Rollcentre return to LMP1 in 2007! - Page 3

Graham Goodwin · 11 Oct 2006, 06:17 (Ref:1734765)

The only steer I'll give you is that any talk of an R10 is way (even waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy!) off base.

Particulalrly since Shorty has said he's announcing his choice om Thursday and Audi haven't announced anything on their intentions yet (usually the Essen Motor Show is the venue for that).

**Bentley03** · 11 Oct 2006, 07:32 (Ref:1734789)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

Nothing wrong at all with that but my guess is that there's a bloke in St Ives having a quiet chuckle at some of the suggestions here!

Hopefully, Graham, that same bloke will also be wearing a very contented smile when he considers how much (very positive) interest this has generated. I don't think anyone has expressed the view that he (and Deutsche Bank) is making a wrong decision to return to the 'top class'. Whatever jalopy it turns out to be, I think we're all very happy to see him back in LMP1!

Graham Goodwin · 11 Oct 2006, 07:56 (Ref:1734819)

Absolutely - The answer will be out there by tomorrow and of course it's very nice to see speculation on the basis of a sure-fire 2007 entry

canam · 11 Oct 2006, 09:47 (Ref:1734935)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhansen

Why was the Audi Sport UK support not enough? They were able to run a full LMS 2-car program along with Sebring and LeMans in 2004. That's quite an undertaking in terms of budget. Veloqx is not around any longer because they did not have a car to race. Sam Li wanted manufacturer support. Why Audi Sport UK dropped out I can only guess. An LMS run in 2005 meant heavily restricted R8s. ORECA went ahead with it, but Veloqx and Audi Sport UK did not.

Veloqx dropped out IMO because Mr Li did not wish to pour more cash into the programme without greater manufacturer support. Mr Li, I believe , owned one of the chassis outright and could have run in 2005 but his operating costs were too high without cash from Audi. Interestingly, ORECA (who do not own a car) were apparently able to run an R8 on, comparatively, a low budget and were helped (by Audi Sport UK I presume) with the supply of Mr McNish as a driver.

I suppose what I should have said is that Audi Sport UK's support was not enough compared to Sam Li's expectations given Veloqx's operating costs. It all comes down to the same thing: Mr Li had to put too much of his own money in 2004 and was not willing to do the same in 2005.

Aerodynamic · 11 Oct 2006, 09:50 (Ref:1734938)

Still think Zytek here

JamesH · 11 Oct 2006, 09:50 (Ref:1734939)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

Nothing wrong at all with that but my guess is that there's a bloke in St Ives having a quiet chuckle at some of the suggestions here!

I can see Rollcentre from my office window, but cannot hear any chuckling.....

I keep looking up the driveway when I pass by, but haven't seen anything interesting yet....

James

**Bentley03** · 11 Oct 2006, 09:57 (Ref:1734945)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesH

I can see Rollcentre from my office window, but cannot hear any chuckling.....

I keep looking up the driveway when I pass by, but haven't seen anything interesting yet....

James

Stop looking out of the window and walk right in there, James............

canam · 11 Oct 2006, 09:57 (Ref:1734946)

[QUOTE=Aerodynamic]Still think Zytek here[T/QUOTE]

Apparently, he did look at the DBA when John Nielsen was selling it but opted for the pair of Dallaras so it is a possibility. The only problem with that is, after having to deal with 'new car' issues (waiting, crash tests etc etc) on the Radical, I doubt that he would like to go through the same again. I would still bet on a Lola (with a Judd engine) as it is ready to go.

Fieldgate · 11 Oct 2006, 10:27 (Ref:1734984)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Stop looking out of the window and walk right in there, James............

I wouldn't waste your time, he's not there...

Graham Goodwin · 11 Oct 2006, 10:56 (Ref:1735015)

Quick - lets start a thread - Where's Shorty!!!

gwyllion · 11 Oct 2006, 11:08 (Ref:1735027)

He is in Japan signing a deal with Nissan. At least that is my guess

Or in France signing a deal with Henri Pescarolo.

**FIRE** · 11 Oct 2006, 11:08 (Ref:1735029)

Paris?

WouterM · 11 Oct 2006, 11:12 (Ref:1735032)

I doubt he is at the hairdresser's.

Truckosaurus · 11 Oct 2006, 11:21 (Ref:1735041)

He might not have gone far.... For those unaware of the geography of the Huntingdonshire area, the Lola factory is only 3 or 4 miles from Rollcentre's place.

JamesH · 11 Oct 2006, 11:30 (Ref:1735048)

Radical are not too far away either....

JamesH · 11 Oct 2006, 11:31 (Ref:1735050)

Of course, he could just be stuck in the 18 mile queue we had on the A14 yesterday.....

**Bentley03** · 11 Oct 2006, 11:45 (Ref:1735070)

Quote:

Originally Posted by WouterM

I doubt he is at the hairdresser's.

Brilliant!

**Adam43** · 11 Oct 2006, 11:50 (Ref:1735081)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerodynamic

I'd put my money on a Pesca chassis with a factory Nissan engine.....

This is based on little, but I'd go with Henri's chassis, but not the Nissan (despite previous associations).

We'll see. It sounds promising though.

JAG · 11 Oct 2006, 11:54 (Ref:1735086)

Quote:

Originally Posted by canam

Sam Li is estimated to have dumped between £5m-8m into the R8 project for one year so the Audi UK support was clearly not enough...and Veloqx are no longer around.

.

I find the higher estimate very hard to believe.

Didn't Oreca run there car for a couple of miilion, at most?

davemk7 · 11 Oct 2006, 12:44 (Ref:1735142)

full factory backed nissan coupe. totally new car. thats my guess. it'll be wrong but guessing is fun!

pitviper · 11 Oct 2006, 12:47 (Ref:1735149)

i agree with the coupe, but i'm going with a Radical LMP1. New Judd engine perhaps... just a guess...

pit

WouterM · 11 Oct 2006, 12:51 (Ref:1735151)

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitviper

i agree with the coupe, but i'm going with a Radical LMP1. New Judd engine perhaps... just a guess...

pit

If it was going to be a Radical then a simple swap of cars would have made more sense, especially because one of them has not even left the factory. A closed car would make the most sense for the sponsors as it would automatically mean more exposure. I know my trigger-finger is very anxiously awaiting the Peugeot's debut for that reason.

Fieldgate · 11 Oct 2006, 12:59 (Ref:1735162)

...but you'd be competing with "HDi-FAP" - which just sounds toilet

WouterM · 11 Oct 2006, 13:08 (Ref:1735168)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fieldgate

...but you'd be competing with "HDi-FAP" - which just sounds toilet

Well Shorty's possible coupe would then be the only fine looking and sounding prototype on the grid. All the more reason to venture into that direction.

Nick49 · 11 Oct 2006, 13:14 (Ref:1735174)

Hello

Porsche RS Spyders as LMP1.

Well why not if everything else can be upgraded from LMP2 to LMP1. For what its worth I think Shorty has had a disapointing year with Radical and is looking for something that is fast and reliable. Like others have pointed out he has Deutsche Bank sponsorship and perhaps some back door chatting has produced results.

Roll on Thursday.

Nick

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