Your dream All-American Racing Team (LMP1)

[FstrthnU]

With none of the Big 3 American auto companies having plans for an LMP1 team anytime soon, I thought it would be fun to think of the ideal All-American Racing team for the WEC. It would have American drivers and as many American component as possible. I guess I'd also like to find out which Americans would be truly suited for top-level prototype racing.

My first go at it:

Drivers:

#1 car
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Colin Braun
Patrick Long

#2 Car
Jordan Taylor
Alexander Rossi
Matthew Brabham

Car
Engine: Chevrolet LT1 6.2L V8 Hybrid
Hybrid Type: Supercapacitor – supplied by Ford or General Motors (?)
Chassis: Riley Technologies
Tires: Goodyear or Firestone or Dunlop
Gearbox: Xtrac
Seats: Recaro or Sparco

The hybrid system is probably the most suspect part of the car, I don't know if any of the Big 3 have any hybrid stuff suitable for racing. My thinking is that all of the drivers I picked have prototype or open-wheel experience (or both like RHR).

[Acid09]

Xtrac is British, Recaro is German.

Long wouldn't be suitable to drive a P1 really, he even somewhat struggled in the RS Spyder.

AJ Allmendinger comes to mind though.

[FstrthnU]

The Gearbox and seats were just kind of extras in my head, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of choice in the accessory components at the top level.

[skycafe]

Joey Hand.

[TF110]

Scott Pruett (hi to my family)! Cadillac LMP part deux.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

Engine: Chevrolet LT1 6.2L V8 Hybrid
Hybrid Type: Supercapacitor – supplied by Ford or General Motors (?)

[ptclaus98]

Swift Designed LMP
Powered by Ford Ecoboost V6
Flybrid system
Bridgestone tires


Car 1:
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Alexander Rossi
Jon Summerton

Car 2:
Joey Hand
Jon Edwards
Michael Lewis

Run by Penske.

[mike46and2]

I wonder how Marco Andretti would adapt to a prototype.

[Salamus]

Originally Posted by mike46and2

I wonder how Marco Andretti would adapt to a prototype.

http://www.racingsportscars.com/driv...retti-USA.html

[TF110]

I think GM should run a Cadillac lmp program again. Use some hybrid tech from the upcoming ELR (chevy volt) or the Chevy hybrid tech in their 'eco' models.

[David Land]

Originally Posted by mike46and2

I wonder how Marco Andretti would adapt to a prototype.

Marco is a very good prototype driver, very aggressive.

After reading Go Like Hell, the next American effort at an overall win needs to be Ford, period.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by TF110

I think GM should run a Cadillac lmp program again. Use some hybrid tech from the upcoming ELR (chevy volt) or the Chevy hybrid tech in their 'eco' models.

Cadillac would be great, but it would make things a lot easier just to stick with Chevrolet and adopt their hybrid technology. But either way, it's a good idea.

But I think the choices are limited when it comes down to picking six fast, American drivers. A few good ones have been mentioned, but most are doing duties somewhere else. Some guys that need a seat in LMP1 worldwide are Brendon Hartley, Oliver Turvey, Pierre Ragues, Nelson Panciatici, Jeroen Bleekemolen (again), Bertrand Baguette, Olivier Lombard, Karun Chandhok, etc. IMO, a lot of choices before any American drivers come to mind.

[Nick6]

Use a Jerico gearbox.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Beetle

Cadillac would be great, but it would make things a lot easier just to stick with Chevrolet and adopt their hybrid technology. But either way, it's a good idea.

But I think the choices are limited when it comes down to picking six fast, American drivers. A few good ones have been mentioned, but most are doing duties somewhere else. Some guys that need a seat in LMP1 worldwide are Brendon Hartley, Oliver Turvey, Pierre Ragues, Nelson Panciatici, Jeroen Bleekemolen (again), Bertrand Baguette, Olivier Lombard, Karun Chandhok, etc. IMO, a lot of choices before any American drivers come to mind.

Cadillac would be a better fit imo since Corvette is Chevrolet and their GTE favorites. Don't want to take attention away from them.

[Jonerz]

Are Emco gearboxes American?

My car would be a Riley with that fancy new LT1 motor, as well. Just sensible, reliable, powerful, likely could be done inexpensively and wind up being fairly economical on fuel, too. I'd go with Goodyear tires, because I want them back in a competitive arena.

Car 1
Joey Hand
Jon Edwards
Jordan Taylor

Car 2
Colin Braun
Alex Gurney
Jon Fogarty

Car 3
Scott Pruett
Guy Cosmo
Pat Long

But I'd like to see a Ford Ecoboost program as well.

On an unrelated topic, brought up by my thinking about fantasy race cars, I wish the ACO had mandated LMP1 motors next year be production based. Would have been fun to have a 4.2L Audi V8 vs a 3.8L Porsche turbo and a 5.2L Toyota(/Lexus) V10, or something along those lines running to the fuel allotment and ERS rules.

Chris

[Mal]

Originally Posted by David Land

the next American effort at an overall win needs to be Ford, period.

Le Mans dream = Ford and Ferrari back fighting for overall wins

[dxk1]

I agree that Cadillac would be better for P1 than Chevy. Also, why is everyone missing Bill Auberlein as an LMP1 driver? He's had success in P1 and still knows how to handle a fast car. I'm guessing he could add a great deal to a P1 program, especially if there are lots of young drivers. He would be an excellent mentor.

DK

[Accident]

Originally Posted by dxk1

I agree that Cadillac would be better for P1 than Chevy. Also, why is everyone missing Bill Auberlein as an LMP1 driver? He's had success in P1 and still knows how to handle a fast car. I'm guessing he could add a great deal to a P1 program, especially if there are lots of young drivers. He would be an excellent mentor.

DK

My guess would be because Auberlen is a BMW driver.

[dxk1]

Originally Posted by Lebanza

My guess would be because Auberlen is a BMW driver.

Yes, but this is a totally theoretical exercise, so he should be considered just like Pat Long who is a Porsche driver.

DK

[mike46and2]

It would be nice to see some of these guys go to " Race of Champions"
Guys like Hand,Taylor, Edwards, Rossi, and Braun. Thats My top 5. All younger guys with lots of up side. It would be nice to see them in an all things equal race.

[BrentJackson]

My Choice

General Motors

Cadillac LMP14

Chassis: Closed-roof carbon-fiber monocoque, CF suspension, all metal components made from titanium or magnesium, mid-engined, rear wheel drive, hybrid system operates on the front wheels
Engine: GM High Feature 5200cc V12, built from two GM "High Feature" V6 engines with stroke reduced
Fuel: E85 Ethanol (using Cellulosic ethanol rather than corn-based ethanol)
Fuel Supplier: KL Energy
Engine Tuner: Katech
Engine Electronics: AEM Engine Management, MSD electronic ignition units
Engine Fluids: Valvoline
Hybrid System: Maxwell Technologies supercapacitors, Johnson Controls electric motors, superconducting wiring and hybrid control unit
Gearbox: Allison hydraulically-shifted Seven-speed sequential manual with automatic shift mode
Other Features: Air conditioned driver compartment, heads-up display with night-vision system, dashboard camera to give better rear visibility

Chassis Builder: Riley Technologies
Wheels: Forgeline
Tires: Goodyear
Machine Maintenance: Riley Technologies
Racing Teams: Andretti Autosport, HVM Multimatic Racing, Wayne Taylor Racing, Bob Stallings Racing

Drivers
Car 1 (Andretti): Michael Andretti, Marco Andretti, Jordan Taylor, Matthew Brabham
Car 2 (Andretti): Ryan Hunter-Reay, A.J. Allmendinger, Sage Karam, James Hinchcliffe
Car 3 (HVM Multimatic): Memo Gidley, Billy Johnson, Lawson Aschenbach, Paul Tracy
Car 4 (Taylor): Max Angelelli, Colin Braun, Joey Hand, John Edwards
Car 5 (Stallings): Jimmy Vasser, Alexander Rossi, Guy Cosmo, J.R. Hindebrand

[joeb]

Wow that was an extremely detailed description. Please forward this on to GM!

[TF110]

Goodyear tires huh? Thats all-American for you!