[WEC] Toyota Hypercar Discussion

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by Mike E

I meant in WEC. There are plenty of other places to race a Mustang GT3.

well, that would be a dumb move to automatically exclude mercedes, mclaren, aston, corvette, ford and probably audi from WEC GT classes.

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by canaglia

well, that would be a dumb move to automatically exclude mercedes, mclaren, aston, corvette, ford and probably audi from WEC GT classes.

It'd be extremely dumb, and I'm not sure why you'd voluntarily shoot yourself in the foot like that.
Variety is literally what GT3 is best known for - to cut that in half or third would be ridiculous.
So that's what will probably happen.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Hawkwood

It'd be extremely dumb, and I'm not sure why you'd voluntarily shoot yourself in the foot like that.
Variety is literally what GT3 is best known for - to cut that in half or third would be ridiculous.
So that's what will probably happen.

I wonder what their motive behind that is? Encourage more to Hypercar? I agree GT3 has been an excellent concept, so why change it? There better be a good justification

[Matador]

Originally Posted by canaglia

Such a joke for everyone if they will introduce a fresh brand new car named Lexus GR020

To be quite fair, they have been screwed over several times over the course of the development by changes from the ACO in response to Aston "entering", too fast LMP2 cars and then a BoP that's changed their whole dynamic of drive deployment. It really should come as no surprise.

[Gingers4Justice]

Looks like new rims for the GR 010 for Le Mans (nicked off a WRC Yaris??)

https://twitter.com/tgr_wec/status/1...g5no628ErCvS7w

[Adam43]

Did they use a joker for that

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Looks like new rims for the GR 010 for Le Mans (nicked off a WRC Yaris??)

https://twitter.com/tgr_wec/status/1...g5no628ErCvS7w

Are wheels homologated? I think they look great, I'm always a proponent of different colored wheels on a race car. But are those just a roller set? They aren't actually racing in them are they?

[Adam43]

They look a bit Demon Tweaks.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by joeb

Are wheels homologated? I think they look great, I'm always a proponent of different colored wheels on a race car. But are those just a roller set? They aren't actually racing in them are they?

Probably transport rims or for pitstop training purposes.

Would be cool to see something, ANYTHING, that's visually different this year at LM but I don't think this will be it. White rims and 24 hours doesn't seem like a good idea.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Probably transport rims or for pitstop training purposes.

Would be cool to see something, ANYTHING, that's visually different this year at LM but I don't think this will be it. White rims and 24 hours doesn't seem like a good idea.

Didn't seem to stop half the field running Porsche 956s/962s with the white rimes back in the day.

But yeah, sadly from reddit they wore those boots while unloading at Sebring too, so it's just a transport thing.

Toyota do seem to absolutely revel in keeping things as consistently corporate* as possible.


*dull.

[kvenom]

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/t...-in-gtp-class/

No GR010 in IMSA. Well, unless Toyota NA/TRD wants to foot the bill or have Lexus do a rebrand

[C6R Racing Fan]

Originally Posted by kvenom

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/t...-in-gtp-class/

No GR010 in IMSA. Well, unless Toyota NA/TRD wants to foot the bill or have Lexus do a rebrand

Stupid. US is probably the biggest market for most of these top marquees.

[canaglia]

Last year toyota was the manufacturers that sold more cars in US market and in general it always had a big share of US market... toyota is already involved in nascar that has a much bigger impact and visibility of sportscars races. Not to mention that toyota promotes its hybrid brand in WEC, while US market is moving toward full electric.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by C6R Racing Fan

Stupid. US is probably the biggest market for most of these top marquees.

Lexus probably wanted something and possibly a rebranded car for IMSA, were told to buzz off and aren't funding it. I would also assume the new car development is costing them some of that money they would have used

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by canaglia

Last year toyota was the manufacturers that sold more cars in US market and in general it always had a big share of US market... toyota is already involved in nascar that has a much bigger impact and visibility of sportscars races. Not to mention that toyota promotes its hybrid brand in WEC, while US market is moving toward full electric.

Except more hybrids have been confirmed in the near term than full electrics. Electrics are an idea or what's to come, hybrid have actual release data and available for sale in far greater numbers and variety

[PascaLM]

At the practice sessions Le Mans, the GR10 still has seemed to have problems with braking and hybrid system, hasn't it ?

[joeb]

Originally Posted by PascaLM

At the practice sessions Le Mans, the GR10 still has seemed to have problems with braking and hybrid system, hasn't it ?

yes i saw them shoot through a chicane a time or two. And i think they made a trip through some gravel earlier in the week. I don't expect both cars to have trouble free runs this year.

[broadrun96]

It has the feeling of whoever stays out of the garage most, but not necessarily fastest, wins in the old pre-Audi style of racing. And an LMP2 sneaking around

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

It has the feeling of whoever stays out of the garage most, but not necessarily fastest, wins in the old pre-Audi style of racing. And an LMP2 sneaking around

Yep, i definitely have the same feeling. But then again, I'm not betting against the Toyotas sailing around serenely and winning by 10 laps.

[Mike E]

Random observation from being trackside. The Toyota sounds great and much better than I expected. Such a deep engine note you can almost feel it going past.

[S griffin]

I think the current Hypercar really do look the business. And sound better than they have too, better than those diesels that used to race at Le Mans

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Random observation from being trackside. The Toyota sounds great and much better than I expected. Such a deep engine note you can almost feel it going past.

I haven't seen them in person, but I have always liked the way they look. I know I may be in the minority opinion there, but paint them a different colour and it would be great!

[kvenom]

Speculation is De Vries is getting a spot next year:

https://the-race.com/formula-e/de-vr...023-programme/

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by kvenom

Speculation is De Vries is getting a spot next year:

https://the-race.com/formula-e/de-vr...023-programme/

It would be absolutely wild if FE and WEC can't dovetail their calendars next season. Talk about a major own goal. I'm sure it will happen - even if there's a possible initial clash and someone has to back down.

De Vries would be a good shout for Toyota and deserves that top seat.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Simmi

It would be absolutely wild if FE and WEC can't dovetail their calendars next season. Talk about a major own goal.

And minutes later they release the calendar - which clashes with Test Day (for real this time) and probably Spa. You love to see it.