Sportscar/GT (and Le Mans) Rumours and Repetition

[Deleted]

IMO WEC could allow European P2s to join the European rounds of the WEC, and form a sub championship for them. "Euro LMP Trophy" or something. Just add one more European race to WEC schedule next year

[CTD]

Perhaps a way to save the ELMS is to include the ELMS championship into the European rounds of the WEC, and then expand the number of European races.

But yes, something need to happen quick!

(Almost the something as Chiana said, 1 sec before me )

[Articus]

It would make sense for the ELMS to just be the european races of the FIA WEC but then theres the issue of redundancy and simply running the extra races and going for the WEC championship instead. Of course this would be solved if the WEC didnt award end of year trophies outside of P1 like someone suggested. They should drop the P2, GTE championship from WEC. Then the P2 and GTE teams will have to run in the ALMS or ELMS to win end-of-year trophies/championships.


The ELMS once had factory entries of Audi, Puegeot, Porsche, Ferrari and a host of other manufacturers so I dont agree that it should suddenly just get abandoned as if the organizers dont know how to put together a series. They have done in amazing job only to get screwed by the WEC. FIA should fix this.

[Tim the Grey]

I feel the ACO should. Le Mans Protos are THEIR game, after all. The FIA have jumped on THEIR bandwagon...

Me, I'd have a Euro series, an Asian series, and an Americas series(so Brazil and Argentina get a look in if needed?). THEN cherry pick rounds to fold in with the LM24, to form a WEC. As, I'm sure, has been said here a hundred times before. You could even have something Mid East or South African as a counter for one of those regions...

Set the calendar in stone and stick to it. You must have stability, or everything dies... It's not the Audis or Toyotas you have to worry about, it's the Jotas, and Oaks, and JMWs, and IMSAs, who fight to get that season budget every year.

[Speed-King]

I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that ELMS is dead and that there is no way to really return it to the way it was in the mid-2000s.

Europe can support one top level LM-style sportscar series, not two - and especially not now with the economy in the toillet and escallating costs in GTE that have really raised the bar of entry.

And that one series is the WEC. What's left isn't enough for another full-on LM series.

So maybe we should abandon the idea of an ELMS for the time being and rather try to build something from the bits and pieces we actually have.

I don't think it is possible to put together a credible GT-field for a European only series - GTE is too expensive and with GT3 still banned from LM, there really is nothing that would make teams choose the ELMS over Blancpain, GT-Open or National GT.

So that leaves us with the prototypes, build a series around them and build it so that it is maximally attractive for the teams and drivers that run them.

That means essentially two things:
1.) Great tracks
2.) Affordability.

From what I gather, entry fees for ELMS (and the FIA GT series) has been significantly higher than for a series like GT Open - and the key to that is that GT Open doesn't try to be premium when it shouldn't. They race on what are basically 3rd-string events like the AvD race weekend at the Nuerburgring or the Spa Euro Race. These events don't attract a lot of spectators, but there are plenty of series to share track fees with.

What you can't do when you want to be part of such weekends is to run 6 hour endurance races - you have to work with other series and that's just not gonna fly. On the upside, a shorter race format helps with crew costs and TV - even if it's just Motors, being on live for two 1 hour sprints is better than having a 2 hours highlights package of a 6 hour race.

Now 2x1h is probably a little on the short side for a prototype race, but Britcar has done 2 hour races when running as a support for GT-Open, so that might be within the realm of possibilities - Or maybe 2hours on Saturday late afternoon and 1 hour on Sunday.

Either way, the times where ELMS would travel around Europe as a headliner series of 6 hour races are over. A team and driver friendly amateur series of medium distance race might stand a better chance in the current economic climate.

Of course there aren't enough LMP2 cars out there right now for a prototypes only series, but CN style protos would make very nice field fillers, and the category definitely seems to be on the rise. Getting one or two dozens of them to make up the numbers should be possible.

[TF110]

Whatever happened to that announcement of a team/make returning to P1/P2?

[pablocomics]

They could do some aditional things

Of course the CN class is always on the ecuation, they could call it LMP3 or LM lights..., etc

They must acept LMP1 cars, with somr extra 35/50kg, because those car aren´t cost capped and with smaller restrictor to make them as slow as the LMP2. Now the Pescarolos, Oak and the Rebellion are in the equation

-They also could acept grandfathered old LMP1 and LMP2 cars, with even bigger restrictors. If the ALMS cand do it, the ELMS too. We could see some LC75, Lola BK07, Radicals etc. back in the circuit. They won´t win but they could do the numbers, and the holes or the fin shouldn´t be a big problem, the teams could do it themselves

...of course with short races like the ALMS

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

Not Riley - And not Ford

Its a chassis/ engine combo neither of which is currently racing anywhere in LMP2

Awaiting final confirmation on timing

Not a blockbuster announcement but a very welcome one indeed!

Originally Posted by TF110

Whatever happened to that announcement of a team/make returning to P1/P2?

Seems we are still waiting on the 'final confirmation on timing'.

[Deleted]

Not really any major news, but there will be two Porsche Supercup support races at Hungaroring this weekend. The extra one is obviously held because of the Barcelona fiasco.

Interesting little dilemma for mr Rast who also wanted to fully enjoy Spa 24h

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Not really any major news, but there will be two Porsche Supercup support races at Hungaroring this weekend. The extra one is obviously held because of the Barcelona fiasco.

Interesting little dilemma for mr Rast who also wanted to fully enjoy Spa 24h

So Rast was planning to do both Spa and Supercup this weekend? Its been done before but yeah it would be nice to concentrate on one rather then the other. Doesnt help if your the points leader..Dont envy him at all. Its gonna be a wild weekend for him.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by rich07

So Rast was planning to do both Spa and Supercup this weekend? Its been done before but yeah it would be nice to concentrate on one rather then the other. Doesnt help if your the points leader..Dont envy him at all. Its gonna be a wild weekend for him.

I think he was planning to skip the weekend altogether when it was just a regular round but now this double header means bigger point implications and therefore it's a far bigger dilemma. Apparently he'll be at Hungaroring @ Friday, but not yet sure what he'll do with the races or in fact Spa 24h

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Chiana

I think he was planning to skip the weekend altogether when it was just a regular round but now this double header means bigger point implications and therefore it's a far bigger dilemma. Apparently he'll be at Hungaroring @ Friday, but not yet sure what he'll do with the races or in fact Spa 24h

Its a bit of a dilemna especially with him being the series leader and now the Hungary races being worth more points. He could do only one Supercup race and do Spa, if he has one great race at Hungary then that could help keep him up the front in the points. He could have a good weekend either way, he just has to weigh up what means more to him. Im sure the teams involved will have something to say about it also.

[FstrthnU]

Oh boy! Even if the guys at Porsche are just having fun with this it still looks cool

[TF110]

Slap a wing on it and put it in GTE already! Great looking car.

[Pandamasque]

[Spyderman]

Apparently Porsche will be offering the Martini livery to clients of the 918 as an option.

[MitchZ06]

Never been much of a Beetle fan but GOD DAMN THAT'S HOT!

[deggis]

http://www.gtspirit.com/2012/07/31/o...der-prototype/

[Simmi]

There's got to be some kind of Porsche-fan petition to get this livery on the third car at LM.

PLLEEEEEAAAAASSSEEEE make it happen Porsche!

[CTD]

Am i the only one who would rather see the old Gulf 917 or Pink pig livery? .

Shouldn't this also be moved to the Porsche Thread instead?

[deggis]

Originally Posted by Simmi

There's got to be some kind of Porsche-fan petition to get this livery on the third car at LM.

Remember to send one for the French law makers too.



(Alcohol advertising ban)

[lms]

Originally Posted by CTD

Am i the only one who would rather see the old Gulf 917 or Pink pig livery?

yes No more gulf colors please. GPR's and the gulf mclaren's liveries looked like crap at spa. The most boring livery ever. But as long as its on a road car I dont really care.

[Articus]

Slap the rear wing and stuck it up against the 458 GTEs!!! Its the only way to go on!!! Long live the 918!

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by lms

yes No more gulf colors please. GPR's and the gulf mclaren's liveries looked like crap at spa. The most boring livery ever. But as long as its on a road car I dont really care.

Stay put. The holy petrolhead inquisition is heading your way.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Pandamasque

Stay put. The holy petrolhead inquisition is heading your way.