IMSA: USCR 2018

[FormulaFox]

Technically speaking, the Lexus engined DPs being just an engine supply doesn't count - they weren't Lexus race cars, they were Lexus-ENGINED racecars. Also, those engines were courtesy of TRD, which I did note is the side of Toyota that would be more likely make a Lexus DPi, and I'm referring to the likelihood of the big boys up top running a program due to Le Mans.

Also, I said MAJOR for a reason. ;-) (no, I don't count engine supply to the red-headed stepchild of prototype racing to be a "major" factory-built racecar program)

[carbsmith]

There is absolutely no scenario in which any Toyota IMSA program would not be through TRD. Even the GT3 cars which are built by TTC in Japan are still run in IMSA with TRD.

Further the only reason the LMP1 program is run under the Toyota name is because it markets the sustainable energy technology primarily used by the Toyota brand. Otherwise Lexus F is Toyota's "high performance" brand which is why it's used in GT500, GT3, VLN, etc. and all of Toyota's sportier cars except the GT86 have been moved to the Lexus brand worldwide.

[FormulaFox]

Originally Posted by carbsmith

There is absolutely no scenario in which any Toyota IMSA program would not be through TRD. Even the GT3 cars which are built by TTC in Japan are still run in IMSA with TRD.

Being RUN via TRD under the orders of the parent company, and being thought conceptualized funded and ordered by TRD are two very different things, and both are possible here.

[chernaudi]

TRD is Toyota's main NA/Japanese motorsports operation. Lexus is Toyota's luxury/performance brand that competes against Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz (think also Infiniti for Nissan and Acura for Honda, though those divisions mostly do work in NA: Acura is basically owned by Honda though Honda America).

Also, though the Lexus brand name is sold throughout the world now, most Lexus cars were originally sold in Japan under the Toyota name plate (the SC430 was badged as the Toyota Soarer until Lexus was officially launched as a brand in Japan in around 2006). Same thing with the NSX (sold as a Honda outside of NA and some other markets) and other Acuras, and the Infiniti G/Q series sedans and coupes are sold as the Nissan Skyline in Japan (and why the current GT-R is separate from the Skyline model line up).

And as far as engine supply, is that really a major point? That's about as deep as Nissan's deal is with ESM aside from some corporate sponsorship. Basically a GT-R engine and Nissan decals and a few bucks is all ESM gets from Nissan/Nismo.

But that was the original spirit of the Daytona Prototypes. Love them or loathe them, that's where the idea of engine supply deals and some brand identity came from. Even the current IMSA/ACO chassis limits in LMP2/DPI is in the mold of the original DP concept. It just uses modern technology in chassis construction this time around.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by AoB Special Stage

And he picks the ugliest of the ducklings.

Nah, the Doran was awesome. It still had vague hints of a GTP styled car.

Coulda posted a Riley.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Matt

Nah, the Doran was awesome. It still had vague hints of a GTP styled car.

Coulda posted a Riley.

A Riley? Man you're not even trying!

[canaglia]

guess we all agree that DP2 (and a bit less DP1 too) was a really bleeding eyes class....

actually still can't understand how some people found the riley and corvette dp DP3 shape so ugly compared to previous gens

[Akrapovic]

I thought the Crawford was pretty nice. Ok short and stubby, but the best you can do with it.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

I thought the Crawford was pretty nice. Ok short and stubby, but the best you can do with it.

Certainly looked more like the Corvette DPs and I prefer Tennessee Whiskey over Canadian Whiskey...

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

A Riley? Man you're not even trying!

If the Multimatic had a Lexus engine option I would have.

Or this Riley.

[NaBUru38]

I like short sports prototypes, like the old Ferrari 333 SP.
The current LMP1 and LMP2 look way too long.
Even the Corvette DP was better proportioned.

[chernaudi]

4650mm is shorter than most mid-sized sedans. An Audi A4, BMW 3 series or Mercedes-Benz C class is longer than most LMP1 cars. Thought this was less noticeable when the cars were 2000mm wide, nearly 100mm/4 inches wider than they are now.

Not to mention that pre-2006 most LMP cars had much shorter wheelbases than now. Examples included the Audi R8 (107.5 inches), Lola B160 (106.3) and Panoz LMP1 Roadster (108.3). Then came the Audi R10 (117.3) and Porsche RS Spyder (114), which was to maximize car length to 4650mm with the 750mm rear overhangs (as well as make the cars more stable in high speed corners and under braking).

Also, for whatever reason, DPIs and LMP2s are 4750mm long, 4 inches longer than LMP1s and nearly as long as the old GTP and LMGTP cars (4800+mm).

[hondafan37]

McLaren could be the fifth DPI factory team , but in 2019.
With the future of the LMP1 class in question, following Porsche’s withdrawal, Brown said he’s hopeful of the FIA and ACO aligning under the DPi model, or something similar, for its top prototype class.
It would thus enable the same car to compete for overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex 24 at Daytona and Twelve Hours of Sebring, something that hasn’t been possible for nearly 20 years.
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/m...obal-platform/

[TF110]

You can do that already. There's nothing stopping them from stylizing a p2 chassis. And there's nothing stopping them from upgrading the same chassis into a privateer p1.

[FormulaFox]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

A Riley? Man you're not even trying!

Hey now the MDP1 was the best looking Gen1 DP!

[FormulaFox]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

McLaren could be the fifth DPI factory team , but in 2019.
With the future of the LMP1 class in question, following Porsche’s withdrawal, Brown said he’s hopeful of the FIA and ACO aligning under the DPi model, or something similar, for its top prototype class.
It would thus enable the same car to compete for overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex 24 at Daytona and Twelve Hours of Sebring, something that hasn’t been possible for nearly 20 years.
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/m...obal-platform/

Didn't Zak Brown also say he was hopeful for their results in F1 this year? Not something I'd put much faith in...

That said, while I think Toyota would be the first to pull the trigger(unless they pull the plug on Le Mans) DPi as LMP1 across the board(rather than just at Le Mans) would probably get at least three of the "evaluating" manufacturers involved over the course of a few seasons, and I think there's a good chance McLaren would actually be one of them - they've been approached for partnerships already, though nothing's ultimately happened.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by TF110

You can do that already. There's nothing stopping them from stylizing a p2 chassis. And there's nothing stopping them from upgrading the same chassis into a privateer p1.

Well if you have to make all those changes is it really "the same car" as what was mentioned in the article?

[Coach Ep]

Left or right, allowing DPi's to compete at LM (and in the WEC) will certainly spark the interest of many manufacturers. And that would almost instantly translate into much appreciated extra cash flow for the ACO.

[chernaudi]

Big problem is with the ACO's (and some car makers') fascination with alternative fuels and hybrids. Not to mention that such things would probably be a BOP nightmare as far as factory teams wanting to run such things, other factory teams not giving a crap about it, and trying to throw a bone to privateer teams.

[HORNDAWG]

Bring on the DPis in IWSC 'P' Class!








L.P.

[Coach Ep]

A bit of 'WEC crossover':

The immediate future of the WEC in North America seems to be in some considerable doubt too, not perhaps a surprise when the major World Championship interest is in GTE where there is already a fully functioning GTE (GTLM) Championship featuring all of the current WEC Manufacturers aside from Aston Martin.

Mexico and Austin are both seen as races that are underperforming for the WEC too. There will be no surprise here if the WEC does not visit the Americas in the next few years, or if there is a ‘middle way’ established involving a World Championship round for GTEs within an established IMSA blue riband event.

from http://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/0...e-fia-wec.html

[MaskedRacer]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

A bit of 'WEC crossover':



from http://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/0...e-fia-wec.html

I like the idea of WEC GT combining with GTLM/GTD. Candidates for this in 2018 could be VIR and/or Laguna Seca. VIR is already all GT. If its laguna then DPI's need to run a separate race. Laguna Seca format changes every year so its not a big deal to do it there.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by joeb

Well if you have to make all those changes is it really "the same car" as what was mentioned in the article?

Imo its like asking is a DPi the same car as an lmp2? This is close to the same idea and iirc Oreca said their car has a lot of ballast so it could probably meet the 830kg p1 weight. And then the engine change is already there in DPi rules.

[NaBUru38]

A World Championship round for GTEs within an established IMSA blue riband event.

I would vote for a 6-hour GT race and a 6-hour prototype race at Petit Le Mans.

[HORNDAWG]

If anything does come about out of this speculation, the calendar speculation and changing to a 'Winter' series will weigh heavily on which round it may potentially be. IMSA will not split up one of it's 'Blue Riband Events' ...








L.P.