The never ending Toyota return to Le Mans (LMP1) Saga

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by gustavobamba

Not so fast, they will compete this year and are already talking to withdraw! We are spoken of Toyota, we are not talking about such an AMR-ONE

I just wanted to point out that Toyota could leave once they get their much wanted Le Mans victory. So they might stay around until the new 2014 rules.

[deggis]

I think this "win LM and quit" needs to be updated to WEC-era. I remember actually hoping that Peugeot wouldn't win so that they wouldn't quit (now we know that instead winning it more often might have saved the program). And that was even before the ILMC.

[gwyllion]

Toyota did the same strategy with their last two attempts at a Le Mans victory: the TS010 and the GT-One raced two years at Le Mans (1992-1993 and 1998-1999 respectively) and then they left. Lets hope that this time they stay a bit longer. The fact that they are considering a return to WRC, is not encouraging.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

Toyota did the same strategy with their last two attempts at a Le Mans victory: the TS010 and the GT-One raced two years at Le Mans (1992-1993 and 1998-1999 respectively) and then they left.

The championship failure and consequent rule changes for 1994 might have something do with the TS010's short life and lack of interest to continue with a new type of car... And there was no international series in 98-99 where the TS020 could race despite ALMS just being started, so it's not so comparable either, imho.

Lets hope that this time they stay a bit longer. The fact that they are considering a return to WRC, is not encouraging.

PSA did both, VAG is soon doing both, why Toyota would need to choose only other one?

[TF110]

That's reasonable. Doing both isn't too much for them. From the talk of Vasselon it seems 3 years isn't out of question. I'd like to think 2014 regs would be even more appealing to them!

[TF110]

Anthony Davidson is headed back to TMG on Wednesday http://twitter.com/#!/antdavidson probably more sim work.

[Rennen]

Originally Posted by TF110

Anthony Davidson is headed back to TMG on Wednesday http://twitter.com/#!/antdavidson probably more sim work.

Seat fitting actually!

[TF110]

He tweeted March 25th that he was there for a seat fitting, maybe again?

[Rennen]

Originally Posted by TF110

He tweeted March 25th that he was there for a seat fitting, maybe again?

A Sports car drivers seat insert is his most valuable piece of equipment! They are hard to get right! At Peugoet he made them redo it 4 times! If you want the best from your driver who has to work hard in it for hours, it has to be absoloutly perfect!

[cmk]

Jonny Kane's travails at Sebring are an excellent example of that; in that case the seat insert was fine until the pedals were moved just a tick forwards and suddenly the driver can't even use his legs enough to get himself out of the car!

[The Badger]

Is that the reason to Kane's Sebring leg issues ?

[TF110]

Davidson confirmed it was a seat fitting on twitter, said it was a birthday present to go get it done at TMG. So with the seat fitting, is that just an insert the drivers use when switching with another? Just asking to see if there's any reason to look further into whether this has anything to do with another car being nearly complete.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Rennen

Seat fitting actually!

That is confirmed now

[tyronnezx]

does anyone have any idea where toyota will be testing next? surely they arent Just testing at Paul Ricard right?

[TF110]

Vasselon said they could/would reschedule their tests, but not sure if that's any confirmation of a specific track.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by tyronnezx

does anyone have any idea where toyota will be testing next? surely they arent Just testing at Paul Ricard right?

According to http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120411/ALMS/120419977 Toyota had originally planned to test at Lausitzring and Motorland Aragon this month. Both these tests were cancelled because of the unavailability of a spare tub.

[Simmi]

I've not been home to check out my copy of Autosport but I think that suggests they might have only one chassis for the test day.

If it's true that is UNREAL!

[aneesh99]

Maybe the could buy that 2007 908 and disguise it as a Toyota?

[CTD]

If they experience a crash like Peugeot did at the test day a few years ago. Or Audi at Sebring in 2007, they will be in big trouble.

[TF110]

Pascal said they would be preparing a new chassis (in addition to the 2nd one being made already) and there's no reason for Davidson to get a seat fitting if they'll only have one car.

[Adam43]

On the basis that they will, at some point, have a second car I don't see how Davidson having a seat fitting can allow an outsider to know either way.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by TF110

Pascal said they would be preparing a new chassis (in addition to the 2nd one being made already) and there's no reason for Davidson to get a seat fitting if they'll only have one car.

Do you have a reference for that? I believe that Vasselon only said that they could not build a next tub/car in time for Spa. That suggests to me that the car that is being built at the moment, will be the only car because the previous tub is destroyed beyond repair.

[tyronnezx]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I've not been home to check out my copy of Autosport but I think that suggests they might have only one chassis for the test day.

If it's true that is UNREAL!

That Would Just be a Fu**n Joke! With lemans only a few months away id say atleast three chassis are needed if they are to even make a meaningful appearance. lets not forget that there are two crash prone drivers in the Toyota squad too hence the need for three chassis incase one goes belly up. i wanted to think that this Toyota program was a serious one, but it looks like a afterhours project. even the Peugeot guy saying that Toyota's not on the same level of peugeots effort is sadly looking spot on

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Adam43

On the basis that they will, at some point, have a second car I don't see how Davidson having a seat fitting can allow an outsider to know either way.

I'm speaking of LeMans and people saying they'll only have one car. Unless they plan for Davidson to participate in the 1 car they'll have there, or are preparing his seat for the 2nd car after LeMans. My assumption is there will still be 2 cars at LeMans.

Originally Posted by gwyllion

Do you have a reference for that? I believe that Vasselon only said that they could not build a next tub/car in time for Spa. That suggests to me that the car that is being built at the moment, will be the only car because the previous tub is destroyed beyond repair.

This is the article I'm speaking of, http://www.lemans.org/en/races/fia-w...elon_6748.html Where he answers the first question. The 2nd chassis (the 2nd car being prepared) will not be ready until late April. So building that car and testing it sufficiently enough is out of question in time for Spa. But surely after this car is ready the 3rd car (now to be the 2nd #8) or 3rd chassis will be i the making. I hope I'm not confusing.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by tyronnezx

That Would Just be a Fu**n Joke! With lemans only a few months away id say atleast three chassis are needed if they are to even make a meaningful appearance. lets not forget that there are two crash prone drivers in the Toyota squad too hence the need for three chassis incase one goes belly up. i wanted to think that this Toyota program was a serious one, but it looks like a afterhours project. even the Peugeot guy saying that Toyota's not on the same level of peugeots effort is sadly looking spot on

The only driver that I thought was crash prone is Nakajima- but he has just won the opening round of Formula Nippon! Maybe his crashing days are behind him after spending so much time in SuperGT!

sorry for the double post.