[LM24] NASCAR returns to Circuit de la Sarthe...

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Racing Harz

I eat my hat, if Jimmie and Jeff won´t be driving this thing.

I wouldn't be too sure there, Jeff hasn't been in a car in a while and only drove the minimums the last couple times. Jimmie MAYBE but it depends on where Aly or Carvana want to spend their money.

More likely you'll see AXR drivers who don't have a LM ride in the car as they will be developing it

[Racing Harz]

Originally Posted by joeb

I was thinking Jimmy with the prototype driving he has been doing the last couple of seasons. Would they go with a car for retired drivers only though? Nascar is probably more about drivers than cars, so I bet they try to get at least one current driver in there.

Chase Elliot. Most popular driver in the last seasons and very good on road courses.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by PhilipR

This should be mega. Only concern I have is how much slower the car will be and if this will pose a safety issue by having much faster cars approaching difficult parts of the track and being caught in multiple traffic - see deltawing in 2012

At Road America the last Gen Cup cars were 12 seconds slower than GTE Corvette. Now some of that is the tires, Michelin confidential vs Goodyear stock car tires. Add in better tire development, new car likely being better road course, somewhat open rule book to develop the car further and sportscar guys developing it I would guess much of that gap will be narrowed. BUT 12 seconds at Road America is 24 seconds straight up track length wise. 2:02 for GTE leads to a 3:47 at LM so not a straight up 2:1 based on track length so maybe likely 4:05-4:15 with some development to improve the time

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Racing Harz

Chase Elliot. Most popular driver in the last seasons and very good on road courses.

Remember the Cup series runs nearly every weekend and he's not leaving points on the table and Cup ain't taking a break for him to go overseas. he would have to skip at least 2 races, maybe 3

[Racing Harz]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Remember the Cup series runs nearly every weekend and he's not leaving points on the table and Cup ain't taking a break for him to go overseas. he would have to skip at least 2 races, maybe 3

NASCAR will find a solution about that. They bring that car to Le Mans and they want to have their star in that car. NASCAR is creative and will be creative.

[NaBUru38]

Oh wow!

They will need some really sticky Goodyear/Dunlop tyres to be minimally competitive.

Nascar had off weekends for the Olympics. Sure they can have a week off for Le Mans.

I think that Nascar will select current drivers, rather than veterans like Jimmie Johnson.

[tux]

This is going to be amazing.

[chernaudi]

Unless NASCAR finangles the schedule to have the test day weekend and LM race weekend not conflict with Cup races, HMS are gonna need drivers for this thing.


I can see promo value for a good NASCAR Euro series driver getting contracted. I can def. see Jeff Gordon doing it, since he's a GM/HMS ambassador and Jeff has had an ambition to do Le Mans once his full time racing career ended.


And, could it be something if GM and Hendrick and IMSA could con Ron Fellows or Johnny O'Connell out of driving retirement? GM racing legends in road racing, LM veterans, etc?

[joeb]

How many hours does a nascar engine typically go through before rebuilds? I have no clue, but this makes me think they may end up with an entirely un-nascar powertrain for the hybrid option. Possibly the unit that will be used in the new Caddy lmdh?

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by joeb

How many hours does a nascar engine typically go through before rebuilds? I have no clue, but this makes me think they may end up with an entirely un-nascar powertrain for the hybrid option. Possibly the unit that will be used in the new Caddy lmdh?

I barely followed nascar in my life but if actual nascar cars are still sticking to those caveman pushrod 5.8L V8, as far I know, teams used to have fresh engines at each race, unless if a engine was still healthy after a race in poor demanding short ovals like bristol.
Of course is quite unlikely that kind of engine could last 24 hours if set to revving up to >9000rpm all the time as they normally do.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by canaglia

I barely followed nascar in my life but if actual nascar cars are still sticking to those caveman pushrod 5.8L V8, as far I know, teams used to have fresh engines at each race, unless if a engine was still healthy after a race in poor demanding short ovals like bristol.
Of course is quite unlikely that kind of engine could last 24 hours if set to revving up to >9000rpm all the time as they normally do.

Bristol ain't easy on the engines at all, the up and downs and high banking meant they were still torn down every weekend. With the last update I believe the engines are sealed and counted to start the season. Last I knew it was equal to 2 races per engine for the season so think that's 18 engines with an extra allowance for Daytona I believe. I have not seen Next Gen engine limits lately

Originally Posted by joeb

How many hours does a nascar engine typically go through before rebuilds? I have no clue, but this makes me think they may end up with an entirely un-nascar powertrain for the hybrid option. Possibly the unit that will be used in the new Caddy lmdh?

I was thinking possibly a powertrain test for the new Vette hybrid system but Caddy plus spec hybrid option as well

[Mike E]

Maybe, instead of G56 being all about new tech, it could just be run what you brung.

2023: NASCAR
2024: Moto GP
2025: F2
2026: Guy Martin on a bicycle, slipstreaming a truck

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Maybe, instead of G56 being all about new tech, it could just be run what you brung.

2023: NASCAR
2024: Moto GP
2025: F2
2026: Guy Martin on a bicycle, slipstreaming a truck

A motogp would probably get 400km/h on straight before first chicane

[Simmi]

A full spec Super GT at their fastest would have been amazing too.

[Mike E]

Or that...