[WEC] Glickenhaus Hypercar

[S griffin]

Glad you are back for another year, giving it another go. The competition is getting tougher, so fair play for keeping on trying

[RL17]

Odd reply from Porsche - deterring future competition or budgetary motive.

Surely would need a single body and a single old style World Championship (late 60s early 70s style calendar).

The whole reason we are going to Le Mans from 1906, intervening years and other early French/early Grand Prix and then 1923 onwards is to open up racing to multiple manufacturers and to drive progress by competition amongst them!

[Nick Woodbury]

Hm, well with a potential economic crisis looming on a global scale in the coming years, I posit that it'll boil down to whomever wants to spend their money on the most cost effective formula. And quite frankly, I see manufacturers that have committed to the cost effective and practical platform of lmdh ultimately winning out over boutiques and LMH types. All of the latter will either eventually leave all together (Toyota & Peugeot), run out of money entirely and quit (Glick & Kolles and that italian team or whatever they're called) or end up switching to the most practical, cost effective option (Ferrari and anyone who's left). Summation; I see Caddy, Porsche, BMW Acura/Honda and Lambo having made the correct choice at the end of the day. The lmdh as a formula will get the last laugh.

[Mike E]

The current homologation period runs for 3 more years. Who knows what the situation will be then. Easy to extend the homologation period if it suits all parties. And if the current LMH manufacturers want to continue into the next period they can re-homologate the existing cars. Maybe make some cosmetic changes to lights or whatever.

[broadrun96]

Yeah, locking the cars in helps with what killed off LMP1, to an extent. And Porsche joining with the GTP option tips their thoughts, and can't lose IMSA entry as well. Economic stress and you'll likely see the homologation get extended, especially if no one new shows up

[RL17]

Sponsorship/advertising dollars for ICE powered or partly powered racing is the main driver going forward. Fillon has been talking of manufacturers driving progress (the dna of Le Mans) in fuel cell or hydrogen powered vehicles for the benefit of road cars since 2018.

Recent events have delayed some of this and traditional manufacturers have benefited from pentagon up demand from covid periods.

So a manufacturer LMP E or Hy class will come with both LMH or LMDh having a possible grandfathered period. Not keen on the sound of things to come.

[S griffin]

There are plenty of sponsors about, which is important, as not all manufacturers can rely on there own money. Not necessarily in technology either

I think things will be fine. Although the series has gone through a dark patch, there is a good structure now. Hopefully Le Mans will be another great event, in fact I think we are in for a real treat this year

[RL17]

Originally Posted by RL17

Sponsorship/advertising dollars for ICE powered or partly powered racing is the main driver going forward. Fillon has been talking of manufacturers driving progress (the dna of Le Mans) in fuel cell or hydrogen powered vehicles for the benefit of road cars since 2018.

Recent events have delayed some of this and traditional manufacturers have benefited from pentagon up demand from covid periods.

So a manufacturer LMP E or Hy class will come with both LMH or LMDh having a possible grandfathered period. Not keen on the sound of things to come.

Was commenting on 26,27,28ish period as Porsche had suggested going to LMDh/GTP only once current LMH & LMDh period expires.

No question that 2023, 24 and hopefully 25 will be great as LMH manufacturers should get 3 years or 2 plus a grandfathered year.

Advertising spend for manufacturers and sponsors will be trickier for a package going out to 2028 or so for hybrids with mild e power.

More scope for an AM second tier with substantial funds from AM driver.

[S griffin]

It's a good job we have multiple classes, but at the same time, it's nice to see so many entering the top class or classes. It'll be interesting to see what championship we have a few years down the line, things can change so quickly

[Napolis]

Interesting race today...

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Napolis

Interesting race today...

Indeed. At some point in the coverage I think i heard mention of your team contesting the entire WEC this year. Except the commentary said you wouldn't be at Sebring. Is that the case?

[Napolis]

Originally Posted by joeb

Indeed. At some point in the coverage I think i heard mention of your team contesting the entire WEC this year. Except the commentary said you wouldn't be at Sebring. Is that the case?

We will be at Sebring. If any of you are there say hello.

[S griffin]

Good place to start. Should be a great event

[Coach Ep]

Better enjoy it while it lasts!

[hondafan37]

Glickenhaus out of the WEC in 2024?

https://www.autohebdo.fr/actualites/...ickenhaus.html

[JT240Z]

Need to be a subscriber to read the entire article but from what I read, it's too bad that he's leaving. Would like to have read is opinion on the LMH/LMDH merger.

[joeb]

Comments at Sebring from the team led me to believe this is the case. It is going to be harder and harder for a private team to succeed in the land of large factory racing. It is a lot of money to spend without fully involved sponsors (see Hertz and Jota).

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by joeb

Comments at Sebring from the team led me to believe this is the case. It is going to be harder and harder for a private team to succeed in the land of large factory racing. It is a lot of money to spend without fully involved sponsors (see Hertz and Jota).

Yep, unfortunately.

[veeten]

"No one knows reality like someone who's forced to face it"...
I remember that line from an episode of Outer Limits, but it aptly describes the position that both Glickenhaus and ByKolles/Vanwall are in.

During the first practice session at Sebring, while the new cars were only up to a second behind the Toyotas, they were a full 4 seconds. They only managed to get that down to 3 after that, while the Ferrari took pole. The race was a non factor, as issues and shunts compiled an already bad outing.
And as they are heading to more smoother surfaced European tracks, how do you think things will pan out?

Either both will have to build to the new rules or bow out completely. It's what Alpine is doing, especially since they knew they couldn't count on their ancient LMP1 being grandfathered any more.

[cavalo_mORTO]

The car always had problems. Recall seeing Dumas see-sawing at the wheel in the Porsche curves. It always had the most favourable BOP, and still would struggle with race pace. I mean its performance would deteriorate throughout the race. It would need a massive redesign to be competitive.

[joeb]

To be fair, the cars have always finished Le Mans. 4th and 5th in 2021 and 3rd and 4th in 2022. So they can't be that terrible.

[cavalo_mORTO]

Sure, but their pace is nothing to write home about. Only way they'd get a win at Le Mans would be to hope for a Mazda type win.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by veeten

Either both will have to build to the new rules or bow out completely. It's what Alpine is doing, especially since they knew they couldn't count on their ancient LMP1 being grandfathered any more.

The Glickenhaus and Vanwall are both built to 'the new rules' (LMH).

[veeten]

Originally Posted by Mike E

The Glickenhaus and Vanwall are both built to 'the new rules' (LMH).

The thing is, both are non-hybrid, the same as Alpine A480 LMP1.

.... and how many BOP shenanigans did the FIA had to pull just to make that competitive.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by veeten

The thing is, both are non-hybrid, the same as Alpine A480 LMP1.

.... and how many BOP shenanigans did the FIA had to pull just to make that competitive.

But that is not at all the same thing, non-hybrid was an option under the new rules. But the base car is not at all the same thing so lumping them in with the Alpine isn't really accurate

The Alpine had BoP issues because they needed fuel allowances due to old rules so they couldn't carry enough fuel to meet the stint length under the regs, plus they needed weight tweaks and other things to make an OLDDDD (at its core not necessarily all the improvements along the way) car meet the new regs.