LMP675 Rule Changes

[Cynic]

Part of the reason behind MG's decision to bin the prototype race program is the ACO's decision to consider changing the class rules so that basically a 675 car will not be capable of challenging for the outright win. Is this really a good move though? I mean if they only want 900' cars winning, why let all the other classes compete? If I remember correctly a GTS spec Viper won the Daytona 24 hours outright a year or two back (ok, all the prototypes broke down), and at the time everyone said what a good thing it was that the GT class cars were still competitive! What's the point of having a race if you then try and stop people being competitive?

[Aysedasi]

Originally posted by Cynic
Part of the reason behind MG's decision to bin the prototype race program is the ACO's decision to consider changing the class rules so that basically a 675 car will not be capable of challenging for the outright win. Is this really a good move though? I mean if they only want 900' cars winning, why let all the other classes compete? If I remember correctly a GTS spec Viper won the Daytona 24 hours outright a year or two back (ok, all the prototypes broke down), and at the time everyone said what a good thing it was that the GT class cars were still competitive! What's the point of having a race if you then try and stop people being competitive?

With respect Cynic, there's a world of difference between Daytona and Le Mans. I was delighted to see the Viper success at Daytona when it happened, but there is no chance of a GTS car winning at Le Mans. (Or as remote a chance as remote can be). I did like to see the MGs pushing the LMP900s though - when you've got the Audi's winning as they please, the MGs provided such much needed entertainment, while they lasted.

[rdjones]

I did read somewhere that, the ACO are going to do away with 675 in 2004 and replace it with a new class with a minimum wight of 700 kilos, just to stop people like MG coming along a spoiling the part for the 900's.