[WEC] 2015 WEC Discussion

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Anyway if there's even say 3 second general handicap for P1, GT500 could become the fastest category on Earth beyond F1 and GP2.

I don't think that GT500 will continue to gain speed though, they will have to be pegged back in some way to allow the DTM cars to catch up, assuming the Class One plan goes further than just these two proposed races.

[Deleted]

Yeah but 2016-only could be different matter.

Moving on, anyone's yet read the ridiculous story on how F1 has only two test meetings (=8 days and all pre season) in total all year next season So with FIA land in such ecstasy over the matter recently, and some of the poorer factories in P1 pushing for more downsizing, do we expect further testing day restriction allocations in WEC too after 50 for this season? No need to point how the factories "don't spend those 50 days anyway" again, it's the principle. And as every extra car used in testing decreases the allocation it's not really 50 days for multiple car teams, it's 25 if you were to have 2 on every test, and 16-17 if you had three cars utilized everywhere for some reason

[TF110]

The Nurburgring test will feature 20 cars according to DSC. One of each factory lmp1 cars aside Nissan. Kolles CLM will attend but no Rebellion.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by TF110

Kolles CLM will attend but no Rebellion.

Now this is interesting.

[Deleted]

Test entry list in proper PDF
http://bo.fiawec.com/wpphpFichiers/1...Nring_test.pdf

5 drivers permitted and obviously some switcharounds there due to clashes elsewhere.

Oak amateur car has also withdrawn from the actual race.

[Deleted]

Meanwhile updated entry graph

[Artur]

Originally Posted by Chiana

The P1(-Hybrids)s are still absolute miles ahead of other classes everywhere.

Anyway if there's even say 3 second general handicap for P1, GT500 could become the fastest category on Earth beyond F1 and GP2.

As of now, LMP1s are 1 to 2s faster than GP2s.

GP2 pole at Silverstone, this year, was 1m39.9. But LMPs qualifying was done on a completely green track, so you can take 1-1.5s from Porsche's time.

At Spa, last year, GP2 pole was 1.56.8, so there is the two seconds gap.

[Graham Goodwin]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Question about the test at the Nurburgring this weekend:

The ACO isn't expected to release a full list, but here's what Sportscar 365 says is to be expected:

"An official entry list is not expected to be released, although it’s understood the test will include four LMP1 cars, six LMP2 entries, six GTE-Pro and four GTE-Am cars."

Four LMP1 cars would make sense if there's one from each team (Audi, Porsche, Toyota, and one from Rebellion or Kolles), but does anyone think that the private teams would show up?

If they don't show up, who would be expected to have 2 cars for the test? I'd guess Audi in that they could have one sprint spec car and one LM/Spa spec car to be tested side by side, or one with a different aero package all together.

Also, the guys from the #7 Audi would be a short skip away in Spa for the Spa 24, but could Audi (if they're the LMP1 team with two cars entered) also simply be giving more testing time to the guys in the #9 LM car?

The full list is outlined here - http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/0...ring-test.html

[chernaudi]

Any new info or photos or such regarding set up for the Nurburgring test?

[Graham Goodwin]

No media access until Tuesday

[chernaudi]

I'm surprised that the media is largely shut out until Tuesday (aside from team media members), yet the test is open to the public (ticket holders) for free on both days, at least for grandstand viewers.

[TF110]

Im sure some youtube vids will be up. Maybe some team will tweet lap times or amounts.

[chernaudi]

Looks like a damp track if pit road/front straight GP circuit webcam is to be believed.

Nurburgring's FB, Instagram, Twitter and YT pages might be worth following since there's no real coverage of today's sessions.

FIA WEC's FB and Twitter are also supposed to have updates, as well as TMG's Twitter and FB and I assume eventually those from Audi, Porsche, and other teams.

Only photos so far that I've seen is of one of ESM's cars (still carrying the Rolling Stone Magazine sponsorship) and a few photos that TMG posted on their Twitter.

[Spyderman]

From Roman Fett

[chernaudi]

Timo Scheider is testing the R18 right now.

[TheMightyM]

John Dagys tweets:

Only two drivers and a single, updated Nissan GT-R LM NISMO expected to be in attendance at COTA.

[TF110]

Times and total laps from today-



Porsche fastest, in the 1:39's like I predicted. Toyota Audi pretty close together, but no one knows if these are truly representative.

[Spyderman]

I doubt they are. There is no way that Porsche is 1.5 seconds faster than the Audi.
What I'm really surprised by is the difference in the amount of laps completed.

[chernaudi]

DSC opined that Audi sat out much of the morning part of the session, probably due to rain.

However in a You Tube video it seemed that Audi did quite a bit of running when it was damp.

At least today the weather report I read does say that there's not too much chance of rain--it'll probably briefly shower, but today should be a lot drier than yesterday.

[Spyderman]

It seems to me one would want to get quite a lot of wet weather testing under one's belt... considering that it is in no way unthinkable that the race will actually be wet.

[chernaudi]

If you watch some of the You Tube videos, the weather was actually quite nasty early on. Visibility especially wasn't very good.

Also, the track had some pretty big weepers puddling up between the 50 and 100m braking signs.

And oddly, the only time I can remember it raining during an ACO sanctioned sportscar race there was all the way back in 2004. It's probably rained during race weekends, but not during a race since then.

But judging by the weather in that region this year, it's probably either gonna be like a tropical rain forest or be bone dry.

[TF110]

Todays session has started about 20 minutes ago. Dry track with some cloud cover.

[Spyderman]

It really is such a shame we don't get live timing...or at least live texting.

[chernaudi]

Toyota and Porsche have been Tweeting stuff, but Audi have been silent on social media about the tests, at least day one.

Today the whole track is open to the press, so hopefully there will be more photos and info today.

[TF110]

Press conference at 12pm local time... wonder what the content of that will be. Wec says there are 4 drivers to be interviewed.