[WEC] New rules. New manufacturers. The 2021 and beyond positivity thread!

[Simmi]

We have thus been told on several occasions that a minimum of three invitation requests could be submitted. Not to mention the LMDh registered for the year in the WEC, ie a minimum of four cars at the start on June 10, including the two Ganassi and Action Express Racing mentioned above. We bet that if there is an additional copy, it will be used by one of these two entities.

https://www.endurance-info.com/auto/...rand-pour-2023

We knew AXR are up for going and want to do Le Mans. Bringing the Ganassi IMSA car over to make a two-car works team seems very logical. Four cars would be nuts in year one - you're essentially creating a complete extra team for one race.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Simmi

https://www.endurance-info.com/auto/...rand-pour-2023

We knew AXR are up for going and want to do Le Mans. Bringing the Ganassi IMSA car over to make a two-car works team seems very logical. Four cars would be nuts in year one - you're essentially creating a complete extra team for one race.

Unless you kind find someone to run the two extra cars for you? (like Kolles/Oreca/Pescarolo with Audi and Peugeot)

[veeten]

Originally Posted by CTD

Unless you kind find someone to run the two extra cars for you? (like Kolles/Oreca/Pescarolo with Audi and Peugeot)

In today's market for LMH/LMDh's, try finding anyone not wanting to.

[Sodemo]

What are the rules around things like V10s or V12s for hypercar / LMDh? No rules stating that they are not allowed etc?

[Racing Harz]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Absolutely. If BMW's recent GT cars are any indication then the M Hybrid V8 will be whispering around too.
What will Lambo do...

BMW will use the old 4l V8 from the DTM. Those cars were louder

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Racing Harz

BMW will use the old 4l V8 from the DTM. Those cars were louder

But it's got a couple of turbos on it now. Hopefully it sounds good and not too quiet.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

What are the rules around things like V10s or V12s for hypercar / LMDh? No rules stating that they are not allowed etc?

LMDh
Engine
5.2.1 Definition
Engine design is free except for the following restrictions:
• Only Petrol 4 stroke engines are permitted
• Air springs are allowed
• VVT is allowed
• ICE speed is limited to 10,000 rpm
• The sound emitted from each car must not exceed 110 dbA

5.2.2 Parameters
a. Maximum engine length of 640 mm (from rear face of the survival cell to the front mounting face of the bellhousing)
b. Maximum engine length measured at flywheel of 640 mm (from rear face of the survival cell to the rear face of the
flywheel).
c. Minimum crankshaft centre line height from reference plane is 106 mm.
d. The minimum engine weight is 180 kg with the perimeter defined below:

LMH
5.2.2 Engine specifications
Engine design is free except for the following restrictions:
• Only Petrol 4 stroke engines are permitted.
• With the exception of incidental leakage through joints (either into or out of the system) all and only the air entering
the engine inlet must enter the combustion chambers.

5.2.2.1 Bespoke engine:
• Variable geometry devices (including nozzle turbines) are not allowed except for rotary engines.
• Engine must not have more than two inlet and two exhaust valves per cylinder.
- Only reciprocating poppet valves with axial displacement are permitted.
- The sealing interface between the moving valve component and the stationary engine component must be circular.
- Electromagnetic and hydraulic valve actuation systems are forbidden.

5.2.2.2 Engine of the make:
The engine of the make is a series engine. that meets the
following conditions:
• At least 25 identical engines identical to the ones destined for a series production car homologated for road use equipped with this engine must have been produced;
• At least 25 identical series production car homologated for road use equipped with this engine are produced by the end of the year of the first season this engine is competing in.
• At least 100 identical series production car homologated for road use equipped with this engine are produced by the end of the year of the second season this engine is competing in.
• The series engine is homologated with FIA/ACO.
• One complete engine is deposited with the
FIA/ACO.

[Mike E]

So a V10 or V12 might not be possible in LMDh because of the maximum engine length rule. I don't know how long a Gibson V8 is but I guess the rule is there because of the LMP2 base for these cars

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Mike E

So a V10 or V12 might not be possible in LMDh because of the maximum engine length rule. I don't know how long a Gibson V8 is but I guess the rule is there because of the LMP2 base for these cars

I think you nailed it right there, you can't fit 10lbs, sorry 10kg in a 5kg sack. It's not so much ruled against as just not practical given the space constraints

[Sodemo]

With that in mind, what is Lambo likely to run engine wise?

[broadrun96]

Rummage around VAG's parts bin and find something I would guess. Unless anyone has the specs on the R8/Huracan's engine package, sounds like they have an eye on a bespoke ICE based on earlier comments so possibly a build of something repurposed ala BMW and the old DTM engine starting point

[tux]

Presume they'll just get the old Audi DTM engine or the current Porsche V8 and rebadge it. Absolutely no hope of them going V10 or V12.

[Mike E]

Or the turbo V8 in the Urus which is already sorted as a GT3 engine in the Bentley

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Or the turbo V8 in the Urus which is already sorted as a GT3 engine in the Bentley

That would be my first guess, couldn’t remember what was under the hood of that thing. Wonder how heavy the whole package is though

[veeten]

Originally Posted by Mike E

LMH
5.2.2 Engine specifications


5.2.2.1 Bespoke engine:
• Variable geometry devices (including nozzle turbines) are not allowed except for rotary engines.

This section just happened to catch my eye. We know that Mazda is developing a 3-rotor engine, so why not do a test mule with the hybrid system used in LMH/LMDh.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by veeten

This section just happened to catch my eye. We know that Mazda is developing a 3-rotor engine, so why not do a test mule with the hybrid system used in LMH/LMDh.

Cause Mazda is going broke QUICKLY, they would have stayed if they had the money but TCR program was shuttered before it even launched and then the DPi car went to 1 and now sadly only a memory

[veeten]

Shame... Another case of bad timing, I guess.

[tux]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Or the turbo V8 in the Urus which is already sorted as a GT3 engine in the Bentley

I didnt realise this, thanks for the information.

[Simmi]

Nice summary of '23 and '24 prospective grids from GG.

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/...rmleqTnzn18oFc

The 'significant brand' waiting in the wings is intriguing. Hopefully McLaren.

[Mike E]

It's mad to think of almost 20 cars in the top class when we have been scratching around with 4 or 5 or 6 for what feels like forever. Us fans deserve some recognition for our patience!

[Mike E]

Acura roll out at Paul Ricard.

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/a...letes-rollout/

[Adam43]

it is mad.

Although have we been patient? Or are we a bunch of moaning Minnie’s who’ll still moan when we have 20 cars?

[Mike E]

We can moan that the races are hard to follow because there are too many cars.

[Adam43]

I look forward to that

Going to be an intriguing winter too as we see more and more images. When is the prologue?

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Mike E

We can moan that the races are hard to follow because there are too many cars.

And so hard for the average person to tell the difference between LMP2 and LMDh and liveries all look the same??