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2 Dec 2014, 19:49 (Ref:3481176) | #1 | ||
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Le Mans 2015 Entry List with Updates
It's never too early to speculate, and this year it seems we're starting a little later than usual! Let's take a look at where we are so far.
Perhaps the most interesting point of speculation at the moment is to start with LMP1 and ask who will be joining Hulkenberg in the third 919. It seems a pretty safe bet that Porsche will be taking one of Makowiecki, Christensen and Tandy, but that's not to say they will take two of those three. Is there another high-profile signing waiting in the wings? And then there's Nissan, who will also be after a big name. Strangely enough, McLaren's driver announcement could hold the key on both fronts - logic would suggest that if Button loses his F1 seat, that a full-time role at Nissan would be his next more. But links with Porsche refuse to die down. We should be looking at just under a dozen factory LMP1 cars with two or three privateers joining them, assuming Nissan will bring three cars. The situation continues to look bleak on the privateer front with SARD and OAK confirming they won't be there next year, but with so many factory cars, we're hardly going to lose much sleep over that. For next year, at least. LMP2 will be very interesting. With the 32-car cap in the WEC, the emerging school of thought suggests that this will result in around 8-10 full-season entrants, and no more. KCMG, Strakka-Dome, SMP, G-Drive and ESM are the dead certs, and depending on how many cars those teams bring, that could be all that's guaranteed for the class in terms of the WEC entrants. That means there could be a lot of high quality LMP2 entrants which won't make the cut. Jota, Signatech-Alpine, Thriet by TDS, Greaves, Sebastien Loeb and Morand - somebody could well miss out here. If there's going to be any controversy, it's going to be here. Another interesting point to make about LMP2 is that we could see as many as nine different chassis models in this class in the form of the Orecas (03R and 05 Coupe), DOME, HPD, SMP, Ligier, Zytek, Morgan and Pilbeam. GTE-Pro should be predictable. Manthey haven't confirmed they'll be in the WEC next season, but expect them to confirm two cars for the 2015 season soon. So we should have the 6 cars from AF Corse, Manthey and AMR, with Corvette to join them. At this stage, the only level of intrigue will come from whether Risi will throw their hate into the ring. GTE-Am should include the usual line-up of Proton, Prospeed, AMR and various AF Corse conglomerates. We could see two new brands in the class though. V8 Racing are being linked with an entry with their Corvette into the WEC and the SRT Vipers could find themselves in the ELMS. I'd expect the ACO to look favourably on those entries for the sake of variety - if they come together and those teams want to go to Le Mans, they should get an entry. And last but not least, Garage 56. Any potential G56 projects have done well to keep themselves quiet up to now and you suspect there's not likely to be anything realistic here if nothing's been announced yet. I'm sure I've missed plenty out here, and feel free to correct me with any mistakes I've made. Last edited by Gingers4Justice; 2 Dec 2014 at 19:54. |
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2 Dec 2014, 20:14 (Ref:3481186) | #2 | |
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LMP1:
Unless there are any surprises, the following LMP1 entries will be at Le Mans next year: 3x Audi 3x Porsche 3x Nissan 2x Toyota 2x Rebellion 0-1x CLM Total: 13-14 entries LMP2: I really hope that they won't split it 50/50 between Prototypes and GTs next year, as there's so much quality and variety in LMP2 at the moment. Either way, there are going to be at least 14 spots available for LMP2. As confirmed WEC entries, the following should be safe: 2x SMP Racing / BR01 2x ESM / HPD Arx 04b 1-2x G-Drive / Ligier JSP2 1-2x KCMG / Oreca 05 and/or 03R 1x Strakka / Dome S103 Which leaves at least 5-7 additional LMP2 entries. Alpine, Jota and Morand should be safe, the rest is difficult to predict. There are a number of high-quality ELMS teams, and none of them would deserve to miss out. GTE Pro: GTE Pro is looking set to be a very thin grid next year. GTE desperately needs new manufacturers, and if it wasn't for Le Mans, the category would have lost against GT3 by now. Likely, it will just be the regular 6 entries joined by the Corvettes. Additional entries are pure speculation. GTE AM: Honestly, I don't care much about this class. Sure, the Gentleman drivers are doing their best, but for me as an outside observer, this class has neither great drivers nor a nice variety of cars to create interest. AMR, AF Corse, Proton and Prospeed will be back, joined by a bunch of ELMS entries. Edit: I completely forgot about Garage 56. With just 6 months left until the test day, it seems unlikely that something revolutionary will be announced for 2015. A return of the DeltaWing or a TUSC Mazda would be possible if they desperately want a Garage 56, but I guess the more likely option will be that the 56th Garage will go to a regular entry. |
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2 Dec 2014, 20:35 (Ref:3481199) | #3 | |
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Remember we already have 11x auto entries (not necessarily to be taken, but still given) awarded from 2014 success
LMP1 Audi Sport Team Joest (duh) LMP2 Jota Sport Signatech-Alpine OAK Racing Team LMGTE AF Corse (PRO) AF Corse (PRO/AM) SMP Racing (PRO/AM) SMP Racing (AM) Aston Martin Racing (AM) AAI Motorsports (AM) AAI Motorsports (AM) +2x unnannounced USCC at-large for pro/am classes If one looks particularly at 2008-2010, the proto-GT entry percentage was done in favor of LMP due to higher demand. Now with (factory-) interest growing back in P1 and P2 boosting high as per usual it would be a crime if they enforced that 50-50 split between prototypes and GTE. But unfortunately due to force-fed WEC participants + LM/ELMS/(useless-)AsLMS/USCC auto entries + "other quarantees" + mandatory AF Corse & AMR add-on armadas there's gonna be bunch of GTE-(AM) entries there before they even decide how big they want that class to be. So it's gonna take space from LMP2 quite a bit. If only did they start constructing those new garages already... Anyway, LMP1 and LMP2 are gonna be great Last edited by Deleted; 2 Dec 2014 at 20:50. |
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2 Dec 2014, 20:59 (Ref:3481209) | #4 | |
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Oh and maybe marginal change in tire variety prospects
LMP1 - Unless surprises all- 1) Michelin LMP2 - 1) Michelin & 2) Dunlop & (subject to entry / programs taking off) 3) Yokohama LMGTE-PRO - Unless surprises all- 1) Michelin LMGTE-AM - 1) Spec-tires TBA / likely Dunlop Speaking of, has Nissan announced if they're gonna be using borin' old Michelins like all the rest? Their G56 efforts have used Mics for sure, but in GT500 their teams also use Bridgestone and Yokohama. I think most of their GT3 series for GT-R use spec-tires so can't tell there (or bother to look into). Would be great opportunity to take rubber from some of the other Japanese makes |
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2 Dec 2014, 21:00 (Ref:3481211) | #5 | |
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Hindy and Graham said in the Brazil comms that we likely won't get a G56 entry this year - which will open up another garage for someone.
So much intrigue around P1 drivers. I think we'll still get another bit of big news. It's definitely going to be a race for the ages! |
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2 Dec 2014, 21:04 (Ref:3481215) | #6 | |
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It's about time for the ACO to become more transparent: determine, publish and apply the criteria necessary to obtain an entry - especially when it's looking to become a shoot-out again.
Awarding auto invites to sanctioned racing series on life support (AsLMS) should be cancelled, starting right now. And I don't know if I understand the 2 'AM-invites' awarded to the best AM drivers in PC + GTD in TUSC, anybody cares to explain? (This doesn't come into play until next year and effects the 2016 auto invites.) Anyway, let's hope the GTE-Am entries will be restricted, both at LM and in the WEC. This would also be a good time to merge the two GTE categories back together again... Last edited by Coach Ep; 2 Dec 2014 at 21:11. |
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2 Dec 2014, 21:22 (Ref:3481221) | #7 | ||
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LMP1 will be a giant fight next year, glad I have my tickets in place to witness this fight.
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2 Dec 2014, 21:52 (Ref:3481239) | #8 | ||
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But seriously, the last ever GT2 class with 18 participants in 2010 was so much harder to win than any of the splits that have came after. With the possible exception of 2011 PRO, but even there teams in the back could've opted for concervative AM That was the last year I got enjoyment from GT at LM (for other reasons as well), now it's only seeing how couple of teams are doing every once in a while. Well it gives more time for LMP |
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2 Dec 2014, 22:27 (Ref:3481258) | #9 | |||
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Le Mans has done fine without GTs in the past. In fact its last golden era didn't involve them at all. I'd personally be very sad to see them go. It's just a thought. |
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2 Dec 2014, 22:58 (Ref:3481268) | #10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Here's my shot at it!
couple of assumptions: - IMSA invites: 1x P2 + 1x GTE-Am (Krohn and Dempsey resp.) - no room for possible 2nd KCMG and G-Drive cars in WEC* but still rewarded LM entry (* because of 32 car entry cap)
It'll be a though one (or two) to swallow for Pegasus, JWA and especially IMSA but that's what you get when the organizers likes to please manufacturers and 'powerhouses' (AF Corse, AMR mainly) over rewarding loyalty and acknowledging privateers. Shoot! Last edited by Coach Ep; 2 Dec 2014 at 23:04. |
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2 Dec 2014, 23:34 (Ref:3481277) | #11 | ||
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Would the Craft-Bamboo Aston move down from Pro (where they're currently holding their own pretty well), to Am?
Would Aston replace the lost Pro car with another like they had before? |
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3 Dec 2014, 01:53 (Ref:3481294) | #12 | |
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Coach, there are only 5+5 reserves, not 10+10... sadly
Don't believe in third Toyota for a second. Since Pegasus and Ibanez are both committing two cars to the regional series, surely ACO isn't just gonna ditch all of them to the reserves (or out of it completely). That woul be absurd... think at the very least Pegasus gets one for their support. Pillbeam could get entry for P2, if only for reserves, but I think the ACO would demand them to run elsewhere than just in Africa... Dempsey's entry is technically mostly Proton so that doesn't need USCC at-large entry - and ACO is gonna give them entry regardless of what happens - so I think in addition of Krohn they'll give it to Risi if they're interested. Or some GTD team Sofrev should get another AM entry because of that celebrity French football player... of course... ----- Gingers: The only reason to kick out GTs completely would be if the (current limited 56 car) grid was overwhelmingly filled with LMPs, but even if for 2015 ACO said that every prototype team requesting an entry gets one I doubt the number would reach 40. Maybe if they allowed LMP3 as well it could rise a little bit, as well as over the years gradually rise certainly in LMP2, but initially there'd be no reason not to have ACO GTs there filling the leftover positions. Especially since they're not wanting to listen GTA's hopes of fielding Super GT cars at LM... Anyway, even though I don't enjoy the LMGTE - nor it's sister GT3 - as it is today, in all of it's 'entertainment racing' glory nonsese, they do give variety in contrast to prototypes, as well make for slower traffic obstacles. And who knows maybe in 10 years time GT racing is all great again, so keeping the presence is likely beneficial Building more garages, extending the pitlane would help a lot in any case. That would be actual circuit upgrade improvement, not pouring needless asphalt runoffs next to straights and other areas as well as constructing more hospitality zones Last edited by Deleted; 3 Dec 2014 at 02:06. |
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3 Dec 2014, 07:15 (Ref:3481354) | #13 | ||
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Looking at that potential entry list is incredible, that prototype field could be the best in a decade or more.
Couple of thoughts, If lotus apply for an entry to WEC and Le Mans, then surely they will be accepted as the WEC is the only place that they can race? Also, when did Af Corse announce they were runnning 3 cars in pro, as that would be a first for them wouldn't it? If I have time I might have a go at predicting the entry list. |
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3 Dec 2014, 09:16 (Ref:3481384) | #14 | |||
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Personally I've become used to seeing GTs round La Sarthe, so I wouldn't want them gone completely. |
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3 Dec 2014, 13:40 (Ref:3481468) | #15 | |
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GTE seems to just be in a holding pattern until we get new regs. That's understandable.
If the much-rumoured works Ford programme comes to pass then I'm sure it will pick up again. The biggest frustration is the likes of BMW and Corvette confining their programmes to Stateside. At least P&M will come to Le Mans - but it is getting a bit stale. I just hope Porsche/Manthey re-commit next year. |
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3 Dec 2014, 13:53 (Ref:3481472) | #16 | |||
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3 Dec 2014, 13:57 (Ref:3481474) | #17 | ||
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I was always very happy with a field of prototypes only. It's what I mainly go to see. But, then again, some of the best racing does come from the GTs (BOP'd or not), so I guess I probably wouldn't want them to disappear altogether. But I'm firmly in the camp of weighting the entry towards the prototypes...
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3 Dec 2014, 14:30 (Ref:3481486) | #18 | |||
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However, I do follow the Prototypes much more closely than the GT's, the mixed fields of LMP's and GT's is just a large part of what Le Mans is, and has almost always been. We shouldn't forget that the LMP's originates from GT's, and that GT's are the original racing cars of Le Mans. As much as I want more LMP racing and close battles, I still want a strong GT field both in terms of the quality of teams, but certainly also the quantity of them! |
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3 Dec 2014, 14:40 (Ref:3481489) | #19 | |
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Looks like we've just lost another potential proto entry:
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/l...te-am-in-2015/ I cannot see the ACO denying their 'amateur' P2 champ (with considerable financial back up) a spot on the grid - both for LM and the WEC (unless their prototype project is scaled back to one entry or certain political financial limitations restrict their efforts). This could bring the number of SMP entries up to 5 (2 in P2 and 3 in GTE [2 auto invites + 1 WEC entry]). Are their operations still run by AF Corse or done all by themselves by now? |
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3 Dec 2014, 15:22 (Ref:3481499) | #20 | ||||
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Quote:
Quote:
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3 Dec 2014, 16:27 (Ref:3481516) | #21 | |
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Even if you forgive the modern GTE for it's BoP-and-waiver-mediocre-performance-vehicles-with-not-much-variety-splitted-into-two-classes stuff, the fact it that they (the AM class) keep "stealing" entry spots from LMP2 teams by increasing margin. I think the ACO is concentrating too much on trying to make the class figures look even. Putting more focus on pro-am in regional series isn't helping.
For current system and with limited 56 slots, I think something like this would be the best LMP1 - allow anyone wanting an entry LMP2 - allow min 25 cars / max 30 cars depending on P1 situation LMGT - capacity filled according to whatever there is left on grid, priority on factory cars + proper auto entries + "special cases" |
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3 Dec 2014, 19:10 (Ref:3481571) | #22 | |
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Would it not be wise to wait for an actual 2015 entry list before complaining/worrying about a 2015 class split?
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3 Dec 2014, 20:01 (Ref:3481583) | #23 | ||
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2015 Entry List Speculation
I don't know whether the ACO would consider the Aston Martin which has carried solar panels on it's roof for the last couple of WEC rounds as "Innovative Technology" and therefore possibly qualified for Garage 56?
I don't think I would regard it as ground-breaking technology but I suppose it would allow the ACO to squeeze in another GTE Aston if they wanted to? |
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3 Dec 2014, 20:24 (Ref:3481594) | #24 | ||
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My guess:
LMP1 (14 entries) 3x Audi 3x Porsche 3x Nissan 2x Toyota 2x Rebellion 1x Lotus/CLM LMP2 (18 entries) 2x SMP 2x ESM 1x G-Drive 1x KCMG 1x Oak Racing (AsLMS auto entry to be used for all Gentleman entry) 1x Strakka-Dome 1x RSR Racing 1x Krohn Racing (TUSC auto-invite) 1x Jota 1x Signatech-Alpine 1x Morand 1x Pegasus 1x Ibanez 1x TDS 1x Greaves Motorsport 1x Murphy GTE-Pro (10 entries) 2x AMR 2x AF Corse 2x Porsche Manthey 2x Corvette 1x Prospeed (either a Porsche or a Corvette) 1x Risi (TUSC auto-invite) GTE-Am (14 entries) 3x AF Corse 2x SMP 2x AMR 1x Proton 1x Dempsey/Proton 1x Prospeed 1x AAI 1x JMW 1x V8 Racing 1x Viper Team LMP Reserve 1x Race Performance 1x Graf Racing 1x Pilbeam 1x Pegasus 1x Signatech-Alpine GTE Reserve 1x AMR (Am) 1x IMSA (Am) 1x SOFREV-ASP (Am) 1x Kessel Racing 1x Gulf Racing (Am) |
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3 Dec 2014, 20:27 (Ref:3481598) | #25 | |
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No, no, it'll be too late by then, we're relying on die-hard forum members Darren Cox and Graham Goodwin to put pressure on the ACO selecting committee to meet our demands!
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