[AU N EGL]

a few quotes from the article ( for those of use who dont like to click and read )

"With the obvious superiority of diesel engines in LMP1, Plassart says the ACO will properly solve the diesel/petrol dispute with their announcement September 15th. Let’s hope they give the gas-powered LMP1 cars something they’ve lacked since 2006 – a fighting chance."

"“For us, the rules are meant for everybody. The LMP1 category is meant for everybody. But between a manufacturer and a private team, they have a lot of difference in investment and improvement."

"So, yes, it’s a difference between a manufacturer and a private team. And, as we say also, the LMP1 category is mainly made for the manufacturers. LMP2 is for privateers. GT2 is for privateers also. And GT1 is for both.”

Will the ACO define what or who is a manufacture or works or semi works team?

"It’s fair to say that we’ve heard the ACO make the same statements at the end of ’06 and ’07, but have seen no practical evidence of the Pescarolo’s, Intersport’s, or ORECA’s of fighting wheel-to-wheel for a win. LMP1 may be the prototype class ACO prefers for manufacturers to fill, but the category has the potential to go the way of GT1 – to become a shell of its former self – if the needs of the privateers aren’t taken seriously."

"While no clear plans have been outlined, the ACO says they’re keen to return the LMP2 category to a place where the spirit of affordable cars and privateer entries is restored. When facing the prospect of buying a $1.5M Porsche RS Spyder – the fastest commercially available P2 car in the LMS and ALMS, or a Lola B07/40 at 1/3rd the price, it’s easy to see why the ACO to wants the class remain as a viable home for independents."

"“What I told Mr. Plassart, the LMP2 is made for privateers but, as you know, Porsche…it’s not the spirit for the class. They have a very good chassis and a very good engine. It’s a good car. But this is over the limit for [what] privateers should pay.”

'They’re also comfortable with P2 serving as a training grounds for manufacturers that have future LMP1 aspirations, but not at the expense of bringing unchecked budgets and unanswerable speeds. Reducing costs and speed in equal measures is imperative to the health of the class, Poissenot says."

Looks like the ACO is going after LMP2 to make it for independents and keep costs down for primary use,

"Another large but unanswered area in the ACO’s future rules package centers on Hybrid power, and most notably, the use of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) to harness alternative energy sources for propulsion. Formula One has pushed hard to include KERS usage in 2009, but Poissenot prefers to take more time and wait for new technologies like the KERS or the ‘Flybrid’ systems to further evolve before openly embracing them in sportscar racing.

The first and most notable Hybrid project came with Zytek’s recent announcement of an LMP1 program in the ALMS with Corsa Motorsports. While Poissenot’s technical team welcomes the concept of Hybrid power, its implementation will currently be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

“In the short term, no, KERS will wait to be included before it is a [fully] accepted technology."

ie dont look for much hybrid technology in the near future?

Good article

Sept 15 is only a few days away. But my guess, not the full info, we will have to wait until Nov.