WEC 2016 WEC Discussion - Page 47

**joeb** · 6 Aug 2016, 17:39 (Ref:3663834)

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Do the FIA track rules allow LMP1s on Grade 2 tracks, except of LM like Monaco for F1, or is it just F1 who's limited to Grade 1? Honestly asking as I wasn't sure if it was a series preference or part of the rules.

As much as I would love a WEC round at Road Atlanta, IMSA ownership excluded, there's no way the track can accommodate what it seems the teams want in its current state. No garages to speak of so race garage haulers would have to be shipped and they aren't fitting in the already tight air crates. Laguna Seca has a lot of restrictions that could cost them another event to accommodate the WEC. Sounds like Road America would be the winner outside of COTA for a WEC event over any other US track. Do they have the garages, etc that the WEC seems to require or at least prefer?

I think a while back out was said that Indy was the only track currently possible for wec in the us.

Akrapovic · 6 Aug 2016, 17:40 (Ref:3663835)

IIRC, LMP1s are allowed to use Grade 2 circuits, it's just that they choose not to.

Graham Goodwin · 9 Aug 2016, 06:46 (Ref:3664521)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaskedRacer

In Midweek motorsport, Hindy and Graham think that the future of factory participation is going to be in GTE Pro, not LMP1. Makes sense. It ain't cheap but it still does not match the costs of LMP1 plus you are running road based cars that people identify with.

Hi there - That's not what I said - What I said was that the prospects for NEW manufacturers were more in GTE Pro than in LMP1

I also said that the current budgets in LMP1 were putting off some prospective new factory programmes but that the current teams seem likely to be in it for the medium-term at least.

TF110 · 9 Aug 2016, 06:49 (Ref:3664522)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

IIRC, LMP1s are allowed to use Grade 2 circuits, it's just that they choose not to.

It's not even the lmp1 teams who choose this. I don't know who is in charge of the negotiations for hosting an event, but there has to be some sort of bar set that the tracks need to meet. I don't want to believe the WEC ONLY wants F1-tracks. But it wouldn't surprise me if that's the case.

TzeiTzei · 9 Aug 2016, 07:06 (Ref:3664525)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

It's not even the lmp1 teams who choose this. I don't know who is in charge of the negotiations for hosting an event, but there has to be some sort of bar set that the tracks need to meet. I don't want to believe the WEC ONLY wants F1-tracks. But it wouldn't surprise me if that's the case.

I have a feeling it has more to do with WEC wanting to have F1 class pit buildings etc. Can't have those VIP guests standing on a muddy field.

Graham Goodwin · 9 Aug 2016, 07:16 (Ref:3664529)

My understanding - ref Class 1 - is that the principal reason is the level of track safety inherent in the ranking (Le Mans as a Class 2 circuit is, of course, the exception).

chernaudi · 9 Aug 2016, 16:51 (Ref:3664667)

I think that the LMP1 privateer class adopting DPI regs could be a big help to making the class make sense beyond being a two team formula right now.

We know that most carmakers aren't interested in spending Audi or Porsche money on LMP1, or even Toyota money, or even a sizable fraction of that. And we know that with the way things are, private teams won't be competitive with factory teams because of financial and technical gaps.

So I see two solutions: Either "wind back the clock" back to the way things were circa 2000, or allow some limited factory involvement in LMP1 privateer. IMO, it's a win-win. Privateers can have meaningful competition and can get hooked to "customer" manufacturer deals, while carmakers can be involved in LMP1 without having to spend insane amounts of money, and can, like in the GT classes, point to winning their class.

CTD · 9 Aug 2016, 19:07 (Ref:3664699)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chernaudi

I think that the LMP1 privateer class adopting DPI regs could be a big help to making the class make sense beyond being a two team formula right now.

We know that most carmakers aren't interested in spending Audi or Porsche money on LMP1, or even Toyota money, or even a sizable fraction of that. And we know that with the way things are, private teams won't be competitive with factory teams because of financial and technical gaps.

So I see two solutions: Either "wind back the clock" back to the way things were circa 2000, or allow some limited factory involvement in LMP1 privateer. IMO, it's a win-win. Privateers can have meaningful competition and can get hooked to "customer" manufacturer deals, while carmakers can be involved in LMP1 without having to spend insane amounts of money, and can, like in the GT classes, point to winning their class.

I don't think there is anything preventing Toyota, Porsche and Audi from assisting a Privateer team. They just don't want to as they are fully occupied with running their own teams.

Akrapovic · 11 Aug 2016, 12:07 (Ref:3665108)

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/m...mexico-806448/

That's the worst idea in the history of sports car racing.

bentley speed 8 · 11 Aug 2016, 13:18 (Ref:3665122)

Prepare the red/yellow flags already marshals!
Haven't followed him much. Was he in F1 just for money or did he have some sort of skill?

Coach Ep · 11 Aug 2016, 13:32 (Ref:3665127)

He had the skill of bringing truck loads of money to the series + keeping the carbon fiber repair shops in business!

Matt · 11 Aug 2016, 13:49 (Ref:3665131)

He's won a Grand Prix.

Deleted · 11 Aug 2016, 15:47 (Ref:3665147)

It's called One Hit Wonder.

Anyway cash cash cash that's what matters.

Akrapovic · 11 Aug 2016, 16:49 (Ref:3665161)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

He's won a Grand Prix.

He's also had so many accidents that he's got a website dedicating to if he's crashed on any particular day or not. Just what endurance racing needs.

CTD · 11 Aug 2016, 17:09 (Ref:3665164)

http://hasmaldonadocrashedtoday.com

Matt · 11 Aug 2016, 17:17 (Ref:3665166)

It'll be exciting!

Deleted · 11 Aug 2016, 17:40 (Ref:3665176)

I thought the money drains of Venezuela had exhausted already though.

TF110 · 11 Aug 2016, 17:46 (Ref:3665182)

I'm willing to give him a chance. P2's have fenders so if he's going wheel to wheel, he wont take off a front wing or cut a tire.

Deleted · 11 Aug 2016, 17:50 (Ref:3665185)

Malucelli didn't crash out this year at LM either, which in truth was probably the biggest surprise of the year (apart from the Toyota debacle), so Maldonado has hope of not sending the Oreca to scrapyard.

S griffin · 12 Aug 2016, 10:18 (Ref:3665334)

I don't know what to expect from the Crashtor, the first time he will be a sportscar driver, and the other drivers are going to be on the lookout for him when he is driving the car. I just want to see if it is Jerykl or Hyde who turns up to the series

Coach Ep · 12 Aug 2016, 14:01 (Ref:3665370)

Probably all three of them!

MoMedic9019 · 13 Aug 2016, 01:52 (Ref:3665460)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

My understanding - ref Class 1 - is that the principal reason is the level of track safety inherent in the ranking (Le Mans as a Class 2 circuit is, of course, the exception).

A current Grade 2 can be re-evaluated as a Grade 1/1T.... for example, Road America would meet the safety aspects, but it wouldn't meet Grade 1 from an additional infrastructure standpoint. Hotels/VIP suites, modern updated pit complex, traffic options etc...

The FIA grading is a stupidly complex procedure that has less to do with motorsport, and more to do with financial appeasement.

Coach Ep · 13 Aug 2016, 20:20 (Ref:3665527)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoMedic9019

A current Grade 2 can be re-evaluated as a Grade 1/1T.... for example, Road America would meet the safety aspects, but it wouldn't meet Grade 1 from an additional infrastructure standpoint. Hotels/VIP suites, modern updated pit complex, traffic options etc...

The FIA grading is a stupidly complex procedure that has less to do with motorsport, and more to do with financial appeasement.

I doubt the Kink will pass the 'FIA Grade 1 protocol', not nearly enough run off for the parking lot lovers...

TF110 · 13 Aug 2016, 21:15 (Ref:3665533)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

I doubt the Kink will pass the 'FIA Grade 1 protocol', not nearly enough run off for the parking lot lovers...

Yes, a concrete wall a few meters from the track at 170mph is what we should have

There has to be some type of middle ground

carbsmith · 13 Aug 2016, 23:05 (Ref:3665540)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

I doubt the Kink will pass the 'FIA Grade 1 protocol', not nearly enough run off for the parking lot lovers...

Grade 1 safety standards are not quite the way people think.

The runoffs on the older post-Senna tracks like Sepang are actually considered too big now and certain legacy corners get off easy.

In the case of the kink it's not like it's a corner you just blow the entry and go straight on, crashes are generally in the form of sideswiping the wall on exit in which case a soft wall might be considered enough. Chicane is already there anyways.

View Poll Results: Which track will be added to the 2016 WEC calendar?
Montreal	10	16.13%
Mexico City	9	14.52%
Monza	23	37.10%
Interlagos	14	22.58%
Other, .... [please name]	6	9.68%
Voters: 62. You may not vote on this poll

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