[LM24] Le Mans 2016 Entry List (and Driver Updates)

[Samoan Attorney]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Hmmm, one of our members may have a comment on that.......

"You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment"

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

That's an excellent idea! I'd get rid of GTE-Am to accommodate it. Then you have a class specifically designed for the amatuers who want to lift a trophy.

Yes!

LM P1
LM P2
LM P3
LM GTE

All free to enter whomever/whatever you want except P3 which strictly for "lower" drivers (and cars/teams ).

With predetermined grid caps for P3 and GTE. Unlimited for LMP1 and "at ACO discretion" for LMP2

[Mike E]

Larbre have confirmed Belloc for the race.

http://www.larbre-competition.com/

[PascaLM]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Larbre have confirmed Belloc for the race.

http://www.larbre-competition.com/

Belloc has attended eleven 24 Hours, OK, but I checked that Catsburg's contribution during the test day has been acknowledged too. It was a minimum.

[lemansfanatic]

Originally Posted by Chiana

They could add in LMP3 for Le Mans only (mini class of 5-10 entries or whatever) and force them to run exclusively silver/bronze only, just like in the Road to Le Mans race. That is the focus of LMP3 in the first place, entry way to LMP and this level of racing but not quite as retarded way as LMPC in the States. Then that way they could get rid of the stupid artificial restriction of LMP2 for Le Mans and WEC and let everybody run whomever drivers in the world they wanted, like it used to be prior 2011. The rich business owners could head to bidding for LMP3 seats if they couldn't handle racing with pros in LMP2.

And no it wouldn't mirror the LMGTE PRO/AM or LMP1 Hybrid/Privateer artificial class trophy separation - which as many of you know I despise - as unlike with those the LMP2 and LMP3 are completely different classes in regs, tech and philosophy. Though the new 2017 P2 spec regs ain't helping in that!!. Also you couldn't run anybody but silver/bronze in this imaginary LMP3 class so that too, it'd be strictly amateur.

Also Dome, Norma, ADESS and Ginetta could race at the 24 Hours (if qualified)

LMGT AM does not have artificial class separation,the rules state that in GT AM the cars have to be a year old and use the tyres from the previous year so in effect the cars/tyres in GT AM in 2016 are the same spec as the GT Pro cars from 2015.
If you got rid of GT AM you would loose a lot of Top pros and factory drivers from Le Mans some of the highlights this year are: Matt Griffin (Ferrari Factory driver), Johnny O Connell (GM Factory driver), Rob bell (McLaren Factory driver), Towsend Bell (Indy 500 driver), Wolf Henzler (Porsche Factory driver), Manu Collard (Ex Porsche, Corvette, Peugeot factory driver) , Adam Carroll, Pat Long (Porsche factory driver), Pedro Lamy (Aston Factory driver).

Also the appeal of GT AM for bronze drivers is that they get the opportunity to race and learn from top pro team mates.
If you loose GT Am from Le Mans you would kill LMGTE from ELMS.
GTE AM keeps wealthy bronze drivers in the sport which keeps teams going and this Pro's employed. Replacing it with LMP3 would only compound the problem of money not skill filling seats at Le Mans.
GTE AM usually (not always) works like this, Bronze AM paying the budget, Silver (up and coming driver) getting the opportunity to drive for free and gain experience and a top Pro being paid.

Also LMP3 in my opinion is not a good formula, all you have to do is look the ELMS race from Imola and you will see the LMP3 drivers going off all over the place causing safety car/FCY.

[Aysedasi]

The LMP3 race at Silverstone was excellent, IMO......

[GT6]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

The LMP3 race at Silverstone was excellent, IMO......

Yes it was

[nobster]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Larbre have confirmed Belloc for the race.

http://www.larbre-competition.com/

Belloc is French just as Larbre is.
Shame cause Catsburg was the fastest man out there in gtam

[PascaLM]

Originally Posted by nobster

Belloc is French just as Larbre is.
Shame cause Catsburg was the fastest man out there in gtam

I know he is fast but you say this because Catsburg is Dutch just as nobster is.

[Duff_44]

This may be a long shot, but is there a list of chassis numbers posted somewhere?

I have the bulk of WEC competitors plus some limited others (Shank, Team AAI's C7.R) gleaned from various sources, but I'm missing most of the non-WEC contingent.

I did a search and didn't find it, so forgive me if it's already been posted. Thanks.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by lemansfanatic

LMGT AM does not have artificial class separation,the rules state that in GT AM the cars have to be a year old and use the tyres from the previous year so in effect the cars/tyres in GT AM in 2016 are the same spec as the GT Pro cars from 2015.
If you got rid of GT AM you would loose a lot of Top pros and factory drivers from Le Mans some of the highlights this year are: Matt Griffin (Ferrari Factory driver), Johnny O Connell (GM Factory driver), Rob bell (McLaren Factory driver), Towsend Bell (Indy 500 driver), Wolf Henzler (Porsche Factory driver), Manu Collard (Ex Porsche, Corvette, Peugeot factory driver) , Adam Carroll, Pat Long (Porsche factory driver), Pedro Lamy (Aston Factory driver).

Also the appeal of GT AM for bronze drivers is that they get the opportunity to race and learn from top pro team mates.
If you loose GT Am from Le Mans you would kill LMGTE from ELMS.
GTE AM keeps wealthy bronze drivers in the sport which keeps teams going and this Pro's employed. Replacing it with LMP3 would only compound the problem of money not skill filling seats at Le Mans.
GTE AM usually (not always) works like this, Bronze AM paying the budget, Silver (up and coming driver) getting the opportunity to drive for free and gain experience and a top Pro being paid.

Also LMP3 in my opinion is not a good formula, all you have to do is look the ELMS race from Imola and you will see the LMP3 drivers going off all over the place causing safety car/FCY.

This year is exception with the separate rulebook in midst of regulation changeover, next year all the models will be clones of freezed factory cars again (more or less). Yeah of course there will be minor differences, and separate BoP and waiver crap, but essentially it's just the same class artificially separated.

Anyway, the same old argument applies here, all those amateur drivers were able to contest in GT1 and GT2 along with factories and all-pro crews just fine. Because they weren't treated like kids and given automatic trophies. They can still be there if they can take the challenge.

[Mike E]

Here is my updated entry list. I have taken the information overload a step further by marking previous class winners (any class) in italics. I may have missed a couple...

The numbers:
180 drivers
82 Platinum (45.5%)
34 Gold (18.9%)
39 Silver (21.7%)
25 Bronze (13.9%)

36 LM rookies (20%)

Most starts (driver) - Emmanuel Collard - 21
Most starts (crew) - #2 Porsche Team - 32
Fewest starts (crew) - #60 Formula Racing - 0
Total race starts (drivers) - 719

Average race starts (LMP1 drivers) - 5.8
Median race starts (LMP1 drivers) - 5
Average race starts (LMP2 drivers incl G56) - 3.1
Median race starts (LMP2 drivers incl G56) - 2
Average race starts (GTE Pro drivers) - 4.6
Median race starts (GTE Pro drivers) - 3.5
Average race starts (GTE Am drivers) - 3.6
Median race starts (GTE Am drivers) - 2

Previous overall winners - 8
Previous class winners (excl overall) - 34

Most drivers (country) - Great Britain - 38

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resi...nt=file%2cxlsx

[Adam43]

Thanks.

I've not really thought about it, but hadn't twigged the proportion of platinum was so high.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Thanks.

I've not really thought about it, but hadn't twigged the proportion of platinum was so high.

Me neither! Two thirds of the field is Platinum or Gold.

[antonylight]

Hi Mike E
Thanks for your great summary as usual
I think Memo Rojas may be a Rookie?
His father who had the same name raced I think in 1974 but not sure the current Memo has ever raced at LM
May well be wrong

[Paige]

Very nice. I love interesting stats like that.

BTW, John Pew is now a Bronze (turned 60 in April).

[Mike E]

Thanks for the extra info. I'll make those changes.

[nobster]

Originally Posted by PascaLM

I know he is fast but you say this because Catsburg is Dutch just as nobster is.

No I said it because Catsburg never had a real chance against Belloc as Belloc has driven for the team before. Despite being the quicker driver...