WEC WEC 2021 season - Page 2

Purist · 13 Dec 2019, 06:18 (Ref:3946443)

There's no need to watch the whole thing by any stretch, TF110, but here's a race from the current Kyalami that should give a pretty comprehensive look.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6WRgAiQoss&t=3765s

broadrun96 · 13 Dec 2019, 13:43 (Ref:3946512)

In a surprise to no one, Goodyear gets the LMP2 spec deal for WEC and ELMS.

Deleted · 13 Dec 2019, 14:02 (Ref:3946519)

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadrun96

In a surprise to no one, Goodyear gets the LMP2 spec deal for WEC and ELMS.

"We are proud to have been chosen for this challenge"

I'm sure you are but here's response to that from 4 years ago where Dunlop was _proud_ to not be in a spec tire situation
https://tentenths.com/forum/showpost...4&postcount=11

Deleted · 13 Dec 2019, 14:38 (Ref:3946527)

Sorry for double post but the time limit for editing already passed. So two things from the DSC version: http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/1...-supplier.html

This has broken shortly after DSC learned that tomorrow’s 8 Hours of Bahrain will be the last for High Class Racing on Goodyear tyres, the Danish team set to switch to Michelin for the remaining WEC rounds this season. This leaves just the JOTA and Jackie Chan DC Racing ORECAs running with Goodyear in the FIA WEC from CoTA onwards.
Ironic that teams are investing for the outgoing manufacturer (I'm sure they've been notified ages ago of the chose one) which has continued to make progress... goes to show that having tire war actually does matter. Sighhhhhhhh

However, going forward, with teams from the ELMS and WEC both racing at Le Mans together, it’s a logical move for the ACO to select one tyre manufacturer across the two championships.
This logic makes no sense considering GTE-AM teams use spec Dunlops in ELMS yet switch for Michelins for LM out of free will. How's that fine but not for LMP2

chernaudi · 13 Dec 2019, 14:48 (Ref:3946532)

I can think of only one thing: Spec tire = control over LMP2 pace without taking away so much engine power they can't out-drag GTE cars down the straights. We do also have to remember that with the LMPH deal with Michelin being quasi spec (Michelin will be allowed to develop different specs for different types of LMPH, but will still be solo supplier), a spec tire deal for LMP2 is a no brainer.

But we do also have to remember that GTE, at least GTE Pro, is being pushed as being open tire, though all the teams in both GTE classes right now run on Michelin.

Deleted · 13 Dec 2019, 15:20 (Ref:3946536)

Back when the spec P2 regulations were announced, there were still three available parameters to making actual difference:
1) Chassis of 4 options
2) Best drivers (read: choosing the correct fake-silver)
3) Tire choice of theoretically unlimited options

Now for LM 2021 there is only fake-silver because obviously chassis must be Oreca 07 and tires are standardized

chernaudi · 13 Dec 2019, 15:37 (Ref:3946542)

And as I've pointed out, Goodyear selling a spec tire to LMP2 teams is basically a knock on to ensure that LMP2 doesn't get too close pace-wise to LMP Hypercar. It's better than knocking LMP2 back to or below GTE power levels, which totally defeats the purpose of the power bump from 2017.

Deleted · 13 Dec 2019, 15:46 (Ref:3946543)

Yet whatever one's reasoning or excuse may be for WEC, the same ones cannot be used for ELMS.

At least there's a glimmer of hope yet that tires remain open for ASLMS. With the old non-spec-cars still allowed there I think there's at least 50-50 chance of tires being in the same consideration too.

chernaudi · 13 Dec 2019, 16:01 (Ref:3946547)

Granted, much of this discussion might be be happening if Hypercar didn't get pegged with 1040-1100kg minimum weight and getting pegged back almost certainly back to probably LMP2/last gen non-LMP1 hybrid/first gen LMP1 hybrid lap times.

One bit of irony, though. Slowing down the cars might maybe make it possible for the LM distance record to be in peril of falling. I don't believe that faster cars are bad, but between the ACO relying on gentleman or rookie drivers in non-OEM backed/non-full pro classes and faster cars being harder to handle in general and making big accidents more likely, the slower laptimes might be met with fewer accidents/slow zones/FCYs at LM.

Toyota have had the pace in race trim to match or break the distance record the past couple of years at LM, but FCYs and slow zones kept them from making it.

That being said, if the planet align, 2020 LM might be the best chance for a new distance record.

MaskedRacer · 13 Dec 2019, 17:25 (Ref:3946558)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Best WEC Calendar so far. Any ideas on improving it would be very picky. Impressive stuff.

Easy. Bahrain has got to go. A waste of an event for sure. COTA or The Bend would be better.

Mike E · 13 Dec 2019, 18:12 (Ref:3946568)

As a South African, I am very happy to see Kyalami on the calendar. Whether it will work for the WEC remains to be seen. It was good for GT3 at the 9 Hours, but LMP1/2/H are much faster and the track is pretty twisty. Having said that, it is emphatically not a Tilke-drome. If you get it wrong, you pay. I think we can all agree that is how it should be. I hope it works.

Deleted · 14 Dec 2019, 11:36 (Ref:3946669)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Granted, much of this discussion might be be happening if Hypercar didn't get pegged with 1040-1100kg minimum weight and getting pegged back almost certainly back to probably LMP2/last gen non-LMP1 hybrid/first gen LMP1 hybrid lap times.

One bit of irony, though. Slowing down the cars might maybe make it possible for the LM distance record to be in peril of falling. I don't believe that faster cars are bad, but between the ACO relying on gentleman or rookie drivers in non-OEM backed/non-full pro classes and faster cars being harder to handle in general and making big accidents more likely, the slower laptimes might be met with fewer accidents/slow zones/FCYs at LM.

Toyota have had the pace in race trim to match or break the distance record the past couple of years at LM, but FCYs and slow zones kept them from making it.

That being said, if the planet align, 2020 LM might be the best chance for a new distance record.

I don't know if 2020 will be the best chance for distance record, especially with Toyota not having to push, but it will surely be the last chance for a long time. I doubt future slower cars will equal fewer accidents either.

Anyopenroad · 14 Dec 2019, 11:56 (Ref:3946673)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Silverstone WEC race is on the Saturday instead of the Sunday (ELMS race switches to Sunday in 2020), so wondering if track action will begin on Thursday instead of Friday...?

I think it will have to. The only way to fit the races into Fri-Sun with WEC on the Sat would be to drop WEC FP3 and do qualifying for each race on the morning. And that leaves little/no space for any support races, yet we know that Britcar Endurance are going to be there too (a very welcome addition to the event).

It's a shame really. That Fri with 4 x 90min practice sessions (2 WEC, 2 ELMS) was terrific value. Spreading the schedule over 4 days doesn't improve the experience. Silverstone doesn't have unlimited days when it can run loud cars so using an extra one of them up for this means something giving elsewhere. It is already the only circuit on the SRO calendar that is closed to spectators on Fridays for their GT events.

Akrapovic · 14 Dec 2019, 18:01 (Ref:3946725)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaskedRacer

Easy. Bahrain has got to go. A waste of an event for sure. COTA or The Bend would be better.

Bahrain is the one weak link, and I'd support an Australian event too. Wouldn't bother with COTA. However it is impressively close to a perfect calendar.

Deleted · 14 Dec 2019, 18:08 (Ref:3946726)

ILMC 2011 was the ultimate definition for _perfect calendar_ but regardless the one presented here is easily the best WEC has had. I just wish the product itself was better