Sportscar/GT (and Le Mans) Rumours and Repetition

[nkoske]

Exactly why fund a full time program when every couple years you can get more press than the winner of the race, by doing a G56?

[aneesh99]

Originally Posted by nkoske

Exactly why fund a full time program when every couple years you can get more press than the winner of the race, by doing a G56?

True true, Darren Cox has played to that more than a few times. It kind of does make sense, minimizing investment for maximum return. I know the DW split the crowd but regardless, it generated headlines, as does the GT Academy, their YouTube channel etc etc.

It's smart, I just wished they would take a real look at making a big commitment to sports car racing in terms of a factory P1 effort. Wishful thinking though, but who knows!

[KA]

I reckon whatever they announce is going to be a big indication of how serious they are- if it does turn out to be just a GT500 or a bog-standard Oreca chassis with some electric motors and big Nissan logos, then yes, I suspect it'll be a one-year PR stunt. On the other hand, a 2014-rules LMP chassis with a drivetrain that's outside the current rulebook would suggest something potentially a lot more serious.

A few weeks back, E-I suggested that Ben Bowlby is working on it, after parting company with the DeltaWing. Bowlby's a chassis and aero guy- would they hire him just to work out how to stuff some electric motors and batteries into a GT500?

http://translate.google.co.uk/transl...nce-18093.html

[TF110]

Everyone speaks of these other rumors and don't find them so extreme, but Nissan gets criticism because theyre doing a g56 car first? Winning LeMans is a much bigger headline than some 'one trick pony' that might not even finish the race. The headlines in Japan would be huge.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by nkoske

Exactly why fund a full time program when every couple years you can get more press than the winner of the race, by doing a G56?

Because people forget the G56 entry over time - they don't forget the winner!
Besides, it's the winner who get the PR out to the masses, not the G56 entry.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by KA

A few weeks back, E-I suggested that Ben Bowlby is working on it, after parting company with the DeltaWing. Bowlby's a chassis and aero guy- would they hire him just to work out how to stuff some electric motors and batteries into a GT500?

http://translate.google.co.uk/transl...nce-18093.html

That EI article linked to the Autocar article which had this quote in it:

"What is absolutely clear is Take That We Have to be in a position to showcase electric technology and We Have to have a car That is as visually arresting as the DeltaWing."

So will the car be of similar design to the DW? or something more conventially shaped but dramatic none the less?

[Juntos]

Mazda? Why this year nobody talks about Mazda? They are always about to come back.

[GT6]

Originally Posted by Juntos

Mazda? Why this year nobody talks about Mazda? They are always about to come back.

But they are no longer allowed to use a rotary engine unfortuneately

[gustavobamba]

Will Honda present their effort for 2014 this Weekend????

[aneesh99]

Originally Posted by GT6

But they are no longer allowed to use a rotary engine unfortuneately

2014 rules ban rotary engines?!

[GT6]

Rotary engines were banned after the Mazda win

[deggis]

Originally Posted by aneesh99

2014 rules ban rotary engines?!

Directly from the regs: "Only Petrol and Diesel 4 stroke engines with reciprocating pistons are permitted."

Not sure what is the reason, but more fuel for the fire (this stupid 787B ban myth). What is this assumption that they'd use one anyway? Where were they the whole previous decade when rotaries were allowed?

Originally Posted by GT6

Rotary engines were banned after the Mazda win

Stop believing in this bullcrap myth immediately. The 3.5L regs for 1992 were decided already as early as 1990 and the decision had nothing to do with Mazda or their win.

[Aysedasi]

I may be misunderstanding, but I thought they competed with their rotaries in the 787B predecessors for a number of years before 1991?

[GT6]

Yes they did and I also knew that Mazda knew it would be the last year they could use the rotary engine, however it won i was there and it brought a tear to my eyes, one of the those marvelous moments that happen at le mans.

Deggis I did not mean to infer that the win caused the ban, I know it did not but the rotary engine ban came in after the win, but i do miss the beautiful sound of those race engines

[pablocomics]

Fexible ban.... The rotary engines will be legal as soon as someone want to enter a rotary engine.

I still remember the rotary/4stroke equivalence rules not longer than 3 years ago on the ACO regulations

[CTD]

Originally Posted by pablocomics

Fexible ban.... The rotary engines will be legal as soon as someone want to enter a rotary engine.

Agreed . The ban is probably more in place to eliminate the risk of someone turning up with a turbine engine or something "extreme".

[deggis]

Originally Posted by GT6

Deggis I did not mean to infer that the win caused the ban, I know it did not but the rotary engine ban came in after the win, but i do miss the beautiful sound of those race engines

Ok, confusing wording

[GT6]

Not sure but if they do parade the cars of the decade sometime on saturday there is the chance we will hear that sound again in a few days plus the sound of the other great cars

[TheMightyM]

Adess is working on a LMP1 design, now just needs a team to run the car (which, of course, could be the hard part). John Degis offers up a short article here on the subject.

[Acid09]

Originally Posted by deggis

Stop believing in this bullcrap myth immediately. The 3.5L regs for 1992 were decided already as early as 1990 and the decision had nothing to do with Mazda or their win.

Mazda has done great PR work putting this into people's heads. The marketing around the 787B is just perfect. Ask the typical Playstation user and he will tell you that the car was a world beater that was only stopped by being outlawed.

The 787B is an amazing car for sure but the hype around it has become rather absurd, especially looking at its competition history.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by Acid09

Mazda has done great PR work putting this into people's heads. The marketing around the 787B is just perfect. Ask the typical Playstation user and he will tell you that the car was a world beater that was only stopped by being outlawed.

The 787B is an amazing car for sure but the hype around it has become rather absurd, especially looking at its competition history.

I don't think Mazda has driven this, maybe possibly some Mazda owners might have an agenda =D, but this sort of "false claim on internet => repeat n times = fact" behaviour has just done it for them. I think this has been possible because since the old WS(P)C stopped, so there is a really big historical discontinuance. The ones who really believe in this myth have probably never heard of the old championship, so for them GrC = Le Mans and they are completely unaware of the less than amazing results in the Championship races.

[GT6]

But if you were around at the time and at the race it was very appealing to that british spirit of the plucky underdog, The jags should have one and everyone was waving jag flags, but that funny sounding car that had been there for as long as i could remember just kept on going and by the end of the race everyone no matter where they were born was cheering, it was the sort of story you expect from a hollywood film and an incredible moment. And i was there to see it

[nkoske]

Originally Posted by CTD

Because people forget the G56 entry over time - they don't forget the winner!
Besides, it's the winner who get the PR out to the masses, not the G56 entry.

Since when do major corporations care about anything other than next quarters earnings .

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by GT6

But if you were around at the time and at the race it was very appealing to that british spirit of the plucky underdog, The jags should have one and everyone was waving jag flags, but that funny sounding car that had been there for as long as i could remember just kept on going and by the end of the race everyone no matter where they were born was cheering, it was the sort of story you expect from a hollywood film and an incredible moment. And i was there to see it

I think you'll find that it was actually a Merc that should have won......

[aneesh99]

[QUOTE=deggis;3264380]Directly from the regs: "Only Petrol and Diesel 4 stroke engines with reciprocating pistons are permitted."
/QUOTE]

Oh well

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I may be misunderstanding, but I thought they competed with their rotaries in the 787B predecessors for a number of years before 1991?

1994 (in an FD, it was called the GTO) and 2002 I think (in some proto chassis). It also raced in ALMS in a Courage chassis I seem to remember?

Edit: 2002 was a WR chassis, lasted all but five laps. AMR-One territory...