Question fror Mulsanne Mike

[JAG]

With the 2004 restrictor size increasing by 10% what do you expect the top LMPs to be producing power wise considering the R8 in 2002 produced 659BHP+.

Will the new LMP regs slow the cars on the tighter circuits more than at LM? With the lower downforce levels at LM and the increased power in 2004 what do you expect the fastest lap times to be.

Finally will the GTS cars also recieve a 10% power increase in 2004?

[MulsanneMike]

JAG,

2004 power should be around the same as 2002. The ACO stated that '04 chassis rules were to reduce downforce by 25% and increase drag 10%. I'll go out on a limb and assume that designers can improve upon this reduction with the initial breed of cars, so one could guess that the downforce will be reduced while the drag should be pretty close to '02/'03 levels by the time the cars hit the track.

Don't have any answers for GTS, haven't a clue!

[pirenzo]

You just one of those LMP supporters who just find GTS and GT just too slow and irrelevant too? (despite the fact that the racing amongst GT's is often better)

[JAG]

Originally posted by pirenzo
You just one of those LMP supporters who just find GTS and GT just too slow and irrelevant too? (despite the fact that the racing amongst GT's is often better)

Personally I'm not bothered about the racing. I'm interested in the cars. Thats why I'm also interested in the WRC/DTM but not BTCC. If I wanted to see good racing I'd watch Formula Ford or Touring Cars.

I love GTs and ask about the GTS cars power as the 2003 power cut was across the board in order to keep parity. Therefore I would asume GTS/GT power will increase 10% in line with the new LMPS. FIA GT has kept 2002 restrictors as they are racing alone.

[pitviper]

amen good sir.

pit

[Garrett]

Jag, I thought the ACO said that they reduced the power by 10% for 2003, but will give it back for 2004, when the new regulations take place!

[JAG]

The new LMPs will get it back, but I don't know about GTS/GT.

I would assume GTS/GT will get it back as they recieved a power cut, not for safety reasons, but to keep parity between them and the less powerul LMPs.

[SALEEN S7R]

From what I can gather though the GTS machines will recive the same restrictors that they had in 2002. From what Ive read and heard it will be all back to the way it was in 2002. It didnt just state for LMP so I think we can assume that it means all 5 classess.

As for GTS being faster than LMP2/LMP675 well it looks like they already are if the Le Mans test day times are anything to go by. Let alone when they get changed to 750kg in 2004. As the ACO has said, LMP675 is meant as a "entry level" to LMP racing. Its going to be nice having GTS as the 2nd class (as I say LMP GTP and LMP 900 are more or less the same, apart from the obvious differnces).

[danhx]

We've yet to see what the ACO actually decides to do with the LMP675 class. They could be plopped into LM1 so that could be sort of a three-in-one class with LMP 900, LMP GTP and LMP 675 all being shoe-horned into the same category. As for LM2, I think it would be neat for them to be about the same speed as GTS so that we could have a dogfight between the two different breeds of cars. Would make for some interesting racing with the two classes different strengths.