[WEC] Porsche Prototype Discussion

[chernaudi]

You also seem to be forgetting that Panoz got some support (though in the end half hearted) from Ford Racing, as in modern day Ford Performance, from 1997-2000.

[carbsmith]

Panoz only had Ford logos on the car through 1999. By 2000 they were entered as Elan engines. I guess you could say BMW was close enough to full time in 1999 since they only didn't show up for one race, although between the two and a Riley & Scott team winning the drivers' title it wasn't really a strong manufacturer competition.

[chernaudi]

It wasn't also the fault of Audi that when the R8 came out that BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Toyota turned their eyes towards greener pastures, namely F1 by 2000.

[carbsmith]

Nissan straight bailed on lack of results (including finishing behind the new Audis), and Mercedes downsized to DTM because there waa no championship and their Le Mans appearances were embarassments. They were replaced by Chrysler and Cadillac, which both got competitive chassis but decided they couldn't afford new engines capable of competing with Audi's purpose built direct injection race engine on both power and efficiency. Remember up until then even Toyota was using an old Group C engine.

[TF110]

Porsche has been testing in Aragon, here's a link to their twitter showing the camouflaged new aero. The front splitter area looks a little different imo.

[Mike E]

I am praying that the camo means they are dumping their awful livery of the last few years.

[YorkshireLad]

Bodywork looks same to me.


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[CTD]

Same to me as well.
I guess it is too early to see the major aero changes.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Mike E

I am praying that the camo means they are dumping their awful livery of the last few years.

They should use that camo as their livery.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

They should use that camo as their livery.

I like that idea!

[Melcor]

I think this is 2016 low-downforce kit (Le mans spec) ,the real components testing there are beneath(probably) I doubt that they are going to show us the new aero kits before Monza.

[CyberMotor]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

They should use that camo as their livery.

Would the other drivers be able to see it?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by CyberMotor

Would the other drivers be able to see it?

Of course not, that's the purpose of a camo livery, especially along the Mulsanne in the middle of the night.

[Spyderman]

First test in 2017 completed in Valencia.
2876 Km completed.
Bernhard, Lotterer and Tandy were the drivers.
Focus on Tires.

[MaskedRacer]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

They should use that camo as their livery.

I think the livery we saw from the Porsche GT's at Daytona will give us a clue.

[Akrapovic]

The official GT3 entries still use the old livery. Bit odd.

[Spyderman]

Just listening to MWM and Hindy speculating on Porsche's LMP1 program continuation in WEC due to a conflict between Piech and the current VW board.
I'm actually quite surprised by the conclusions he draws.

Although Piech is a member of the Porsche family, he is quite famous for being adversarial to the current Chairman of the Porsche AG Supervisory Board - Dr. Wolfgang Porsche.
The Porsche and Peich sides of the Porsche family have not seen eye to eye for a long, long time.
To draw the conclusion the VW / Piech conflict is reflective on Porsche, is quite a leap.

[porman]

Stranger things do happen, just look at the state of the USA. I do however agree with you.

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by porman

Stranger things do happen, just look at the state of the USA. I do however agree with you.

Anything can happen, but if it does, it wont be related to the Piech/VAG conflict. As most Porsche aficionados know, Piech has not been "pro-Porsche" (as Hindy claimed) ever since he left the company (1972). Even the time spent at Porsche (during his earlier carrier) was not without turbulence and he apparently did not support the decision to go with John Wayer in 1970 and thus we had the famous Porsche Salzburg # 23 entry (that gave Porsche their first Le Mans victory). He went to Audi (1972) and was responsible for the Audi 80 and 100 concepts. He also initiated the development of the Audi Quattro for the WRC.
He only moved to VW in 1993, so one can see that although he has blood ties with Porsche family, his career is much more Audi and VW-centric .
He is a brilliant engineer, but not particularly "pro-Porsche" at all. He is a share holder, but I suspect that he treats it as just a good investment.

[Spyderman]

I just saw this photo. It reminded me of how beautifully well proportioned cars were back then. Just stunning!

[500]

Wow Spyderman... that is a great picture... I have saved it.

Thank you.

Do you know when/where it was taken? The helmet looks like a more modern type than used in 1970, so I suspect this is maybe from some sort of classic exposition?

Notwithstanding, I agree with your sentiment 110%... cars of that era were beautiful (and exciting, fierce, and dangerous by today's standards).

[Spyderman]

@500 - I have no idea. I saw it on twitter and it blew my mind. I miss those days.

[Akrapovic]

I think it's Laguna Seca, Porsche reunion. Low shot from the top of the corkscrew.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/...534634!6m1!1e1

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

I just saw this photo. It reminded me of how beautifully well proportioned cars were back then. Just stunning!

What an amazing shot. Thanks.

[Spyderman]

Porsche just completed their 2nd test (Aragon) in 2017.
7,200 Km completed over 5 days.