[LM24] Pescarolo Sport future plans...?!?!

[Dario911]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

1. If Porsche was in P1, Audi would not be, rumoured to join McLaren in F1.
2. Pescarolo is more competitive? I'm not sure what that means, but you can't possibly be suggesting that Pescarolo is a better team. You surely underestimate Penske, if you think they wouldn't demolish Pescarolo in the same car, in any track or event anywhere.
3. As do Porsche and Penske
4. As has Penske
5. Old rules cars experience is irrelevant. How many times has Pescarolo beaten Audi? He couldn't even when they had a better car. But Penske managed to do it with a P2 car. 2011 will basically be P2 cars, how much experience does Pescarolo have running those vs. Penske? How much recent experience has Pescarolo running a Porsche with the 3.4V8?

In european races, Pescarolo is more competitive than Penske Racing. Henri's team knows very well opponents, tracks and needed strategies... A big point for Henri.
Pescarolo is the only team capable to compete against Audi and Peugeot. His budget is 1/10 if compared to Audi and Peugeot ones, but Pescarolo Sport is a very competitive and professional team, capable to build a very good car. They've matched works Aston Martin with an old and not full developed V10 Judd engine.
Treluyer has driven both Pescarolo 01 and Peugeot 908 HDI. He's said Pescarolo's chassis is more sporting than Peugeot 908 one, and the only difference is the engine. Benoit suggested Pescarolo, with a really competitive engine, might be at the same level of Audi and Peugeot.
That's not my opinion...
Audi is not interested to Formula 1, because their technical interest for this cathegory is very low. They are interested to race in P1 or, if they would be forced to leave this cathegory, join to GT class, with their new R8 GT3. World title is an interesting prospective for Audi, to support their GT manufacturer image.
Penske was rumored to be interested to join with Audi in ALMS, in P1 class.
But nothing about this has never been declared officially. Anyway, Penske is focusing its interest in other cathegories, such as Indy.
Porsche may choose Pescarolo as its parnter in a P1 program because of his habit to face against great opponents, such as Audi, Peugeot, Aston Martin...
Pescarolo is very well introduced in this contest, so he could understand how to manage as better as possible a competitive team.
Pescarolo 01 is a formidable car, as fast as works Aston Martin (if not faster, I would say...).
RS Spyder has beaten Audi R10, in ALMS, but it has been helped by different rules and tracks nature. Don't forget this.
Pescarolo is in P1 class since long time, so if you have to launch a new P1 car, you have to submit the car to a well experienced and able manager.
The same Audi has done with Joest.
So, Pescarolo may be the right choice for Porsche.
Penske is far from Europe since long, long time. This may be a real trouble for them in LMS and Le Mans.
Few people know Le Mans as well as mr. Henri.

[Mal]

Its a silly argument.

Pescarolo clearly is an extremely competant and enthusiastic operator who has managed to bat above his station for for years and has taken on the big guns with some success. He clearly would be an asset to any manufacturer looking to do Le Mans and with the right budget he is probably capable of running a team (especially at Le Mans) as effective as anyone including Penske

Penske is a team owner who generally does things for money - ie he would not do it without big backing from a manufacturer or big money sponsor - however as an operator of a race team he his right up with Joest in his effectiveness and if someone was to back him to go to Le Mans or Europe you would expect that quality to shine through.

Who does the better job would really depend on so many factors and could vary from event to event

[Tom908V12]

According to http://www.italiaracing.net/ Sébastien Loeb could run Le Mans race instead of a mexican driver who would run the LMS(Europe)in the 4th 908(of team boss Pescarolo of course)

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Dario911

In european races, Pescarolo is more competitive than Penske Racing. Henri's team knows very well opponents, tracks and needed strategies... A big point for Henri.
Pescarolo is the only team capable to compete against Audi and Peugeot. His budget is 1/10 if compared to Audi and Peugeot ones, but Pescarolo Sport is a very competitive and professional team, capable to build a very good car. They've matched works Aston Martin with an old and not full developed V10 Judd engine.
Treluyer has driven both Pescarolo 01 and Peugeot 908 HDI. He's said Pescarolo's chassis is more sporting than Peugeot 908 one, and the only difference is the engine. Benoit suggested Pescarolo, with a really competitive engine, might be at the same level of Audi and Peugeot.
That's not my opinion...
Audi is not interested to Formula 1, because their technical interest for this cathegory is very low. They are interested to race in P1 or, if they would be forced to leave this cathegory, join to GT class, with their new R8 GT3. World title is an interesting prospective for Audi, to support their GT manufacturer image.
Penske was rumored to be interested to join with Audi in ALMS, in P1 class.
But nothing about this has never been declared officially. Anyway, Penske is focusing its interest in other cathegories, such as Indy.
Porsche may choose Pescarolo as its parnter in a P1 program because of his habit to face against great opponents, such as Audi, Peugeot, Aston Martin...
Pescarolo is very well introduced in this contest, so he could understand how to manage as better as possible a competitive team.
Pescarolo 01 is a formidable car, as fast as works Aston Martin (if not faster, I would say...).
RS Spyder has beaten Audi R10, in ALMS, but it has been helped by different rules and tracks nature. Don't forget this.
Pescarolo is in P1 class since long time, so if you have to launch a new P1 car, you have to submit the car to a well experienced and able manager.
The same Audi has done with Joest.
So, Pescarolo may be the right choice for Porsche.
Penske is far from Europe since long, long time. This may be a real trouble for them in LMS and Le Mans.
Few people know Le Mans as well as mr. Henri.

You are right in many of your points. But you must remember that the 2011 cars wont be LMP1's like today, but more like the LMP2's of today (ei. Porsche Spyder, Acura ARX-01b). The Pescarolo 01, has been made into a LMP2, but isn't really fast enough.
But i think we are forgetting a point in this discussion.
Penske has yet to build a LMP chassis, which Pescarolo has.
If Porsche are choosing to work together with a privateer to manufacture a car, then no doubt that it will be Pescarolo, who builds the Chassis. But if Porsche choose to manufacture the hole car them self (as some manufactures often choose) then i see Penske as the more likely choice for running ALMS and Le Mans, as they have the most recent experience with Porsche LMP's. But Pescarolo could very well be offered the car for LMS.
But all in all. The Porsche LMP1 rumor is something that has existed since they made the had the LMP projekt back in 99-00
http://www.mulsannescorner.com/porschelmp1.html
So i don't think well see Porsche back for some time.. Besides, the most recent rumors i heard from the VW group/Porsche front is that Audi is scrapping the R15 after 2010, and developing a new 2011 racer, to fight against the new Peugeot and AMR.

[Mal]

Besides, the most recent rumors i heard from the VW group/Porsche front is that Audi is scrapping the R15 after 2010, and developing a new 2011 racer, to fight against the new Peugeot and AMR.

VAG could of course choose either or both brands to run the new car - maybe with different fuels

[Dead-Eye]

Originally Posted by CTD

Besides, the most recent rumors i heard from the VW group/Porsche front is that Audi is scrapping the R15 after 2010, and developing a new 2011 racer, to fight against the new Peugeot and AMR.

How is that a rumour? The R15 won't be legal after 2010, of course they'll need a new car.

[Tim the Grey]

They could even run a Bugatti....

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Dead-Eye

How is that a rumour? The R15 won't be legal after 2010, of course they'll need a new car.

Modification could be made!?

[Mike_Wooshy]

The whole Idea that Porsche would choose Henri is a total rubbish one (sorry guys), IF Porsche wanted to make a come back to Le mans on a full time scale you can bet your bottom dollar that Weissach would go on there own, they have their own people who know Le mans better than Henri, and all the facilities and partners to create there own LMP, they wouldnt need to invest in Henri. I mean IF Porsche wanted to sell there engines to privateers to put in there own LMP chassies It would have been done by now. Now Im not saying Henri couldnt be part of a/the team, but it would all be done in Weissach, not throught Sora/Pesca. The best Henri could hope for is getting a Manufacture's car and running it as a privateer, akin to Porka 956/962's the 80's/90's, but still with the factory running there own team. (much Like Le-Mans this year with the 908)

[Dani Filth]

didn't Henri sell Pescarolo Sport to Sora ??.. including the workshop etc? .. if so.. Henri would have to start a whole new team with new facilities .. which ain't easy

[The Badger]

Well , if Sora cant afford to run it , maybe Henri could buy it back for a song !!!

[Tom908V12]

I found more interesting things on http://www.automovilismovirtual.com/ forum(a southern american site dedicated to motorsport in general)

The project of running the 4th 908 with Henri Pescarolo as manager(and Sébastien Loeb among mexican drivers for Le Mans !!!)would be born thanks the Mexico city itself(tourism) and Peugeot Mexico...looks very very serious !!!

And you can see a photoshop of the livery that could wear that 908...very exotic for us Europeans...

I'm all for the project, and I hope Olivier Quesnel chose them

[The Badger]

Rock on man ..... sounds great to me . Im just a bit disapointed that Fernandez isnt in the squad .

Henri ends up being paid by Pug from the looks of it .

[Dario911]

Porsche P1 program may be stopped due to Porsche economical situation. So, they may find interesting to be involved in a supply with a competitive P1 team. Who's better than Pescarolo Sport?
Hartmut Kristen declared on the italian Autosprint, Porsche would be interested to have a joint venture with a team, not to compete as Porsche work team.
The same Audi has done with Joest Racing.

[Mike_Wooshy]

Not really the same thou, Audi Designed and Engineered (Although the basic chassis is/was built by Dallara it was all designed in Ingolstat) the car then got Joest just to run the team(with help from Audi engineers), Just like in DTM the cars are Designed in Inglostat and ran by Joest and helped along by Audi Engineers. All 3rd party stuff, Out sourcing, minimizing people on the books, easier to pull out if things go south, its done alot these days in buisness. Pescarolo is now looking at Peugeot to run there 908 and stuff, And as has been said Sora might not/cant find a budget to run the Pescarolo Prototypes next year so the whole theory of Porsche going to Pescarolo is nothing more than Pie in the Sky thinking, As I said IF Porsche are going to make a return bet your bottoms dollar it will be designed in house at Wiessach, Without the help of Pescarolo sport. Running the car Im sure Porsche would come to some agreement with people they have used more recently to push there factory efforts (Penske or Joest, especially IF Audi decide to pull out and focus on Indy/Mclaren as some rumours have circulated, Infact I Bet IF that were to happen Joest would be Running the Porsche outfit with how close its got to VAG recently).

[Dario911]

Originally Posted by Mike_Wooshy

Not really the same thou, Audi Designed and Engineered (Although the basic chassis is/was built by Dallara it was all designed in Ingolstat) the car then got Joest just to run the team(with help from Audi engineers), Just like in DTM the cars are Designed in Inglostat and ran by Joest and helped along by Audi Engineers. All 3rd party stuff, Out sourcing, minimizing people on the books, easier to pull out if things go south, its done alot these days in buisness. Pescarolo is now looking at Peugeot to run there 908 and stuff, And as has been said Sora might not/cant find a budget to run the Pescarolo Prototypes next year so the whole theory of Porsche going to Pescarolo is nothing more than Pie in the Sky thinking, As I said IF Porsche are going to make a return bet your bottoms dollar it will be designed in house at Wiessach, Without the help of Pescarolo sport. Running the car Im sure Porsche would come to some agreement with people they have used more recently to push there factory efforts (Penske or Joest, especially IF Audi decide to pull out and focus on Indy/Mclaren as some rumours have circulated, Infact I Bet IF that were to happen Joest would be Running the Porsche outfit with how close its got to VAG recently).

It is obvious the difference between Pescarolo and Joest. Joest is just a team, while Pescarolo is a manufacturer.
But if we consider Porsche may decide to supply only engine, Pescarolo may be the right choice with its chassis, I've explained why in the prievious post. Porsche may be forced to re-think its involvement in a future P1 program. However they may try to find a partner for a less expensive program. Pescarolo may be the answer.

[Mike_Wooshy]

No Pescarolo isnt a manufacture, He was, but he sold his manufacturing to Sora Composites. Who are struggling to fund the team right now. Infact Pesnke doesnt he now own the Saturn brand brought from GM? that technically makes him more of a manufacture than Pescarolo. Yes I understand that Porsche may not come back 100% (chassis and engine there own team etc etc) But with Pescarolo/Sora in a financial struggle now, I dont see how you have made the link between Porsche and Pesca can be made when Henri himself is looking at Peugoet and Sora cant afford to race next year.

[FIRE]

At the end Penske didn't buy Saturn.

[Dead-Eye]

Originally Posted by CTD

Modification could be made!?

Not really. There have been numerous statements by Audi people about needing a new car for 2011.

[chernaudi]

Audi could incorporated ideas from the R15 into their post 2010 car, but we don't even know what Audi intends to do with the R15(Audi has stated a desire to return to the ALMS next year, or a mixture of ALMS/LMS races, but that's all dependant on the ACO's yet to be published 2010 rules-which is why IMSA has gone their own way with their rules, which are fully yet to be published as well-thanks again, ACO!). And with Audi having reportedly no significant presence at Essen this weekend, we can only speculate what'll happen with them for next year, let alone 2011.

As for Pescarolo, his team has no budget to speak of-even the Playstation/Gran Turismo sponsorship is barely adequate to fund the team(Henri's sponorship comes from Sony France, which doesn't really pony up the cash). Unless he comes into some major coin, I place Pescarolo in the same category as Audi-TBA.

[Fogelhund]

It is not impossible that the R15 is done already.....

[Tom908V12]

Now that the mexican project about the 4th 908 is definitely over...what next for Pescarolo ???

His own name + Noël del Bello(associated)for this 908 or a partnership with Charouz Racing for the same car ???

[isynge]

Are we certain that Sora is all over? Marketing has never been Henri's strong suit, but there's a competitive package in terms of the car, a guaranteed LM slot, and the personalities who, with the right management, could be a real asset. Sora have the cars, the squad's there, and one assumes the likes of Bouillon are likely to show up. Given all that is the €4m target really that unrealistic?

[Tom908V12]

Jean-Christophe Boullion had an interview yesterday on RMC radio, he said he was discussing with Pesca but also with other teams for 2010...so doesn't sound very good to my ears

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Tom908V12

Jean-Christophe Boullion had an interview yesterday on RMC radio, he said he was discussing with Pesca but also with other teams for 2010...so doesn't sound very good to my ears

Everybody says that.
And if Pescarolo doesn't have 100% sure plans for 2010, nobody can blame him for getting a back-up drive.