2006 LMS entries.......

[tblincoe]

LMS 2006 Entries:

LMP1
1x Zytek Motorsport Zytek 04S Hybrid
1x Creation Autosportif DBA 03S Hybrid Judd
1x Lavaggi LS1 Ford
1x Lister Racing Lister Storm Hybrid *
1x Pescarolo Sport Pescarolo C60 Hybrid Judd *
1x Courage Competition Courage LC70 Mugen

LMP2
2x Rollcentre Racing Radical SR9 Judd
1x Radical Racing Radical SR9 AER
1x G-Force Racing Courage C65 Judd
1x ASM Team Racing for Portugal Lola B05/40 AER
1x Pierre Bruneau Pilbeam MP93 JPX *
1x RML MG Lola EX264 MG *
1x Horag Lista Racing Lola B05/40 Judd *
1x Barazi Epsilon Courage C65 AER *
1x Kruse Motorsport Courage C65 Judd *
1x del Bello Racing Courage C65 Mecachrome *

GT1
1x Convers Team Aston Martin DBR-9
1x Convers Team Aston Martin DBR-9 *
1x Luc Alphand Adventures Corvette C5-R
1x PSI Experience Corvette C6.R
1x PSI Experience Corvette C5-R
1x B-Racing RS Line Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT

GT2
2x Team LNT Panoz Esperante GTLM

LMP1 - 6
LMP2 - 11
GT1 - 6
GT2 - 2
---------
Total - 25

[Bentley03]

Confirmation of the 2006 Spyker programme courtesy of Claude Foubert on Infoscourse.org. Full LMS season with 2 cars. They will have both 2005 cars on the grid at Sebring and will change to the 2006 cars in time for Le Mans.

[JAG]

Seems to be a few Courage C65's for sale at the moment.

Hope we see the new Courage.

[Bentley03]

The Infoscourse.org article which revealed Spykers plans for 2006 also mentioned a GTP project which has now been abandoned. Does anyone have any knowledge or further details about this? Was this by any chance the much rumoured Wiet Huidekoper LMP project or is that one still ongoing?

[Bramzel]

I will probably visit the Spyker factory somewhere in the next weeks, I'll see if I can get some info

[nicos935]

See at Mariantic.
Autosport would be reporting that Maserati's Claudio Berro said Maserati WILL build a Le Mans eligible car for 2007. Do not precise whether it is a LMP or a GT ?

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by nicos935

See at Mariantic.
Autosport would be reporting that Maserati's Claudio Berro said Maserati WILL build a Le Mans eligible car for 2007. Do not precise whether it is a LMP or a GT ?

A GT, they're referring to the GranSport.

[Graham Goodwin]

But they aren't doing so now as it would compete directly with the Ferrari 430

[mariantic]

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

But they aren't doing so now as it would compete directly with the Ferrari 430

I should have been more specific, this story is on Autosport's site @ www.autosport.com today December 24.

[almzkid]

there is no way Ferrari would allow them to compete directly with the F430 in GT2, Ferrari has no entry now in GT1 with the disolution of the 575 project so my guess is GT1

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by almzkid

there is no way Ferrari would allow them to compete directly with the F430 in GT2, Ferrari has no entry now in GT1 with the disolution of the 575 project so my guess is GT1

Why not? They'll compete in GT3 as well. The 575 and the MC12 competed in GT1 as well. Plus that Maserati is no longer linked to Ferrari directly, but to Alfa Romeo. So I don't see why it couldn't happen.

[JAG]

Can't see them entering GT1 after the problems with the MC12 and lack of competition.

I would also dismiss the GT3 class as its a series aimed at gentleman drivers.

Maserati needs to be a headline act if they are to compete with Ferrari in terms of image.

Ferrari has F1, Maserati needs LMP1 or LMP2

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by JAG

Can't see them entering GT1 after the problems with the MC12 and lack of competition.

Lack of competition? I wouldn't call the DBR9 and C6.R lack of competition.

[JAG]

GT1 will be dead in 2 years.

GM are out on their own, Aston is simply a customer program, without the funds to compete with GM.

They can't even guarantee an ALMS program!

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by JAG

GM are out on their own, Aston is simply a customer program, without the funds to compete with GM.

The 550 was simply a customer program as well. Did do pretty well I think. Prodrive has proven that they can challenge the P&M guys. And they might not be able to garuantee a ALMS entry? GM doesn't even bother to cross the pond, and have to be begged on the knees to sell their cars.

Imho you're being way too somber about this. I strongly disagree on you, in fact I'm even puzzled why you think that as grids are increasing again.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

The 550 was simply a customer program as well. Did do pretty well I think. Prodrive has proven that they can challenge the P&M guys. And they might not be able to garuantee a ALMS entry? GM doesn't even bother to cross the pond, and have to be begged on the knees to sell their cars.

I agree

[JAG]

I like to look a couple of years down the line, and unfortunately all I can see are grids made up of 90% Astons and 911s.

GM are out on there own with a fully professional team and driver line-up, and can clean up at will, even when restricted.

It's time for them to step up and compete against the big boys of Audi, Porsche and Peugeot, and/or follow Astons lead and leave the C6.Rs to customers.

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by JAG

I like to look a couple of years down the line, and unfortunately all I can see are grids made up of 90% Astons and 911s.

If I look down the line I can see grids made out of nothing but a couple of Vipers and some 911's. And look where we are now.

Goes up, goes down, agreed. But saying that GT1 will be dead is nonsense imho.

[SALEEN S7R]

Exactly Bramzel, at the moment we have a great level of competition with Aston Martin and Corvette both going at it neck and neck with the 550s and Saleen's right on their heals. The future for GT1 looks set to be DBR9's or C6R's I agree, but who can tell what the future holds? New supercars will come onto the scene, whether it is unexpected or not.

Like Bramzel said, back in 2000 people saw the future as nothing but Vipers v Lister's, at least over here on this side of the pond. A couple of years later however Prodrive had returned with the 550 and were going neck and neck with the C5R's like the Orceca Vipers had before. Factory teams will always be the dominant force in whatever category you look at.

[Bramzel]

Maybe it's an idea to split off this discussion, as it's a rather interesting one but also off-topic in this thread? Just an idea, if it's worthless please ignore

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

If I look down the line I can see grids made out of nothing but a couple of Vipers and some 911's. And look where we are now.

Goes up, goes down, agreed. But saying that GT1 will be dead is nonsense imho.

My last point on this.

When GT1 grew in past years the cost of competing was reasonable.

These days a GT1 program is as much, if not more expensive than a decent P1 program, and far more than P2.

When you're relying on wealthy gentlemen to fund the teams thats a major factor.

If you want bang for your buck you'll run P2 with 3 pay drivers in 1000k LMS events.

[ger80]

Biggest problem for me is that its very hard and expensive to make a good GT1 car from "normal" GT car like for example the BMW M6 or the Lambos. You need a car with a concept witch is ready for racing like the MC12 or a special edition like the Z06 from the C6. Makes no realy sense, then better Super GT rules or a special LMP rule that gives you an advantage over a normal LMP1 if you use a GT shape on a LMP car

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by JAG

These days a GT1 program is as much, if not more expensive than a decent P1 program, and far more than P2.

Might be, but still, there are over 20 DBR9's sold, all MC12 were sold in no time, there were several teams in the running for 2 C6R's when they became available. So interest is still there, dispite the higher costs.

[ger80]

hw many cars are owned by the teams? 50%?

[Bramzel]

Less probably, most get bought by collectors or investors.