[LM24] OK, So What Do We Talk About Between Last Year's Le Mans and Next Year's.....?

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by CTD

And I agree Simmi, just wanted to poke a bit to John-Mark

I still believe you can sneak off to Le Mans! We need a Martini livered car at Le Mans! (even though it's just a Panda )

Even if I don't make next year, I've got something special planned for my transport in 2016.

But I'm keeping my cards close to my chest.

[Deleted]

Wait, how does Chiana end up being one of the (slighly) less pessimistic for once

[Pontlieue]

I'm hoping for one or two additional privateers for next year, but the question is: where would that leave P2?

10-12 factory P1
3-6 privateer P1
1 G56

So that would leave 14 places at best and 9 places at worst for LMP2 if they want to keep the 28/28 split between protos and GTs. Definitely too few when most of ELMS and maybe a few TUSC teams are hoping for an entry. I hope they reduce the amount of GTE Am cars in favour of more prototypes.

[Deleted]

Few years ago when P1 bloomed in the twenties and there were plenty of P2s as well they just reduced the GT count instead of proto sacrifices. Which in the present BoP mess environment I REALLY wouldn't mind.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Pontlieue

I'm hoping for one or two additional privateers for next year, but the question is: where would that leave P2?

10-12 factory P1
3-6 privateer P1
1 G56

So that would leave 14 places at best and 9 places at worst for LMP2 if they want to keep the 28/28 split between protos and GTs. Definitely too few when most of ELMS and maybe a few TUSC teams are hoping for an entry. I hope they reduce the amount of GTE Am cars in favour of more prototypes.

That would certainly suit me......

[Muppetdave901]

Surely though Le Mans has to remain as a target 'prize' for anything not WEC - i.e. not all invitational entries? Something for teams to lust after....

[Deleted]

Updates for the list after E-I rumour mill (however seriously suggested):
http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/pro...f-a-lhoirizon/

Originally Posted by Chiana

So speaking of P1 entries for next year... who do we expect

Quaranteed
H Audi Sport Team Joest I
H Audi Sport Team Joest II
H Porsche Team I
H Porsche Team II
H Toyota Racing I
H Toyota Racing II
H Nissan Motorsports I
H Nissan Motorsports II
L Rebellion Racing I
L Rebellion Racing II
L Lotus

Almost quaranteed
H Audi Sport Team Joest III
H Nissan Motorsports III

Possibilities
H Porsche Team III
H Toyota Racing III
L SARD
L Lotus II
L Oak
L Another manufacturer (not Perrinn)

I guess you could also put fourth Audi to the possibilities (if they felt the need to field four cars in '12 against two fragile debut Toyotas to secure the first hybrid win, you could think they'd be ready if everyone else starts fielding three cars as well) but let keep that one on hold

[GT6]

The thought of so many top category cars is exciting but I always like the fact that it is not just 1 race going on but 4 or perhaps 5 if you consider the private lmp1's

[Deleted]

True, however my focus has changed. In years of past it was GT1 and GT2 (and before that old GT1 and old GT2/GTS) that were the number one priority for me and LMPs were just sideshow - well of course overall victory was still interesting but you know. Now that GT has gone crap it's P1 and P2 that take my attention while GTEs are there to fill the remaining grid... Increasing factory focus is obviously helping too

Last time I truly cared about GT at LM was 2010. I guess in 2011 sort of as well but the last three years.... mehhhh

[Aysedasi]

I've always been a prototype man and for me the emphasis should always be on them, however, in my simplistic mind, the GT battle at LM this year was a long way from having 'gone crap' - in fact, it was probably the best GT (Pro) battle I've seen at Le Mans for a number of years.....

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I've always been a prototype man and for me the emphasis should always be on them, however, in my simplistic mind, the GT battle at LM this year was a long way from having 'gone crap' - in fact, it was probably the best GT (Pro) battle I've seen at Le Mans for a number of years.....

I'm sure it was but I'm not interested in battles determined entirely by BoP

Probably should've emphasized IMO

[Aysedasi]

But others probably are. I watched a battle that was determined by close hard driving. But we have registered your 'IMO'....

[Deleted]

Risi Comp winning and finishing 8 laps ahead of the next F430 or Corvette Racing eventually only winning after the dominant DBR9s had broken apart is infinitely more of a battle and definition of racing to me, than some fakery entertainment show with mediocre performance cars that don't comply with the regulations. But yeah there are many cups of tea...

Anyway it's not just P1, LMP2 has been growing up on me tbh

[Victor_RO]

In a wildly transparent attempt to break this pointless and ever-repeating and never-ending and chasing-its-own-tail discussion about BoP...

... are we keeping the same gastronomical theme to the Saturday meet-up next year? And if a certain mr M Hedlund is racing at Le Mans next year, will we be somehow able to summon him to the meet-up?

[Aysedasi]

Highly likely Victor - well, the food, anyway!

[CTD]

Did you really find that Coke bottle Ayse, or is it a photoshop?

[wewantourdarbyback]

Anybody a) know Andrew Howard? b) Can get him to come to Le Mans and the meet and c) ask him to bring some ice cream?


Anyone?

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by CTD

Did you really find that Coke bottle Ayse, or is it a photoshop?

It IS real - Craig found it and sent me the pic!

[Pilgrimage]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Few years ago when P1 bloomed in the twenties and there were plenty of P2s as well they just reduced the GT count instead of proto sacrifices. Which in the present BoP mess environment I REALLY wouldn't mind.

I really like this graph ...

Not necessarily what it shows, as cars that I had fondness for seem to die off over time, but I do like the way the info is presented.

Thanks.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Pilgrimage

I really like this graph ...

Not necessarily what it shows, as cars that I had fondness for seem to die off over time, but I do like the way the info is presented.

Thanks.

I have more here
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=141456

Updated irregularly but I'll get back to it sooner or later

[Deleted]

Have they announced the support races for 2015 yet? I mean obviously the Legends race is gonna be 1949-1965 again cause they love recycling so very very very much, but the spec series slot? In the late years it's circulated a bit

2009 - FLM/LMPC
2010 - Porsche Carrera Cup France
2011 - Ferrari Challenge Europe
2012 - Aston Martin Festival
2013 - Ferrari Challenge Europe
2014 - Porsche Carrera Cup France + other nationals

[Simmi]

I'd certainly take a few years of the Carrera Cup invitational.

This year's race was incredible. Start to finish action, past and future stars. I was almost reluctant to head off to the tenths meet-up as the racing was so good.

[Aysedasi]

Carrera cup for me too please - far better than anything else we've had in recent years.

[GT6]

Did not see much of this years race but as long as it is competitive and a good full grid I will be happy

[Simmi]

Anyone got the DVD yet? My Blu-Ray arrived today. Just watching it back now.

Same great four-hour format we've had since 2011. Beautiful HD pictures, but the RLM comms really makes it emotive and brings back a lot of memories from watching trackside.

Long may these reviews continue.