Project Libra Radical LMP2 (formerly Ian Dawsons Nissan V8 LMP2) - Page 7

knighty · 9 May 2012, 15:16 (Ref:3071778)

yup I seem to remember the Radical LMP2 was designed and built on a shoe-string budget, so it was more through necessity than choice that no wind tunnel time was allowed for.........but that aside, Martin Shorts organisation did a good job with the Radical LMP2 compared to what was achieved with the WF thing, it was less of a success than the radical if I remember rightly, shame as it really looked the part.

Deleted · 9 May 2012, 15:27 (Ref:3071783)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knighty

I must say it really does show how dated the radical had become, aerodynamically its become a bit of a brick, so it will be interesting to see how "updated" it really has become.....

My guess: it'll be about as "updated" and competitive as Lola AER of Autocon last year...

knighty · 9 May 2012, 16:00 (Ref:3071790)

well as it turns out, once a proper driver was installed in the Lola-AER V8 LMP1 (Jonny Mowlem) it went like a missile, that was a very quick car in the right hands..... the main problem being it was driven by a bunch of idiots who couldnt drive a greasy pole up a donkeys backside.......with regard to Libra, I think Andrew, Rusty and this new chap will be a significant improvement over the useless autocon pilots........if they play their luck right and dont make stupid mistekes they could pull off a credible result.

Zurbert82 · 9 May 2012, 16:07 (Ref:3071793)

Ouch, some harsh words for the Autocon pilots. They are very respectable and humble people (Willman, Burgess, McMurry, Lewis). I think calling them useless and idiots is going a bit too far...

KA · 9 May 2012, 16:30 (Ref:3071803)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knighty

yup I seem to remember the Radical LMP2 was designed and built on a shoe-string budget, so it was more through necessity than choice that no wind tunnel time was allowed for.........but that aside, Martin Shorts organisation did a good job with the Radical LMP2 compared to what was achieved with the WF thing, it was less of a success than the radical if I remember rightly, shame as it really looked the part.

As I remember, the Radical in Shorty and Rollcentre's hands was quick but unreliable- they collected a lot of DNFs with it in 2006, the real heartbreaker being Donington where they'd led LMP2 for much of the race, until the car wouldn't start after a pitstop very late in the race (last scheduled stop IIRC?). They did get a 4th in class at the Nurburgring though.

The Embassy/WF in 2008/9 seemed to fit the same fast but fragile mould the Radical had in 06- a couple of 4th places (Nurburgring in '08, and Silverstone in '09, when they made a return as 'Team WFR'), and 3rd on the road at Silverstone in '08 before a post-race penalty dumped them down the order, but also a few DNFs and mid-pack P2 finishes.

I wouldn't expect much from the Radical now- it's an old car, but hopefully if Libra can get some decent race mileage on it for once, we might at least get an idea of what potential the Roush engine has got, and hopefully they'll be able to put it into something more modern for next year

Rodger Davies · 9 May 2012, 16:48 (Ref:3071811)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zurbert82

Ouch, some harsh words for the Autocon pilots. They are very respectable and humble people (Willman, Burgess, McMurry, Lewis). I think calling them useless and idiots is going a bit too far...

Indeed - the Autocon guys are a great credit to the ALMS. Sure, they're not the quickest, but they made no pretense to be anything else and doing it purely out of a love for the sport.

Jonerz · 10 May 2012, 03:18 (Ref:3072030)

I love the Autocon guys, hopefully they get a ride together for the remainder of this season and get a full season in next year, too.

As for the Ford, it sounds brilliant. Like I've said before, I want them in the ballpark that's all I desire for race number one.

Chris

knighty · 10 May 2012, 13:28 (Ref:3072259)

so the big question is do you want the black or gold package, you pays your money and takes your choice!......seems to be some sort of corporate hospitality gig run around the Project Libra race team and ALMS calendar.

http://www.blackngoldx.com/default.aspx

fanta4 · 10 May 2012, 14:25 (Ref:3072274)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knighty

so the big question is do you want the black or gold package, you pays your money and takes your choice!......seems to be some sort of corporate hospitality gig run around the Project Libra race team and ALMS calendar.

http://www.blackngoldx.com/default.aspx

That is a joke, right?

knighty · 10 May 2012, 14:40 (Ref:3072278)

well I guess the sebring and long beach corporate events were a ball!!!!

The Badger · 10 May 2012, 15:15 (Ref:3072284)

The colors look septic , but at least it turned up .

rich07 · 10 May 2012, 23:59 (Ref:3072478)

Black and gold? We have a budget generic supermarket brand here in Oz called black and gold, wouldnt imagine linking it to corporate hospitality. Although when I first saw their webpage I thought Lotus...

NightStalk3r · 11 May 2012, 00:21 (Ref:3072483)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonerz

As for the Ford, it sounds brilliant. Like I've said before, I want them in the ballpark that's all I desire for race number one.

Must have pretty big ballparks over there!

**joeb** · 11 May 2012, 01:10 (Ref:3072490)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightStalk3r

Must have pretty big ballparks over there!

We do

But so far tonight they have posted times faster than the GT cars. That sounds pretty good to me for the first go at it.

KA · 11 May 2012, 08:50 (Ref:3072578)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich07

Black and gold? We have a budget generic supermarket brand here in Oz called black and gold, wouldnt imagine linking it to corporate hospitality. Although when I first saw their webpage I thought Lotus...

Yes, the theme for this season seems to be either black & gold, or Gulf blue & orange....

Is there a world shortage of other paint colours or something.....?

KA · 11 May 2012, 08:50 (Ref:3072579)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

We do

But so far tonight they have posted times faster than the GT cars. That sounds pretty good to me for the first go at it.

It certainly sounds like a better starting point than anything else they've done recently...

The Badger · 11 May 2012, 14:04 (Ref:3072690)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

That sounds pretty good to me for the first go at it.

Now , your kiddin , right !!!

What happened to the 2000 miles of trouble free testing ? Was that trouble free trundleing , or trouble free high speed testing , we didnt hear .

knighty · 11 May 2012, 14:24 (Ref:3072698)

last time out in 2010 with the 4.0L IES nissan V8 the Libra was slower than the LMPC cars, so I'm interested to see their pace relative to the LMPC teams, its a bit too early to tell just yet, so lets wait till after the race......even back in 2010 I seem to remember they liked a bit of trundeling about in the practice sessions, god knows why they do it :-/

MulsanneMike · 12 May 2012, 00:59 (Ref:3072881)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knighty

last time out in 2010 with the 4.0L IES nissan V8 the Libra was slower than the LMPC cars, so I'm interested to see their pace relative to the LMPC teams, its a bit too early to tell just yet, so lets wait till after the race......even back in 2010 I seem to remember they liked a bit of trundeling about in the practice sessions, god knows why they do it :-/

1:21.5 in qualifying...behind all but one LMPC...

pach233 · 12 May 2012, 01:05 (Ref:3072882)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MulsanneMike

1:21.5 in qualifying...behind all but one LMPC...

To be honest, that's about the best I expected from them. It's probably better than any of their more recent entries. If they run 3 or 4 hours tomorrow, I'd think they would be pretty satisfied. Hopefully they gain some speed throughout the season.

The Badger · 12 May 2012, 11:05 (Ref:3072983)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MulsanneMike

1:21.5 in qualifying...behind all but one LMPC...

Certainly looks like their 2000 miles of testing went well then !!!

ep16 · 12 May 2012, 18:37 (Ref:3073146)

Well, the new engine hasn't gone bang yet which is a start. The morre laps they do the faster it will get. How much faster though...

**joeb** · 12 May 2012, 20:54 (Ref:3073254)

Interesting to see puffs of black smoke coming out of the Ford. Very similar to the diesels.

Jonerz · 12 May 2012, 22:12 (Ref:3073312)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

Interesting to see puffs of black smoke coming out of the Ford. Very similar to the diesels.

Indeed, couldn't tell if it was on initial throttle or on gear changes. But I saw that as well. At least it's still running. (Knock on wood.)

Chris

FstrthnU · 12 May 2012, 22:16 (Ref:3073314)

At the very least, the car is lacking in top speed. About 3-4 MPH off the Level 5 HPDS and the Conquest Morgan-Nissan

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