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16 Oct 2009, 04:39 (Ref:2562467) | #1 | ||
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The end of coupe prototypes?
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16 Oct 2009, 05:12 (Ref:2562474) | #2 | ||
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It would be a pretty poor state of affairs if this went ahead. Coupes are a great part of the diversity that LMP racing brings. It would be a damn shame to see them disappear.
It makes no sense to nullify them. |
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16 Oct 2009, 08:10 (Ref:2562543) | #3 | |||
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16 Oct 2009, 08:17 (Ref:2562547) | #4 | ||
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I suspect that there's a fair bit of smoke and mirrors going on here. When suddenly coupes started appearing on the scene in 2007/08 the thought in the back of my mind was that something significant in aerodynamic terms had been arrived at that made the traditional frontal area x aerodynamic coefficient a less persuasive argument, and despite having no qualifications in this area whatsoever, still think that something interesting might have come up.
It would also be interesting to see just how often the aircon in the coupes, especially the Peugeots had to be run in race conditions to keep the cockpit temperature within the acceptable margins. All this sounds like a counter-lobby from Peugeot and AMR, and I very much doubt we've either heard the last of this issue or seen the last of coupes. |
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16 Oct 2009, 09:32 (Ref:2562590) | #5 | ||
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I hope it's not true, coupes are much more interesting visually than the open cars, in my view.
M. |
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16 Oct 2009, 14:08 (Ref:2562734) | #6 | |
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Just a bit of sabre rattling from Peugeot and Aston Martin, in my opinion. Remember Herr Ullrich's recent comments regarding the need to build a coupe if you want to win Le Mans...........
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16 Oct 2009, 14:15 (Ref:2562741) | #7 | ||
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16 Oct 2009, 14:44 (Ref:2562757) | #8 | ||
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Well at least it gives us something to discuss when there is very little race action to talk about.
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24 Oct 2009, 19:44 (Ref:2568847) | #9 | ||
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Well , personally I would like to see the end of coupe's as we know them now . It seems to revolve around that very stupid looking glass area , that looks shocking , imo .
Upon saying that my favourite era was Group C , but the cars were so much better looking then . Open toppers all the way I say . |
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5 Dec 2009, 13:22 (Ref:2594434) | #10 | |||
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5 Dec 2009, 23:11 (Ref:2594651) | #11 | ||
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To me, closed cars ARE Le Mans top class cars. Barchettas are lower class entries. Think Porker 917/Lola T70, then Chevrons and Lolas in 2 litre class. Even back to 956 v Lancia Barchetas... |
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6 Dec 2009, 09:46 (Ref:2594802) | #12 | ||
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Oh yeah , dont forget ..... think Ferrari 512 , Matra , Renault , Alfa Romeo and Porsche too .
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6 Dec 2009, 16:08 (Ref:2594951) | #13 | ||
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Having seen Surtees' and Massa's hits this year, I would ban open-cockpit sports prototypes.
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6 Dec 2009, 09:44 (Ref:2594801) | #14 | |||
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The Toyota and 911 GT1-98 looked cool , but this glass area we now have , doesnt look cool at all . If I had my way , I wouldnt ban coupe's , but I would most certainly change the glass measurement area . |
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9 Dec 2009, 11:49 (Ref:2596599) | #15 | ||
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Inevitably, there'll be disagreement on this and everyone is entitled to their opinion that either coupes look fantastic or open-cockpit cars are getting very dull....
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9 Dec 2009, 14:04 (Ref:2596674) | #16 | ||
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Well , at least you can see the driver doing his job in an oper topper . The same cant be said for a coupe .
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9 Dec 2009, 14:54 (Ref:2596701) | #17 | |||
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Heck, we could debate this for the next 6 months - after all, variety is the spice of life; a healthy mix of both would be best, I guess.... |
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280 days...... |
9 Dec 2009, 14:10 (Ref:2596678) | #18 | |||
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9 Dec 2009, 16:16 (Ref:2596741) | #19 | ||
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Ok then ..... you can tell who is in the seat from his helmet ? Argue against that then .
But yes ..... variety is the spice of live . |
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9 Dec 2009, 17:54 (Ref:2596798) | #20 | ||
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280 days...... |
11 Dec 2009, 01:14 (Ref:2597617) | #21 | ||
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Another vote here for closed cars, but with bigger windows than current as they're a bit tight. It should be possible (in theory anyway) to have a passenget with helmet sitting alongside you as in the days of the 956/962. Open cars for LMP2 in my book.
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11 Dec 2009, 05:02 (Ref:2597710) | #22 | |
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Although I think the closed top prototypes look incredible and look fast even at a stand still, the open tops are good too. The variety is incredible. However, the open tops do provide a little easier view as to who is taming the beast at a given time.
Could the series implement a new system involving a light (somewhere over the top of the cockpit or on the lower part of windscreen (similar to the Peugeots) that would change color when a certain driver is in the car? The light could be activated by the radio switch. When Driver A is in the car, he switches the radio channel to "A" and the light would be Orange/Red. Then on the spotters guide sheet, the audience can see which driver corresponds to which color. When Driver "B" or "C" get in the car, the light would change when the driver selects their own radio channel. Just an idea I got sitting at the ALMS race at Mid-Ohio this year and watching the Dyson Lola's. |
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11 Dec 2009, 10:59 (Ref:2597829) | #23 | |||
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11 Dec 2009, 10:57 (Ref:2597827) | #24 | ||
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I totaly agree with this .
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11 Dec 2009, 13:27 (Ref:2597889) | #25 | ||
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I would like to see them stay if they could make the advantages/disadvantages more equal... a diverse looking field is what sports cars is all about in my opinion. It's great at Le Mans being able to easily differentiate between cars by looks and sounds, especially when you have non-nerds with you.
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