Sportscar/GT (and Le Mans) Rumours and Repetition

[FstrthnU]

Originally Posted by Chiana

As for the R8, Graham's line "plan is limited GTE homologation for ALMS only" sounds kinda fishy... GT3 in GT2's clothes maybe? And if this happens to be true I dear god hope it's not going to be another M3, loaded with waivers and massive restrictors. That would be a freaking disaster

Anyway I'm praying that one of those candidates is Viper indeed

Didn't West Yokohama Racing try something similar with the Gallardo GT3 this year? (before they dropped out after Long Beach)

[Deleted]

Some "modified" GT3s like Gallardos, Vipers and Astons have raced in GT2-ranks in the past, but generally they haven't been that competitive. If Audi was to run in GT2 with converted GT3 chassis, I'd imagine they would want plenty of insurance (in form of bop and waivers) that they'd be in the pace of others. Well okay whatever happens they still want those

Anyways, somehow "ALMS-only campaign" says homologation special to me

[FstrthnU]

Actually, I remember some GT3s being FASTER than their GTE equivalents (like this year, Manthey's Porsche 911 GT3 R was faster than their GT3 RSR at the Nurburgring 24). So if might be a downgrade, if anything. Of course, we won't know until the GTE version starts turning some laps (if it's green-lighted).

[Deleted]

Whatever happens I just hope these aren't the first (post-M3) signs of IMSA/ACO starting to screw up with their own regulations, the closer GT2 comes to GT3, the closer we are to downfall of the class (in terms of actual motor racing at least)

Of course if Audi builds fully GTE-compliant version of the R8 that doesn't get any unfair advantage, I'll be happy

[hondafan37]

Could it be the McLaren MP4/12? Jenson Button said that will race Le Mans next year. http://www.lemans.org/fr/actualites/..._•_5414.html

[MitchZ06]

Well the Audi R8 LMS ultra will be 1250kg for 2012 so a HP reduction to ~470hp (a loss of 100hp vs the GT3 car) and it should be on pace and given the R8 LMS' reliability in endurance racing I have no doubt it will be there at the end of the longer races.

[Graham Goodwin]

Just for clarity chaps - The two DEFINITE GTE programmes I was tweeting about yesterday do not include the Audi, McLaren or Viper. Sorry for being evasive but have been asked not to be too specific on either.

There is zero doubt that McLaren will build a GTE - but likely only after the GT3 is bedded in, no further info on Viper and more info now emerging on Audi - Watch this space!!!

[MitchZ06]

Will the R8 GTE be Audi Sport North America or a possible swan of a dark colour?

[Mal]

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

Just for clarity chaps - The two DEFINITE GTE programmes I was tweeting about yesterday do not include the Audi, McLaren or Viper. Sorry for being evasive but have been asked not to be too specific on either.

There is zero doubt that McLaren will build a GTE - but likely only after the GT3 is bedded in, no further info on Viper and more info now emerging on Audi - Watch this space!!!

Could Toyota run a Lexus LFA in GTE as well as their p1 programme? Who else could it be?

Nissan,
Jaguar
Aston
Mercedes (with Mika Hakinen?)
BMW
Corvette

[gustavobamba]

My bet is the LFA Toyota...

[Mal]

The other potential is the Lambda Ford GT

[Graham Goodwin]

As clarified yesterdy on Twitter - neither car that I'm talking about is the Lexus LFA either!

[Graham Goodwin]

Nor is either the Lambda Ford

[Mal]

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

Nor is either the Lambda Ford

What about the rest of my list - or would that be giving away too much?

[Simmi]

Would be great to see a brand new two-car team come in and bolster the WEC GT ranks. Even better if we get two! I'm looking for a team to take the reins and keep these BMW's running into 2012 and then I'm happy to be surprised by something else.

If JetAlliance have split from Lotus then they might have something in the pipeline. Do they still have a good relationship with Aston? Maybe the Evoras will gain a few tenths upon reverting back to British Racing Green.

[gustavobamba]

Is it really Mercedes who is going to step up!!!

[CTD]

Would be cool to see a Hakkinen Schumacher driver Mercedes GTE

[NelisB]

Even though I think it's highly unlikely I think one of the programs is going to be Spyker. I don't know how they manage it with the support of mr. Antonov, but hey every addition is a good addition.

[JAG]

Re. Nissan, wouldn't the GT1 chassis with GT3 engine basically be a GTE?

For 2011 at least GT1 cars like the Nissan were allowed to run in GTE-Am, even with the V8.

Originally Posted by CTD

Would be cool to see a Hakkinen Schumacher driver Mercedes GTE

It would be quite a big opereation to homologate the SLS into GTE as they'd have to shed a lot of weight, cut down on the aero and reduce power. Some cars like the R8 LMS Ultra, 911 and 458 already have the same basic weight and power of a GTE.

[alexkiller8]

engine swap can be done in gte, surely a gt-r gte will use the NA v8 4.5 used actualy by lmp2 cars. Will be useless to use the VK56 because will be heavily restricted (from around 600hp of gt1 to around 480hp of gte) so the engine can't supply anymore the massive amount of torque but keeping an however higher fuel consumaption.

[JAG]

GT-R would have to use the V6TT of the road car.

[alexkiller8]

is this an official rule or an opinion of yours?
because corvette gte uses a 5.5 V8 built by GM just for racing, lotus evora gte uses a toyota cosworth 4.0 built just for racing too, so nothing forces nissan to use the v6tt road car engine.

[JAG]

You can change displacement and modify them, but the engine has to be based on the road car models.

[deggis]

http://twitter.com/#!/dsceditor/stat...92560372285440

[TRuss]

So NA Honda is interested again?