Russian LMP2 sports car

[helgi]

Hallo! Some mentions earlier via twitter, that there would be a Russian LMP2 car. More info - http://motor.ru/news/2013/05/24/russianracing/ (in Russian). Chassis build at ex-Peugeot factory (?) with a Ferrari engine. All is rulled by SMP team that is growing up in GTC class now - have won Imola 3H. That's it.

[Beetle]

Wow... Perrin LMP1 and now this! Let the bantering begin!

EDIT: Does anyone know how much money SMP has behind them?

[Simmi]

That's really good news. Just one look at the SMP team this year showed that they had big ambitions.

There's clearly plenty of backing behind this from SMP Bank. Drivers mentioned - Mikhail Aleshin and Daniil Move from Renault World Series.

I think that article says they are also involved in building a potential F1 track in Russia?

Lots of Russian money floating around at the moment with Gazprom and Nissan too. Hopefully it filters up to P1 too.

[Mal]

My googles translations reads like this:

"everything to do with aerodynamics and engines, made with the support of Ferrari and using their pipes."

- using there pipes does that mean wind tunnel? - if Ferrari are involved in aerodynamics and engine then this is very close to a privately funded Ferrari P2?

[pablocomics]

Originally Posted by Beetle

Wow... Perrin LMP1 and now this! Let the bantering begin!

EDIT: Does anyone know how much money SMP has behind them?

I don´t know how may money they have but at this moment it's a spanish team running under a russian flag.
http://www.baporo-motorsport.com/

[Mechanic Z]

It'll be cool, if it happens. More chassis manufacturers!

[helgi]

Well, SMP Bank is under Boris Rotemberg who's close to Mr.Putin. At least, for the moment. So, financially they are quite OK. But from the sporting side it's something strange. As I can understand they are building their own chassis just for LMP2. Am I missing smth or there's a huge difference between LMP1 and LMP2 chassis? And they say Ferrari are helping with aero and engine (I suppose, just a 458 GTE engine). So it's a very very strange project for today. Let's see what they can build with Ferrari (?) help.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by helgi

As I can understand they are building their own chassis just for LMP2. Am I missing smth or there's a huge difference between LMP1 and LMP2 chassis?

LMP1 regulations change next year quite massively as we all know, LMP2 regulations stay stable for another one or two years.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

LMP1 regulations change next year quite massively as we all know, LMP2 regulations stay stable for another one or two years.

And in P2 they at least have a shot at being competitive even if they are doing it on a budget. I am sure Ferrari wouldn't like to see a car labeled as an SMP-Ferrari getting clobbered by Audi and Toyota on the big stage.

[Simmi]

A lot of intrigue here. Crying out for an English-speaking journo to find out more.

If it's being built in Velizy and frankly has any imprint from Ferrari on it than it's very interesting.

[Maelochs]

Another reason for going P2 (for now) is that they can be competitive with an off-the-shelf street-car motor, and don;'t have to develop or buy a bespoke racing motor.

[vincegail]

I somehow can't see Ferrari involved in LMPxxxx. They have a strange policy. Hope I'm wrong of course, because the sound of unristricted Ferrari V8's is very nice...

[hondafan37]

Maybe start at P2 and then in a few years are going to P1 with the Ferrari F1 turbo V6.
If Ferrari supports this, is that the budget should be good.
I Remember a few years ago Ferrari did not want to give a AF Corse a engine for a P2 project.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96792

[TF110]

I doubt theyll use Ferrari's windtunnel. Thats being retooled and Ferrari are using tmg's tunnel this year for their F1 car. Maybe next year or later this year when the fine tuning is done.

[isynge]

Leaving badging considerations aside, is there anything stopping someone buying a 458 GTE, ripping the engine out, and dropping it into an LMP2 - much as has happened with the Judd BMW LMP2 motor?

LMP2 however is something where I can see Ferrari being open minded to running something, i.e. it's more clearly a customer programme so not tied in to the notion of 'having' to win against LMP1 competition, and just thinking about it now, is it an area where they could make unfettered use of the DFI technology they've got in the GTE engine?

[The Badger]

No lack of wedge coming outta Russia !!! Be great to see a Ferrari engine Proto again .

Could they go the V12 route , bit heavy and thirsty ?

[Simmi]

If these guys are building an F1 track and have a ridiculous amount of currency who's to say Ferrari wouldn't reach out to them. They've already bought enough GT3 cars, who knows where else it could lead.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Simmi

If these guys are building an F1 track and have a ridiculous amount of currency who's to say Ferrari wouldn't reach out to them. They've already bought enough GT3 cars, who knows where else it could lead.

This. Although the Sochi Grand Prix looks on shaky ground, one must admit.

[Maelochs]

Actually, a slow-revving V12 might do really well under the new fuel-managed regs, but I think it would be more likely Ferrari would use its F1 V6 if it were to go to P12.

I agree, P2 is a great place to play without risking the company's money or the company name. Let some Russian team race a Ferrari-powered car and it is cheap, safe publicity. Then later the factory can use what the team has learned and move into P1 if the class looks worthwhile.

[Lanky Turtle]

[QUOTE=isynge;3252818]Leaving badging considerations aside, is there anything stopping someone buying a 458 GTE, ripping the engine out, and dropping it into an LMP2 - much as has happened with the Judd BMW LMP2 motor?QUOTE]
Didn't Scott Tucker do this a few years ago with a DP? Maybe a 430 engine. I think it made it into a car and was tested but for whatever reason never raced.

[vincegail]

Originally Posted by Beetle

This. Although the Sochi Grand Prix looks on shaky ground, one must admit.

I wouldn't bet against it. WC Football in Russia in 2018, Winter-Olympics in Russia (Sochi!) in 2014. Putins pockets (or the pockets of his 'friends') are deep. Expect a lot coming from Russia in the near future!

[Mal]

Originally Posted by Simmi

If these guys are building an F1 track and have a ridiculous amount of currency who's to say Ferrari wouldn't reach out to them. They've already bought enough GT3 cars, who knows where else it could lead.

it strikes me as someone with a ridiculous amount of currency reaching out to Ferrari.

[helgi]

Well, a sporting director of SMP Racing (SMP is not the reachest Russian bank, though...) Sergei Zlobin was near F1 in the middle of 00's. He said that SMP had nothing to prove in Ferrari Challenge as that series is purely commercial. So they were chosing between GT Open and Blancpain Endurance. BES was the better variant because, according to Zlobin, more professional drivers are there. And I'm not sure about it.

[Coach Ep]

Pieces from DSC article on ELMS GTC additions for Imola

SMP´s Serguey Zlobin: “We’re here for two reasons. The team is very new and we have a plan for next year and that is Le Mans.This year our main plan is Blancpain, but our view is that being at any race is better than being at a private test. Also, doing a race under the “Le Mans” banner like the European Le Mans Series is a step closer to the 24 hours."

...

“We do not only have these three cars here, we have a big world programme. We have two Formula Renault 3.5s racing in the world series, two Formula Abarths in Italy, three cars in the Renault 2 litres and four cars in the Blancpain series. We also took part in the GT Open."

...
“SMP bank has supported racing from 2004 when they sponsored the Minardi team in F1 then through to 2005 and into GT1 with the JMB Maserati MC12."
...
"As for the rest of the ELMS season, we will have to see. Our focus is Blancpain but it depends on the condition of the cars and seeing if we have the time to do any re-building and preparation that might be needed between races.”

[kurski]

Sergey boy Nikita Zlobin drive Formula Renault 2.0 Alps.