[chernaudi]

That'd only make sense if the ACO allow semi-factory deals similar to DPI into LMP1 privateer. But they want to push the factory teams into LMP1H, where you need a diesel engine and/or a hybrid system on your car to stand much chance of being competitive. The engine supply and said manufacturers being able to produce home brewed bodywork on a customer car chassis (sort of like AMR did with the Lola-Aston Martin LMP1 cars) could be viable for a "cheap" LMP1 sub-class and could throw a genuine bone to Rebellion and Kolles if they can get an engine supply/sponsorship deal from a car maker.

It won't allow them to close much on Audi, Porsche or Toyota with their hybrid and diesel/advanced gasoline engine tech and other resources, but could be a viable replacement for the split up LMP1 factory/privateer classes should the shoe drop should Toyota and one of the VAG backed teams pull out, which will largely depend on the 2018 regs at this point. If they're not interesting enough for Audi, Porsche or Toyota, and even before dieselgate, even Audi and Porsche were starting to criticize some aspects of the WEC on the ROI side (investment vs promotional value and similar items), at least one of them might leave.

As much as I think that the factory teams shouldn't be BOP'd just because they're making a bigger investment into the sport than the privateer team are, you do have to throw something to the privateer teams to keep them around and keep their interest. Which something like a fusion of DPI and LMP1 privateer might work.

Also, the proposed DPI "factory" team budges make TMG's relatively piddly $80 million a season or whatever it turns out to be look immense by comparison to the theorized DPI budgets.