OAK Racing

[isynge]

Pretty mixed news, but nothing in there that should be too much of a surprise to us.

I liked seeing how they just got on with it at Daytona, and as Victor says, confidence must be reasonably high for Sebring.

Interesting that he makes the point regarding the LMP1 that "nobody has an engine ready" - is this a case of me missing a nuance in the French, or a reflection that he doesn't rate any of the off-the-shelf engine options for 2014?

[GT6]

I think Oak want to compete in LMP1 not just make up the numbers so they want an engine that can give them a chance and nothing available at the moment is competative

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

If we only look at fastest laps between the DPs and the Morgan, then the prototype BoP for Daytona was just about right. And they didn't lose any more laps to the leaders after the alternator (yes, I know, that was probably skewed by the cautions).

They're probably quite confident about Sebring.

You are right Victor. Setting BoP is more than just straightline performance. It should get you to the end of a lap in the same time - it doesn't necessarily mean you have to get there in the same manner.

[pablocomics]

IMO they are waiting for something big, they are the better Proto team without any works link (The P1 delay has the same smell of the delay of the Oreca 02)

[JoestForEver]

If their WEC program cannot make it, what would the grid be like?4 cars less in P2? That's disaster.

[Koenigsegg]

Originally Posted by JoestForEver

If their WEC program cannot make it, what would the grid be like?4 cars less in P2? That's disaster.

There are plenty of other P2 entries that will take over the spots.

[Pandemonium]

I think there will be plenty yes but, but Oak racing should focus on getting the P1 ready and stop wasting money on the Tusc.

[JoestForEver]

Or maybe get a second hand dp to do cheap road racing marketing.;-)

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Pandemonium

I think there will be plenty yes but, but Oak racing should focus on getting the P1 ready and stop wasting money on the Tusc.

Pretty sure they aren't wasting money there. Yes they supply Pla, but the other driver brings money. Also they are developing the Ligier coupe with an eye on the US market. So being in the US series is marketing for them.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by Pandemonium

I think there will be plenty yes but, but Oak racing should focus on getting the P1 ready and stop wasting money on the Tusc.

Of course, I may be wrong, but I have a slight suspicion Jacques Nicolet knows more about making money and what 'wasting money' is than you do.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by joeb

Pretty sure they aren't wasting money there. Yes they supply Pla, but the other driver brings money. Also they are developing the Ligier coupe with an eye on the US market. So being in the US series is marketing for them.

Not to mention making a privateer P1 doesn't exactly strike me as 'spending money wisely' when compared to a TUDOR P2 program with a car that clearly has the potential to win races even at Daytona where it was supposedly their worst track.

The current crop of P1 privateers appears to be made up of Rebellion, Rebellion, and more Rebellion. I guess those Swiss watches are selling well.

[JoestForEver]

Well, I guess I'm just being uncomfortable about BoP deciding the race anyway. (IMSA has done a fairly good job actually. Just need to limit their BoP parameters to a certain range rather than gurney here, rev limiter there. Anything on the car appears to be under their authority.)
Besides, it needs at least three privateer entry for a LMP-L privateer trophy to be given. So rebellion, Lotus Kodewa, and Oak, perfect if they make it.

[Pandemonium]

The P1 privateers are made up of Rebellion, Lotus, Perrin for 2015 and oak already said it is missing a engine contract. Not many teams play Wec Aslms and TUSC at the same time but it is better to focus on one. If OAK had some love for the sport it wouldn´t be entering against cars from the 70´s and would stick to a set of mature rules. Then again the ACO and the IMSA might be all friendly with each other but the FIA does not care. It will try to take over everything,

[FordCosworthPanoz]

My point about Rebellion was that they are pretty much the only consistent, surviving, strong privateer LMP1 team since the advent of the new 2011 regulations.

You really think the likes of Lotus and Perrin are going to last longer than the likes of Epsilon Euskadi and the Necromancy of Pescarolo Sport?

The difference is OAK is clearly a professional racing team, run by professionals that has and will stick around sports car racing for a long time due to a man with a lot of money having a lot of passion for sports car racing, just like Rebellion. So Gaining a team like OAK into the full time ranks of a Privateer ranks would be great for the sport, and it's clear they have an entry plan.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Pandemonium

If OAK had some love for the sport it wouldn´t be entering against cars from the 70´s and would stick to a set of mature rules.

Don't even know where to begin with this statement.

OAK have been incredibly impressive in the last few years. Few privateer teams have their means sure, but I don't think any have their savvy when it comes to breaking new ground.

If they go ahead and win Sebring in a couple of months will that have been against the spirit of the sport and a waste of money? They've demonstrated their product in Asia. Now they are doing the same in the States.

Selling those P2 cars is what gives you the chance to put a speculative P1 programme together. It's not for nothing Dome, HPD and Oak have all parked their P1 aspirations until it makes more sense.

As for them leaving a hole at Le Mans. They have a pair of auto entries they can fill regardless of what they do this year.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

I think some are shocked that a professional privateer team might actually want to do the unthinkable and *gasp* make actual money out of LMP racing.

Stunning concept for sure especially for prototype racing and I certainly wish OAK the best luck, no matter what cars/series they are entering. To even suggest OAK doesn't care about sportscar racing and even LMP1 for that matter is pure and utter stupidity. This team is led by the same guy that basically ended up wasting a large portion of his money in the necromancy of Pescarolo Sport just for the love of the sport and respect for Henri.

[JoestForEver]

I believe Pescarolo cars in 05 were the only chance for a privateer P1 to step up for the overall victory. Too bad to see their demise. Also I don't think Perinn is a confirmed entry but Rebellion and Kodewa are for sure.

[Mal]

At the end of the day there is every opportunity for a privateers to compete .... but only if they commit the funds. Red Bull in F1 is the prime example.

Rebellion, Oak and the others are in the same boat as teams like Marrusia and Caterham and wont be able to compete as they cant invest in the people and the R & D. I think the ACO starting a separate P1 privateers cup is the right way to go.

There is no way Porsche Toyota and Audi would want to stick around if privateers were able to compete not on merit but by free performance passes.

[Holt]

Nice pass as the Oak Racing car goes around the outside of a Ganassi DP. They must be very confident in their chances at Sebring.

At the 35:00 mark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17ENkeIHkbs

[joeb]

Mulsanne Mike had a little analysis of the new Ligier today:
http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsmarch14.html

Can't wait to see photos of this thing testing.

[nobster]

Good to see a new car in class, Ligier name back at Le Mans also nice.

[isynge]

Originally Posted by nobster

Good to see a new car in class, Ligier name back at Le Mans also nice.

The more I look at this the more I think this is a very good looking car indeed.

One thing I would like to see is it being given a series number conforming with traditional Ligier JS xx standards, with an even number (odd ones historically being used for single seaters - which seems to have fallen a little by the wayside with their CN cars).

[joeb]

Pics from testing were posted on Twitter today:







I like it!

[Victor_RO]

Oh look, they've bought the original headlights of the TS030 from TMG.

[TheNo1F1Fan]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Oh look, they've bought the original headlights of the TS030 from TMG.

Funny.