The never ending Toyota return to Le Mans (LMP1) Saga

[vyselegend]

Originally Posted by The Real DMN

Announced:

http://www.lemans.org/en/news/Toyota...ours_5425.html

Allow me to quote someone famous for this one:

Originally Posted by Homer Simpson

WOOHOO!

[AGD]

We also know that Eric Helary won't be one of the drivers as it seems that he is retiring. I'm guessing he wasn't on anyone's list of potential drivers anyway except for those feeling nostalgic.

Toyota vs. Peugeot part 2. This will be interesting. Interesting because they have some company this time. The car isn't a real looker, but I guess we'll have to wait to see the whole thing before we judge. The BHF looks a bit R18esque, but I guess we better get used to that.

[DistortedSmile]

This just made my day, to be honest if the car looks half as good as the GT-One I'll still be happy.
What do you guys think they'll call it? TS030?

[DistortedSmile]

BTW here's the rendering:

[DS"]

Will they be already at Sebring or will the debut at Le Mans? And is the chassis built by Toyota themselves, or are they sticking to Lola-Chassis?

But finally, someone is there to break up the eternal duel between Audi and Peugeot.

[vyselegend]

Any idea when the further anouncements are planned? (drivers, exact program, sponsors...)

I guess we'll have to wait for the car official presentation in a few month, but I so much hope we'll get more information soon.

Every winter is a pain in the ass because we miss races and activity, but this one will be even harder.

Bring on 2012! Quick! (well, let's have Zhuhai first.)

[AGD]

Originally Posted by DS"

Will they be already at Sebring or will the debut at Le Mans? And is the chassis built by Toyota themselves, or are they sticking to Lola-Chassis?

But finally, someone is there to break up the eternal duel between Audi and Peugeot.

The chassis will be an in-house chassis. It won't be a Lola. I guess they could farm out some construction, but I don't think that will be necessary. As far as their schedule, it sounds like it will be a partial WEC schedule. Sebring to me seems doubtful, but that is just my opinion. There could be political advantages and disadvantages to competing early in the season depending on their performance (and how much they could or would want to sandbag), but I think their testing will help determine that.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by DS"

Will they be already at Sebring or will the debut at Le Mans? And is the chassis built by Toyota themselves, or are they sticking to Lola-Chassis?

The answers for your questions are in the press release: http://www.lemans.org/en/news/Toyota...ours_5425.html

Roll-out is planned for at the end of the year and an extensive test schedule will start in early 2012. They will participate in Le Mans and "some other WEC rounds"; it is unclear whether those other races will be before or after Le Mans. I guess that Sebring will be too early as race debut.

The chassis will be produced by Toyota Motorsport GmbH in Cologne, Germany and the drivetrain in Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan.

[nobster]

Great news indeed, let's hope it is a match for the diesels.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by DistortedSmile

BTW here's the rendering:

Of course the final car will look different, but that's certainly prettier than either of the other two factory LMP1s.

Will this programme extend to the new rules in 2013? I'd find it hard to believe it would be a two-year programme. It would be impossible to catch up with Peugeot and Audi in that space of time, even if they have a faster car which may well happen with the rules.

Money doesn't buy experience. Or Dr Wolfgang Ulrich

[isynge]

Originally Posted by DistortedSmile

This just made my day, to be honest if the car looks half as good as the GT-One I'll still be happy.
What do you guys think they'll call it? TS030?

Had always been under the impression that TS was a reference to Tony Southgate as a designer - despite him having a role in the Audi R8 I'm not sure this will be dragging him out of retirement.

Would be a nice tribute and bit of continuity though - and probably mildly better than Prius GTP...

[gustavobamba]

Well I´m Surprised... by the announcement to early


But extremely Happy. I aspect that Nissan come along to... soon

[isynge]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Of course the final car will look different, but that's certainly prettier than either of the other two factory LMP1s.

Will this programme extend to the new rules in 2013? I'd find it hard to believe it would be a two-year programme. It would be impossible to catch up with Peugeot and Audi in that space of time, even if they have a faster car which may well happen with the rules.

Money doesn't buy experience. Or Dr Wolfgang Ulrich

I always figure it makes sense to look at a serious sportscar programme as a three year effort - okay you might be lucky like Peugeot in the '90s or Audi in 2000 and benefit from a slightly clearer field, but assuming this is going to work for you is probably unwise.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Of course the final car will look different, but that's certainly prettier than either of the other two factory LMP1s.

It is too early to make that call.

Remember that the 908 mock-up that was presented in the Paris autoshow of 2006, looked a lot prettier than the final car: http://www.supercars.net/cars/3583.html

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Oh No LMP1 and Le Mans is dead and DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!!!!!!

[AGD]

Originally Posted by FordCosworthPanoz

Oh No LMP1 is dead and DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!!!!!!

Duh. Autocon is selling their B06/10. Clearly LMP1 is doomed. The ACO might as well let NASCAR run at Le Mans now!

More seriously, on the Nissan note, I'm not so sure if this will help pull or push them. For one thing, Nissan won't be the first serious petrol hybrid now unless they have secret plans we don't know about. That seems unlikely with the Oreca 908 rumors. Plus, the cost of competing has just gone up I would assume. They may not want the risk of getting embarrased by Toyota. It might have been one thing if there were no other serious petrol efforts, but I don't know about now. It would be nice to see. I'm also really hoping to see an all-pro ARX-03a effort next year just to emphasize the Honda vs. Toyota angle. I know the ARX-03a will be quite disadvantaged in theory to the Prius LMP1, but who knows how polished this program will be right out of the box. I'm sure there has been tons of behind the scenes testing, but we know how first years tend to go.

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Of course the final car will look different, but that's certainly prettier than either of the other two factory LMP1s.

Agreed. I'm never liked Toyota street or race cars, but this is rather pretty for today's standards.

[The Badger]

Wing endplates look differant .

[wewantourdarbyback]

I heard that Toyota had made an announcement, was expecting it to be a much longer lead in time.

Wonder if any 'spy shots' will emerge of testing it soon.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by wewantourdarbyback

Wonder if any 'spy shots' will emerge of testing it soon.

That is a bit early because the roll-out is planned for the end of the year

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

It is too early to make that call.

Remember that the 908 mock-up that was presented in the Paris autoshow of 2006, looked a lot prettier than the final car: http://www.supercars.net/cars/3583.html

I agree with gwyllion the real car will look a lot different.

BTW being the only (semi-factory) open car (HPD) will they bring the coupe sooner then 2014

[AGD]

Originally Posted by gustavobamba

BTW being the only (semi-factory) open car (HPD) will they bring the coupe sooner then 2014

Presumably only if enough teams buy it or at least show serious interest in it. Whether Honda will be interested in a full factory program or not is to be seen, but I would not get your hopes up for that yet.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by DS"

Will they be already at Sebring or will the debut at Le Mans? And is the chassis built by Toyota themselves, or are they sticking to Lola-Chassis?

But finally, someone is there to break up the eternal duel between Audi and Peugeot.

I really couldn't imagine a serious factory effort not doing either Sebring or Spa before Le Mans.

I still don't get the 2012 date. Why build a car for 2 years of competition?

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

I really couldn't imagine a serious factory effort not doing either Sebring or Spa before Le Mans.

I still don't get the 2012 date. Why build a car for 2 years of competition?

I'm sure Toyota does not want to test in public ala the AMR-One. If they feel the car is sorted enough, then maybe, but I don't know if that can or will be the case with Sebring at the very least. Plus, there is the political aspect.

The rumor is that the technical regs may not change hugely for 2014 so maybe the car can be used again. Either way, 2 years may be sufficient for what Toyota is trying to prove. Anyway, I'm sure they want to be the first hybrid winner and Peugeot and maybe Audi may take that in 2012 if Toyota did not act. Plus, the rules for them may never be so favorable again.

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

I really couldn't imagine a serious factory effort not doing either Sebring or Spa before Le Mans.

I still don't get the 2012 date. Why build a car for 2 years of competition?

My comment will be very sarcastic

The Toyota will have a real opportunity in winning in 2013 because from 2014 the rules will "favour" Porsche and in 2013 the diesel technology will not have the advantage they have now. The ACO will want to prove that Hybrid is the way to the new set of rules in 2014, and a Toyota win will help them.