[ELMS] ELMS Discussion

[LC2guy]

And yet, across 5 Zak Brown cars across this weekend, only the Ligier finished, both Orecas & both McLarens failing to reach the Flag....

[Deleted]

Large part of the under the hood components and electronics in these cars are now fully spec as well, so the same stock parts might just as well have failed on Onroak or Dallara as in Oreca

[S griffin]

Exactly, there are plenty of spec parts in the series, it’s what keeps things close

[GT6]

Well i enjoyed the elms race on saturday as i always do, pity the gt class was so small but the large numbers of lmp2 and 3 cars more than made up for it

[tux]

Although no one really cares what im about to say because you will say "Care enough to comment though" i feel its still important to voice my opinion to show my displeasure. For me, ive stopped watching ELMS and the WEC, i have no interest in spec series, it was the variety of looks, sounds and constructors that drew me into sportscar racing and now i feel that has gone. For sure, are there more competitive cars? Yes, is it better with closer racing? Yes. However, it doesnt engage me anymore. Im sorry.

[Willmaz223]

Originally Posted by tux

Although no one really cares what im about to say because you will say "Care enough to comment though" i feel its still important to voice my opinion to show my displeasure. For me, ive stopped watching ELMS and the WEC, i have no interest in spec series, it was the variety of looks, sounds and constructors that drew me into sportscar racing and now i feel that has gone. For sure, are there more competitive cars? Yes, is it better with closer racing? Yes. However, it doesnt engage me anymore. Im sorry.

I'm with you on that. I get bored after watching for 20 mins on tele.Only the volume of cars makes it a bit interesting .I'll leave it at that for now.

[Badlands99]

Originally Posted by tux

Although no one really cares what im about to say because you will say "Care enough to comment though" i feel its still important to voice my opinion to show my displeasure. For me, ive stopped watching ELMS and the WEC, i have no interest in spec series, it was the variety of looks, sounds and constructors that drew me into sportscar racing and now i feel that has gone. For sure, are there more competitive cars? Yes, is it better with closer racing? Yes. However, it doesnt engage me anymore. Im sorry.

Have to agree with you. Too much spec equipment, whilst keeping the racing close, spoils the whole show. If I want to see and hear spec cars I will watch the BTCC - I have always watched Endurance racing for the variety of chassis/engine combinations and the different manufacturers takes on the rules. ELMS just doesn't do it for me - yes, lots of cars and some good racing at times but they all look the same! Even difficult to tell LMP2 from LMP3 sometimes.

I applaud Stefan Ratel and SRO for at least staying away from mandating too much spec stuff - great to hear all of the different engine notes, watching recognisable body shapes and still having some great racing with no one manufacturer winning every time. Blancpain has it's faults with SC/FCY stuff and mandatory pit stop times but the whole show is just more spectacular at the moment as you are never sure who is going to win.

[Mike E]

My BoP brings all the fans to the yard.

[Deleted]

SRO option is just as bad

Anyway we have confirmation of no-show from Carlin Dallara at Spa, which will mean there will be just two chassis in each class next time round. So that brings it to just 6 unique chassis / 5 constructors / 4 engines in a field of roughly 40. We are looking at new record low here, there's about as much going here as at that 6-8 car ASLMS grid 5 years ago

[Deleted]

I wouldn't be shocked if this was exactly what mr Spec Cartel wanted to happen

"The best thing on the economical aspect is probably to repeat the LMP2 regulations, because most of the teams have their cars and spare parts but are not going to expand. They want to reduce their budgets. If you look at the IndyCar system, they have had the same cars for ten years. So this is one option, to change nothing because it allows the team to spend less money. We also have the option to have a new [set of] regulations but I don’t think it’s good for the economic situation of the teams – not car manufacturers. If we have to send new cars, it’s perfect for us, but I don’t think it will be for the teams.”

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/abadie-hypercar-launch-one-year-too-early/

[Mike E]

The only change is that Paul Ricard and Barcelona switch places. Presumably that means the Spanish race will take place at a more normal time. No need to run into dusk in April.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/0...-calendar.html

[Akrapovic]

Not a terrible schedule, but I'd rather not have Barcelona or Paul Ricard.

[Anyopenroad]

Silverstone being listed as 4-5 Sep (Fri-Sat) is a pretty huge indication that 2020-21 WEC will start at Silverstone that same weekend.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Mike E

The only change is that Paul Ricard and Barcelona switch places. Presumably that means the Spanish race will take place at a more normal time. No need to run into dusk in April.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/0...-calendar.html

But the night race aspect was the only really interesting thing about that race, now it will turn into another boring regular event on a circuit that's doesn't have much personality anyway. The only thing of interest at all next year in this sea of spec and standardization will be the new "upgraded" LMP3s... and I don't have high hopes of the likes of ADESS turning up anyway.

I guess retaining Portimao is somewhat of a surprise considering Neveu said some negative things about it last year. It's a good circuit but that too should be a night race like in '09 and '10

[gert]

Look like the weather is going to be really nice this weekend, especially on Sunday.
That's alright, I'm going to Spa this weekend

[Deleted]

Weekend structures 2020

		ELMS	LMC	LIGIER	(WEC)
Barcelona	X	X	X
Monza		X	X	X
Le Mans			X		X
HTTT		X	X	X
Silverstone	X			X
Spa		X	X	X
Portimao	X	X	X

[Juntos]

Why is not Ligier running inside LMC? Like we didn't have enough useless one-make series around.

[Deleted]

Money and exposure. Technically it'll be two classes anyway.

Paul Ricard should be a night race now, per DSC, which makes sense

[Deleted]

Exciting qualifying results from Spa are in

01 Oreca
02 Oreca
03 Oreca
04 Oreca
05 Oreca
06 Oreca
07 Oreca
08 Oreca
09 Oreca
10 Oreca
11 Oreca
12 Onroak-Ligier
13 Oreca
14 Onroak-Ligier
15 Onroak Ligier
-----
16 Oreca (no time)
17 Oreca (no time)

[Willmaz223]

Currently watching Le Mans Cup

Listening to comms from Donington GT Cup

Looking at Live timing for Monza Historic

All 3 have safety car at the moment. Think I'll make myself a cuppa I think.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Willmaz223

Currently watching Le Mans Cup

Listening to comms from Donington GT Cup

Looking at Live timing for Monza Historic

All 3 have safety car at the moment. Think I'll make myself a cuppa I think.

Sportscar racing overload! A calming cuppa seems like a good plan.

[PhilClayton61]

Originally Posted by tux

Although no one really cares what im about to say because you will say "Care enough to comment though" i feel its still important to voice my opinion to show my displeasure. For me, ive stopped watching ELMS and the WEC, i have no interest in spec series, it was the variety of looks, sounds and constructors that drew me into sportscar racing and now i feel that has gone. For sure, are there more competitive cars? Yes, is it better with closer racing? Yes. However, it doesnt engage me anymore. Im sorry.

So you're saying the more competitive cars and the close racing don't do anything for you and what you'd like are radically different cars with huge winning margins? Ver confusing...

Whilst I, sort of, agree that with a "spec series" the cars can be a bit anonymous, I've certainly found that the 4 hour format of an ELMS race throws up enough variablity into the equation to hold my interest. Add in the accessibility of the teams/drivers when you attend the race in person, this helps make it an attractive spectator package, for me and my partner at least.
I should add that I've been attending all sorts of motor races for over 40 years (the last 10 with my partner Sandra) so we're no neophytes blinded by flashy bling.
As usual it comes down to personal preference, the world would be a dull place if we all liked the same things wouldn't it?

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by PhilClayton61

So you're saying the more competitive cars and the close racing don't do anything for you and what you'd like are radically different cars with huge winning margins? Ver confusing...

Whilst I, sort of, agree that with a "spec series" the cars can be a bit anonymous, I've certainly found that the 4 hour format of an ELMS race throws up enough variablity into the equation to hold my interest. Add in the accessibility of the teams/drivers when you attend the race in person, this helps make it an attractive spectator package, for me and my partner at least.
I should add that I've been attending all sorts of motor races for over 40 years (the last 10 with my partner Sandra) so we're no neophytes blinded by flashy bling.
As usual it comes down to personal preference, the world would be a dull place if we all liked the same things wouldn't it?

I don't think it's confusing. If it was all about just close racing then every series should become a 1 make series and be done with it.

For what it's worth, I don't think LMP2 is any close than it was in 2016. 2018 was domination. 2019 is slightly better, but not much.

ELMS is great, but LMP2 peaked in 2016. The new cars haven't done much other than line ORECAs pockets.

[Deleted]

Top3 in MLMC disqualified for technical infractions and Graff had the nerve to say that effectively they should have been fined instead because "it's not the drivers fault"... oh golden stuff

Originally Posted by PhilClayton61

So you're saying the more competitive cars and the close racing don't do anything for you and what you'd like are radically different cars with huge winning margins? Ver confusing...

???

This is exactly what I want, I don't want NASCAR or GT3 or whatever. The best constructors should be the best constructors, with wide array of possibilities in their hands. I mean of course I want competitive cars and close racing if it comes naturally, but not via over-speccing it, or even worse balance of performance...

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Top3 in MLMC disqualified for technical infractions and Graff had the nerve to say that effectively they should have been fined instead because "it's not the drivers fault"... oh golden stuff

The 3 teams were disqualified for not using the correct length of screws to secure the crash box. How does that happen? and what does it matter on the length of the screws as long as the part is secure?