[ELMS] ELMS 2015 Discussion

[Koenigsegg]

I think a Spa 12 Hour race as the 'halo event' could work depending on when they want to do it. Shouldn't be too close to the 24H of Le Mans race. Maybe like at the end of March, start the season with a 12 Hour race at Spa. Could attract some WEC P2 and GTE teams as well that want to prepare for the WEC season and the WEC Spa 6H race.

And GT3 teams could also come if they want to prepare for the Spa 24H race.

[Speed-King]

Weather at Spa in March could be a big issue, though... it's basically in the same climate as the Nürburgring and early VLN rounds get cancelled because of snow every other year.

[Koenigsegg]

Yeah, that's why I mentioned late March. Spring just started then. Although the weather could still be an issue.

[KA]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Have any other LMP3s been confirmed for the ELMS? Come to think of it, have any other LMP3s been built or ordered, besides Ginetta-Junos?

Think the Bolton University/RLR project has been announced as well with another Ginetta-Juno?

[Koenigsegg]

I felt like speculating on P2 entries for 2015. So take this with a pinch of salt.

(Very) Likely in My Opinion/Confirmed
1x Eurasia (Oreca 03 - Nissan)
1x Graff Racing (Ligier JS P2 - ???)
1x Jota Sport (Updated Zytek - New Engine partner???)
1x Murphy Prototypes (Oreca 03R - Nissan)
1x Pegasus Racing (Morgan LMP2 - Nissan) <-- 1st entry
1x Race Performance (Oreca 03 - Judd)
1x Thiriet by TDS Racing (Ligier JS P2 - Nissan)

Maybe
1 - 2x Greaves Motorsport (Updated Zytek - Nissan) <-- Any news from them?
1x NewBlood by Morand Racing (Morgan LMP2 - Judd) <-- If FIA WEC falls through
1x Pegasus Racing (Morgan LMP2 - Nissan) <-- 2nd entry
1x Praga Racing (Praga LMP2 - Judd) <-- Or whatever they call the car nowadays
1x RSR Racing (Oreca 03R - Nissan) <-- If FIA WEC falls through
1x Sebastien Loeb Racing (Oreca 03R - Nissan) <-- Always seems like they're short on money
1 - 2x Signatech Alpine (New Chassis and Engine possible) <-- If FIA WEC falls through

No idea what they're up to but worth a mention
1x Marc VDS (??? - ???) <-- Exploring P2 options
1x RML Racing (Tiga LMP214 - Judd) <-- Seems less advanced than Pilbeam
1x Zoo Racing (Pilbeam MP100 - ???) <-- If they ever finish the car


Not sure about some chassis and engine options due to new cars being launched for next year.

[Simmi]

Not sure where Alpine will be next year but they need a new silver to compete - Alessandro Latif could be the guy.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/...orland-aragon/

If they ran a second car that could bring Pierre Ragues back into the fold too maybe.

[bella]

the aco have issued some regulation changes with the introduction of lmp3. have attached the press release.

assuming the first change to driver ratings within crews are for lmp3 not for everything, because that'd be a ballsy change. but i don't really think it's fair to allow a platinum rated driver into lmp3, doesn't it defeat the object somewhat?

otherwise of note: minimum pitstop times for lmp3, changes of driving times for all categories, and the confirmation of five automatic le mans 2016 entries.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by bella

the aco have issued some regulation changes with the introduction of lmp3. have attached the press release.

assuming the first change to driver ratings within crews are for lmp3 not for everything, because that'd be a ballsy change. but i don't really think it's fair to allow a platinum rated driver into lmp3, doesn't it defeat the object somewhat?

otherwise of note: minimum pitstop times for lmp3, changes of driving times for all categories, and the confirmation of five automatic le mans 2016 entries.

Lots of information there, including confirmation of a spec tyre for GTE and GTC. This is consistent with the earlier suggestion of a spec tyre for GTE-Am in the WEC.

[bella]

it's not quite 2015, but i have to agree with dsc's 2014 lmp2 top 10. with the exception of chatin not being in the top 5 because you cannot understate how good a job he did. glad to see the mesmeric first stint battle between panciatici and tincknell at imola got a mention too, that was epic. speaking of, it's good to see panciatici actually getting some recognition, he's still not as quick as he could be imo. not completely convinced about the hero worship of gommendy, but i suspect people are not convinced of my hero worship of chatin in the same way

controversial opinion, but i think derani is better than berthon. same pace, but with so much less experience of big cars...

anyway, have a read and see what you think:
http://www.dailysportscar.com/2014/1...r-top-ten.html

[Beryl]

Chatin was quick for a silver driver all season, but he wasn't quick in absolute terms until Ricard. He wasn't on the pace of the gold+ pros for the first 3 races.

Also, I'm unsure if Ticknell and Albuquerque were really that quick or if that Jota Zytek was that well hooked up. For two guys new to the category, they looked imperious. I guess we will find out in the future.

[JoestForEver]

Well to be fair(with all respect, though), Jota can be the dominant force in ELMS if Simon can focus on team management instead of racing.
I know Simon has been practicing like a pro driver and I do admire him, but they need a faster silver driver. They lose time in the 2nd and 3rd hour all the time this year.
Is it because Dolan still recovering from the Silverstone accident? Hope he is OK.

[Hawkwood]

I'm glad Kapadia and Littlejohn got 'Honourable Mentions' for their Silverstone performances.
I hope they both appear regularly next year.

[gert]

Originally Posted by Koenigsegg

I felt like speculating on P2 entries for 2015. So take this with a pinch of salt.

(Very) Likely in My Opinion/Confirmed
...
1x Thiriet by TDS Racing (Ligier JS P2 - Nissan)
...

Endurance-Info states that TDS has put the Ligier up for sale or sold it already.

[FstrthnU]

http://sportscar365.com/gt/dodge-vip...-elms-in-2015/
Interesting that the Viper GTS-Rs could wind up here next year

[isynge]

Originally Posted by gert

Endurance-Info states that TDS has put the Ligier up for sale or sold it already.

Intriguing. You can see them being deeply disappointed by how 2014 panned out for them, and in retrospect had they stuck with the Morgan I suspect they'd have been profoundly in contention for the title.

Reading between the lines of the EI report it seems ambiguous however as to whether this is an expression of frustration with the Ligier package (most interesting, as my understanding was that at least at Le Mans TDS essentially had an Oak Racing client racing package akin to the sort of thing AF Corse offer) or a step back from LMP2 overall.

Looking to 2015 it's a hard call to make regarding chassis - the Oreca, Zytek, and Morgan packages are all proven and fast, what we've seen so far of the new gen coupes is that when they run they're quick, but neither the Ligier nor the Dome look anything like easy packages, and we've yet to see what the HPD or Oreca packages offer. I suspect there are a few out there looking at 2015 and strongly considering sticking with the known quantity that the open cars offer.

[Simmi]

A bit of insight into why the drive time changes were made for next year.

Designed to attract single seater converts with more drive time in a race.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116871

[airbusA346]

Ibanez Racing to enter the European Le Mans Series next season with a two-car effort in LMP2, using the former ADR-Delta Oreca 03R-Nissan's.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/...entry-in-2015/

[Coach Ep]

Great addition!

And great to see idle sitting chassis' being picked up and returned to the race tracks, there's still life in those older open cars!

[Deleted]

Well, they said they wanted coupes right away but couldn't get 'em, so will run one year with the open top Orecas.

Since it's two car effort ACO will highly likely award one LM entry for such commitment, while second request is put at the bottom of reserves or just ignored completely. The entry request traffic is gonna be immense next year...

[Coach Ep]

Have you opened a LM24H 2015 possible entries thread yet Chiana?

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Have you opened a LM24H 2015 possible entries thread yet Chiana?

I've certainly discussed of LMP1 entry prospects on OK, So What Do We Talk About Between This Year's Le Mans and Next Year's.....? , but no not really specific thread. I'm sure it'll get created soon enough...

[Simmi]

Hopefully Ibanez will be in a position to put some quick drivers in at least one of the cars. If some of the new-gen cars hit problems this package is known to be reliable.

[Deleted]

For ELMS, there shouldn't be too many coupes for next year though... maybe Oreca 05 or two and those Oak "Ligiers", but HPD+Dome+SMP are for other champs. Well I guess HPD is a possibility if there's enough new chassis lying around but there's usually not great Acura/HPD interest to solely European market. Also the new EVO for Oak-Pescas should lengthen the open top lifespan, just as it did for Oreca

[KA]

Greaves Motorsport expanding to run an LMP3- another Ginetta-Juno...

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/...-ginetta-juno/

[Pontlieue]

In addition to the new LMP3 car, Greaves keep their two Zyteks in ELMS next year.

http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/gre...son-prochaine/

Maybe time for an entry list estimate for LMP2:

Confirmed:
2x Greaves / Zytek
2x Ibanez / Oreca 03R
1-2x Pegasus / Morgan
1x Graff / Ligier
Continuation assumed:
1x Murphy / Oreca
1x Jota / Zytek
1x Race Performance / Oreca
Possible entries:
1x Thiriet / TBA
1x RSR / Oreca 03?
1x Morand / Morgan or Ligier
1x Alpine / Oreca
1x SLR / Oreca
1x Krohn / Ligier
1x Eurasia / Oreca
Possible, but unlikely:
1x Pilbeam
1x Tiga
1x Praga

Total: 9-17 entries, likely around 12-15.