Sportscar/GT (and Le Mans) Rumours and Repetition

[TF110]

Youd probably still get the same rules and the same tracks, but probably less recognition, maybe less markes entering (Toyota, Ford come to mind).

[Deleted]

In Autosport article in 2011, there was clear line from FIA representative saying "only WEC classes can race in WEC" or along those lines. And while that was later overruled for Sebring-only, it did sort of become the new mantra for the series, not literally but in basic ideology.

The ILMC was very liberal without the FIA pressure in handling things, so I'm sure it could have gone more or less 'business as usual' without having to worry about FIA procedures and extra fees and quality control all that. TBH the only thing I reckon was somewhat sure to go was PLM, as there was doubt over it in 2011 already, and there had been some angst among people of overcrowding. Plus ACO later started playing down the event by removing the auto invites and scheduling races directly to collide with it.

[Coach Ep]

The ACO wants to be the FIA of sportscar-GT racing - be the governing body. And the executing party of their own rules and regulations - like a authoritative ruler.

It comes down to greed, their new GT3 Cup is a good example, Beaumesnil admits GT3 as part of the ELMS was 'a bit of a handful' but instead of working together with SRO and perhaps rewarding a couple of auto invites to the BES winners, the ACO set ups their own series - with their LM support race as the pearl of the series (and let it work as a magnet), where - to undermine their own logic as why they needed a stand alone GT3 series over a LMP3 one in the first place - they'll ran said LMP3s together with the GT3s. Just so they can have their own series (another one)!

[And people are calling names about Nascar supposedly* trying to monopolize the US racing scene (* if you believe in conspiracy theories that is!).]

Too bad the ACO seems to be doining an ever increasing list of organizations that dwell on their appetite for all conquering power...

[TF110]

That's business it seems. SRO is the competition in their eyes. If they can make GT3 work on their own, it's a win for them.

[seanyb505]

They might look to achieve the same goal of overcoming competition, but I'd say the ACO and nascar go about it in different ways. ACO is offering its own product (however foolish or misguided one may determine), rather than buying the competition, and assimilating the purchased product into the nascar way.

Competition vs. "We don't want you operating"

[chernaudi]

Anyone know where to find the list of where WEC teams are testing? Of did the WEC do away with that list after last year?

[Marcel ten Caat]

Known so far, from list of December 8, 2015.

12-14 January - Toyota @ Aragon
2-4 February - Toyota @ Paul Ricard
2-5 February - Porsche @ Abu Dhabi
14-17 February - Porsche @ Abu Dhabi
2-5 March - Porsche @ Aragon
9-11 March - Toyota @ Portimao
28-29 March - Toyota @ Paul Ricard
24-25 May - Toyota @ Spa-Francorchamps

Removed entries for Prologue and LM Test Day

[Deleted]

The Toyota March test at HTTT seems to be overlapping with the collective ELMS test days. Maybe they run at night or something.

[chernaudi]

It seems that Audi don't declare their test days unlike last year?

[Marcel ten Caat]

Originally Posted by Chiana

The Toyota March test at HTTT seems to be overlapping with the collective ELMS test days. Maybe they run at night or something.

ELMS test days are a week earlier, 22-23 March.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Marcel ten Caat

ELMS test days are a week earlier, 22-23 March.

The original release said 29-30 so they must have changed dates since then
http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/ite...-2016-calendar

[Japanese Samurai]

Mazda newly developed new machine!
EX-7 egg boiler.
http://car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/...21_739940.html

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Mazda newly developed new machine!
EX-7 egg boiler.
http://car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/...21_739940.html

Only way to market that bad boy is a full blown Le Mans effort!

[Mystery]

Needs less waivers than the DeltaWing.

[Deleted]

It's probably more legit Mazda line product than the Lola chassis they've been rebranding in IMSA.

[Deleted]

Safety-Charlie approves things for LMP1 too now? Figures
https://twitter.com/Gianludale27/sta...91578823970816

The change itself - assuming it's actually gonna happen - seems totally unnecessary and lame, but that's the world F1 circuits live nowadays so whatever.

In any case, I guess if Audi or whomever test there, they can skip it, just as they have done with the first chicane too.

[bckf]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Safety-Charlie approves things for LMP1 too now? Figures
https://twitter.com/Gianludale27/sta...91578823970816

The change itself - assuming it's actually gonna happen - seems totally unnecessary and lame, but that's the world F1 circuits live nowadays so whatever.

In any case, I guess if Audi or whomever test there, they can skip it, just as they have done with the first chicane too.

The chicane is supposed to satisfy the needs of Superbike. Arguably the asphalt run-off at Parabolica was the same. Apparently they're keen on having bikes back at Monza.
As for LMP1, looks like they're somehow worried about the cornering speeds at Curva Grande in said test sessions and they could have the cars use an alternative layout without the first chicane, including the new one instead.

[Deleted]

I too remember initially reading Parabolica asphaltazing being for FIM, but then Safety-Charlie later on said FIA and most of F1 drivers supposedly had requested/wanted it. So who knows with this either.

[TF110]

It's not requested from f1 or lmp1. It's not even happening (so far). There's new paving of gravel in Hungary as well, but that's for the bikes. Don't mean it won't stay for f1's race, but they didn't request it.

[bckf]

Originally Posted by TF110

It's not requested from f1 or lmp1. It's not even happening (so far). There's new paving of gravel in Hungary as well, but that's for the bikes. Don't mean it won't stay for f1's race, but they didn't request it.

It actually sounds like it's going to happen. A deadline and an estimated budget are out there, as well as all the additional info. A bit too much for a meaningless rumor, I guess.
Plus, it makes sense as a part of a plan to bring SBK back at the venue.
Even if FIA didn't ask for it, if they like it they'll use it. And they usually like this kind of stuff.

[TF110]

May surprise you or some others, but Bernie doesn't like it and prefers the original layout. So I think f1 may be safe.

[Deleted]

Bernie doesn't like vacuum cleaner sounding engines either but they still run them.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Bernie doesn't like vacuum cleaner sounding engines either but they still run them.

He's not in charge of the technical regulations. But he is in charge of where they race.

[CTD]

Charlie Whitings influence on WEC might be in the affect of which track layouts is approved for which Grade.
So if the new chicane layout is the only layout to get the Grade 1 approvement in the future, then WEC will be forced to use it.

[TF110]

Monza is already grade 1, is it not? How long does the ranking last? Or when do they consider resetting the standards?