First hybrid engine at Le Mans?

[Nordic]

In my issue of todaytomorrow, (toyota's mag they send out if you own, have ever owned or looked in a showroom window regardless if you want it) there is clear referance the a Le mans effort in 2010 featuring a hybrid powered car.

As the text says,

A diesel engined racer has already won the famous Le mans 24hour race so why not a hybrid. There's no better way to convince people that these things are durable and great to drive. Toyota is working on a hybrid racer that could hit the track as early as 2010.

While not as important a tome as DSC or even Autosport, these mags are normally generated by in house PR so there must be something in the air I think.

The Mag makes no mention whatsoever of the F1 program. nothing newsworthy to report there than!

[AU N EGL]

"hit the track by 2010" does not mean racing.

ACO mentioned that any hybrbrid designs must be submitted to them by Road America time THIS YEAR 2008 for consideration in 2010.

as of early May this year NO manufacture has submitted ANY HYBRID designes.

But who knows time will tell and anything can happen. and also as we know the ACO does not like last minute things or ideas, They want to chew on it for a year or so...

[gwyllion]

Next September ACO will release rules about hybrid drive train:

La première est l’autorisation des technologies hybrides, avec des systèmes homologuées par la FIA, et dont la première priorité sera la sécurité. Une équivalence sera établie en conséquence.

source: http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=5797

In English:

First is the authorization of hybrid technologies, with systems homologated by the FIA, and whose first priority will be safety. An equivalence will be established consequently.

ACO will have a though job with the balance of the allowed engines: diesel, LMP1 petrol, GT1 petrol and hybrid.

And from 2010 onwards they need to equalizing LMP1 and LMP1 Evo

[deggis]

Obviously good idea to use FIA with this, as FIA has already done the research and ACO is not such a big organization. I just wish this has nothing to do with FIA's "KERS" regs for F1.