Russian LMP2 sports car

[Simmi]

Not sure if any of this Russian money crosses over with SMP Bank but doesn't seem like they are directly involved in the Sauber takeover?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/108788

[andy_b]

anyone seen a bigger picture than this for the SMP LMP2

[Koenigsegg]

That's the Oreca 03. Not the new Russian LMP2.

EDIT: Nevermind, didn't notice your forum name. I guess it's for a Spotters Guide?

[Pandamasque]

But it is an Oreca 03 indeed.

[Simmi]

You've maybe seen it now Andy but there's a bigger frontal on E-I:

[joeb]

Look at that case of helmets in the back, you can tell they are a big team this weekend!

[Pandamasque]

Is someone running the GT3 cars for SMP or have they put together a brand new team?

[kober]

Originally Posted by Pandamasque

Is someone running the GT3 cars for SMP or have they put together a brand new team?

The team, Russian Bears Motorsport, was founded in 2007, and significantly run a factory effort for Lada in 2009 WTCC.

[pablocomics]

Originally Posted by Pandamasque

Is someone running the GT3 cars for SMP or have they put together a brand new team?

They are technically assisted by several teams, different teams on different competitions, for example on the OpenGT and ETCC they are asisted by the spanish team Baporo Motorsport.

They have also technical asistance from Euronova, Koiranen, Comtec, Tech1... But I don't know wich team assist them on the ELMS.

[kurski]

Originally Posted by helgi

I've talked to Sergei Zlobin about SMP LMP2 program. Regulation changes affect their plans. So, for 2014 season they, almost 100%, will race Oreca or some other foreign LMP2 to gather some information (hoping for Le Mans too), and depending on the grade of rules changing their own car may be built in 2015, if the new date for new regulations won't be set again.

SM Racing plan is to buy second ORECA from AF. Recent test for Shaytar and Ladygin gives us a clue for crew

[Simmi]

I thought they were confirmed as having a pair of WEC entries?

[cmk]

Yeah, I thought so too. I guess the AF connection still isn't completely solidified though, even if the entries basically are. Seems they are the leading candidate to run the cars however, especially with the end (or near-end) of the Pecom program.

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by kurski

SM Racing plan is to buy second ORECA from AF. Recent test for Shaytar and Ladygin gives us a clue for crew

Is it going to be a Nissan? I remember they made noises about a Ferrari engined prototype.

[The Badger]

Hahaa ..... Im laughing when it all turns out that all this money is coming from an empty apartment in Moscow , mail order your KGB teddy bears now folks ..... I think ye get the hint . This will be ok but L5 are still really bold boys !!!

[serpentinebelt1978]

Sounds good as long as it doesn't look like a Marussia. Perhaps they can buy an old Audi?

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Hahaa ..... Im laughing when it all turns out that all this money is coming from an empty apartment in Moscow...

There's an old Russian joke about money that come 'from the drawer' so who knows ))

[helgi]

An announcement is going to be made at Estoril. According to this (in Russian) https://www.facebook.com/smpracingru...12285032188956 they'll use Michelin tyres and name the car SMP BR1.

[Deleted]

First testing later this year. You know I had kinda forgotten this car altogether.

No P1 meanwhile, unsurprisingly
http://www.dailysportscar.com/2014/1...or-ligier.html

SMP Racing are known to have shown interest in an LMP1 programme very recently but Sergey Zlobin all but counted that out at Fuji: “We are very busy with our new (LMP2) car right now so there would be no space for another programme. I also don’t think there is much point at the moment with the pace of the factory cars.”

[Coach Ep]

It seems that SMP/BR is sooner than initially anticipated gearing up for a LMP1 project in 2016:

It makes no sense for us to go into LMP3 because we’ve not been retained in LMP2

and

As for next year’s program, Durand said all options are on the table.

“For the moment, the priority is given to the European Le Mans Series with the BR01,” he said. “We will know more about the 2016 program after Estoril.

“We think that will be with the BR02, and how it will be done.”

Also:

It’s understood the team is also evaluating a potential future move into the GTE-Pro ranks, with what would be Ferrari’s new 488 GTB.

from http://sportscar365.com/industry/br-...otype-options/

[Juntos]

If ACO keeps spitting on their face, they will soon go to single seaters.