[WEC] Kolles Prototype

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by templer

What I don't understand why they don't engage a freelance engineer like Sergio Rinland, Peter Elleray or Wiet Huidekoper or so on. Of course these guys are not cheap but they all can bring the car on a more competitive level and this is finally maybe cheaper and more successful

I get the feeling that Kolles plans for the short-term, perhaps exclusively. As you say in the long run bringing in an experienced engineer would be more productive (and possibly cheaper anyway) but this project seems to be lurching from pillar to post as it is.

[templer]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Good point about the engineers.

Is the team much different from the P2 "Lotus" days? Can't tell with this business.

No idea, as all on the team is top secret. The T128 P2 was developed by Adess though has also not enough downforce. So it was only run by Kodewa.
The T129 P1 was designed by Paul White, a guy with F1 expercience. The chief designer now is Dominic Liebl, as Paul White seems to be no longer on board You can have a look at Liebl's LinkedIn or Xing profile and so have your own thoughts.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by templer

As I don't get any answer I still don't know if it is already the reworked car. Seems like the team lacks some engineering expercience.

That seems to be a question that I haven't seen a proper answer to yet. I thought the most recent news was a new rear end and aero package would be available for Spa. I guess we will see in a few weeks.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by tux

With respect is that not what they did after they had the damage on the first lap? They could have said no, we wont spend the best part of an hour fixing this, lets just go home.

The failure at the end was a shame and as usual the team hasn't said what caused it, i wish the team could be more open

It was AER ancillary failure at the end
http://www.bykolles.at/bykolles-raci...erstone-debut/

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Chiana

It was AER ancillary failure at the end
http://www.bykolles.at/bykolles-raci...erstone-debut/

Sort of funny that the team manager was happy with Simon's performance because he turned consistent laps. Did he turn fast consistent laps, or just consistent laps?

Good to see they have a media relations person listed with contact information though. Maybe they will be more forthcoming with details.

[TF110]

That was pretty forthcoming. They explained their race and issues. Now they just need better performance.

[templer]

Originally Posted by joeb

Sort of funny that the team manager was happy with Simon's performance because he turned consistent laps. Did he turn fast consistent laps, or just consistent laps?

Good to see they have a media relations person listed with contact information though. Maybe they will be more forthcoming with details.

Fastest lap time was setted by Christian Klien with a high 1:53. So far away from being competitive.

Yes they have a media contact but you don't need to ask this lady something car related. You will not get a reply.

[Giba]

In this week's autosport it confirms that the CLM ran at Silverstone without the new aero and gearbox. The 2015 spec car should run at spa

[Mike E]

It must have been 'interesting' for both Klien and the team to have him in the car. After a few seasons of driving well sorted but not particularly powerful LMP2s he got to sample a shopping trolley with a rocket in the back. I wonder how much use the team will make of whatever feedback he gave.

[Albers Fan]

The car will start in spa with ne new components and the new Xtrac transmission.

Trummer and Liuzzi are only confirmed.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Albers Fan

The car will start in spa with ne new components and the new Xtrac transmission.

Trummer and Liuzzi are only confirmed.

Gonna have to update your signature! Looks like Liuzzi is a main stay in terms of lineup

[Albers Fan]

Originally Posted by TF110

Gonna have to update your signature! Looks like Liuzzi is a main stay in terms of lineup

oh, thanks
Tonio will drive only 2-3 race for the team this season.

[truebeliever]

I was curious to what is the likely budget of this team for the season?

Anyone any ideas/guesses?

[carbon_titanium]

Originally Posted by truebeliever

I was curious to what is the likely budget of this team for the season?

Anyone any ideas/guesses?

budget? in kolles universe this word means: cheat people, create new companies in different countries, don't pay your debts, runaway from the law and repeat.
Anyway I don't think we will see a such big improvement...

In my opinion, to create a cheaper and sustainable lmp1 private class is quite simple: is just about to develope an upgrade package for the lmp2.
Take an oreca 05 or a ligier; drop weight to 800kg, give them michelin lmp1 tyres and use the AER engine.
Basically the 2015 r-one concept...

[Juntos]

Mr Kolles, sometimes you just have to come clean. No matter how many dirty secrets come out.

[Pandemonium]

Newish looks on the Bykolles

[carbon_titanium]

well... from now on they could finish behind lmp2 field but with much more aggressive ligths.

[MyNameIsNigel]

A few additional shots:



(source: Endurance-Info.com)

Looks good at least.

[knighty]

I'm no aero expert, but on the basis of these images it does look like they are trying hard behind the scenes, its not just the front, but the rear wing looks to also be much lower, and I dare say the underside has been given the full aero upgrade treatment also......my understanding up to date is they have effectively been racing an under developed LMP2 originally designed for a normally aspirated V8 LMP2 engine......which was later hastily converted to LMP1 turbo engine, dare I say bodged.....it will be interesting to see how it performs in its 3rd guise, the times will tell as Spa is not the place for playing games before LeMans, best of luck to them, LMP1 needs a few plucky privateers.

[Damian Baldi]

Looking the car from the front, it looks the same, but with the side view you could see how different the fenders are.

It looks very different and a lot more modern. I hope they get more speed to finish at least in front of all P2 cars.

old pics to compare

[TF110]

Klein will be in the car again for Spa.

[pirenzo]

It looks like the front fender shape (both leading and trailing edges) plus the outboard splitter section has changed. The sidepod vent under the "Stock's" logo has also been removed.

Otherwise it looks substantially the same bodywork wise, apart from the Porsche-esque paint job on the side of the canopy (which does improve the looks a bit).

[Damian Baldi]

Originally Posted by pirenzo

It looks like the front fender shape (both leading and trailing edges) plus the outboard splitter section has changed. The sidepod vent under the "Stock's" logo has also been removed.

Otherwise it looks substantially the same bodywork wise, apart from the Porsche-esque paint job on the side of the canopy (which does improve the looks a bit).

You are right, the splitter now looks more exposed, or better said, the fenders are shorter letting the splitter more exposed.

[Deleted]

There's actually less partner/sponsorship logos in the car than before. In the rear (binderholz), shark fin (yellow wings) and all three brandings in the frontal bodywork.

Contrary to last year, and rather surprisingly, the ACO doesn't seemed to have fiddled around the non-hybrid EoT tables too much so whatever improvements there will - or should be - this weekend will be all to the upgrades. But I think ACO will give some gifts to ERS-0 in time Rebellion shows up for the Test Day, or at the very least after that. I never understood the point in going back to 850kg, other than to bring Kolles closer to Rebellion since they clearly couldn't decrease the overweight by 75kg.

Anyway, Kolles MUST finish the race if they want to have any chance against Rebellion in the post-LM season.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Anyway, Kolles MUST finish the race if they want to have any chance against Rebellion in the post-LM season.

All depends on Rebellions reliability of the new engine setup.