FIA WEC '14 ~ Speculation Thread

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Beetle

And to reply to your post, Simmi, Strakka has been about as confirmed as confirmed can be without actually time traveling to WEC '14 Round 1, wherever it may be.

And OAK seems confirmed as well.

I'm hopeful of seeing both of these outfits racing next year but I don't view either of these links as confirmations. I see desire to compete, but not a programme in place. Yet.

[morningview66]

Yeah i don't want to sound like a massive pessimist, but often when teams give interviews saying w'e will be back next year'. They more often than not mean 'we would like to be back next year, circumstance dependent'.

I would imagine its quite rare (for any of the private teams at least) to have a full budget/driver/sponsor package sorted out for next year at this point.
(this is just a guess so feel free to correct me)

Anyway i hope to see as many teams on that list as possible competing as im sure we all do.

[Acid09]

I think it is simply too early for this thread.

There is still half of the season to be run, it's not the time to announce next year's plans yet.

Nobody should worry because a team has not committed to the next season in August (!).

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Acid09

I think it is simply too early for this thread.

There is still half of the season to be run, it's not the time to announce next year's plans yet.

Nobody should worry because a team has not committed to the next season in August (!).

We aren't worrying; the title of the thread is, after all, FIA WEC '14 ~ Speculation Thread.

Porsche certainly has committed (we've all seen the testing photos), Strakka has made firm decisions to race next year (although I agree, Simmi, it is more of an "interest" and not a "confirmation" for a 2014 program), and LMP rumors abound for 2014 - so why not start a thread?

Unfortunately, unlike LMP1 and LMP2, GTE isn't much to talk about - I expect it may be a bit boring next year with the usual Porsche, Ferrari, and Aston Martin slugfest. It's quite a shame that we will have to wait nearly two more years to see the GT unification. Simply add McLaren, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW and you really have a race!

[skycafe]

other=Sebring

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Beetle

We aren't worrying; the title of the thread is, after all, FIA WEC '14 ~ Speculation Thread.

Porsche certainly has committed (we've all seen the testing photos), Strakka has made firm decisions to race next year (although I agree, Simmi, it is more of an "interest" and not a "confirmation" for a 2014 program), and LMP rumors abound for 2014 - so why not start a thread?

Unfortunately, unlike LMP1 and LMP2, GTE isn't much to talk about - I expect it may be a bit boring next year with the usual Porsche, Ferrari, and Aston Martin slugfest. It's quite a shame that we will have to wait nearly two more years to see the GT unification. Simply add McLaren, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW and you really have a race!

Maybe a team will run a Viper or BMW will be allowed in the WEC and the Brazilian team can represent them? You never know! It would be awesome to see a couple of Vipers and Z4s.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by TF110

Maybe a team will run a Viper or BMW will be allowed in the WEC and the Brazilian team can represent them? You never know! It would be awesome to see a couple of Vipers and Z4s.

BMW Trophy Team Brazil is an excellent idea for the WEC. Marc VDS was thinking about it a while back but I think their goal was LMP2. But who knows, they could have a change of heart... I'd personally like to see a new GTE-Pro team and car rather than another European LMP2 team. There are simply too many - eventually they'll run out of numbers from 24-49 (that scenario nearly unfolded at LMS this year!)...

For the BMW Trophy Team to do a full effort in the WEC they'd probably need at least 2 cars, which would require AT MINIMUM 2 drivers for regular rounds (3 for Le Mans), so they'd need to combine Trophy Team India with Trophy Team Brasil. Also, they might want to take a look at guys like Moser, Paltalla, Catsburg, Longin, Franchi, Kechele, Hassid, Hurtgen, Alzen, Muller, and many more. Guys like Zonta, Bueno, Khodair, Jiminez, Ebrahim, Jousse, etc probably have more options right now.

Although they probably won't end up forming a brand new factory team just for next year because things are just going to be shaken up again when 2015 rolls around. But one can hope for a #85 Pro Zonta/Bueno/Khodair and a #86 Pro Jiminez/Ebrahim/Jousse effort.

As far as Viper, I have no idea... maybe a certain Dutch team? They seem to like American V8s...

[morningview66]

Originally Posted by Beetle

BMW Trophy Team Brazil is an excellent idea for the WEC. Marc VDS was thinking about it a while back but I think their goal was LMP2. But who knows, they could have a change of heart... I'd personally like to see a new GTE-Pro team and car rather than another European LMP2 team. There are simply too many - eventually they'll run out of numbers from 24-49 (that scenario nearly unfolded at LMS this year!)...

For the BMW Trophy Team to do a full effort in the WEC they'd probably need at least 2 cars, which would require AT MINIMUM 2 drivers for regular rounds (3 for Le Mans), so they'd need to combine Trophy Team India with Trophy Team Brasil. Also, they might want to take a look at guys like Moser, Paltalla, Catsburg, Longin, Franchi, Kechele, Hassid, Hurtgen, Alzen, Muller, and many more. Guys like Zonta, Bueno, Khodair, Jiminez, Ebrahim, Jousse, etc probably have more options right now.

Although they probably won't end up forming a brand new factory team just for next year because things are just going to be shaken up again when 2015 rolls around. But one can hope for a #85 Pro Zonta/Bueno/Khodair and a #86 Pro Jiminez/Ebrahim/Jousse effort.

I don't pretend to know how much basis this BMW Trophy Team Brazil to run cars in WEC has.

But assuming they could put a budget together maybe BMW would be willing to lend them drivers as Porsche did with guys like Felbmayer before their full factory effort this year.
Then they could have access to guys like Dirk Muller, Jorg Muller, Hand, Farfus, Werner, Alzen, Adorf, Klingman, Hurtgen and of course Maxime Martin.
To race alongside the Brazilian core they would probably keep Bueno, Zonta, Jiminez & Kohdair.

[morningview66]

I think thats one of my favourite things about Sportscar (more specifically GT) racing.
That manufacturers have a roster of drivers that they lend out so you see things like Mortara & Albequrque appearing at the big Grand-Am events for Audi or Vilander for Ferrari and a number of the Porsche guys turning up in the ALMS.

Or of course Berned Schneider driving the Mercedes in the big 24hr races. Along with big works driver commitment to private teams in the Nurburgring 24 and Spa 24 from Aston, Audi, BMW and Porsche.

Maybe the wrong thread, but I would like to see this happen more often. Though maybe it works better at the lower GT3 level rather than WEC on the world stage where the manufacturers want to make sure of best results by running their own works teams.

[Dario911]

Originally Posted by avvelenamento

Anyway a lot of people still think that a pair of american astronauts put their foot on moon surface a lot of years ago.

Only intelligent people believe it to be true.

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by Dario911

Only intelligent people believe it to be true.

LMFAO ..... Ha !

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Dario911

Only intelligent people believe it to be true.

Don't feed the troll... he'll go back under a bridge if we ignore those kinds of comments.

[FstrthnU]

http://www.racer.com/esm-focused-on-...rticle/309432/

ESM says that they could race in select WEC races in addition to USCR pending more Tequila Patron funding.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

http://www.racer.com/esm-focused-on-...rticle/309432/

ESM says that they could race in select WEC races in addition to USCR pending more Tequila Patron funding.

If ESM comes to Silverstone in the WEC I promise the next bottle of Tequila I buy will be a bottle of Patron.

There. They've got to come now. Do they want my money or not?

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

http://www.racer.com/esm-focused-on-...rticle/309432/

ESM says that they could race in select WEC races in addition to USCR pending more Tequila Patron funding.

I'd guess Spa, Le Mans, and COTA.

[FstrthnU]

http://www.racer.com/pickett-intrigu...rticle/309697/
Greg Pickett confirms that Muscle Milk won't be joining the series next year since his discussions with HPD to buy the 2014 LMP1 fell through.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

http://www.racer.com/pickett-intrigu...rticle/309697/
Greg Pickett confirms that Muscle Milk won't be joining the series next year since his discussions with HPD to buy the 2014 LMP1 fell through.

So where to for Pickett? USCR DP?

[BullMan]

Originally Posted by Beetle

So where to for Pickett? USCR DP?

No. P2 if anything, but he has repeatedly said he doesn't want to race a P2 or a DP. He's got the cash to run a GTE car and he previously ran an Aston prototype. I'd like to see him enter an Aston in GTE since that car isn't represented in the new series.

[FstrthnU]

http://speedblog.speed.com/speed/spo...-wec-notebook/

RAM Racing taking a look at moving up to WEC with their Ferraris

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

http://speedblog.speed.com/speed/spo...-wec-notebook/

RAM Racing taking a look at moving up to WEC with their Ferraris

No surprise there... top-quality team.

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

http://www.racer.com/pickett-intrigu...rticle/309697/
Greg Pickett confirms that Muscle Milk won't be joining the series next year since his discussions with HPD to buy the 2014 LMP1 fell through.

That's crap ..... why is it that Honda seem to be so difficult to deal with over this supposedly new chaiisi ..... they should be bloody happy that teams want to run their tubs , and winning championships for them with little assistance .

Strakka basically quit cuz their car was at the back end of the P1 category and decided to cancel their programme and concentrate on next year .

There is no proof that this Honda can take on the opposition next year .

[TF110]

MMilk possibly wants to stay in America? So that could be a reason the talks didn't go all well. Or the price was too much for the campaign he planned? Maybe he didnt want to run full season in the WEC so was looking at a reduced price that Hpd wasn't going for? I think it's premature to fault Hpd. As for Strakka, they just don't have the ideal driver lineup or cash to continue on in the WEC this year.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by TF110

MMilk possibly wants to stay in America? So that could be a reason the talks didn't go all well. Or the price was too much for the campaign he planned? Maybe he didnt want to run full season in the WEC so was looking at a reduced price that Hpd wasn't going for? I think it's premature to fault Hpd. As for Strakka, they just don't have the ideal driver lineup or cash to continue on in the WEC this year.

If they (Strakka) are indeed adamant on a two-car entry full time next year in the LMP1 class in WEC, I don't think they are afraid to throw their weight around, financially. Mainly I think it is just timing... why spend money on a season that only has 4 other LMP1 cars, and only one car that you could truly fight with (Rebellion)?

We've seen weirder things happen... who would've expected five full-time factory Aston Martins in the WEC this year? Two LMP1s out of privateer team similar to Rebellion doesn't seem too far out to me...

[Articus]

I'm in no position to question any of Honda's motive because what they are doing for motorsport is great already but it seems like the HPD program very different to what we saw back in 2007 and 2008 with the Andretti Green, Lowes Fernandez, and Highcroft. Its dissapointing. They should be proud to put there name on the car and race at Le Mans. Arguably the biggest race of the year of course. But it seems like they don't wanna chip in to help run it. Possible because they aren't really expecting to win. And its true. With Audi, Porsche, and Toyota all running factory teams.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Articus

I'm in no position to question any of Honda's motive because what they are doing for motorsport is great already but it seems like the HPD program very different to what we saw back in 2007 and 2008 with the Andretti Green, Lowes Fernandez, and Highcroft. Its dissapointing. They should be proud to put there name on the car and race at Le Mans. Arguably the biggest race of the year of course. But it seems like they don't wanna chip in to help run it. Possible because they aren't really expecting to win. And its true. With Audi, Porsche, and Toyota all running factory teams.

And that is precisely why we need 5 classes at Le Mans instead of 4: LMP1 Factory, LMP1 Privateer, LMP2, GTE-Pro, and GTE-Am. That would gather a lot more interest from the smaller-budget teams and big budget privateer teams.

If we don't get that, I'm afraid we'll see a dwindling LMP1 field, despite Porsche and maybe a few other new teams coming on board... those smaller teams who want to develop cars A) don't develop them at all or B) develop them for a lower-cost alternative: LMP2. And, truth be told, we don't need any more LMP2 cars.