[WEC Race] 2016 Round 8: 6h of Shanghai

[Sodemo]

So why don't they just slap 100kg of weight onto the Fords then?

[bentley speed 8]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

So why don't they just slap 100kg of weight onto the Fords then?

No more $$$ from Ford to the ACO?
Anyway do Ford still have a shot at the manufacturer's title? To me it seems like that's the only cup that anybody cares about and its now a Ferrari vs Aston affair. In the commentary, I didn't hear anybody talking about the GT drivers cup or the teams title.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

So why don't they just slap 100kg of weight onto the Fords then?

Because politics. Paul T said it well in Shanghai post race tech. Every class in ACO racing has the ability to be BoP'd, according to the regulations, even LMP1. But none of it is because none of the teams lobby for it. Toyota, Porsche, and in particular, Audi, don't lobby for weight to be removed, they lobby for more equal rules.

In GTE, the manufacturers spend a vast amount of time and effort running to the ACO lobbying to get their cars BoP changed based on results. Ford were doing this pre-Le Mans, even when everybody could see the sand trailing out the car, and it worked - they got a more favourable BoP come Le Mans. GT racing is now about how pays the most, and who lobbies the most, not whole builds the best product. It was already bad in 2015, but come 2016 and Ford have extended this lack of competition into trying to blackmail other teams into dropping back so they don't get penalised. The ACO has created a monster by allowing the teams to get too much power in the BoP lobbying. It needs to be stopped.

The BoP can also be seen as stifling technology and development. Why bother building a new car when you can have an old car, tape on a huge diffuser and wing and then lobby to get it equal with the new cars? Same with GTE-Am - they're now going to balance the 2016 and 2015 cars together. So why bother?

You could argue the Ford should win because it's the most advanced car. But you can also argue it has less weight, larger fuel tank, and quicker refueling time. Both are right. So if it's the best car, why does it need a BoP aid?

[TF110]

Yeah that bop for the ford was then lessened and the Ferrari was just as fast at LM. The rules are there. Ford built a fast ass car and the others aren't as good everywhere. Ford has not won every race though. So it's not like they're super dominant and can't be beat.

This is why I think the rules should be like those in lmp1. A set weight and a set fuel flow. Keep the road car rule, say at least 250, 300 cars per year and no more than one year after production ceases can you run it. Give them dimensions and engine based on the road car. The current philosophy is like gt3, and it's confusing.