The never ending Toyota return to Le Mans (LMP1) Saga - Page 61

ss_collins · 31 Jan 2012, 12:15 (Ref:3019360)

Quote:

TS030 does not have an in-wheel motor.
Single motor is equipped in the middle of a front axle according to Sports-carracing.net.

correct

gwyllion · 31 Jan 2012, 13:57 (Ref:3019388)

Any inside why the front hybrid solution uses a different supplier? Is it correct that Toyota thus far only tested the rear hybrid solution?

BTW the Supra HV-R did have two in-wheel electric motors in the front wheels, but these motors were only 10 kW each. More powerful in-wheel motors will probably be too big and add too much unsprung weight. Therefore a solution with a electric motor in the nose and drive shafts to the front wheels is probably preferable.

Japanese Samurai · 31 Jan 2012, 14:42 (Ref:3019403)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwyllion

Any inside why the front hybrid solution uses a different supplier? Is it correct that Toyota thus far only tested the rear hybrid solution?

I think that a political situation in Toyota is the reason.
The reason Toyota participates in Le Mans is for carrying out a race by their own hybrid system.
Toyota wants to advertize that the hybrid technology of a road going car is applied to racing technology.
Aishin and Denso are the parts suppliers of the hybrid system of Toyota.
Toyota should have decided to use only a rear wheel motor.
However, Toyota has not removed the front motor in order to advertize Aishin.

knighty · 31 Jan 2012, 14:56 (Ref:3019406)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

I think that a political situation in Toyota is the reason.
The reason Toyota participates in Le Mans is for carrying out a race by their own hybrid system.
Toyota wants to advertize that the hybrid technology of a road going car is applied to racing technology.
Aishin and Denso are the parts suppliers of the hybrid system of Toyota.
Toyota should have decided to use only a rear wheel motor.
However, Toyota has not removed the front motor in order to advertize Aishin.

That sounds like an entirely believable situation, I can imagine Toyota are quite torn between both solutions, because they both have alot of hybrid road car relevance.......the axle based system translates easily to passenger cars with affordable mild-hybrid systems, as peogeot are now using on their road cars.......and the bell-housing based system is highly relevant to more expensive full hybrids.

Perhaps we might see a situation where they run 1 car with the front axle system, and the other car with the bell-housing based system, or is there perhaps homologation issues going this route??.....its going to be a learning year either way so perhaps they have nothing to lose.

evanPGH · 31 Jan 2012, 15:26 (Ref:3019413)

I think that when the final product is ready for Le Mans, they will go with whatever gives them the best chance to win.

The possibility of them leaving the front motor in to promote Aisin seems reasonable, for the roll out anyway. I can't imagine they would do it further if it were just for advertising purposes.

gwyllion · 31 Jan 2012, 15:29 (Ref:3019414)

It sounds like a waste of resources to develop two solutions. I would think that the choice between the two approaches could have been made during the design phase of the car, based on simulations.

According to Vasselon, Toyota is already a bit behind on their testing schedule. So they can probably use all the time they have left to develop a single solution.

BTW in 2007 the Toyota Supra HV-R had advertising of Aisin AW and Denso. See http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/pic/3...ra-HV-R_1.html So the choice of suppliers is indeed political.

gwyllion · 31 Jan 2012, 15:40 (Ref:3019417)

http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/an...h-as-possible/ explains a bit the role of Andrea Caldarelli. He will do simulator work and be at race weekend to observe and learn.

knighty · 31 Jan 2012, 16:04 (Ref:3019424)

its nice to see such a big team invest in someone who is so young, lets hope he develops into a real talent.

evanPGH · 31 Jan 2012, 16:07 (Ref:3019426)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwyllion

http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/an...h-as-possible/ explains a bit the role of Andrea Caldarelli. He will do simulator work and be at race weekend to observe and learn.

It's moves like this that make me think (and hope) that Toyota is planning on running this program for the foreseeable future.

TF110 · 31 Jan 2012, 17:22 (Ref:3019454)

There have been hints at it by Lapierre. He may not know the inside details, but when asked, he did shy away from a multi-year answer. He just said he wants to stay with Toyota. They probably don't want to give much away.

evanPGH · 31 Jan 2012, 18:14 (Ref:3019466)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

There have been hints at it by Lapierre. He may not know the inside details, but when asked, he did shy away from a multi-year answer. He just said he wants to stay with Toyota. They probably don't want to give much away.

Yeah I picked up on that in the interview also, I guess I just didn't connect the dots lol.

I'm still surprised they haven't announced the driver lineup for the second car aside from the Buemi speculation. Has anyone heard/read anything about it?

TF110 · 31 Jan 2012, 20:05 (Ref:3019521)

Maybe next test they'll have more info out? Wonder if they'll run a different aero package as well?

tyronnezx · 31 Jan 2012, 20:15 (Ref:3019527)

Quote:

Originally Posted by evanPGH

Yeah I picked up on that in the interview also, I guess I just didn't connect the dots lol.

I'm still surprised they haven't announced the driver lineup for the second car aside from the Buemi speculation. Has anyone heard/read anything about it?

what was the surprise that they had for us during the last test day? does anyone know?

evanPGH · 31 Jan 2012, 20:26 (Ref:3019535)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

Maybe next test they'll have more info out? Wonder if they'll run a different aero package as well?

Most likely. They said the current car didn't have the latest aero and since they're behind schedule with testing I would think they'll want to put some miles on the revised package.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyronnezx

what was the surprise that they had for us during the last test day? does anyone know?

They gave away five Toyota hybrid racing hats signed by the drivers. I didn't win one.

TF110 · 1 Feb 2012, 21:10 (Ref:3019974)

The next test is the end of this month, correct? They'll probably be going all out if they're behind in terms of mileage.

evanPGH · 1 Feb 2012, 21:43 (Ref:3019997)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

The next test is the end of this month, correct? They'll probably be going all out if they're behind in terms of mileage.

Next test is scheduled for mid February at a currently undisclosed track.

gwyllion · 1 Feb 2012, 21:53 (Ref:3020002)

They will do most of their testing on Paul Ricard. This is where Oreca has their offices.

**Adam43** · 1 Feb 2012, 22:10 (Ref:3020012)

Paul Ricard must have good facilities for testing. Is it a good simulation of Le Mans? Is anywhere?
It has a decent straight, but strikes me as a little too smooth. Although I've never been.

TF110 · 2 Feb 2012, 00:15 (Ref:3020051)

There are plenty of layouts there for one, two is Oreca is stationed there. I don't know if it has anything close to what types of roads they'll experience at LeMans, but hope it goes well for them.

evanPGH · 2 Feb 2012, 13:23 (Ref:3020296)

I always thought Mugello would be a great testing track for Le Mans. It's got a nice long front straight and a heavy braking zone for turn one, a good combination of sweepers, 90 degree lefts and rights and a couple low speed hairpins. Now that I think of it, Mugello's first sector is very similar to the last sector at La Sarthe, mostly the tail end of the Porsche curves to the start line. It's also not the smoothest track out there.

deggis · 2 Feb 2012, 14:00 (Ref:3020315)

Regardless of the configurations, Paul Ricard has the run off areas like no other track.

deggis · 2 Feb 2012, 15:08 (Ref:3020347)

A bit early release?

Quote:

TOYOTA Racing can confirm it has expanded its plans for the 2012 season and has entered the FIA World Endurance Championship. It was originally planned to enter only selected races, which would have fallen short of the number required to be considered a full-time entrant but due to the unexpected changes faced by the FIA World Endurance Championship, that plan has been revised. The TOYOTA TS030 HYBRID car will make its debut in the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the second round of the championship.

TOYOTA Racing is also pleased to receive a two-car entry for the Le Mans 24 Hours on 16-17 June. Regular race drivers Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima are already confirmed and the line-up for the additional car will be announced shortly.

Yoshiaki Kino****a, Team President: “The circumstances for the championship changed suddenly in the last weeks and TOYOTA Racing considers it important to work together with the FIA and ACO to establish a successful future for endurance racing. We have done everything we can to show our support and we look forward to an exciting season, including the opportunity to race two cars at Le Mans.”

http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/to...-championship/

Acid09 · 2 Feb 2012, 15:15 (Ref:3020357)

Nice work by Toyota for stepping up, this solves the potential problem for the WEC that they can't award a world championship title unless two manufacturers are on board.

Another indication that Toyota's programme is more serious and long-term that some people think.

deggis · 2 Feb 2012, 16:41 (Ref:3020467)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acid09

Nice work by Toyota for stepping up, this solves the potential problem for the WEC that they can't award a world championship title unless two manufacturers are on board.

Yes:

This means it will be considered a full-time entrant, which gives WEC promoter, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the two manufacturers it requires in LMP1 under the terms of its agreement with the FIA.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97273

I think there might have been 911 situation before this.

evanPGH · 2 Feb 2012, 16:59 (Ref:3020487)

Quote:

Originally Posted by deggis

A bit early release?

TOYOTA Racing can confirm it has expanded its plans for the 2012 season and has entered the FIA World Endurance Championship. It was originally planned to enter only selected races, which would have fallen short of the number required to be considered a full-time entrant but due to the unexpected changes faced by the FIA World Endurance Championship, that plan has been revised. The TOYOTA TS030 HYBRID car will make its debut in the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the second round of the championship.
TOYOTA Racing is also pleased to receive a two-car entry for the Le Mans 24 Hours on 16-17 June. Regular race drivers Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima are already confirmed and the line-up for the additional car will be announced shortly.
Yoshiaki Kino****a, Team President: “The circumstances for the championship changed suddenly in the last weeks and TOYOTA Racing considers it important to work together with the FIA and ACO to establish a successful future for endurance racing. We have done everything we can to show our support and we look forward to an exciting season, including the opportunity to race two cars at Le Mans.”

http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/to...-championship/

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