was a big LMP2 contributor and they seem to be moving to bigger things. Lotus is moving to LMP1 and Pecom will be gone as well with it's move to TUSC. That leaves WEC LMP2 pretty bleak next year, especially when compared to the relative prosperity of this year. Of course, we'll surely see at least five or more ELMS entries at the 24 next year. Also, don't count out Race Performance and/or DKR Engineering. They aren't exactly studded in glory but they could still make the race.
In GTE, hmmm, this is difficult. The factory Corvette Racing duo with almost certainly be there with the new C7Rs. I can almost put the same faith in Viper at this point... funny, because at times last winter we were all questioning whether they would make it to Le Mans, let alone finish high up the leaderboard. John Gaw
recently talked about AMR's 2014 plans. A five car lineup is indeed possible but it looks like Paul Dalla Lana's car will switch to Am, as planned. The article also mentions what Gaw labels "a 50/50 chance" at selling a car to a full-time privateer team in the WEC. GPR, Emil Frey, Beechdean?
AF Corse has essentially been confirmed. I think we'll see at least one, if not two full-time RAM Racing Ferrari 458s in the 2014 WEC and if that's the case then we should certainly expect two at Le Mans (they were on the reserve list until the bitter end in 2013). I sure hope that Porsche AG Team Manthey gets confirmed for two cars in the WEC next year. Throwing around some possibilities, as FstrthnU mentioned... Falken, BMW RLL, maybe even CORE Autosport? It's just a pipe dream of mine but I'd give almost anything to see BMW drop DTM and do the full season of WEC. Adding two factory BMW Z4 GTEs in GTE-Pro, with the likes of Hand, Priaulx, Farfus, and Werner, would be unbelievable. As far as GTE-Am, I'd guarantee Larbre, IMSA Matmut, Felbermayr-Proton, AMR, and AF Corse back... otherwise, I'm not so sure.
Beetle is back in business.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CTD
I though it was Beetles job |
Apparently FstrthnU is FstrthnME now.