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30 Nov 2009, 22:20 (Ref:2591972) | #1 | |
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BMW at Le Mans 2011?
BMW-Sauber recently quit F1 but they kept Mario Theissen as i learned recently.
What could they have up their sleeves for him. Surely he won't be kept doing nothing in 2010. I think he'll head the development of an all new 2011 regs BMW V8 LMR (Gas or diesel does not really matter they can do both). They don't have to wait for engine equivalency which just can't happen unless they only allow gasoline or petrol |
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1 Dec 2009, 01:49 (Ref:2592072) | #2 | ||
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I think it is too early to say, but fun to speculate nonetheless.
Aren't they mostly focused on WTCC (other than the former F1 program)? With ALMS GT2 playing second fiddle? And I thought that Sauber bought out the team, so does that mean that the "F1 resources" (aside from Theissen) will remain in F1 with Sauber and thus not be available for a switch to a new BMW LMP car design/program? I don't really know the details, but would sure welcome a new BMW LMP car! |
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1 Dec 2009, 02:09 (Ref:2592075) | #3 | ||
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Maybe BMW will go to Le Mans with a Hydrogen fuel cell car... that's what they want to promote anyway.
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1 Dec 2009, 03:06 (Ref:2592083) | #4 | |||
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BMW's rumored to be cutting back to just a 2-car WTCC team in 2010 and may even quit the series. |
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Nulla Tenaci Invia Est Via |
1 Dec 2009, 11:10 (Ref:2592207) | #5 | ||
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1 Dec 2009, 14:20 (Ref:2592281) | #6 | ||
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1 Dec 2009, 14:43 (Ref:2592300) | #7 | ||
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Hvil i Fred Allan. (Rest in Peace Allan) |
1 Dec 2009, 16:09 (Ref:2592351) | #8 | |||
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It does depend how far away we are from seeing this sort of technology on the streets, however. If it won't be ready for another 5-6 years at least then I do agree it will be something of a lost cause. But if its only a couple of years down the road, it might be worth a stab? |
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1 Dec 2009, 16:11 (Ref:2592352) | #9 | |
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I´m really happy to see BMW concentrating more on sports car racing again.
The BMW M3 GT2 is a great start, hopefully Schnitzer will be able to campaign the car full time next year. A LMP would be the next logical step, I don't really know if BMW has the resources to do it in due time though. Since Sauber has bought back the team, they won't have access to these resources anymore. That leaves the engine department which is located in Munch I believe. Still, I somewhat doubt that Schnitzer aka BMW Motorsport is big enough to develop and run a LMP...they might have to expand first. Keep in mind that the 99 LMR was built in cooperation with Williams...F1 resources again. They don't have a partner like that right now. Still, I´m very much looking forward to anything BMW does in sports car racing |
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1 Dec 2009, 16:28 (Ref:2592366) | #10 | ||||
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What might interest BMW is the publicity stunt of beating Audi and Peugeot (maybe Toyota), especially Audi, whom BMW has have some "Battles" with in advertising. Quote:
So if BMW is entering Sportscar racing on the highest form, then it will be with Sauber. |
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Hvil i Fred Allan. (Rest in Peace Allan) |
1 Dec 2009, 17:19 (Ref:2592395) | #11 | |||
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L.P. |
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Probae esti in segetem sunt deteriorem datae fruges, tamen ipsae suaptae enitent |
1 Dec 2009, 18:41 (Ref:2592433) | #12 | |||
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Green Racing will go away in the extend we know today, the public opinion will not have the same influence as it has today (i'm guessing, nobody knows!) When talking Green Racing, then i do not believe Diesel is with any longer, yes it goes longer pr. km. but i don't think their emissions is that much lower than the high performance petrol cars (F1 engines have practically none, because of the high combustion needed). Betting Audi and Peugeot matters in the way that BMW can "point and laugh" at them (if they win). Yes there is other who can build the chassis for BMW, but Sauber would be the more likely, as they have build good LM cars before (Sauber-Mercedes) and they know how to work together with the BMW engine factory from F1. |
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Hvil i Fred Allan. (Rest in Peace Allan) |
1 Dec 2009, 19:13 (Ref:2592449) | #13 | |||
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Quote:
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1 Dec 2009, 19:20 (Ref:2592453) | #14 | |||
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But i can't understand why Sauber isn't a ideal choice for BMW, as far as i know, Sauber and BMW has ended on a, sad, but good foot? They both gained a lot from their partnership. |
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Hvil i Fred Allan. (Rest in Peace Allan) |
1 Dec 2009, 19:23 (Ref:2592456) | #15 | ||
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Sauber is only a good partner for BMW if they need the resources that Sauber possesses, can't source them more efficiently elsewhere and if Sauber has the additional capacity. If Sauber is running an F1 car next year, given that Peter had to buy back the team, where will the additional resources come from? If BMW needs to manufacture a prototype (on short notice!) they could do so themselves or with other experienced subcontractors. If they need someone to run a prototype, they already have a direct link with one of the very best teams in the business (Schnitzer). So I don't see that the link is likely at all, despite the fact that I agree they had a relatively good synergistic relationship in F1.
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3 Dec 2009, 04:13 (Ref:2593216) | #16 | ||
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3 Dec 2009, 13:28 (Ref:2593405) | #17 | |||
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BMW also seems to be moving away from that push and is jumping on the hybrid and EV bandwagon. Hydrogen cracks me up as a technology anyway. The H2 can't be combusted without a catalyst. The catalyst is typically palladium or platinum. There is only a finite amount of those metals as well, not much different than petroleum. And those metals are mined in not the most stable places. I could be totally and completely wrong with that but I would expect BMW to jump on the diesel/hybrid bandwagon. Regardless of anything, them returning to Le Mans would make me incredibly happy. Fingers crossed. |
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"Dude, Scott Sharp wrecked again." Uttered by my buddy at various races the past couple years. |
16 Jan 2010, 02:38 (Ref:2614090) | #18 | |||
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In saying that, I do see BMW re-entering the world of Sports Car racing but it won't be until they stick-with a big-time Automotive Engineering company/Motorsport Outfit willing to either A)develop suitable Engine be it Petrol or Diesel Driven or B)Create a sound and aerodynamically competitive Chassis. Perhaps a re-creation of the V12 LMR is on the minds of BMW but they'd need (in my opinion) a team from F1 to really make a similar competitive vehicle. |
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17 Jan 2010, 15:35 (Ref:2614687) | #19 | ||
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Parramatta, current small cars have fuel-efficient turbochargers because a certain compay called Renault tried to race them in F1 some fourty years ago. The possibility of motorsport contributing to decrease human damage to the environment remains.
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21 Jan 2010, 21:50 (Ref:2617185) | #20 | |||
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The F1 engine came from the Renault Alpine 442 project, started in 1975, raced from 1976... sportscars... not F1. Of course, there were Turbo charged cars racing well before that many citing 1952 as the first successful usage of a turbo in racing, at Indy. (Cummins turbo diesel) |
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23 Jan 2010, 00:01 (Ref:2617801) | #21 | ||
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Yes, sorry, I've heard and seen very little of the Renault sports cars to remember that piece of story.
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26 Jan 2010, 17:26 (Ref:2619795) | #22 | ||
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It was ofcourse this small factory in Zuffenhausen,Germany were the first really reliable turbocharged cars came from.
If it weren´t for the intense research of Porsche,turbocharging would´ve appeared much later in our cars. As with so many technicall developments... |
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31 Jan 2010, 12:04 (Ref:2622726) | #23 | ||
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I look forward to seeing the BMWs at Le Mans. Assuming Schnitzer has submitted a request, as Mario Thiessen stated the interest on the BMW website:
"BMW will be represented at numerous GT events by its long-term test and development team Schnitzer Motorsport. The focus of this commitment is on the classic 24-hour races. As well as the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, it is also planned for the BMW M3 GT2 to start in Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps. BMW Motorsport is currently in positive discussions with organisers and governing bodies regarding the approval of the car." Would the ACO shun a manufacturer? If they deem the car ACO compliant, of course! |
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31 Jan 2010, 21:50 (Ref:2623249) | #24 | ||
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Hvil i Fred Allan. (Rest in Peace Allan) |
31 Jan 2010, 23:17 (Ref:2623313) | #25 | ||
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According to Andy prealiux site , he mentions driving at le mans this year , and I would expect Muller as well .
Any idea on the 3rd driver , or 4th , 5th and 6th as well , as I expect to see 2 of'em . |
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