GTE speed limiter

[gucom]

If I remember correctly, the ACO press release regarding the end of GT1, and the transition from GT2 to GT Endurance, said that power figures would be allowed to rise, with top speeds capped in other ways.

I've seen several people on ten-tenths mention a speed limiter being the method of choice to cap top speeds. I didn't read about this in any ACO release, but maybe I missed it. Is the speed limiter confirmed by the ACO?

If so, first of all the idea of a speed limiter on a racecar seems kinda ridiculous.

Secondly, how are they gonna implement it? If they set the speed limiter at, say, 290kph, it'll only be effective at Le Mans since the cars don't reach similar speeds elsewhere. If they set the limiter at 260kph, that'd create huge speed differences at Le Mans. If they vary the speed limiter for each circuit, what would they base it on?

To me it seems like a very bad and contrived idea... or can someone show me the logic in all of this?

[gwyllion]

This is why in agreement with the GT manufacturers the ACO has decided to create a GT Endurance category with a single set of regulations valid between 2011 and 2013. These regulations are based on the current GT2 cars complying with the 2009 ACO rules with the following modifications:

• Steering wheel mounted paddle gearshifts allowed.
• Only 1 evolution per year allowed.
• 2 evolutions per year will be allowed for new cars.
• Measures will be taken to reduce top speeds without reducing overall power.

source: http://www.lemans.org/en/news/2011-L...TIONS_628.html

[gucom]

so nothing specific about the methods to lower top speeds then... and no rise in power levels

[arakis]

my guess would be, thy would use AERO, probably bigger less eficient spoilers

[courageous]

Limit speed without affecting overall power - must mean aero or weight. But as with any BOP, it will throw up different results at different tracks.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by courageous

Limit speed without affecting overall power - must mean aero or weight.

You are missing the part which says that the GTE rules will stay the same as the current GT2 rules. So no changes in aero or weight.

The ACO will limit the top speed electronically.

[arakis]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

You are missing the part which says that the GTE rules will stay the same as the current GT2 rules. So no changes in aero or weight.

The ACO will limit the top speed electronically.

or mechanicly, simply make a minimum final drive ratio compared to the perspective redline of the car. so that all the cars reach the redline at the same max speed in the final gear.

It would be nice to watch how different drivers try not to exceed the redline with pedal control.

[gwyllion]

The cars already have a pit limiter, so all the electronics is in place to limit the top speed as well.

[HORNDAWG]

Gears are cheaper than electronics and do not have glitches.




L.P.

[broadrun96]

Making the impact balanced across LM and the LMS/ALMS tracks just doesn't sound like an ACO thing to do. I have to agree an electronic limiter seems to be the way to go with the pit limiter already installed but how hard would it be to add a top-end limit to the package thats stays on full time and is easy to track? A mechanical limiter through gearing may be slightly easier to police, esp out on track, but could it give the P2s a diesel type launch off the corners? With a lower top-end gear would they make teams run only 4 speeds or would some teams opt for a possibly better get away nd maybe less strain on the newly developed engines?
I'm relying on some feedback from the more technical and knowledgeable members of our group to fill in some specifics or tell me why my guesses wouldn't work.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Making the impact balanced across LM and the LMS/ALMS tracks just doesn't sound like an ACO thing to do. I have to agree an electronic limiter seems to be the way to go with the pit limiter already installed but how hard would it be to add a top-end limit to the package thats stays on full time and is easy to track? A mechanical limiter through gearing may be slightly easier to police, esp out on track, but could it give the P2s a diesel type launch off the corners? With a lower top-end gear would they make teams run only 4 speeds or would some teams opt for a possibly better get away nd maybe less strain on the newly developed engines?
I'm relying on some feedback from the more technical and knowledgeable members of our group to fill in some specifics or tell me why my guesses wouldn't work.

This rule is to apply to GTE.



L.P.

[gucom]

When I first read the ACO release on GTE, I figured they'd add a gurney flap to the rear wing like they did to the LMP's at some point (although there it was added to the bodywork)...

would that also constitute an aero change, as in, would teams have to adapt to such a change or would the optimum package without gurney still be the optimum package with gurney?

one more thing regarding the speed limiter, would that encourage teams to use tires that expand / become taller at high speeds, so that the axles may still be limited in speed, but the actual speed is higher due to a taller tire than when the car is standing still?

oh, and am I the only one who hates the idea of speed limiters on top level racing cars?

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by gucom

When I first read the ACO release on GTE, I figured they'd add a gurney flap to the rear wing like they did to the LMP's at some point (although there it was added to the bodywork)...

would that also constitute an aero change, as in, would teams have to adapt to such a change or would the optimum package without gurney still be the optimum package with gurney?

By adding gurney it would/could cause all mfgs/teams to re-adjust the aero on their cars which could become quite costly. By simply putting in a top speed limiter, either electronic or mechanical (gearing), no one has to adjust aero or do any engine re-mapping. Gears are something that is commonly serviced or changed between rounds.



L.P.

[arakis]

gurneys are allready mandetory on all gt2 cars

[JAG]

2011 P2 and GTE will have similar power levels.

The ACO don't want GTE cars passing P2's on the straights but this is only really an issue at Le Mans so there's no need to make wholesale changes to the GTE regulations.

GT2 cars orignally had 430bhp-450bhp but many of the cars coming into the class these days have 500bhp+ in road going form. It's not particulary great marketing for a manufactuer if their race car has 100bhp less than the road car so a limiter of some sort ticks all the boxes.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by JAG

GT2 cars orignally had 430bhp-450bhp but many of the cars coming into the class these days have 500bhp+ in road going form. It's not particulary great marketing for a manufactuer if their race car has 100bhp less than the road car so a limiter of some sort ticks all the boxes.

Many road cars have a speed limiter as well. In standard trim the BMW M3 for instance is limited to 250 km/h.

[courageous]

So no point having a powerful top grunt car if you want to run GT - just make sure you have good aero + weight balance.
Interesting that at the same time, one of our discussion topics is 'do muscle cars belong in GT'

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by courageous

So no point having a powerful top grunt car if you want to run GT - just make sure you have good aero + weight balance.
Interesting that at the same time, one of our discussion topics is 'do muscle cars belong in GT'

Huh? It would effect nothing but the top end of the cars speed. How it gets there is not being changed, you can still rev at 50,000 rpm through the gears until you reach the limit.




L.P.

[broadrun96]

Could be easier to sell a privateer a car that revs lower and is less strained and could last longer between rebuilds. Isn't the GTE program more targeted at smaller teams with probably limited budgets?

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Could be easier to sell a privateer a car that revs lower and is less strained and could last longer between rebuilds. Isn't the GTE program more targeted at smaller teams with probably limited budgets?

GTE= Pro class and Am class, the latter being with cars at least 1 year old.
And GTE will be ACO GT, not to be confused with GTC.

http://www.lemans.org/en/news/2011-L...TIONS_628.html




L.P.