[WEC] New rules. New manufacturers. The 2021 and beyond positivity thread!

[Simmi]

Okay not positive news but still...

Marshall Pruett now saying Ford's potential LMDh programme looking less likely than before.

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Okay not positive news but still...

Marshall Pruett now saying Ford's potential LMDh programme looking less likely than before.

It always has been extremely unlikely actually

[LC2guy]

Looks like it's looking "Less Likely" than "Extremely Unlikely" now, so It's bound to happen !!

[Mal]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Okay not positive news but still...

Marshall Pruett now saying Ford's potential LMDh programme looking less likely than before.

Surely - Ford Vs Ferrari 2 is a dream marketing opportunity made in heaven - unless you consider that Ford is the one that has something to lose?

[Mal]

If VAG really is considering paying for 4 brands to run LMDh one has to wonder whether it could become cost effective for them to build a bespoke LMH platform from which to run all four brands - would surely at least have more value on the privateer / collector sale market especially for brands such as Bentley / Lambo & Porsche

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by Mal

If VAG really is considering paying for 4 brands to run LMDh one has to wonder whether it could become cost effective for them to build a bespoke LMH platform from which to run all four brands - would surely at least have more value on the privateer / collector sale market especially for brands such as Bentley / Lambo & Porsche

if the car will have same platform and powertrain, at the end it's all about to find different teams running the same car with a different badge and livery...
it's not that different from oreca 07 aka as aurus 01 or alpine a470

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Okay not positive news but still...

Marshall Pruett now saying Ford's potential LMDh programme looking less likely than before.

The Ford family is fairly anti-racing from most reports and only remain in NASCAR because to leave would be like ending F150 production. Some of the comments I've seen from them make me wonder what they h they are thinking. But remember these geniuses made the "Mustang" Mach-E, possibly the ONLY car that can make the Rolls Royce SUV look acceptable.

Originally Posted by canaglia

if the car will have same platform and powertrain, at the end it's all about to find different teams running the same car with a different badge and livery...
it's not that different from oreca 07 aka as aurus 01 or alpine a470

For the brands represented it shouldn't be too hard to find the fan base. They have a real base of rich guys wanting to have their own Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini or Bentley race car. Now more than a season or partial? That's the question. Think better luck with IMSA and endurance entries. Now if they can get ELMS to accept them they may have something for sales of cars but pain for the ELMS teams and their P2s

[Mike E]

LMDh and GTD Pro decisions expected from GM soon.

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/g...-next-45-days/

[CTD]

May I suggest to take this discussion elsewhere? It does not fit the subject any longer.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by CTD

May I suggest to take this discussion elsewhere? It does not fit the subject any longer.

Here we go. I knew there was old thread lying around somewhere.

https://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138269

[S griffin]

Thanks for that. Look forward to seeing if the new rules can work

[Simmi]

Lambo going on the record about LMDh hopes. 2024 target for customer cars.

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...lmdh-scenario/

[joeb]

Originally Posted by CTD

May I suggest to take this discussion elsewhere? It does not fit the subject any longer.

Originally Posted by Mike E

Here we go. I knew there was old thread lying around somewhere.

https://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138269

Thanks for the reminder of the old LMP2 thread, the discussion has been moved there.

[FIRE]

With the promising future of LMDh, good numbers in LMP2 and low manufacturer interest in GT any chance we will see a prototype only grid in Le Mans, WEC and ELMS?

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by FIRE

With the promising future of LMDh, good numbers in LMP2 and low manufacturer interest in GT any chance we will see a prototype only grid in Le Mans, WEC and ELMS?

No. Almost 40% of the grid for Le Mans this year is GTE Am. That's a lot of rich guys wanting to race a Ferrari, Porsche, whatever at the biggest sports car race in the world. GTE will be replaced by GT3.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Mike E

No. Almost 40% of the grid for Le Mans this year is GTE Am. That's a lot of rich guys wanting to race a Ferrari, Porsche, whatever at the biggest sports car race in the world. GTE will be replaced by GT3.

But what in 4 or 5 years time when likes of Porsche and Audi have customer prototypes?

[Napolis]

Originally Posted by FIRE

But what in 4 or 5 years time when likes of Porsche and Audi have customer prototypes?

The LMH/LMDh rules expire in 2025. At that point I believe the top class will be Spec Hydrogen Prototypes.
We have sold a customer LMH to a collector who will have us manage his entry and then convert it to the ultimate track day car.
Unlike GTE/GT3/LMP2 I don't see a lot of "seat buying" happening. Those who want to drive the top class will need to make a large $ and time commitment and have serious talent.

[S griffin]

I wonder what will happen after 2025? Hydrogen sounds interesting, but will they actually do that or will they open up to other green energy too?

Nice you have sold an LMH James, business is going well for you. Let's just see how the Hypercar rules work first. Of course money will always be a factor for top seats, but the big teams will be able to afford the best talent as they always have

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by FIRE

But what in 4 or 5 years time when likes of Porsche and Audi have customer prototypes?

The cost to run still has to be WELL north of what a GT3, or the next GT class nomenclature, car would cost.

[S griffin]

They need to do something, the series needs to keep going. Can't lose it now

[wolfhound]

The FIA have announced a new all electric GT class that will have similarities to GT3.
Cars are to have a power output of 430kW and a battery capacity of 87kWh. weighing between 1490 and 1530 kg. Cars can be based on existing GT3 cars or use an electric GT car. Fast charging is to be a part of the category along with battery development and options in the power train.


https://www.autosport.com/general/ne...egory/6380625/

[WyldStallion]

I think GTE Pro final year will be 2022, GTE am might make it to 2023. After that either GT3 comes in to provide field filler or WEC becomes 100% prototype grids.

GT3 in WEC would be field filler I think and why would you want to run that being passed by tons of protos every lap when you have SRO, DTM, and N'ring where you can win overall. And those are high profile series and races now.

[Mike E]

Audi are planning to supply their LMDh to anyone who wants to run it.

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...customer-side/

[Mike E]

McLaren might do LMDh, but might not. OK...

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...h-evaluations/

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by Mike E

McLaren might do LMDh, but might not. OK...

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...h-evaluations/

I think the few manufacturers interested are waiting to see LMH performances before to greenlight a lmdh program.
Speaking about mclaren, is quite ironic how a carbon and electronics/ERS top world specialist like mclaren should rely on other firms, undoubtedly not good as them, to get their lmdh chassis + ECU/ERS