[WEC] New rules. New manufacturers. The 2021 and beyond positivity thread!

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

I find it extremely tiresome to join the positivity thread and this good news be met with negativity.

It’s fine to discuss those point. Just not here. This was the place to enjoy good news - be miserable about the incoming golden age isn’t how you’d like it be elsewhere.

Hear hear!

Looks like we are going to see most in depth quality of major entries in the top class/es since the late 90's!!

[canaglia]

it isn't official yet, but bmw picked dallara as chassis supplier

[Mike E]

Looking like an IMSA focus for BMW.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2021/0...a-chassis.html

[veeten]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Hear hear!

Looks like we are going to see most in depth quality of major entries in the top class/es since the late 90's!!

My thoughts exactly, friend.
We are seeing a growth in participating manufacturers for this side of Motorsport while we are coming out of this dual crises with the financial and Covid-19. All this while Indycar is stagnant with engine suppliers and Formula 1 is slowly losing them.
Hybrid technology fits Sportscar/Prototype more than other types of Motorsport, so it stands to reason how the LMH/LMDh rules were made more financially and politically fair for all entrants, with adjustments to be made as the seasons go.

[canaglia]

my bet:
RLL for gtd IMSA program with M4 gt3
andretti for lmdh IMSA and LM

bmw cut ties with schnitzer and can't remember if RMG, RMR or RBM are still under bmw umbrella

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Looking like an IMSA focus for BMW.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2021/0...a-chassis.html

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/b...ogram-in-2023/

[Simmi]

I'm sure BMW will be getting a few calls from European-based teams about a WEC/LM programme.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I'm sure BMW will be getting a few calls from European-based teams about a WEC/LM programme.

I wonder if they will entertain selling cars? Or will they continue with the same model of a chosen team to run their program?

[broadrun96]

Keep the prices down, potential for further up the field and no need to carry sandbags every lap and you could get LMP2 runners looking to field a car. That's an optimitic view but see the thread title

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by canaglia

my bet:
RLL for gtd IMSA program with M4 gt3
andretti for lmdh IMSA and LM

bmw cut ties with schnitzer and can't remember if RMG, RMR or RBM are still under bmw umbrella

RMG still is. They did development of the new GT3.

[veeten]

...in short, upgrades. Teams like United Auto sports, G-drive and others at the sharp end of the LMP2 grid will be in line for future consideration for LMDh, seeing as they have a better understanding of the chassis being used. The lower teams will be in line for the newer versions of the LMP2s when they are ready.

All part of the great cycle of Motorsport life.

[Mike E]

Did Graham suggest in the Portimao race comms that there are GTE Am teams considering customer Hypercar programs?

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Did Graham suggest in the Portimao race comms that there are GTE Am teams considering customer Hypercar programs?

Perrodo would be my guess. Or Cetilar.

Btw Perrodo is worth a follow on Instagram. Some serious cash and some serious cars in the collection - https://www.instagram.com/fanchracing/

[hondafan37]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Did Graham suggest in the Portimao race comms that there are GTE Am teams considering customer Hypercar programs?

Some time ago I said here that LMH/LMDH(AM) should replace LMP2, It's great that Graham talks about this now, But my vision has changed a bit now, I have the feeling that the ACO is going to eliminate GT in 2024 and everything will be like:
*LMH/LMDH
*LMH/LMDH (AM)
*LMP2
Jim Glickenhaus said a number of teams interested for the 007 in Portimao.....
I think the non-announcement of the GM LMDH program in Detroit has to do with this, I think they know that they will not be able to go to Le Mans with a Corvette GT beyond 2022 and therefore the GM LMDH should be a Corvette if they want to go to Le Mans in 2023.

[Graham Goodwin]

Originally Posted by hondafan37

Some time ago I said here that LMH/LMDH(AM) should replace LMP2, It's great that Graham talks about this now, But my vision has changed a bit now, I have the feeling that the ACO is going to eliminate GT in 2024 and everything will be like:
*LMH/LMDH
*LMH/LMDH (AM)
*LMP2
Jim Glickenhaus said a number of teams interested for the 007 in Portimao.....
I think the non-announcement of the GM LMDH program in Detroit has to do with this, I think they know that they will not be able to go to Le Mans with a Corvette GT beyond 2022 and therefore the GM LMDH should be a Corvette if they want to go to Le Mans in 2023.

There are a whole range of possibilities in the mix - Multiple teams in multiple classes are looking at Hypercar but the uplift in budget, and the availability of cars, is the key to that happening, and to when it happens

They will not eliminate GT

[Mike E]

'“The financial formula is affordable. I’ve been contacted by gentlemen drivers wanting to run a LMDh because it’s affordable.'

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...urers-by-2024/

[broadrun96]

Hmmm, the guy who is in charge of selling more cars on which an LMDh is based would think they're great?? Oh wait, I don't see any of the cars running not supported by the factory running now WITHOUT the costs and need for techs on the hybrid system. Yes, it's a sealed system but someone has to pay the crewmember(s) keeping an eye on it And we have no idea the costs to run the cars as no one has ever built a car yet. Plus we don't have a confirmed Dallara customer yet do we, assuming we will have a GM car on it but anyone else?

Porsche/Audi future Lamborghini/Bentley--Multimatic
Acura-Oreca
BMW-not stated yet

Me thinks he's trying to sell cars and the class. Dial it back a bit dude.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Me thinks he's trying to sell cars and the class. Dial it back a bit dude.

Of course he is, that's part of his job. But he's not the first to say Am drivers are looking at the class. For LMP2 teams looking to step up without a factory deal, that could be significant.

Looks like GM and BMW will be Dallara customers.

[Sodemo]

I dont mean to retread old ground, I think its been talked to death probably already, but after the Portimao round, do people think that the performance gap between LMP2 and the LMH cars is large enough? Looking at laptimes there wasn't much in it, maybe a second on ultimate pace.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I dont mean to retread old ground, I think its been talked to death probably already, but after the Portimao round, do people think that the performance gap between LMP2 and the LMH cars is large enough? Looking at laptimes there wasn't much in it, maybe a second on ultimate pace.

The remaining tracks on the calendar - Monza, Le Mans, Fuji and Bahrain - all have long straights which should work better for the Hypercars. Let's see.

Assuming Fuji happens...

[Adam43]

I like it. The hypercars have to get on with it. It’s not meant to be easy.

I don’t think there is a track where the LMP2s would be quicker. You probably could design one though!

[joeb]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Oh wait, I don't see any of the cars running not supported by the factory running now WITHOUT the costs and need for techs on the hybrid system. .

I think JDC qualifies as an independent team and can see them went in Ewing with the new formula. But beyond them there has not been independnt teams with an extended success in the class. Part of this though is that the manufacturers were unwilling to sell cars. Cadillac was the only one who made that an option.

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I don’t think there is a track where the LMP2s would be quicker. You probably could design one though!

24h of Monaco anyone?

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I like it. The hypercars have to get on with it. It’s not meant to be easy.

I don’t think there is a track where the LMP2s would be quicker. You probably could design one though!

Mid-Ohio? if they’re allowed in IMSA

But the IMSA codrivers aren’t at the level of some in WEC so maybe not so much in reality

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Hmmm, the guy who is in charge of selling more cars on which an LMDh is based would think they're great?? Oh wait, I don't see any of the cars running not supported by the factory running now WITHOUT the costs and need for techs on the hybrid system. Yes, it's a sealed system but someone has to pay the crewmember(s) keeping an eye on it And we have no idea the costs to run the cars as no one has ever built a car yet. Plus we don't have a confirmed Dallara customer yet do we, assuming we will have a GM car on it but anyone else?

Porsche/Audi future Lamborghini/Bentley--Multimatic
Acura-Oreca
BMW-not stated yet

Me thinks he's trying to sell cars and the class. Dial it back a bit dude.

Depends if this formula keeps costs realistic or not. Part of the reason why Group C is so revered is the myriad privateers entrants, many of whom were crawling around in 962s in a team full of what we would today call bronze drivers.

If it's just about in reach for wealthy gentlemen to have a crack, then they'll cough up the money to have a crack.