Acura/HPD's future plans

[alexkiller8]

in my opinion like now is better that private teams have their own classification and trophy (basicly exist 2 different lmp1 class...) than last year when private teams simply couldn't wint the team champ. The only thing that is still hard to understand is the driver championship structure where lmp2 and gte drivers are allowed to points but can't realisticly win. Maybe they should do an overall drivers champ like now as main cup and a driver champ for each class as side-cup.

[isynge]

Originally Posted by deggis

Or change the name to constructors' championship but what you said is exactly how it is in WRC (in reality teams' championship).

http://www.wrc.com/results/2012/cham...manufacturers/

The dumbest thing (in the WEC system) is that right now besides the nonsensical drivers' championship the Rebellions and HPDs are not competing against the manufacturers in the points tables. How about one overall P1 championship (whatever the name) and then separate prize awarded for the best privateer in P1. I think the current system just helps to brand the privateers as 2nd class citizens.

This might be one for a separate thread, or indeed a time to bring in the history forum, but thinking back to the old "World Championship for Makes" might give us some pointers.

Back in the early days of Group C, the engine manufacturer was cited first (hence Ford-Rondeau) and each engine had to be badged by a 'manufacturer' - which led to a number of slight absurdities, such as the Alba C2 having to dig around to find a deeply niche manufacturer to badge its racing engine (can't rouse myself to wander up to study to dig out old GPI reports so not sure of the precise ins and outs but seem to remember it was a Giannini engine badged as a Carma - or was it the other way round?), and heaven alone knows how we'd cope with a Lola-Judd now, but at least it provided some sort of vehicle for manufacturers to dip a toe into the water, and validated what an individual team did.

Applying it today, you could see Rebellion scoring points for Toyota, and a real needle match in LMP2 between Nissan, BMW, and Honda - worth a thought?

[MagVanisher]

OFF-TOPIC:

For the P1 Class, I think IMO make separate championships for works teams and privateers, while make a championship based on manufacturers regardless of whether the engine is carried by either factory teams or privateers.

For example, Toyota has its factory team as well as Rebellion. Both are eligible for their respective championship, while both teams could score points on the Manufacturers Championship. Factory teams can score double the amount of points on the Manufacturers Championship, of what place they're finished.The privateers can score points depending on their finishing position, but they only score half the points for the Manufacturers Championship.

That's my take on the P1 class.

Now then, I hope some privateers can join the championship using the ARX-03. Of course, I hope there's good news on whether Honda can take the P1 class as the factory team.

[gwyllion]

Wirth Research has made a special low drag aero package for Le Mans for the ARX-03a:

[GT6]

like the union jack on the back very appropriate in the diamond jubilee year

[FIRE]

Nice livery.

[Ultimo]

Originally Posted by GT6

like the union jack on the back very appropriate in the diamond jubilee year

Yes. I didn't like the jack on the back in past, but this one looks better for whatever reason.

Awesome.

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

Wirth Research has made a special low drag aero package for Le Mans for the ARX-03a:

The livery is nice! But I hope that it can cut some lap times on that new aero kit!

[TF110]

Definitely new rear fender 'flares' and no diveplanes. Hope it gains them top speed.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

Wirth Research has made a special low drag aero package for Le Mans for the ARX-03a

Some highlights of the main changes: http://lemansprototypes.over-blog.it...106106508.html

[TF110]

Basically brand new fenders. There's a lot more detail in the rear fender than what I saw from just a quick glance earlier. I also realized there was no louvers on the front fenders as well. But the little detail about the exit hole in front of the mirror I didn't realize.

[Gingers4Justice]

As Le Mans "special" aero packages go, this is a pretty big leap from the normal step. HPDs have never been so quick in a straight line, so this should dilute their weakness a little.

How much time will this take off an HPD laptime at Le Mans?

[alexkiller8]

surely the max speed will benefit of this, maybe the car will touch 325km/h or something more if is behind some other faster car.
About timelaps i think that the arx-03a will run under 3.30; 3.27-28 in best auspicious

[The Badger]

Will JRM have the same aero package too ?

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by alexkiller8

surely the max speed will benefit of this, maybe the car will touch 325km/h or something more if is behind some other faster car.
About timelaps i think that the arx-03a will run under 3.30; 3.27-28 in best auspicious

What a shame, only 325 km/h!!!! with such a good circuit for top speed the main category only reaching that speed is a petty. the top speed should be around 350-360km/h.

About laptimes I tottaly agree with you

[alexkiller8]

well if you consider that a high developed car like the r15 was able to reach around 330km/h, in my opinion is already a wonderfull result if a car like arx-03a that has -100hp, fenders/holes and fin that ruin the aero efficency than the r15 can reach a similiar top speed.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Will JRM have the same aero package too ?

Yes, according to http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsmay12.html JRM already ran this front end aero configuration at Spa.

Mike also explains the reasoning behind the revised rear fenders.

However, the rear fender has been pretty heavily modified, all having to do with the rear BHH. The bodywork ahead of the hole has been lowered. A strake that is mounted on top of the fender and inboard of the BHH manages air exiting the BHH away from the underside of the rear wing. The strake also attaches directly to the rear wing endplate.

[MulsanneMike]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

Yes, according to http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsmay12.html JRM already ran this front end aero configuration at Spa.

Mike also explains the reasoning behind the revised rear fenders.

Well the front end set up is nothing particularly special, it's just an omission of the diveplanes and the addition of the vertical turning vane on the outboard splitter. As for Spa, I just looked at the photos and while Strakka was still running a couple of diveplanes, JRM was not and had the vertical turning vane. There's no reason to think JRM wouldn't have the rear end kit as it appears this is all part of the low-drag LM specification.

[Articus]

Heres to hoping the HPD's decide to work together.There are 2 cars(JRM-Strakka).Forget about your inner-make rivalry.You need to make HPD look good at Le Mans this year AT ALL COST.Otherwise Honda wont be so interested in suporting the program..Egos aside..I dont like how they ran at Spa in the slightest. Should be the quickest of the Petrols but was very slow all weekend. I hope they indeed fixed the problem.

[joeb]

The new rear fender strakes are attached to the wing endplates as Mike has noted, but I was wondering if this changes the ability to change bodywork or wings, or access the engine bay quickly at Le Mans?

[MulsanneMike]

Originally Posted by joeb

The new rear fender strakes are attached to the wing endplates as Mike has noted, but I was wondering if this changes the ability to change bodywork or wings, or access the engine bay quickly at Le Mans?

The strake butts up to it, they aren't actually attached.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by MulsanneMike

The strake butts up to it, they aren't actually attached.

Thanks that makes sense!

[deggis]

[FstrthnU]

I should note that speedhunters has a partnership with jrm for le mans, there will be special articles and a livestream video of the onboard

[deggis]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

I should note that speedhunters has a partnership with jrm for le mans, there will be special articles and a livestream video of the onboard

Umm, last story with "jrm" tag is from january: http://www.speedhunters.com/tag/jrm/

Was just wondering where the stream link would appear.