Sportscar/GT (and Le Mans) Rumours and Repetition

[Koenigsegg]

What happened to the Delta-ADR designed Coyote body for AXR?

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Koenigsegg

What happened to the Delta-ADR designed Coyote body for AXR?

Since the whole thing was "backed" by Millennium, I suspect it'll never see the light of day.

[carbon_titanium]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Since the whole thing was "backed" by Millennium, I suspect it'll never see the light of day.

agree, I've never believed so much in that custom coyote bodywork... also because surely GM won't sell/lease their engine without a corvette DP bodywork

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by carbon_titanium

agree, I've never believed so much in that custom coyote bodywork... also because surely GM won't sell/lease their engine without a corvette DP bodywork

Hmm, they were more than happy to before the 'Vette' body work came along.










L.P.

[jaguarista]

Originally Posted by TF110

All we need to see is Jaguar.

SURE!

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Would be really good news. Although you won't catch me calling that effort a "return" to Le Mans.

But at least it sounds as they would/could be actually bringing some of their own to the table, unlike these fake rebranding names of Ligier, Morgan, Alpine etc, and that's something...

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Chiana

But at least it sounds as they would/could be actually bringing some of their own to the table, unlike these fake rebranding names of Ligier, Morgan, Alpine etc, and that's something...

Yep agreed, hence why I think it's good news.

At the same time - this isn't Ligier, Morgan or Alpine. It's Ford. Expectations will be higher and for me if you're talking about Le Mans returns - it needs to be in a pro class.

[isynge]

Originally Posted by Chiana

But at least it sounds as they would/could be actually bringing some of their own to the table, unlike these fake rebranding names of Ligier, Morgan, Alpine etc, and that's something...

See your point about Pecarolo and Oreca rebrandings (although in both cases I'll argue that they've been reasonably effectively done), but what are we supposed to see the Ligier as?

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by isynge

See your point about Pecarolo and Oreca rebrandings (although in both cases I'll argue that they've been reasonably effectively done), but what are we supposed to see the Ligier as?

Oak. Onroak.

[isynge]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Oak. Onroak.

Even though Nicolet's bought the existing Ligier sportscar business? I'm inclined to allow him this one, even though I wish it followed the traditional JS numbering sequence.

[Dyson Mazda]

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

Good news, but if only Ford would buy Lola/Multimatic and join the ranks on building LMP2 cars...

It would be interesting to see them partner with Riley to get their P2 car off the ground. This would greatly depend on what their relationship with Dodge is like.

[Dyson Mazda]

Originally Posted by carbon_titanium

agree, I've never believed so much in that custom coyote bodywork... also because surely GM won't sell/lease their engine without a corvette DP bodywork

I would not be surprised if Chevy yanks the C6 bodywork from the series in favor of something more generic. It does not really make sense to run something that looks like a car that the company will not have made in 2 model years heading into the 2015 season. They were rumored to be yanking it heading into this season.

[chernaudi]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Yep agreed, hence why I think it's good news.

At the same time - this isn't Ligier, Morgan or Alpine. It's Ford. Expectations will be higher and for me if you're talking about Le Mans returns - it needs to be in a pro class.

It should be noted that the ACO and FIA are allowing all-pro driver line ups in LMP2 as of the end of the WEC season. This is following the TUSC model where all pro line ups are allowed in the Prototype (combined LMP2/DP) class.

But then again, this is what lead Porsche and HPD into the LMP2 class--increase in factory involvement in the class, not wanting to invest in LMP1, and allowing all-pro driver line ups with factory/semi-factory teams.

Or this could be the ACO and FIA posturing that they'd prefer to see the Daytona Prototypes fade away ASAP from TUSC, considering that a cost capped LMP2 is cheaper than a DP currently is.

[Articus]

Originally Posted by Dyson Mazda

I would not be surprised if Chevy yanks the C6 bodywork from the series in favor of something more generic. It does not really make sense to run something that looks like a car that the company will not have made in 2 model years heading into the 2015 season. They were rumored to be yanking it heading into this season.

That's not C6 bodywork though on the Corvette DP's. It's C7/Stingray bodywork.

[BullMan]

Originally Posted by Articus

That's not C6 bodywork though on the Corvette DP's. It's C7/Stingray bodywork.

No it isn't. It's the same bodywork that has been on the car since 2012.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Dyson Mazda

I would not be surprised if Chevy yanks the C6 bodywork from the series in favor of something more generic. It does not really make sense to run something that looks like a car that the company will not have made in 2 model years heading into the 2015 season. They were rumored to be yanking it heading into this season.

I doubt that, until the new cars for 2017 are brought on.







L.P.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by BullMan

No it isn't. It's the same bodywork that has been on the car since 2012.

Yep.










L.P.

[Rodger Davies]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Yep agreed, hence why I think it's good news.

At the same time - this isn't Ligier, Morgan or Alpine. It's Ford. Expectations will be higher and for me if you're talking about Le Mans returns - it needs to be in a pro class.

Agreed, but remember that P2 will become a WEC Pro class again next year, and it's already Pro, and the top class, in their native North America. I would look at this as a TUSC-designed programme that could also run at Le Mans.

[Articus]

Originally Posted by BullMan

No it isn't. It's the same bodywork that has been on the car since 2012.

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Yep.
L.P.

The point I was making was that yes it's from 2012 before the stingray and C7R were introduced but the bodywork is still a half breed between the old and the new car. From an overall standpoint the bodywork is unmistakably corvette but the front and the rear lights are somewhere in between the old C6 and the new Stingray.

It was a hint at the styling langauge we were to see on the new C7.

[TheMightyM]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

It should be noted that the ACO and FIA are allowing all-pro driver line ups in LMP2 as of the end of the WEC season. This is following the TUSC model where all pro line ups are allowed in the Prototype (combined LMP2/DP) class.

But then again, this is what lead Porsche and HPD into the LMP2 class--increase in factory involvement in the class, not wanting to invest in LMP1, and allowing all-pro driver line ups with factory/semi-factory teams.

Or this could be the ACO and FIA posturing that they'd prefer to see the Daytona Prototypes fade away ASAP from TUSC, considering that a cost capped LMP2 is cheaper than a DP currently is.

I’d argue that this is more an attempt by the FIA and ACO to attract to the WEC young gold-rated drivers with funding that currently spend their time in F2 and WSR. It could also allow for factory junior teams for the development of prototype drivers before they step up to driving a P1. This may also explain the WEC's interest in a winter schedule.

I'd agree with Rodger Davies about what a Ford P2 program would look like. And having a chance for overall wins at Sebring and Daytona is a nice added benefit of such a TUSC plus Le Mans approach.

[TRspitfirefan]

Originally Posted by Articus

The point I was making was that yes it's from 2012 before the stingray and C7R were introduced but the bodywork is still a half breed between the old and the new car. From an overall standpoint the bodywork is unmistakably corvette but the front and the rear lights are somewhere in between the old C6 and the new Stingray.

It was a hint at the styling langauge we were to see on the new C7.

I don't see much resemblance between the C7 and the Chevy DP body.

[TRspitfirefan]

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

Indeed! I'd be happy if they had a long-term P2 plan, would be good news for the North American scene and a viable Nissan alternative would be nice.

+1

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

But then again, this is what lead Porsche and HPD into the LMP2 class--increase in factory involvement in the class, not wanting to invest in LMP1, and allowing all-pro driver line ups with factory/semi-factory teams.

Speaking of factory junior teams, I wonder if Audi decides to get involved in P2 and let Porsche do P1?

Sure that the P2 class is increasing, not to mention having the all-pro lineup, but I wonder if some manufacturers like Ford decides to add some subtle branding to their prototypes, much like the Lola/Aston Martin prototype car?

[Graham Goodwin]

I keep seeing speculation on whether Audi will pack it in - usually predicated on whether VAG will decide to 'let Porsche win'.

The fact is that Audi's continued participation in top level sportscars is commercially successful, and has been for most of the programme - look at Audi's sales figures over a decade and more and there's little reason to believe that there's a case to stop. The current TV ad campaign again underlines their basic message - We are proving our road car technology through our (super successful) race programme. Few other carmakers can credibly claim the same.

Add to that that Audi have just moved into a bespoke, and much larger, motorsports HQ, and I'd be VERY surprised to see them leave LMP any time soon.

[TzeiTzei]

I think Audi are very much in the process of making Le mans and prototypes part their image. Can't really see them leaving.