Nissan LMP1 Discussion

[Ephaeton]

Originally Posted by joeb

What it coming true, just the engine right? not the chassis?

well, add "manufacturer styling cues" + fox = nissan is back in prototypes!

[wdave0]

Originally Posted by joeb

What it coming true, just the engine right? not the chassis?

Not specifically stated but just engine is certainly most cost effective and given IMSA branding there will be no hint that it isn't all NISSAN which certainly matches their PR.

[wolfhound]

If you have access to Autosport's premium features there is an interview with Max Chilton about his Nissan experience.
Among his comments was that the program was about 2 years from being where it should have been. He said it was the most difficult car he has ever driven and did not really regard it as a proper race car.

http://plus.autosport.com/premium/fe...494.1448115426

[old man]

What was unusual in general in this project was the early release of information about the new concept well before it had been proven in private testing. It is not the way usually for our oriental friends to risk a loss of face by going public before you know something works.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by wolfhound

If you have access to Autosport's premium features there is an interview with Max Chilton about his Nissan experience.
Among his comments was that the program was about 2 years from being where it should have been. He said it was the most difficult car he has ever driven and did not really regard it as a proper race car.

http://plus.autosport.com/premium/fe...494.1448115426

You're not the only one, Max.

[S griffin]

I read that article too. Seems they really did bite of more than they could chew

[TF110]

They lacked funding. When the right guy got in to put them on track, their hybrid was too weak. This wasn't a 'Japanese' effort imo. More like a couple of Nisssan guys who thought they had everything figured out. It looks to me that Nissan said "have at it", gave them a little bit of money and this is what happened. Should've got those guys at Nismo doing the SuperGT cars from the beginning. They've made front engine cars actually win (in gt500).

[YorkshireLad]

What's bowlby doing nowadays?

[CTD]

According to his LinkedIn, nothing since the Deltawing:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-bowlby-8bb6331a

[YorkshireLad]

Maybe he's sat at home sketching the latest revolutionary car design..

[Akrapovic]

Just before Le Mans, Nissan released a video that had an interview with Chilton. He said it was so good and easy to drive that you forgot it was front wheel drive. And now it's failed and been put in a skip, it's not a real racing car and a terrible car to drive.

Amazing how much smoke and mirrors there was. The drivers opinions were the opposite of what they actually said.

[kvenom]

Some guys such as Brandon Fry (race engineer) have joined Ganassi for the GT program, others like Simon Marshall (designer) are still looking for jobs. What a mess.

[YorkshireLad]

A lot of drivers or people generally say one statement when employed, then the complete opposite when not. I guess that's why Gene fizzled into the background well before LM.

Seen as where going 'full circle' again. I'd just like to say I hope (if it was possible) some car crazy people such as Leno, buy a chassis and dump money into bringing this car up to its true potential (if it's possible) I'm still hooked, would love to see another 2years hard work on the design.

[knighty]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Just before Le Mans, Nissan released a video that had an interview with Chilton. He said it was so good and easy to drive that you forgot it was front wheel drive. And now it's failed and been put in a skip, it's not a real racing car and a terrible car to drive.

Amazing how much smoke and mirrors there was. The drivers opinions were the opposite of what they actually said.

I'm sorry but Chilton is quite far away to what I would consider to being a valued driving opinion, he is average at best.......he only got to where he is due to the size of his fathers cheque book.......Bianchi blew him away in F1.....if Chilton had the slightest trace of talent he would have shone soon enough like other pay drivers did, such as Schumacher (mercedes paid for his Jordan seat), Alonso, Fisichella, Weber, Trulli, Wilson and others when driving for the likes of Jordan and Minardi as a pay-drivers, their talent soon shone through and allowed them to quickly transition to actually being paid and sought-after talented drivers within a year.

[Acid09]

Originally Posted by knighty

I'm sorry but Chilton is quite far away to what I would consider to being a valued driving opinion, he is average at best.......he only got to where he is due to the size of his fathers cheque book.......Bianchi blew him away in F1.....if Chilton had the slightest trace of talent he would have shone soon enough like other pay drivers did, such as Schumacher (mercedes paid for his Jordan seat), Alonso, Fisichella, Weber, Trulli, Wilson and others when driving for the likes of Jordan and Minardi as a pay-drivers, their talent soon shone through and allowed them to quickly transition to actually being paid and sought-after talented drivers within a year.

He drove a F1 car so he knows what driving a race car feels like..

Seriously, in how much denial does one need to be to still not see the writing on the wall? There was a reason Marc Gene pulled out of the effort before Le Mans, and it was exactly what Chilton describes.

Gene obviously realized this car is a POS and will be an embarrassment for everyone associated with it, so he distanced himself from it. Younger drivers like Chilton or the GT Academy guys couldn't afford to cut their ties with Nissan, so they played along.

[Akrapovic]

Chilton may be average as a racing driver, but he's still a racing driver. An average golfer will still be able to tell you if a golf club is any good.

[BSchneiderFan]

I don't buy the Chilton-is-average line. He made it to F1. He wasn't embarrassing. That makes you a pretty strong driver. There is no room for duds in Formula 1 any more.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Acid09

Seriously, in how much denial does one need to be to still not see the writing on the wall? There was a reason Marc Gene pulled out of the effort before Le Mans, and it was exactly what Chilton describes

I think knighty actually agrees with you about the LMP1, he's just disparaging Chilton's ability behind the wheel (and in front of his engineers).

[Adam43]

Chilton pretty much described what we could see trackside. From that his judgement seems spot on.

[Adam43]

Chilton pretty much described what we could see trackside. From that his judgement seems spot on.

[TF110]

Just my opinion, but him flip flopping on his take of what the car is like seems like something an upset driver would do. Too many are hanging on to words from a guy who got fired. Like Adam said though, we could see their troubles, do we need drivers to confirm it?

[Adam43]

"Fired"? Emotive words like that will keep this thread going!

[TF110]

It was kinda a sarcastic post Those are reasons I've seen on other outlets to not take his word as being honest or of merit.

[Irie]

Apparently Mark Shulzhitskiy is also no longer part of Nissan's motorsport plans.
https://twitter.com/Shootstokill/sta...81282743009280

[Coach Ep]

Heard non-stop these days at Nismo's HQs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0WxgSXdEE

P.S. what are their driver classifications?