Sportscar/GT (and Le Mans) Rumours and Repetition

[schmidder]

Originally Posted by FormulaFox

(still learning my way around here - I THINK this is the right place ofr this. If not... Sorry!)

A late night arrival to my inbox has provided a very juicy rumor that leadership of WC Vision and the SCCA have recently discussed adding prototype classes to the Pirelli World Challenge come 2017.

That it's the same year as the debut of new LMP2 rules is not coincidental as supposedly three P classes have been proposed; one that will run LMP2 machinery both new and old, one running LMP3 and LMPC cars, and a third one for cars legal under SCCA Prototype 1 club racing rules, which includes Group CN cars.

The P classes would follow the same sprint format as all other PWC races, and the notion of having one of the P classes as the lead class of every race at split-field race meets was supposedly floated as well.

Anyone out there able to back up or trash this one? What do you think of this idea?

I like the idea, but it sounds like WC Vision would have quite a headache on their hand managing it all. And I'm not certain PWC really needs to be running P2 - let TUSCC worry about P2, but I love the idea of PWC running the "baby" prototype classes at it's races.

I'm a guy who loves purpose-built machinery. This is the sort of thing that could shift my loyalty from TUSCC to PWC. (though said "loyalty" is really only which series I like most since I follow all forms of racing to at least some extent

Boy I hope this is true.

[schmidder]

If this were to materialize, I wonder how it would go over with some of the current gt teams? Now, they play support to indy car quite often, but do get some stand alone races this year. Maybe this is WC looking for the right opportunity to step away from indy car and stand alone or at least be the headliner for all their weekends. Fingers crossed..but cautiously optimistic..

[Speed-King]

and the notion of having one of the P classes as the lead class of every race at split-field race meets was supposedly floated as well.

So P2 and GT3 in one field, P3 and GTS, and CN and the tourers? That's a horrible idea, especially for the GT-teams. If they do it, they'd be much better off with all prototypes in one division.

[Rcz]

The problem is the PWC is still looks like a cheap junior series, compared to other racing series. It just missing something, that "it" factor.

Sure, it has a lot of cars now, but so does a lot of other racing series and their still not as popular the big series. Like conti and the revived Trans-Am.

Does it need protos or longer races? Maybe pit stops? It definitely needs a better TV deal though. Because only a small Internet cult following seems to watch it.

[Speed-King]

Longer races would destroy one of its biggest advantages - being a lot cheaper than the other show in town.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the shorter format, plenty of top level series are predominately sprint series.

[FormulaFox]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

So P2 and GT3 in one field, P3 and GTS, and CN and the tourers? That's a horrible idea, especially for the GT-teams. If they do it, they'd be much better off with all prototypes in one division.

That is what I believe was being inferred, and I don't think it's such a horrible idea.

At least, not if it's only SOME races. Shaking up the lineup for each race at certain venues would make things rather interesting.

Say two or three race weekends a year have each P class frontrunning a race with a production class, rest of the season they're their own event.

Originally Posted by Rcz

Does it need protos or longer races? Maybe pit stops? It definitely needs a better TV deal though. Because only a small Internet cult following seems to watch it.

That "small" cult following managed to overload their streaming servers a while back, keep in mind.

The TV side may have improved with the CBS Sports deal, but we'll have to wait and see to be sure.

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Longer races would destroy one of its biggest advantages - being a lot cheaper than the other show in town.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the shorter format, plenty of top level series are predominately sprint series.

One or two longer races wouldn't be such a big deal - say a couple of 90-minute races. Beyond that, you do kinda destroy the point of the series. TUSCC is endurance, PWC is for sprints.

[GT3.14]

Vanthoor may have a seat at Le Mans this year.

https://twitter.com/vanthoorlaurens/...97748422094848

[schmidder]

Originally Posted by FormulaFox

That is what I believe was being inferred, and I don't think it's such a horrible idea.

At least, not if it's only SOME races. Shaking up the lineup for each race at certain venues would make things rather interesting.

Say two or three race weekends a year have each P class frontrunning a race with a production class, rest of the season they're their own event.



That "small" cult following managed to overload their streaming servers a while back, keep in mind.

The TV side may have improved with the CBS Sports deal, but we'll have to wait and see to be sure.



One or two longer races wouldn't be such a big deal - say a couple of 90-minute races. Beyond that, you do kinda destroy the point of the series. TUSCC is endurance, PWC is for sprints.

Adding pit stops to s couple races would be a pretty big deal. Would require equipment most don't already have, team members and practice.

[MyNameIsNigel]

Originally Posted by GT3.14

Vanthoor may have a seat at Le Mans this year.

https://twitter.com/vanthoorlaurens/...97748422094848

Interesting news. Would have loved to see him race in LMP though.

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

Interesting news. Would have loved to see him race in LMP though.

"All the credits are for Oriol Folch and G24 Studio"

Because i´m a nice guy and love Endurance… and because he drive for Mclaren… and just because…

[ img ]http://imageshack.com/a/img538/6268/XsXldD.jpg[ /img]


Hope you enjoy my litle gift

[gustavobamba]

I´m facing trouble to post pictures

[CTD]

There you go!

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by CTD

There you go!

Thanks, i must learn to do this

By the way what do you think about this concept ?

[FormulaFox]

Originally Posted by gustavobamba

Thanks, i must learn to do this

By the way what do you think about this concept ?

Looks like Picchio made an LMP based on the front end of their old DP:

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by FormulaFox

Looks like Picchio made an LMP based on the front end of their old DP:

[FormulaFox]

Originally Posted by gustavobamba

I was hoping someone else would find that as funny as I did. :P

[HPmadness]

Originally Posted by CTD

There you go!

Its... Its... BEAUTIFUL!!!

[joeb]

Originally Posted by CTD

There you go!

Great concept.

[chernaudi]

Update from Audi on their Geneva Motorshow activities: I don't know if they'll have one on display, but in additon to the new R8 road cars and the 2015 R18 LMP1 car, Audi will at least announce specs on the new R8 e-tron electric car, and the R8 LMS GT3 car.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by joeb

Great concept.

Just a little too 'familiar' to the other photoshops hes done. Same sidepod inlets, fender shape etc. But cool idea.

[Japanese Samurai]

SARD announce that they will launch FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) business division.
At first, they will develop and produce FCV racing car.
http://www.sard.co.jp/pdf/1503_fcvdep.pdf

[CTD]

Garage 56th!?

[GT6]

Well that is the sort of thing the 56th garage was for

[Mal]

According to this: Jim Glickenhaus is intending to race at Le Mans in 2017 with an LMP1 car:

https://twitter.com/Andrew_Frankel

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by Mal

According to this: Jim Glickenhaus is intending to race at Le Mans in 2017 with an LMP1 car:

https://twitter.com/Andrew_Frankel

I just wish he do it with a new SCG lmp1 version :-)