[LM24] Entries For Le Mans 2009 (Speculation)

[Aslak Vind]

Originally Posted by Pilgrimage

As in the privateers or prodrive? Surely the privateers will decide whether to race their own cars. Prodrive will surely be involved in either project - GT or LMP, no?

Prodrive obviously, the owners bought them before the three year lease back to Prodrive. It has now been completed, and the owners are now free to race them as privateers if they wish, or sell them with raceheritage included.

Prodrive has either to build new cars, or start focusing on LMP or GT2.

It is correct, that a DBR9 chassis attended the very wet Michelin test recently.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by Pilgrimage

Also, what about Acura/Honda...?

Without a doubt their primary objective is ALMS. Is 24LM worth it despite somehow limited marketing value in US? Since Acura has no European market.

But then again, I remember the rumours during '07 race and it probably wasn't only rumour because year ago Acura's John Mendel and ex-HPD Robert Clarke were "hoping for an invitation" in 2008 in P2. Obviously they didn't show up though. Waste of money to do it in P2, with the jump to P1 already in sight?

-

[deggis]

Originally Posted by Pilgrimage

Any word yet on what Aston Martin's works plans are? Are we another couple of years away from an LMP1 assault?

George Howard-Chappell, 13th September right after the ACO announcement in Silverstone:

"Firstly, no decision has yet been taken on this subject, we expected this announcement. Now we must analyze things closely and draw conclusions"

http://endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=6378&thold=0

Since there have been no news, probably still eligible answer.

[fish88]

Why would they test Enge, Turner and Garcia if there would be no intentions to race (if it was just tyre testing than it could also be done with just one driver) with the Gt1 next year. Hope for 1 last blast for prodrive in GT1, the GT1 battle is always the best at Le Mans since 2003

[lemansfan]

http://www.racingcars24.com/startseite/

Charouz Racing sold their 2 LMP1 Lola Aston Martin . I hope this is not the beginning of bad News .

[deggis]

Originally Posted by lemansfan

http://www.racingcars24.com/startseite/

Charouz Racing sold their 2 LMP1 Lola Aston Martin . I hope this is not the beginning of bad News .

"Page not found"?

[airbusA346]

Originally Posted by deggis

"Page not found"?

You have to go to the home page: http://www.racingcars24.com/home/

Tom.

[GT6]

So no MG for 2009, but the RML Lola/Mazda coupe looks good and I will like to say that it was good that the MG name lived on at Le mans for a few years after the fall of MG Rover.

Good luck with the new car.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by GT6

So no MG for 2009, but the RML Lola/Mazda coupe looks good and I will like to say that it was good that the MG name lived on at Le mans for a few years after the fall of MG Rover.

Good luck with the new car.

Good luck with the new good-looking car.......

[The Badger]

Theres a rumour that Sebah will run one of the ex-Charouz LMP1 Lola's , I presume modded to LMP2 spec .

[The359]

Hmmm, from the look of it the FIA GT2 Runner-Up automatic invitation hasn't been locked up yet. Prospeed appears to still be close enough that their appeal could place them in 2nd?

[HORNDAWG]

The Official list of 29 Auto-invites.

As the races and championships whose results are taken into account for the automatic selections for the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours have finished, 29 entrants have been invited out of the 55 at the start.

Taking into account the different results of the 2008 races and championships, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest has selected 29 entrants in application of the ACO regulations. They are eligible to take part in the test day on 31st May 2009 provided they have confirmed their entry by 12th January 2009 in the category for which they have has been selected with a car complying with the 2009 technical regulations.


LM P1

Audi Sport North America Audi R10 1st 24 Heures du Mans
Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 2nd 24 Heures du Mans
Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R10 1st Le Mans Series
Peugeot Total Peugeot 908 2nd Le Mans Series
Audi Sport North AmericaAudi R10 1st Petit Le Mans
Intersport Racing Lola B06/10 AER 2nd American Le Mans Series

LM P2

Van Merksteijn Motorsport Porsche RS Spyder 1st 24 Heures du Mans
Team Essex Porsche RS Spyder 2nd 24 Heures du Mans
Van Merksteijn Motorsport Porsche RS Spyder 1st Le Mans Series
Team Essex Porsche RS Spyder 2nd Le Mans Series
Penske Motorsports Porsche RS Spyder 1st Petit Le Mans
Penske Racing Porsche RS Spyder 1st American Le Mans Series
Horag Racing Porsche RS Spyder 1st Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge

LM GT1

Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin DBR9 1st 24 Heures du Mans
Corvette Racing Corvette C6.R 2nd 24 Heures du Mans
Luc Alphand Aventures Corvette C6.R 1st Le Mans Series
Team Modena Aston Martin DBR9 2nd Le Mans Series
Corvette Racing Corvette C6.R 1st Petit Le Mans
Bell Motorsports Aston Martin DBR9 2nd American Le Mans Series
Vitaphone Racing Maserati MC12 1st FIA-GT
Phoenix-Carsport Corvette C6.R 2nd FIA-GT

LM GT2

Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GTC 1st 24 Heures du Mans
BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari F430 GTC 2nd 24 Heures du Mans
Virgo Motorsport Ferrari F430 GTC 1st Le Mans Series
Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 997 GT3-RSR 2nd Le Mans Series
Flying Lizard Motorsport Porsche 997 GT3-RSR 1st American Le Mans Series
Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GTC 1st Petit Le Mans
AF Corse Ferrari F430 GTC 1st FIA-GT
BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari F430 GTC 2nd FIA-GT


L.P.

[fish88]

Haha all Porsches in LMP2 wich we probably won't see any back...

[mattcat]

This might be a stupid question, but what would Vitaphone have to do with the MC12 in order to be able to race LM with it? Or would they have to pull some voodoo like they did this year with the Aston?

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by mattcat

This might be a stupid question, but what would Vitaphone have to do with the MC12 in order to be able to race LM with it? Or would they have to pull some voodoo like they did this year with the Aston?

Nothing! The MC12 will not be allowed to race.


L.P.

[FIRE]

Isn't it a good idea to merge this topic with http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111454?

[The Badger]

What about a Vitaphone RS Spyder ?

[GTfour]

Originally Posted by fish88

Haha all Porsches in LMP2 wich we probably won't see any back...

Hold on,just read an interview with Frans Verschuur(Van Merksteijn's teammanager) who said there'll be a chance for them to still enter Le Mans if they hadn't sold their car in time.
With the economic crisis barreling down and two more RS Spyders for sale,it's very well possible that van Merksteijn won't sell his in a hurry.

Too bad...

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by GTfour

Hold on,just read an interview with Frans Verschuur(Van Merksteijn's teammanager) who said there'll be a chance for them to still enter Le Mans if they hadn't sold their car in time.
With the economic crisis barreling down and two more RS Spyders for sale,it's very well possible that van Merksteijn won't sell his in a hurry.

Too bad...

It would not surprise me Van Merksteijn will do Le Mans again. Money is not a problem for him. In January he will take part with a factory BMW in the Dakar rally....

[deggis]

Originally Posted by mattcat

This might be a stupid question, but what would Vitaphone have to do with the MC12 in order to be able to race LM with it? Or would they have to pull some voodoo like they did this year with the Aston?

Not much... only asking Fiat to re-design it, this time reading the rule book properly. Despite this comment, I'm pretty sure most people including me would like to see MC12 Vitaphone go against AMR and Corvette but it won't happen of course.

Originally Posted by The Badger

What about a Vitaphone RS Spyder ?

Would that be allowed? By using the invite I mean. Because it is in a different class.

[Dani Filth]

they're not automatically in if they use a different car class .. but it's almost a given

[Bentley03]

Brabs' comments to DSC regarding his possible participation at Le Mans 2009 would suggest that Acura will not be there. But it does sound as though Brabs will be if he's offered a suitable drive. AMR again?

[isynge]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Brabs' comments to DSC regarding his possible participation at Le Mans 2009 would suggest that Acura will not be there. But it does sound as though Brabs will be if he's offered a suitable drive. AMR again?

I've been proven wrong before about cross fertilisation between top line prototype squads (see Montagny) but I'd still be surprised to see him in an Aston if they step up to LMP1 (and yes, I know that's still massively speculative).

That said, in these uncertain times, unless Acura have Brabs locked down in a very solid way is he likely to turn down a good paying offer for June?

[airbusA346]

Looks like Gigawave Motorsport want an entry to LM '09.

http://www.gigawavemotorsport.com/swf-lemans.html



Tom.

[Pilgrimage]

Good luck to them - another decent GT1 entry will be very welcome. And british too!