ORECA considers building LMP1 - Page 2

pitviper · 18 Aug 2007, 20:41 (Ref:1991527)

Or a Japanese one? They did win overall with a Japanese manufacturer in '91...

I would of course prefer to see a Viper LMP1, but with the disarray that Chrysler is in currently, I think a new GT programme is the best we could hope for from them...

pit

ss_collins · 18 Aug 2007, 21:56 (Ref:1991566)

There is a Japanese manufacturer going LMP racing in 2009 (or 2010 depending on the final rules) obv not Honda, so my guess is Nissan. (Toyota would be a European based project via Cologne). Why Nissan - well ORECA is not the only major French outfit to try and get this deal, why French not brit or german? - Renault.

ORECA is trying to get this deal but I don't think that they are the leading contenders - I suspect (and maybe utterly wrong) that the ORECA LMP will never appear. But a Nissan LMP will.

Speed-King · 18 Aug 2007, 23:17 (Ref:1991593)

Do you think Pescarolo will get the Nissan deal, then??

ger80 · 19 Aug 2007, 10:33 (Ref:1991883)

Lola ....? They worked together in the past

ss_collins · 19 Aug 2007, 10:42 (Ref:1991888)

I think it will be French

**FIRE** · 19 Aug 2007, 11:29 (Ref:1991918)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss_collins

There is a Japanese manufacturer going LMP racing in 2009 (or 2010 depending on the final rules) obv not Honda, so my guess is Nissan. (Toyota would be a European based project via Cologne). Why Nissan - well ORECA is not the only major French outfit to try and get this deal, why French not brit or german? - Renault.

Makes sense.
Honda not because of Acura, Toyota have work to do in F1 and NASCAR, so this leaves Nissan and Mazda.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss_collins

I think it will be French

If not Oreca, which company? Mygale or ASM have no experience with prototypes. Or will the French only run the Japanese (Dome)/British (Lola) developed car?

ss_collins · 19 Aug 2007, 11:47 (Ref:1991934)

Honda - already doing LMP's we all know they are going P1 sooner rather than later

Toyota - has the capacity at Cologne to do an LMP - but also would run it in house as it has the capacity for that

Mazda - half hearted LMP effort with the Duratec MZR-R engined Lola, but Ford does not have the will to go racing in Europe really.

Nissan - prime suspect.

Chassis could be by Mygale (Decoster stated in RCE that he wanted to do an LMP) but a first attempt is very risky, Courage (has Nissan past but locked in with Honda?), Pesca (Henri claims to have a manufacturer waiting in the wings), Lola (British and no claims of a manufacturer but a coupe due soon). Dome (working on a new LMP design but would hint at a manufacturer I guess - close links with Honda).

I suggest a contractor designed and built chassis (RTN?) and a French team running it.

Fogelhund · 19 Aug 2007, 15:27 (Ref:1992076)

Nissan would be interesting. Confirmed at all where they would run?

ss_collins · 19 Aug 2007, 20:13 (Ref:1992240)

No but of course with french involvement LMS is the obvious answer

duke_toaster · 19 Aug 2007, 20:31 (Ref:1992251)

If it's a French make, it would have to be Renault as Pug and Citroen are the same company. As for a Japanese make, Toyota wouldn't be surprising.

**FIRE** · 20 Aug 2007, 16:27 (Ref:1992889)

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

If it's a French make, it would have to be Renault as Pug and Citroen are the same company. As for a Japanese make, Toyota wouldn't be surprising.

I expect Toyota in 3 or 4 years with a hybrid powered prototype. A while ago they won a Japanese 24 hour race with a hybrid SuperGT car.

zac510 · 20 Aug 2007, 16:40 (Ref:1992907)

Just to confuse matters further, Nissan is part-owned by Renault...

ger80 · 20 Aug 2007, 17:36 (Ref:1992936)

So Oreca will build a LMP1 Saleen?
Will we see the return of the Batmobile too?

ss_collins · 20 Aug 2007, 19:26 (Ref:1993014)

Quote:

Nissan is part-owned by Renault...

err yes - hence the French link

Fogelhund · 20 Aug 2007, 21:31 (Ref:1993149)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss_collins

No but of course with french involvement LMS is the obvious answer

I'm not sure it is so obvious. I would imagine it depends on where they believe they need to market things. Having said that, I can only imagine that Nissan Europe is far more interested in such marketing ventures, than Nissan North America.

ss_collins · 20 Aug 2007, 22:02 (Ref:1993165)

I think the push is coming from Japan

Speed-King · 20 Aug 2007, 22:08 (Ref:1993168)

Don't they want to introduce their Infiniti brand in Europe? Or am I mixing things up with Honda/Acura?

If Infiniti really wants to enter the European market a sportscar program might be a door opener.

Mal · 21 Aug 2007, 06:49 (Ref:1993283)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Don't they want to introduce their Infiniti brand in Europe? Or am I mixing things up with Honda/Acura?

If Infiniti really wants to enter the European market a sportscar program might be a door opener.

Infiniti is being launched in Europe next year - and that of course would make it an obvious marketing oppurtunity that would be relavent in both Europe and North America

fausto · 21 Aug 2007, 06:55 (Ref:1993286)

...and if it'd really be Saleen disguising the "Blue Oval"?

Yes, Ford isn't financially healthy, but also need to improve, and LM motor racing could be the right recipe...

zac510 · 21 Aug 2007, 09:02 (Ref:1993380)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss_collins

err yes - hence the French link

Sorry if it sounded obvious but nobody else had made the point and you were being typically cagey!

AU N EGL · 21 Aug 2007, 16:57 (Ref:1993817)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss_collins

Toyota - has the capacity at Cologne to do an LMP - but also would run it in house as it has the capacity for that

True. TRD-USA ( Toyota Racing Development USA ) already makes a Protype engine, for the Grand AM Lexas powered DPs.

TRD also make the NASCAR CUP, Busch and truck motors and are working on the Infinity GT program development.

Speed-King · 21 Aug 2007, 17:24 (Ref:1993846)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

are working on the Infinity GT program development.

Infinity as in Infiniti??

HORNDAWG · 21 Aug 2007, 19:20 (Ref:1993945)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

True. TRD-USA ( Toyota Racing Development USA ) already makes a Protype engine, for the Grand AM Lexas powered DPs.

TRD also make the NASCAR CUP, Busch and truck motors and are working on the Infinity GT program development.

Don't you mean Lexus GT program development?

L.P.

AU N EGL · 21 Aug 2007, 19:44 (Ref:1993960)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Don't you mean Lexus GT program development?

L.P.

Lexus - Infiniti What ever? all those little cars look the same to me.

Yes TRD-USA is working on a Lexus GT program AGAIN. Also working on a new Grand AM motor for their DPS, which maybe the same motor to go into the Lexus GT program.

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