LMS 2011 Discussion

[LeMans.pt]

Originally Posted by courageous

RML's Lola is for sale in this weeks autosport print.
Any idea what their 2011 plan is?

According to the Silverstone Review press release:

“With some significant details of the 2011 regulations still to be determined it is not yet possible for us to make any firm decisions,” stated Mike Newton, “but we are committed to putting a new package together for next season, and we have every intention of defending our title.” Those regulations are likely to be settled in the coming weeks, and a statement will follow. In the meantime, the team’s title-winning Lola Coupé is now for sale, either as an LMP2 contender or as the basis for an LMP1 package under the modified regulations.

[pablocomics]

This would be a silly-silly-silly 2011 season

LMP1

works Peugeot 90X ¿gasoline hybrid? -probably partial entry (Spa/Silvertone)

works Audi R18 V6 TDi -probably partial entry Spa/Silverstone

works Aston Martin -likely partial entry

Drayson - Lola- probably partial entry (Spa/Silverstone)

Beechdean Mansell - Ginetta zytek? -posibly

Oreca- Peugeot 90X/Oreca02 - Confirmed

OAK racing - Pescarolo -confirmed?

Strakka Racing - HPD - confirmed?

Sirgnature plus - Aston Martin -probably

Quifel ASM-Ginetta Zytek-confirmed

WR - WR peugeot - probably

Rebellion - Lola? - probably

DAMS - likely

Arash Racing - Lola - likely

LNT??

new Pescarolo Sport? - ??? - likely

A1 Team Malaysia - Lola - likely

Noel del Bello? - likely

Hope Pole Vision - Lola hybrid? - likely

Woodard Racing -Lola- If the pig flies they will be on the road

LMP2

RML- Lola LMP2-HPD? - Confirmed but they will have a new pack

MIK racing - Lola Judd? - probably

Race Performance - Radical - confirmed

Pegasus Racing - Norma - likely

KSM - Lola? - probably

Bruichladdich - zytek??? - confirmed but they need a new engine

Boutsen energy - Oreca03/FLM - probably

DAMS - Oreca FLM -probably

Hope Pole Vision - Oreca FLM -probably

JMB - Oreca FLM - probably

AF Corse? - Lola? - Likely?

Edward Bailey - Bailey - likely?

Applewood - Oreca FLM - likely?

Pierre Bruneau? - Radical - likely

WFR - Embassy 01 - likely/probably not

Phoenix Corse - Lola? - likely

AUH Motorsports? - likely?

GTE

Team Felbermayr Proton - Porsche hybrid? - confirmed

IMSA performance - Porsche - probably

AF Corse - Ferrari 458 - probably/confirmed

CRS - Ferrari 458/430 -probably

Spyker Squadron - Spyker - probably

JMW - Aston Martin Vantage - probably

Prospeed - Porsche - probably

JWA - Porsche - likely

Jota Sport - Aston Martin Vantage -probably

Modena- Ferrari 458 - likely

Hankook Farnbacher - Ferrari/Panoz/LMP -confirmed (but wich category?)

Atlas FX - Ford GT2? -likely

Gulf Team First - Lambo GT2 - Some races?

Larbre - porsche? - likely

Luc Alphand - ??? - likely

JMB - Ferrari 458 -likely

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

For some reason, the GTE-Am-idea smacks too much of a consolation prize to me. It just isnt really a class of it's own - and many series have special trophies for gentleman-drivers, but hardly anyone gives a d*** about it.

Yes. It's a way too keep car counts up. Just like the ALMS GTC class.

[Victor_RO]

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...ance-5570.html

Looks like teams are already starting to test for next season. Apparently Audi and Michelin have recently conducted a tire test in Spain, alongside several GT teams... one question arises on this one, though: what Aston Martin team in GT2 on Michelins? Jota?

Also, from the second part of the report, about a tire test at Portimao, it seems like Rebellion Racing are evaluating switching to Dunlop rubber.

[Simmi]

Yep glad to see that Rebellion were there in spite of everything that has happened this week.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...ance-5570.html

Looks like teams are already starting to test for next season. Apparently Audi and Michelin have recently conducted a tire test in Spain, alongside several GT teams... one question arises on this one, though: what Aston Martin team in GT2 on Michelins? Jota?

Also, from the second part of the report, about a tire test at Portimao, it seems like Rebellion Racing are evaluating switching to Dunlop rubber.

I noticed they did not say which car Audi tested....could it have been the R18?

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by joeb

I noticed they did not say which car Audi tested....could it have been the R18?

Why would they test the R18 at this stage in a form of group test?

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by joeb

I noticed they did not say which car Audi tested....could it have been the R18?

But I suppose they could have had the track to themselves. Who knows. I'm sure it would have been mentioned in the story if they had rolled out the R18. Although I'm sure they were most likely gathering 2011 tyre data with the current chassis of which they are intimate with.

[Mal]

Originally Posted by joeb

I noticed they did not say which car Audi tested....could it have been the R18?

More likely to be the R8 GT3??

[E46]

Originally Posted by joeb

I noticed they did not say which car Audi tested....could it have been the R18?

According SportMotores.es were two Audi R15 TDI driven by Capello and Kristensen.

[Fogelhund]

A last glance at 2010
In 2011, Team Bruichladdich will be entering its 6th year racing in the Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 Hour for the 5th year in a row, and is looking forward to building on its 2010 successes. This year they ran the Zytek LMP2 petrol engine normally aspirated 3.4 litre V8. The highlight last year was P10 overall and 5th in class at the Le Mans 24 hour race. It was a particularly tough race with only 40% of the cars finishing. To commemorate this, the Team will be offering a special bottling Bruichladdich Whisky, from the Team Owners private stock, more details will be released shortly.

A Nissan engine for Team Bruichladdich
The Zytek LMP2 V8 engine is to be replaced with Nismo V8 VK45DE 4.5 litre production engine. Other engines were seriously considered, but an early decision was essential as there is a lot of work to get through during the winter. Nismo convinced us that their engine would be competitive, reliable and available in good time. It was especially important that the installation was also relatively simple and fully supported through Zytek. Due to the new 2011 rules modifications to the car are limited. The car will be having several permitted upgrades that will provide significant improvement in the overall performance of the car and its service ability.

Tim Greaves retires
Team owner Tim Greaves has retired from LM driving (for a 2nd time, will there be a 3rd?) and a replacement driver with a budget is being sought. Tim will concentrate on helping build up the Team with his son Jacob. Jacob has managed the Team for over three years.

[LeMans.pt]

Quifel ASM Team was testing in Portimão: Article here, but in portuguese...
Key facts:

- Ginetta-Zytek tested in full LMP1/2011 regs (but with 2010 aerodynamics)
- No Zytek specific testing, only Dunlop Tyres (18 new rubber mixes)
- No hybrid Zytek: It would need a lot of testing and there is no time/money/Zytek support for it.
- 1:32.7 as best time (1:30.681 was Oreca's Peugeot pole in 2010)
- Team owner António Simões is calm about what is happening in Zytek and believes in a good end for the contend between shareholders.

[JAG]

According to Autosport DAMS are looking to run two P2's, possibly ORECA's.

1:32.7 as best time (1:30.681 was Oreca's Peugeot pole in 2010)

Impressive for a first run.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by LeMans.pt

Quifel ASM Team was testing in Portimão: Article here, but in portuguese...
Key facts:

- Ginetta-Zytek tested in full LMP1/2011 regs (but with 2010 aerodynamics)
- No Zytek specific testing, only Dunlop Tyres (18 new rubber mixes)
- No hybrid Zytek: It would need a lot of testing and there is no time/money/Zytek support for it.
- 1:32.7 as best time (1:30.681 was Oreca's Peugeot pole in 2010)
- Team owner António Simões is calm about what is happening in Zytek and believes in a good end for the contend between shareholders.

So were they running the 3.4L Zytek engine? If so that is bloody quick vs the 908's time.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by joeb

So were they running the 3.4L Zytek engine? If so that is bloody quick vs the 908's time.

Considering what they ran last year and what they intend to run next year, I'd say that they must have been running the 3.4.

[LeMans.pt]

Originally Posted by joeb

So were they running the 3.4L Zytek engine? If so that is bloody quick vs the 908's time.

Yes, they run with the 3.4L V8 with LMP1/2010 air restrictor. The car has +30hp and +75kg.
I'm portuguese, so i'm suspect, but those guys are very underestimated by endurance fans. Everyone talks about RML, OAK or Strakka, but ASM — with half (or even less) the money those teams have — does some little wonders!...

But... to soon for a proper comparison! Let's see what happens with a full LMP1/2011 spec car.

[Tim the Grey]

I would be surprised if Zytek DON'T run some form of hybrid, as that is their business, and the racing is to publicise the technology...
They've been recruiting for Electronic and Electrical Traction Designers for about 2 years, for the centre in Lichfield, Staffs.

I have th eutmost respect for Quifel! One of the best run teams in LMS, and always there or thereabouts when the flag falls!

[Joe Taylor]

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

I would be surprised if Zytek DON'T run some form of hybrid, as that is their business, and the racing is to publicise the technology...

I think that all depends on whether the Zytek Group half or the LNT half end up buying Zytek Motorsport.

[Down F0rce]

Do we have a calendar yet?

[Joe Taylor]

Not yet, but we know they'll race at Paul Ricard on the 1st-3rd April and at Silverstone on the 9th-11th September courtesy of the F3 Euroseries: http://www.f3euroseries.com/news_new...be.php?id=3029

[Bentley03]

Daily Sportscar believe that Marc VDS, further to their GT1 Ford GT's being put up for sale, are looking closely at a possible entry in the GT classes of the Le Mans Series in 2011.

[Victor_RO]

I'm suspecting that if Matech themselves don't want to run the new GT2/GTE Ford and only want to sell it to teams, Marc VDS will be one of the first in line to acquire the cars and run them.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Daily Sportscar believe that Marc VDS, further to their GT1 Ford GT's being put up for sale, are looking closely at a possible entry in the GT classes of the Le Mans Series in 2011.

Classes? Matech has mentioned they have had interest in their GT2/E product so hopefully they can get a deal put together with Marc VDS. They are already familiar with Matech products, which may help them compete.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

I'm suspecting that if Matech themselves don't want to run the new GT2/GTE Ford and only want to sell it to teams, Marc VDS will be one of the first in line to acquire the cars and run them.

I still think Marc VDS are just posturing. Autosport last week said basically the same thing as the article Bentley03 quoted, in that they are 'evaluating other options'.

I'd love to see them run the LMS and Le Mans. But I expect to see them back in GT1 next year. We'll watch this space. It's not exactly hard for them to hold meetings with Matech on a regular basis in the GT1 paddock.

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by joeb

Classes?

Yep.........

The GT Endurance category will be for one type of car but divided into two classes from 2011:

* GT Endurance PRO: a professional category, cars and drivers free.
* GT Endurance AM: cars over one year old and with a minimum of two drivers classified in the bronze or silver categories (defined under LM P2 LMS 2010 regulations).

(courtesy of lemans.org)