Sportscar/GT (and Le Mans) Rumours and Repetition

[Tim the Grey]

AMR, at a guess. Don't get much smaller, really, until you go to Malvern, and see Morgan!

[Tim the Grey]

If it looks like a 911, and sounds like a 911, then does it really matter if the engine's in the middle?
After all, it hasn't BEEN a 911 for 20 odd years now! 993,996,997...

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

If it looks like a 911, and sounds like a 911, then does it really matter if the engine's in the middle?
After all, it hasn't BEEN a 911 for 20 odd years now! 993,996,997...

Huh?

[DeutschRenn]

i think it could be renault/nissan. it would make more sense to run a renault at lemans. or itd be my preference

[Acid09]

Originally Posted by DeutschRenn

i think it could be renault/nissan. it would make more sense to run a renault at lemans. or itd be my preference

Aside from their run in the late 70s, Renault has always been more about open-wheelers than sports cars.

Since Nissan already has quite a rich history in sports cars and maintains a presence in LMP2 they will surely be the make the company will be going with for a LMP1 assault.

[DeutschRenn]

They dropped out of f1 as a car manufacturer.
And happened to show up at the ACO manufacturers meeting 2 years ago.
And like Toyota now have an empty Enstone Facility that no longer builds chassis....and similiar to ToyotaGmbh just engines and kers i believe.
toyota came back. who knows. id love to see a renault. i dont particualry like Nissan/Infiniti. They do not have any good looking vehicles except for the nissan GTR and maybe some of there 350/70 Z models. infinitis are oddly bulbous. and the new Quest? the Juke? The Cube? Nissan needs to drop the funky fresh gig.

[DistortedSmile]

Originally Posted by DeutschRenn

They dropped out of f1 as a car manufacturer.
And happened to show up at the ACO manufacturers meeting 2 years ago.
And like Toyota now have an empty Enstone Facility that no longer builds chassis....and similiar to ToyotaGmbh just engines and kers i believe.
toyota came back. who knows. id love to see a renault. i dont particualry like Nissan/Infiniti. They do not have any good looking vehicles except for the nissan GTR and maybe some of there 350/70 Z models. infinitis are oddly bulbous. and the new Quest? the Juke? The Cube? Nissan needs to drop the funky fresh gig.

If it's about looks think of the awesome looking prototypes Nissan has had in the past, R90C, the IMSA GTP ZX, the R390.
And if we're talking about roadcars, what does Renault have in terms of sportscars? What do they have that even compares to the GTRs and the Z cars?

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by DistortedSmile

If it's about looks think of the awesome looking prototypes Nissan has had in the past, R90C, the IMSA GTP ZX, the R390.
And if we're talking about roadcars, what does Renault have in terms of sportscars? What do they have that even compares to the GTRs and the Z cars?

It's not about road cars though is it. What do Peugeot have apart from that RCZ hairdressers car. No the good thing about the new rules are that it allows manufacturers to showcase technology and racing pedigree hand in hand.

[DistortedSmile]

Originally Posted by Simmi

that RCZ hairdressers car.

But yes, I agree, roadcars are not relevant to this discussion, I only brought it up because he commented on them.

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by DistortedSmile

If it's about looks think of the awesome looking prototypes Nissan has had in the past, R90C, the IMSA GTP ZX, the R390.
And if we're talking about roadcars, what does Renault have in terms of sportscars? What do they have that even compares to the GTRs and the Z cars?

The R390 was a revamped Jaguar XJR-15 I do believe .

[templer]

Originally Posted by The Badger

The R390 was a revamped Jaguar XJR-15 I do believe .

The R390 showed the typical TWR design line especially in the roof line but it was definitely not a revamped XJR-15. The XJR was based on a XJR-9 Group c car while the R390 was a totally new car designed for the GT1 rules. Monocoque, suspension, engine, gearbox and aero were totally different.

[kurski]

Originally Posted by gustavobamba

So who is the third Big manufacture and the small one??????

HYUNDAI???

Ridiculous news would be this, I am unable to believe that Hyundai would never be coming to Le Mans.

Originally Posted by Acid09

Aside from their run in the late 70s, Renault has always been more about open-wheelers than sports cars.

Since Nissan already has quite a rich history in sports cars and maintains a presence in LMP2 they will surely be the make the company will be going with for a LMP1 assault.

I can not believe nothing that Renault would be making a comeback sportcars race, but Nissan can build a future LMP1 car.

If you had to choose, so rather I would see the Le Mans 24 circuit the Renault team, but it is a dream.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by gustavobamba

A few months back ACO tell´s that they where in talks with 3 big manufactures and one small to enter in the near future in Le Mans.

Beaumesnil said in total four. He didn't specify how many of them were small or big:

ACO sporting manager Vincent Beaumesnil said, "We are in contact with many manufacturers who are interested in LMP1, not just Toyota. I would say there are four, including some big ones and some small ones."

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110617/ALMS/110619866

Remove Toyota and Porsche (announcement came two weeks later) and that leaves two question marks.

I always wondered why did Beaumesnil spill out Toyota? Maybe by accident or then this reflected "the worst kept secret in LMP racing".

[deggis]

Originally Posted by DeutschRenn

And [Renault] happened to show up at the ACO manufacturers meeting 2 years ago.

One year ago (7.19.10 @ http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsjuly10.html).

I think would support Beaumesnil's "in contact with many manufacturers".

And like Toyota now have an empty Enstone Facility that no longer builds chassis....and similiar to ToyotaGmbh just engines and kers i believe.

It is still in use. Renault is just no longer the majority owner of the team.

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by kurski

Ridiculous news would be this, I am unable to believe that Hyundai would never be coming to Le Mans.

I can see it. Hyundai is changing their reputation faster than the Japanese manufacturers did in the '80's and '90s. Plus the Genesis is a pretty slick little car. Why not?

[Racenut]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

I can see it. Hyundai is changing their reputation faster than the Japanese manufacturers did in the '80's and '90s. Plus the Genesis is a pretty slick little car. Why not?

Its not a factory effort but it looks like someone else can see that the product has potential.

www.austechmotorsport.com

[Pandamasque]

That doesn't look very serious. It seems they are developing BOTH GT2 and GTE versions *facepalm*

[Simmi]

Which was the other manufacturer (other than Toyota) Mike spotted looking at his site. Was that not Hyundai? Can't remember...

[gwyllion]

Yes, it was Hyundai. See http://www.mulsannescorner.com/RCELeMans2011.html

[deggis]

edit: posted the same thing

[kurski]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

I can see it. Hyundai is changing their reputation faster than the Japanese manufacturers did in the '80's and '90s. Plus the Genesis is a pretty slick little car. Why not?

You are certainly well-informed, but I really do not want to believe even if the stuff was that Hyundai would be coming. If you Hyundai decide to become, so the driver rumor would certainly be Ho-Pin Tung, Cheng Congfu and Jiang Tengyi.

[Racenut]

Originally Posted by Pandamasque

That doesn't look very serious. It seems they are developing BOTH GT2 and GTE versions *facepalm*

GTE and GT2 are based on the same rules so one car would suit both. Its (primarily) only the homologation that is different but now that LeMans is part of the FIA WEC I would expect them to use FIA rules. Wouldnt you?

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Racenut

GTE and GT2 are based on the same rules so one car would suit both. Its (primarily) only the homologation that is different but now that LeMans is part of the FIA WEC I would expect them to use FIA rules. Wouldnt you?

I think you misunderstood his post .

Also, ACO is in 100% control of the rules and homologation in Le Mans and WEC, FIA has no control here.

[Livininthinair]

As far as Hyundai goes they put some money into Rhys Millen's pikes peak car but I don't see them as a prototype or a GT manufacturer, I just don't think they have the intrest. Is Jaguar no longer thinking of a return with an LMP car, has that fallen off the radar. Nissan I would think as the most likely seeing how Signatech is coming back with two cars but I know they are not a "factory" effort.

No manufacturer in the states seems to have any interest in a prototype effort - even though I wish that wasn't true... That is unless its a Grand Am prototurtle, or a Deltathing but lets not talk about them ok...

[deggis]

Originally Posted by Livininthinair

Is Jaguar no longer thinking of a return with an LMP car, has that fallen off the radar.

Nothing after this.