[LM24] Le Mans 2015 Entry List with Updates

[Simmi]

Looks like another GT-Am entry firming up with Proton and Al Qubaisi. Hopefully a Porsche Junior driver will be involved again.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/0...n-porsche.html

[Deleted]

I first read that as Proton's traditional second entry for LM, but second entry for the championship, ehh... far too many P2s sidelined

The guys sitting in the entry selection board saying "we need to have right balance between GTs and prototypes" should be fired, priority should obviously be in LMPs especially now. Even multiple entry P2s. And world championship should never pay priority to a category called "GTE-AM", same goes for their headliner event.

IMO since ACO now has adopted GTE as their own (it's pretty much been killed off elsewhere) and only have it to show against the overpowering global dominance of GT3, they feel the need to keep that baby happy by any means necessary, even if it means sacrificing their own biological LMP daughters. Old GT1 and GT2 weren't like that because they weren't entirely their own, if the Le Mans Series would have had artificial 32 car grid cap in 2008 or whenever I doubt the 50-50 split mentality would've happened back then with just as booming, if not even bigger LMP(1) market. Now they feel the need to please everyone, just as with the pro-am mentality.

I think in late years of the last decade the only thing stopping LMP Le Mans entry numbers going past 35 were the numerous auto entries from ALMS, LMS, PLM, FIA GT plus the factory cars and the mandatory French/friends-of-ACO invites.

2008 and 2011 had 33 qualified LMPs, 2009 32. They need to get to at least that but preferably past it.

Of course, starting the construction of those damn extra garages would ease things a little bit. Well I guess with potential LMP3s and stuff Test Day should be stuffed at least

[Deleted]

If ByKolles/Kodewa/Lotus/whatever goes Dunlop as rumored for this year we're back to 50-50 variety

LMP1 - Michelin & Dunlop
LMP2 - Michelin & Dunlop & (possible) Yokohama - maybe even more if Zoo somehow gets in and sticks to weirdo Hankooks?
PRO - Michelin
AM - spec TBA (Dunlop?)

Good to see someone trying to challenge norm

[ATLFalconsFAN]

Here's a surprise. Three AMR in GTE-Pro? #95 with a revised lineup, Dane Train 2.0

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/y...es-to-gte-pro/

[Number7]

Originally Posted by ATLFalconsFAN

Here's a surprise. Three AMR in GTE-Pro? #95 with a revised lineup, Dane Train 2.0

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/y...es-to-gte-pro/

Brilliant!

[EduTrindade]

What do you think of the chances of Brabham actually racing in LMP2 this year?

[eps]

Originally Posted by EduTrindade

What do you think of the chances of Brabham actually racing in LMP2 this year?

I'd like to think so and reading / listening between the lines they were saying at Autosport International that things are moving on that front behind the scenes, but it's all about the money.. Maybe next year, this year seems to early for them to come out with anything credible.

[Deleted]

They could just do LM-only with some cheap P2 rent chassis. Yes ACO always wants people to do full season as well but they've had exceptions before and for this name in racing they would just give free pass.

Brabham could also say "we'll try to do few races later this year" or something to make it sound more convincing.

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by EduTrindade

What do you think of the chances of Brabham actually racing in LMP2 this year?

Brabham the driver, or Brabham the team?

David Brabham said to me at the Autosport show that he'd hope to announce some team plans for 2016 at this year's Le Mans race, but that even that might be "pushing it bit".
So as far as the team goes, doesn't look like they'll be about.

As for him driving for someone else, he laughed and said "Let's see what happens".

[Deleted]

Even announcing 2016 next June might be pushing it a bit?? What is this, calculating how many tens of dollars you need to be able to run Ford Transit in the Tansanian GT Championship?

Anyway interesting of him to tell stuff like that directly to fans.

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Even announcing 2016 next June might be pushing it a bit?? What is this, calculating how many tens of dollars you need to be able to run Ford Transit in the Tansanian GT Championship?

Anyway interesting of him to tell stuff like that directly to fans.

Yeah I was pretty surprised that even announcing at Le Mans this year might be a stretch.

And about him chatting away to fans, everyone I spoke to was giving away "secrets" left, right, and centre.
I was speaking to Oliver Jarvis about Audi's rivals for Le Mans, and we were speaking about which drivers they might hire. I mentioned Heidfeld, Senna, Pla, and Jarvis says, "You've missed one... Gene". He also hopes Ordonez gets a Nissan seat, and that their 3rd Le Mans car is packed with Super GT allstars!

I enjoyed chatting to Jarvis, just me and him talking for about 10-15 minutes as everyone walked passed and ignored him - I think he may have just been happy someone recognised him? Or maybe that's being a little harsh. Anyway, lovely bloke.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Hawkwood

He also hopes Ordonez gets a Nissan seat, and that their 3rd Le Mans car is packed with Super GT allstars!

Did he hope it was packed with Super GT guys, or did he say that it was?

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Did he hope it was packed with Super GT guys, or did he say that it was?

He said he hoped it would be, as the Super GT guys are supremely talented.

[Simmi]

Riley still talking about going to Le Mans with the Viper. Now it seems to have slimmed down to a single entry featuring Ben Keating.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/leman...h-viper-gts-r/

The article doesn't mention anything about the ACO's entry criteria. Maybe they can argue a full season of GTD in TUSC as a commitment? Not sure.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Maybe they can argue a full season of GTD in TUSC as a commitment? Not sure.

That's enough for the ACO

[Pilgrimage]

New Porsche Aero...

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorspo...otype/?slide=1

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Riley still talking about going to Le Mans with the Viper. Now it seems to have slimmed down to a single entry featuring Ben Keating.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/leman...h-viper-gts-r/

The article doesn't mention anything about the ACO's entry criteria. Maybe they can argue a full season of GTD in TUSC as a commitment? Not sure.

Long overdue to be made public - or to be drawn in the first place!

I'm betting a clear set will only increase the demand as teams will know what they'll have to commit to, not the 'reality-soapish' kinda show they're dealing with currently.

Over demand can be dealt with by (partial)(per)qualifying and/or the construction of extra (temporary) pit garages.

So much potential.

Anyway, would be great to see the Viper return, even if it's in it's current white-ish livery.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Chiana

That's enough for the ACO

I think if they combine the GTD programme with the fact it's 'an entry in the interests of the race' or whatever the wording is then it should get in.

They might be able to get Keating/Bleekemolen/TBC gold or platinum and just run it in pro.

Fans want to see it and I don't think the ACO will ignore that.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I think if they combine the GTD programme with the fact it's 'an entry in the interests of the race' or whatever the wording is then it should get in.

They might be able to get Keating/Bleekemolen/TBC gold or platinum and just run it in pro.

Fans want to see it and I don't think the ACO will ignore that.

No I meant it's enough for ACO as an 'commitment', as long as it's full season entry in one of their named regional series (regardless of the class) - it means to ACO that it's an acceptable entry. As for actually getting the entry, yes I agree the best argument they can possibly have is the variety factor.

But then again that's not always worked with ACO either, could end up on reserves.

Personally don't really mind if they don't get it. The breaks of that chassis and engine are laughable. I mean okay yes much rather this than some random extra GTE-AM Aston or whatever but more LMPs the better if you think it that way

[old man]

The finances of this are "interesting" shall we say. I heard a GTE team just put in their entry for ELMS and registered for LM including the fuel bond but not the full 24 hour entry fee that is not due until they confirm you are in the list. A cheque for €66,000 was required now!

Someone on here said why bother with GTE AM, perhaps money?

[Coach Ep]

Not sure if WTR's Daytona result and 'race-ending-strategy' () will do anything for their attempt to go to LM but DSC has reported their intended weapon of choice is a new Oreca LMP2 coupe! Just a matter of budget now it seems... (isn't that always the case?), still only a 50/50 chance if you ask me.

And let's hope the GTD victory for Riley & Scott/Keating's Viper will spark some more interest so they can make the trip (also).

Time for the IMSA selected entries to break the negative trend!

[Simmi]

Only 10 days until we find out. Always an exciting time.

[GT6]

Well we already know quite a few but it will be interesting to see how the increase in LMP1 effects the other classes and which class has a drop this year

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by GT6

Well we already know quite a few but it will be interesting to see how the increase in LMP1 effects the other classes and which class has a drop this year

The only class that can possibly have dropoff is LMP2 because of the weird desire for "balanced" numbers in LMP and GT, and million entry requests and automatic invites for GTE-AM

P1 growth
P2 decrease
PRO around same old
AM growth

All reserves for proam classes

No G56 (to our knowledge) releases one extra slot

[Simmi]

Another one to add to the long list of American entries that don't make it to Le Mans.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/leman...ff-lm24-entry/



Fair enough say you couldn't pull the budget together. It's too expensive etc. I get that. But don't turn around and say (as so many do) that your focus has to be on TUSC. As if that wasn't a factor weeks ago when you said you wanted to run Le Mans.