LMP2 winner in 2008 LMS

[Speed-King]

Verschuur have a ralley-background and Essex come from touring car sprint racing, so there might be a problem for them. Horag as a long time sportscar regular probably have the most experience when it comes to pitstops.

However, we don't know how many crew members these teams kept from former years, so it's all hypothetical.
I wouldn't be surprised if Verschuur or Essex hired some experienced sportscar veterans for their crews.

[The Badger]

I reckon it will be a toss up between RML , Horag and Barazi ..... everything else is too new , like the Mazda/Lola and WF-01 Zytek .

Who do I want to see winning ..... the Kane-Hughes crew .

[Tom908V12]

My wish: Xavier Pompidou in the Sebbah Team Lola Coupé

The reality: Jos "The Boss" Verstappen in the VK-Motorsport Porsche RS Spyder

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Verschuur have a ralley-background and Essex come from touring car sprint racing, so there might be a problem for them. Horag as a long time sportscar regular probably have the most experience when it comes to pitstops.

However, we don't know how many crew members these teams kept from former years, so it's all hypothetical.
I wouldn't be surprised if Verschuur or Essex hired some experienced sportscar veterans for their crews.

The last few years Essex was involved in the Danish touring car championship but John Nielsen's RN Motorsport (= Essex?) has also a lot of prototype experience:
http://www.formula2.net/2000.htm
http://www.formula2.net/2001ny.htm
http://www.formula2.net/2003.htm
http://www.formula2.net/2005.htm

Mr van Merksteijn has a rally background but Equipe Verschuur has not. Verschuur has a big experience in touring cars.

[Speed-King]

I stand corrected then.
Should've looked it up instead of posting from the top of my head.

[TheNewBob]

I have a feeling those Porsches are going to be extremely hard to beat. My heart says RML because they are the ultimate underdog with the best chance of beating the RS Spyders, but my head and my pessimism is saying those German cars will be too much of a challenge.

As an outside bet I'd like to say Embassy. They won't be instant winners but they are a good enough outfit to say they aren't going to be too far off the pace.

[isynge]

Originally Posted by FIRE

The last few years Essex was involved in the Danish touring car championship but John Nielsen's RN Motorsport (= Essex?) has also a lot of prototype experience:
http://www.formula2.net/2000.htm
http://www.formula2.net/2001ny.htm
http://www.formula2.net/2003.htm
http://www.formula2.net/2005.htm

Mr van Merksteijn has a rally background but Equipe Verschuur has not. Verschuur has a big experience in touring cars.

I'm happy to be shot down on this one - but I had the impression that in sportscars Essex's main role was in paying the bills and being a name on the entry list rather than independently running a car - such as with the likes of Arena Zytek and Lister.

[brielga]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

...........and the car to beat them is the number 45.

OMG, you are a true British fan!!! Creation and Embassy all the way for you James!!!!

[cmk]

On paper the Essex Porche is the strongest entry if Dunlop continue to up their game, with Van Merksteijn losing out only because of their eponymous driver's slower pace. I don't think he is superslow though, and he should get better with coaching. Horag will probably not challenge as much cause Mr. Leinhard is not terribly quick.

Non-Weissach challengers will be RML and ASM, as usual, with Embassy the big unknown. On the LMS tracks, however, the Porsche's incredible chassis should make the difference. European observers seem to be noticing that feature of the RS Spyder, as we in North America have for the last couple of years. It is an exceptionally well-balanced vehicle.

[Speedman]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

...........and the car to beat them is the number 45.

Bentley03: A race fan with real class!

If the Embassy cars go as well as they look, and with the no 45 car being piloted by Warren and Jonny then my trips to Spa and Silverstone can't come soon enough. Until then I'll have to make do with Barcelona via Motors TV. Can't wait.

[Dario911]

Porsche RS Spyder will win the LMP2 challenge, of course. It's the fastest and more reliable car in its class.
So just a question: in 2007 Porsche claimed 503 hp for their RS Spyder. In 2008 has got the same power or less (I've heard something like 476-480 hp)?
Good vibes to all!

[Dauer 962]

Originally Posted by Dario911

in 2007 Porsche claimed 503 hp for their RS Spyder. In 2008 has got the same power or less (I've heard something like 476-480 hp)?
Good vibes to all!

The 503 HP was the figure Porsche claimed before the had to use the ACO 2007 restrictor in the second part of the ALMS Season. Now with the smaller restrictor the official figure is 478 HP.

Side note: Acura claims official 500+ HP......

[canam]

I would just lurrrrv to stick these units on a dyno and see how these 'official' figures relate to reality...in relative terms (compared to an AER or Zytek unit). Given the politics involved, I doubt whether any manufacturer will own up to the truth. Road manufacturers like Porsche, Audi, Acura etc will understate and engine manufacturers will overstate (to sell engines).

I would not believe a single word these 'officials' say.

[Dario911]

It's not a correct behaviour in confont of the Porsche! RS Spyder is the better LMP2, but they can't penalyze it only because is faster and more reliable in confront of the Acura. Zytek LMP2 claimed 540 hp. It's a great difference in confront of Porsche! It's not the right choice to penalize Porsche!
I hope Porsche gained the 23 hp they lost with the smaller air restrictors with new ECU settings. I hope to see the Porsche win ALMS again. First overall!
Diesel LMP1 are favoured by regulations, so the Porsche LMP2 is the only car could beat them! And the Porsche must win! Is the better car on the track!