IMSA DPi Discussion

[chernaudi]

Granted, all we have is the Oreca press release and the HPD and Penske formal announcement is probably still maybe a few hours away, but I'm surprised that nothing in the way of specs has been revealed as of yet.

[JLGarcia]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Granted, all we have is the Oreca press release and the HPD and Penske formal announcement is probably still maybe a few hours away, but I'm surprised that nothing in the way of specs has been revealed as of yet.

HPD release.

Based on the very successful ORECA 07 chassis, the new ARX-05 prototype features Acura-specific bodywork and utilizes the race-proven, production-based Acura AR35TT twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine.
[...]
Based on the “J35” family of engines found in Acura RDX, MDX, RLX and TLX production vehicles, the Acura AR35TT engine to be used in the ARX-05 was initially adapted for racing in a joint effort between HPD and Honda R&D Americas. Used in a variety of prototype chassis, the engine has powered class winners at the 12 Hours of Sebring (2011-13); the 24 Hours of Le Mans and LMP2 World Endurance Championship (2012); the American Le Mans Series LMP2 titles (2012-13); and the overall winners at the Rolex 24, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans in 2016.

[YZFrider]

Unveiling during Monterey Classic Car week..... sweet

[Mike E]

Whoa, where did this come from? Maybe I haven't been paying attention.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/0...programme.html

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/ju...n-be-unlocked/

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Whoa, where did this come from? Maybe I haven't been paying attention.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/0...programme.html

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/ju...n-be-unlocked/

It was a surprise to about everyone! Good to see what the package will be capable of in the right hands.

[Maelochs]

Originally Posted by joeb

It was a surprise to about everyone! Good to see what the package will be capable of in the right hands.

I don't want to be so rude as to say that SpeedSource sucked rhino testes after Rolex dropped the Mazda RX8s .... I don't want to say they couldn't set up a prototype, or even pull off a Prototype pit stop .... or that they wasted the talent of a bunch of very quick and talented drivers .... or voice any of the other negative but accurate observations I could make.

I think the contrast between Mazda 2018 and Mazda 2015-2017 will say everything one would want to say.

The biggest potential stumbling block and the biggest source of interest, is definitely the lame AER power plant which has been failing in prototype classes in various series for half-a-dozen years at least.

I'd like to see Joest demand a V6.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

I don't want to be so rude as to say that SpeedSource sucked rhino testes after Rolex dropped the Mazda RX8s .... I don't want to say they couldn't set up a prototype, or even pull off a Prototype pit stop .... or that they wasted the talent of a bunch of very quick and talented drivers .... or voice any of the other negative but accurate observations I could make.

I think the contrast between Mazda 2018 and Mazda 2015-2017 will say everything one would want to say.

The biggest potential stumbling block and the biggest source of interest, is definitely the lame AER power plant which has been failing in prototype classes in various series for half-a-dozen years at least.

I'd like to see Joest demand a V6.

I'm interested to see if there is a weight issue, and if it can be solved. It was mentioned during le mans on a Dutch TV interview iirc, that the Riley was stated to be significantly overweight.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by joeb

I'm interested to see if there is a weight issue, and if it can be solved. It was mentioned during le mans on a Dutch TV interview iirc, that the Riley was stated to be significantly overweight.

Lots of interesting angles here. No doubt Joest have done their homework before signing up so they must think they can get something out of this car.

Will it be a help to teams running non-DPi Rileys? Maybe not immediatley if they are locked into the homologation period, but come the mid-life update, it could be useful.

[Maelochs]

Originally Posted by joeb

I'm interested to see if there is a weight issue, and if it can be solved. It was mentioned during le mans on a Dutch TV interview iirc, that the Riley was stated to be significantly overweight.

I had heard 60 kg overweight but I had thought if was the P2 ... didn't hear it was also the DPi. I figured Mazda would have taken care of that.

If not ... Joest is pretty good, we will see.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

I had heard 60 kg overweight but I had thought if was the P2 ... didn't hear it was also the DPi. I figured Mazda would have taken care of that.

If not ... Joest is pretty good, we will see.

You're right it was the P2 but I think the Mazda shares most mechanicals with that car, and I doubt the extra weight is in the body and motor.

[Damian Baldi]

If Mazda wants to leave the 4 in line aside and opt for a v6, what are their options? The only one I found is the MZI, but it is basically a Ford Cyclone engine.

However, to develop an engine takes lot of time, so if they want to change it will take until 2019.

[Matt]

AER already does a turbo V6 they can badge.

[kvenom]

Originally Posted by Matt

AER already does a turbo V6 they can badge.

If you are referring to the P60 which Rebellion and ByKolles ran, I distinctly remember that engine blew up or caught fire on multiple occasions. It would be a perfect fit for Speedsource, not so much for Joest.

[Damian Baldi]

Originally Posted by Matt

AER already does a turbo V6 they can badge.

The one from LMP1? Is based on a stock block?

[Matt]

It doesn't need to be a stock block.