LM24 Le Mans 2016 Entry List (and Driver Updates) - Page 9

Deleted · 19 Dec 2015, 08:50 (Ref:3598724)

Chris Dyson, Greg Pickett and other money men also wanted to go LM with their cars and drive there. But alas, it was not to be.. we'll see

The test day, yes it's problematic. Couple of years ago Corvette effectively used the Larbre car for their testing, maybe more could linkup with local team too for Test only.

Hawkwood · 19 Dec 2015, 10:52 (Ref:3598744)

Despite leaving Scuderia Corsa for 2016, Sweedler and Bell will be back with them for Le Mans.
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/leman...r-24h-le-mans/
Due to the driver rankings though, Jeff Segal can't re-join them for 2016.

Victor_RO · 19 Dec 2015, 17:56 (Ref:3598808)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

The test day, yes it's problematic. Couple of years ago Corvette effectively used the Larbre car for their testing, maybe more could linkup with local team too for Test only.

And there's also the matter of the Detroit race. Crash a car there, wreck the chassis to the point at which it's not quite a write-off and your Le Mans week is ruined. I reckon it's just a lot lower-risk to rent a car from Onroak for both the Test Day and the race, so any possible damage from Detroit would have no effect on the effort.

Deleted · 19 Dec 2015, 18:34 (Ref:3598814)

Why didn't NASCAR utilize the thing they mentioned in the 2012 september press conference, you know the "maybe drop the lowest scoring round" to allow everybody willing to skip that race. And others (like Rahal "boohoo our GT Le Mans car shouldn't have to stay idle for weeks while there's some Le Mans going on in Europe") could still run Detroit. It's not like they'te ever gonna drop the headlining class from there on it's own because of GM pressure.

That makes far for sense than current system where one class is axed out and the other two are still ther despite teams willing to sit out.

Deleted · 19 Dec 2015, 18:54 (Ref:3598816)

Reserve cars officially blocked from test day and no other additionals either except one or two and only if ACO accepts. Also no race team can skip the day but are forced to do it. What a great decision. Not!

http://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/ne...746_23010.html

Simmi · 21 Dec 2015, 19:28 (Ref:3599255)

If it's becoming such a barrier to entry I don't see why they can't just get rid of the test day? Is it a big money-maker for the ACO?

There's like 11 hours of track time before the real race begins - and you can still be a danger and get let into the race regardless. So I'm not really sure what the point is? Is the track genuinely THAT challenging?

Pilgrimage · 22 Dec 2015, 20:18 (Ref:3599520)

Assume this is reported elsewhere, but Nissan have pulled the LMP project.
With Porsche and Audi only running two each we could start to look a bit thin on the ground at the front of the LMP1 field.

Coach Ep · 22 Dec 2015, 21:24 (Ref:3599537)

58 garages for next year might be enough after all......

Deleted · 22 Dec 2015, 22:15 (Ref:3599547)

9-10 LMP1s (depending on Kolles)... the peak on 2015 was short lived indeed.

Mike E · 26 Dec 2015, 10:13 (Ref:3600243)

Entry list speculation from Endurance Info. 5 Corvettes? Yummy.

http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/nos...-du-mans-2016/

Pontlieue · 27 Dec 2015, 08:49 (Ref:3600383)

Within a month, we lost four expected LMP1 entries. This shows why a series should not rely on factories. If we lose one of the VW works teams, we're back to the pitiful state LMP1 was in 2013.

The other classes are looking great. LMP2 continues to be on a high level, although I wish there was a bit more variety. The class is basically split between many Ligiers, some Oreca 05s, and a few Gibsons and BRs.

GTE Pro is the best it has been for years. New, faster and more spectacular looking cars, and the largest grid we've had since 2011.

GTE Am is, to be honest, a class I care little about. But looking at the entry list, it's not the Ferrari Cup class it used to be, but adds a nice bit of diversity to the GTE grid, especially if the Viper returns to Le Mans a final time.

Deleted · 28 Dec 2015, 19:41 (Ref:3600599)

If you think LMP2 variety is bad now, think how it'll look in 2018 once last on the non-spec grandfathered vehicles have been thrown to trashbin.

In reality 5 factory LMP1s have been killed off in short time, that's most since 1999-2000 'Great Escape' right

nobster · 29 Dec 2015, 17:12 (Ref:3600733)

The return of Ford in GT makes up for less lmp1 cars, we are still going to have some great battles next year, hopefully Toyota will be up there again so it can be a fight between three makes for the win.

PorscheFanNo1 · 5 Jan 2016, 11:57 (Ref:3602213)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

In reality 5 factory LMP1s have been killed off in short time, that's most since 1999-2000 'Great Escape' right

Well, after 2011 we lost all Peugeots and Astons, which were 6 cars. We did gain 2 Toyotas though. Not sure how you count but I dont think its that bad really, the 3rd cars for Audi and Porsche we all expect to be back the year after. But theres no denying, only 6 factory LMP1's for this year is a big step in the wrong direction.

Deleted · 5 Jan 2016, 13:51 (Ref:3602232)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PorscheFanNo1

Well, after 2011 we lost all Peugeots and Astons, which were 6 cars. We did gain 2 Toyotas though. Not sure how you count but I dont think its that bad really, the 3rd cars for Audi and Porsche we all expect to be back the year after. But theres no denying, only 6 factory LMP1's for this year is a big step in the wrong direction.

Technically it was only 5 as the Oreca-Peugeot wasn't works car, and Aston had only fielded two AMR-Ones (contrary to Lolas in past). But yes I guess I kinda did overlook the 11-12 transition, maybe it's because it's sometimes hard to remember that the Astons were factory efforts

It is however still the biggest "escape" if we count cars that only showed up at Le Mans and then not anywhere else again (ie those third Porsche/Audis and three Nissans), in 2011 two Pugs + one Lola AMR did continue in ILMC/ALMS for the end of season.

Anyway, your second point, we don't know yet if the 3rd cars will be back for 2017, I don't think they specified it being for 2016-only? And is the trust among fans any higher for it either, with the continuing scandal (and ACO cost cutting nonsense put on top). We can only hope for their return.

Mike E · 5 Jan 2016, 17:10 (Ref:3602284)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

Anyway, your second point, we don't know yet if the 3rd cars will be back for 2017, I don't think they specified it being for 2016-only? And is the trust among fans any higher for it either, with the continuing scandal (and ACO cost cutting nonsense put on top). We can only hope for their return.

VW sued by US Justice Department. The bad news keeps on coming...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35227435

Deleted · 5 Jan 2016, 17:18 (Ref:3602286)

And these court cases won't be dealt with anytime soon either

Hawkwood · 5 Jan 2016, 17:57 (Ref:3602303)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

Anyway, your second point, we don't know yet if the 3rd cars will be back for 2017, I don't think they specified it being for 2016-only? And is the trust among fans any higher for it either, with the continuing scandal (and ACO cost cutting nonsense put on top). We can only hope for their return.

The last that was heard (when the actual announcement was made) it was put out as 'for 2016'.
http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/1...-for-2016.html
Admittedly it doesn't say 'for 2016 only' though.

And as you've shown, this VW scandal keeps getting worse, so frankly who knows - I bet Audi and Porsche don't even know yet!

Pontlieue · 5 Jan 2016, 18:37 (Ref:3602313)

In other, and better news, we might see an old name return this year. Courage are aiming for ELMS+LM with a BR01.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/...s-24h-le-mans/

Deleted · 5 Jan 2016, 18:52 (Ref:3602315)

Interesting.

That's one sure auto invite them. The French are making some big comeback numbers now...

Though it'd also been interesting to have em running actual Courages that still race on track (Oreca 03R)

Coach Ep · 5 Jan 2016, 18:54 (Ref:3602316)

Unexpected combo but what a great French good news story!

Yves Courage should receive a lifetime auto entry for LM. Maybe he can hire Henri as co-captain as well?

Deleted · 5 Jan 2016, 19:00 (Ref:3602318)

Pescarolo would be a fine front door mascot in any given day, but horrid captain (of bankruptcy).

Too bad about the greedy spec rules again, as the Russian chassis could've had long future if this had sparked into something bigger. Now if Courage would want to do something by themselves they'd have to spend big dollars for LMP1 privateer as both P2 and P3 are out. But I guess if SMP gives a loan...

CTD · 5 Jan 2016, 19:47 (Ref:3602332)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

And these court cases won't be dealt with anytime soon either

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkwood

The last that was heard (when the actual announcement was made) it was put out as 'for 2016'.
http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/1...-for-2016.html
Admittedly it doesn't say 'for 2016 only' though.

And as you've shown, this VW scandal keeps getting worse, so frankly who knows - I bet Audi and Porsche don't even know yet!

Everybody knew it was coming, and the money has already been set aside, so no changes there.

Deleted · 5 Jan 2016, 19:55 (Ref:3602333)

But the 6.7bn is just their estimation put aside, it could cost them much more than that. And the number of eventual court proceedings in different markets could prove higher than they might have anticipated at first

CTD · 5 Jan 2016, 20:02 (Ref:3602335)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

But the 6.7bn is just their estimation put aside, it could cost them much more than that. And the number of eventual court proceedings in different markets could prove higher than they might have anticipated at first

History have shown that these matters are often settled out of court with numbers that is considerably lower than first published.
See the GM ignition case, the Takata/Toyota/Honda case and the Toyota speeder case.

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