What is wrong with BMS Aston Martin?

[minimangler]

In the thread "DBR9 vs DBRS9" there is a growing argument as to the reasons behind BMS's poor results with Aston.

So it probably deserves its own thread, as it has diverged yet again!

Tyres? Well, the Pirellis are generally regarded as second best to Michelin, at least in the dry.

Drivers? Almost certainly not, they've had many a top combo.

Effort? Have they put enough effort in?

Works support? How much support has there actually been?

Thoughts, good people of the forum?

[The Badger]

I reckon its down to the tyres .

They are a crack team with many achivements behind them , so I cant imagine its down to a lack of effort .

Nothing wrong on the driver front either .....

Look at Larbre ..... their also not lighting the track on fire either , are they ?

On the other hand , Team Modena and Jet Alliance seem to be doing reasonable ok .

I reckon its the tyres .....

[The359]

I too have wondered why Larbre has not performed as well as expected in the LMS this year, especially with the Michelin tires. Granted, they do have Oreca to go up against, but they just seem to be lagging a bit.

[The Real DMN]

I think is down to more than just tyres. Both BMS and Labre haven't been given the same support as the works (Prodrive) cars for a start. The 008 at this years Le Mans was a Labre car only in name and was prepared by Prodrive. It did a lot better than the 006 Labre car. Plus they have other intrests; Labre still runs a Prodrive F550 in the FFSA and BMS has their GT2 Porka.

Though still it seems strange that one team can do so well and two others (with proven track recored behind them) can do so poor.

[supermario21]

dont forget 008 had 3 ace drivers, 006 was made up of gentlemen drivers. as for bms, it is down to pirelli tires, remember how bad the works team was on pirellis

[Tim the Grey]

Rubber. Boots. Black things. Tyres.

aka Pirelli Tree sections.

[The Real DMN]

I can see BMS ditching the Aston project soon.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by The Real DMN

I can see BMS ditching the Aston project soon.

And maybe running a Spyder instead?


L.P.

[minimangler]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

And maybe running a Spyder instead?


L.P.

that is confirmed, as far as i know, for LMS and le mans 08?

well we're all pointing at tyres, but look at Sarafree- they aren't struggling as badly. Granted, they are struggling more than Michelin shod vitaphone

[The Real DMN]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

And maybe running a Spyder instead?


L.P.

If the rumors are true, yes.

Their 997 is going well also.

[minimangler]

Originally Posted by The Real DMN

Their 997 is going well also.

Not compared to AF Corse...

And lets hope the Porsche P2 gets better tyres

[cmk]

Originally Posted by minimangler

that is confirmed, as far as i know, for LMS and le mans 08?

well we're all pointing at tyres, but look at Sarafree- they aren't struggling as badly. Granted, they are struggling more than Michelin shod vitaphone

The same construction of tyre will often suit one chassis better than others. Pirellis have tended to be stronger on Maseratis than on Astons over the last couple of years, so this is not really surprising. Similarly, they tended to be handier on Ferrari than Porsche chassis in GT2.

The issue of a manufacturer making a tyre that suits one chassis better than the other is not new. In the ALMS GTS class back during the 2001 season, Goodyear tyres were said to suit Corvette at the start of the season, but as the Saleen showed its strength Goodyear came up with developments that tended to favour the latter chassis, much to the frustration of Corvette.