Acura/HPD's future plans

[FstrthnU]

http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/06/...-speedhunting/

We’re also excited to announce a collaboration with the JRM crew, complete with a live stream direct from the car for the full 24 hours. You’ll be able to ride along with the likes of David Brabham in the LMP1-class HPD ARX-03a for the duration of the race. Surely this is what the art of Speedhunting is all about?

They'll probably post the stream link sometime between test day and race day

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by deggis

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

Was just wondering where the stream link would appear.

Why would they create a page for a stream with no content two weeks out from the race?

[deggis]

I meant any info about the stream, like in that announcement above.

[FstrthnU]

Radio Le Mans basically confirmed a few minutes ago that Honda is asking around for drivers for a factory LMP1 program next year

[TF110]

That's great news. Hopefully it's more than just the updated HPD's and Honda really gets behind it.

[Articus]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

Radio Le Mans basically confirmed a few minutes ago that Honda is asking around for drivers for a factory LMP1 program next year

Haruki Kurosawa?

In regard to the factory effort...Are they planning a Coupe or are they going to use the disadvantage open-top? Maybe just a toe in the water to gain a crew and experience before 2014 with an actual Honda coupe.


We all know why Honda are interested in Le Mans...because Toyota is there. In thats why Nissan will be interested..

[alexkiller8]

Originally Posted by Articus

Haruki Kurosawa?

In regard to the factory effort...Are they planning a Coupe or are they going to use the disadvantage open-top? Maybe just a toe in the water to gain a crew and experience before 2014 with an actual Honda coupe.


We all know why Honda are interested in Le Mans...because Toyota is there. In thats why Nissan will be interested..

well, for real honda/acura/HPD debuted at le mans 2 years ago winning the lmp2 class and placing the strakka arx-01c in the top ten. I think that next year will be used an evolution of the current arx-03a while the factory (maybe with dome, that builds the hsv-010) will work for a 2014 specs coupè. About drivers lineup, i hope that they keep brabham in the team.
Again i don't think that nissan will join in the competition...

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

Radio Le Mans basically confirmed a few minutes ago that Honda is asking around for drivers for a factory LMP1 program next year

If they want to recruit drivers for the LMP1 program, why not recruit some drivers from Super GT, especially Team Kunimitsu and Welder (Dome) Honda Team.

Likewise, Dome can lend them a helping hand when developing a coupe prototype. Of course, I'm worried that the ARX-03/ARX-01c would be abandoned and never develop further if the Dome-developed coupe might not perform as expected.

[NelisB]

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

If they want to recruit drivers for the LMP1 program, why not recruit some drivers from Super GT, especially Team Kunimitsu and Welder (Dome) Honda Team.

Likewise, Dome can lend them a helping hand when developing a coupe prototype. Of course, I'm worried that the ARX-03/ARX-01c would be abandoned and never develop further if the Dome-developed coupe might not perform as expected.

nich Wirth from hpd have confirmed on more than one occasion that they have a coupe in the works but are waiting on something to use them.

[Simmi]

Such good news!

[Stefvh]

Looking forward to this

[deggis]

Rumor <=> news

[ArnageWRC]

Yeah, the more the merrier. If, and it's a big if, Honda do in fact decide to field a LMP1 team, how do Nissan react? Thought the interview on RLM was interesting when he commented about a LMP1 engine......didn't exactly say no.

[Articus]

Quickest of the LMP1 privateers was the No. 21 Strakka Racing HPD ARX-03a of Danny Watts, Jonny Kane and Nick Leventis, turning a 3:28.243 lap time in the morning's four-hour session.

Speed....

when did this happen? Can anyone confirm?
That sounds like Buemis lap time in the Toyota at the end of the morning session not the Strakka. I think that had a 3:34.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

Radio Le Mans basically confirmed a few minutes ago that Honda is asking around for drivers for a factory LMP1 program next year

You said this from 2 hours 3 minutes since the start of the session, but at what point it came in the broadcast?

I tried to find it around the 3 hour mark in the podcast: http://audio.rpix.org.uk/lm24/2012/2..._testday_1.mp3

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Articus

Speed....

when did this happen? Can anyone confirm?
That sounds like Buemis lap time in the Toyota at the end of the morning session not the Strakka. I think that had a 3:34.

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...t-combined.pdf

[gustavobamba]

The HPD really need the Coupe... and an upgraded engine to...

I think they would reach the 3:30m mark...

But If the factory Audis & Toyotas had some problems they might achieve a top 5.

[gustavobamba]

If Toyota is doing well in P1 in their 1st (Factory) year, Honda with factory suport will be as good, that´s my opinion.

With the new Rules for 2014 and assuming that Honda will return to F1 soon that´s logical to test their engine in Le Mans!!! I believe thats a logical way to go but that´s is just my opinion...

[courageous]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

Radio Le Mans basically confirmed a few minutes ago that Honda is asking around for drivers for a factory LMP1 program next year

For 2013 it isn't likely to mean any extra/new cars - just more support & some money for an existing team with the current car (maybe with a few upgrades)


And Nissan's bean counters are never going to green light a factory team - why would they when the LMP2 armarda + deltawing are giving them all the column inches they could wish for?

[gustavobamba]

Well, let´s see: Driver´s for HONDA

If they do full WEC...

Nicolas Minassian!!
Simon Pagenoud!!
João Barbosa!!
Sebastian Bourdais...

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by courageous

For 2013 it isn't likely to mean any extra/new cars - just more support & some money for an existing team with the current car (maybe with a few upgrades)


And Nissan's bean counters are never going to green light a factory team - why would they when the LMP2 armarda + deltawing are giving them all the column inches they could wish for?

Might be more cars if Highcroft return to the fray? Depends who the teams are. It's not really 2013 that matters, more the hope of them identifying what they need while preparing a 2014 car to new regs.

As for Nissan. If Honda do step up with more than a year's commitment. If Toyota do renew with a new regs car. That might make them think twice, at the very least about putting an engine into the back of something like an OAK. The DeltaWing is a short-term PR hit for them. Beyond the 24 I doubt they will have too much to do with it.

[Speed-King]

I don't think that there is an automatism for all Japanese manufacturers following eachother... after all, Nissan never made it into F1 even while Honda and Toyota were there, Honda didn't participate in European sportscars in the late 90s, either, and Honda/Acuras forray into P2 since 2007 didn't bring out any response from Toyota or Nissan.

And IIRC Nissan is not doing all that well financially right now - with costs for a P1 campaign being what they are, they might conlude that it isn't worth getting into right now.

[gwyllion]

In 2014 Renault will supply a V6 turbo engine in engine. Perhaps this engine, adapted for endurance racing, could be rebadged as a Nissan.

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

In 2014 Renault will supply a V6 turbo engine in engine. Perhaps this engine, adapted for endurance racing, could be rebadged as a Nissan.

That´s what i was thinking about.

They have Infiniti with Red Bull; Lotus in F1, and they could use Renault V6 in Le Mans with a Nissan LMP1.

The same way, other new V6 F1 engines could go to Endurance...

[joeb]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

In 2014 Renault will supply a V6 turbo engine in engine. Perhaps this engine, adapted for endurance racing, could be rebadged as a Nissan.

Exactly, the ACO/FIa wouldn't have incorporated F1 power trains into the P1 regs unless somebody was asking for that. Was it Nissan/Renault? perhaps, but even if it wasn't it does open the door for that discussion to be taking place in the boardrooms now.