[WEC] Porsche Prototype Discussion

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Any reason as to why Black, Red and White are so popular?

In Porsche's case:


The white are the German racing colors (Along with silver)

[TF110]

Originally Posted by MihokS5

-The side pods/rear fenders seem very much like an idea based on the 2017 R18 RP7 mockup model
-The larger bulbous front fenders for LM that Audi was criticized for last year
-The integrated mirrors into the fenders

That's what I meant anyways. The 919 has never pushed the boundaries in terms of progressive shapes, etc. and to me it looks like the old 919 mixed with Audi aero bits on all but the nose/wing endplates

Just my opinion and I quite like this 919 a lot

Well, the sidepods are raised this year on both cars because of a regulation change. The big front fenders has been in play since the wide front tires were trialed by the hpd. And the mirrors in the fenders is not originally an Audi idea. But I guess they look alike. But imo all lmp's look alike in a way.

Too bad the colors are the same, but it's a minor issue to me. Both companies have the same colors. Toyota has red, so does Porsche! And so does Honda, so does Nissan, so does Audi and on and on.

[carbsmith]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Any reason as to why Black, Red and White are so popular?

Red has aggressive and by extension sporty connotations. White and black provide good contrast.

Kawasaki green came to be just because they lacked an established image and the US sales manager convinced them it would stick out.

[MihokS5]

Originally Posted by TF110

Well, the sidepods are raised this year on both cars because of a regulation change. The big front fenders has been in play since the wide front tires were trialed by the hpd. And the mirrors in the fenders is not originally an Audi idea. But I guess they look alike. But imo all lmp's look alike in a way.

Too bad the colors are the same, but it's a minor issue to me. Both companies have the same colors. Toyota has red, so does Porsche! And so does Honda, so does Nissan, so does Audi and on and on.

I understand this, but your not seeing what I'm referring to. I know about the "wider" front fenders from the HPD days, but that it totally different than unusually large front overhangs in front of the wheels that slant inward at the bottom to send air around the car. (The original 919 had a variation, but not with that large of an overhang)

The rear fenders/side pods mimicking an F1 car with the curved leading edge is also what I was referring to.

This seems like a banter of back and forth, but I can't see how anyone can deny the significant change this 919 went through and that some influence from Ingolstadt isn't present.

[Spyderman]

I don't think Porsche sound too confident for Silverstone:https://twitter.com/fia

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Kota Sera blog,
"bump" of side pod of Porsche 919 is something to improve the rear aero efficiency.
http://serakota.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2017-04-01-1

[helgi]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Any reason as to why Black, Red and White are so popular?

Black, red and white, besides, are common colours for autosport magazines. Only "Motorsport Magazine" and ancient "Auto Hebdo" have different colour scheme. Maybe they think that this combination is most memorable. But in fact yellow and orange are colours that etch into memory better. If I have had a racing team then I'd use orange and ehhm black and white.

[Salamus]

When the new 911 came out with their new livery, it made sense to many of us that the 919 was going to get the same livery.

I like the livery. I just think the 919 got uglier. I remember a fan art someone made back in Jan or Feb of the new livery on the 2016 919 and it looked absolutely fantastic!

The livery works on the 911 because it is for the most part flat. Whereas the 2017 919 isn't, especially at the front. The black section is way too large because the front lights are absolutely massive this year compared to last year. And the nose seems much "deeper" this year compared to last year. I think it would have looked much better if the red line cut through the front lights, similar to the 911.

As for Toyota, I wish they went with red, blue, or black as their primary colour instead of white. But they are using the Gazoo colours.

[chernaudi]

If Porsche run their low downforce kit at Silverstone, I wouldn't be to confident, because Silverstone is one of the most downforce dependent tracks in the WEC.

Granted, right now, Porsche and Toyota seem equal with their LM kits.

[Spyderman]

Based on today's times, it looks like it may be a long season for Porsche and their fans.

[chernaudi]

You also said that in '15 and '16 and Porsche dominated the win column, though in '16 a lot of those wins and even their drivers' championship was luck enhanced. Unless Toyota have something up their sleeve, though it's early, I think that Porsche should be easily be competitive.

[chernaudi]

Granted, as I said that session 2 times came in with one Toyota ahead of the other and both Porsche's by about a second.

I'll bet the results of Silverstone will probably hinge on luck and what aero kit Porsche runs. With Silverstone being a high downforce track and the times being close today, Toyota might have forced Porsche's hands into an early adoption of the sprint body kit.

[TF110]

I don't know what you're getting at, but both of them ran the low d/f car today. If they are off the pace with it, they best get more running with it so by Le Mans it's faster.

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

You also said that in '15 and '16 and Porsche dominated the win column, though in '16 a lot of those wins and even their drivers' championship was luck enhanced. Unless Toyota have something up their sleeve, though it's early, I think that Porsche should be easily be competitive.

Why would I say that in 15 &16? They were the fastest in the Prologues.

[chernaudi]

Yet in terms of speed Audi curb stomped them after LM last year and won Silverstone on the road. Even Toyota got the best of Porsche on at least one occasion last year, and became a big threat to them after Le Mans (and at Le Mans and Spa). And Toyota still have a newer car that in theory has more development potential even with the "gentleman's agreement".

[chernaudi]

Originally Posted by TF110

I don't know what you're getting at, but both of them ran the low d/f car today. If they are off the pace with it, they best get more running with it so by Le Mans it's faster.

You do seem to be forgetting that I'm talking about Silverstone. And the fact that I think that Porsche will be screwed if they run their low downforce car on a high downforce track, especially as Toyota plan on running their high downforce car there.

[TF110]

It's one race. After Le Mans, they have 6 rounds to perfect their high downforce car that might have more development put into it than the Toyota. It's a trade off.

[chernaudi]

After last year, between early problems and the #2 team's slump after Le Mans, I don't think that Porsche can afford to give up anything. Especially since Toyota will be competitive out of the box if Prologue times are anything to go by. Any points they give up by running the "wrong" aero kit at Silverstone could be extremely hard to gain back later, even if they're racing two other cars instead of four.

And I wouldn't bet money on Toyota being the hard luck team again this year, be it LM or anywhere else. I think that Porsche need to maximize every opportunity they get.

[Spyderman]

Times seem to have tightened up again.

[Spyderman]

I think Porsche will start this championship with a 9 point deficit. Things look complicated.

[TF110]

They have time to get the car faster. Both of them looked pretty even on the long runs. At least with the low downforce package they will have a top speed advantage over Toyota. That turned out to be a good race in 2015.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by carbsmith

Red has aggressive and by extension sporty connotations. White and black provide good contrast.

Kawasaki green came to be just because they lacked an established image and the US sales manager convinced them it would stick out.

I get the idea but if everyone uses a similar scheme, it lacks originality.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I get the idea but if everyone uses a similar scheme, it lacks originality.

I concur, and the impact is highlighted by the fact that there are only 2 teams in the division. If Porsche and Toyota were only 2 teams out of 10 it would be a different story.

But when we get down to it, these are spectacular machines we are lucky to see, and if the colors they paint them is the biggest thing we have to talk about we are pretty lucky. .

[MaskedRacer]

Originally Posted by joeb

I concur, and the impact is highlighted by the fact that there are only 2 teams in the division. If Porsche and Toyota were only 2 teams out of 10 it would be a different story.

But when we get down to it, these are spectacular machines we are lucky to see, and if the colors they paint them is the biggest thing we have to talk about we are pretty lucky. .

For sure. But I like the new Porsche livery a lot. Toyota is a problem though. They should be either all red or go back to the old blue. Maybe they will change before Le Mans.

Go Porsche!

[roderick]

Originally Posted by MaskedRacer

For sure. But I like the new Porsche livery a lot. Toyota is a problem though. They should be either all red or go back to the old blue. Maybe they will change before Le Mans.

Go Porsche!

I'm sorry but surely Toyota isn't the problem here...Porsche knew Toyota's livery since last year! (plus they saw it back in Aragon in Feb)