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

[PhilipR]

Since they will only be testing from next week - is there a point to going racing this year?

Maybe use the year to test, sort out the car mechanically and race from 2024? Just thinking they might rush the homologation if they race this year

[S griffin]

Obviously they've left it late, but you have to admire their determination. Anyway there's no substitute for racing, although they need to make sure their car is ready or there's no point. We'll see if they can do it

[seanyb505]

Hopefully they can get at least two races later in the season. One thing that was said of Ferrari during Sebring was that they're a test team, Toyota was a race team. IF obviously has to get the car shaken down, but they would do well to practice racing too.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Hopefully they can get at least two races later in the season. One thing that was said of Ferrari during Sebring was that they're a test team, Toyota was a race team. IF obviously has to get the car shaken down, but they would do well to practice racing too.

Even Penske ran a P2 car before they got the Acura program going

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Even Penske ran a P2 car before they got the Acura program going

Vector Sport is running a P2 before taking on the Isotta

[Sodemo]

Does anyone know the actual build weights of any of the LMH or LMDh cars? Do they have the capacity to say lose 10, 20kg of weight if the BOP decided that was needed?

[kvenom]

Toyota say they're at the minimum weight with the 2023 spec GR010

[veeten]

I believe the minimum weight is 1030Kg, which when compared to previous years the LMP1 was at 900Kg. Reasons as to why they were so much faster with power units from the early 2000s.

[joeb]

DSC posted an article with some post-Sebring thoughts.

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/...r-sebring.html

Much of this was already discussed on places here, but i posted in this thread because despite the issues encountered by most of the hypercar field i think there is still a general feel that this combined lmdh/Hyp field will work.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by joeb

DSC posted an article with some post-Sebring thoughts.

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/...r-sebring.html

Much of this was already discussed on places here, but i posted in this thread because despite the issues encountered by most of the hypercar field i think there is still a general feel that this combined lmdh/Hyp field will work.

Hahaha! Tell me your caution period process is rubbish without telling me your caution period process is rubbish.

"Those repeated caution periods translated into a 12 hour race that ran to more than three fewer laps per hour than the 8 hour event on Friday."

I keep telling myself I am done with commenting on this stuff but they keep pulling me back in!

[joeb]

The IF sounds good in the latest bench test:

https://youtu.be/vjyHSIy0NxE

[veeten]

Okay folks, keep an eye out for Isotta Faschini, as they will be on their shakedown runs at Vallelunga the next few days. Our usual spies will be in the weeds looking to get some good vids.

[S griffin]

Still early days for them, but good they are bringing the cars out. It will be interesting to see how they do the test

[Mike E]

Another video from IF, this time on the 4wd test bench

https://youtu.be/AAmoET-eYM0

[Sodemo]

Do they have any experienced hands working on the car?

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Do they have any experienced hands working on the car?

I don't know who is running the operation but they certainly have experienced sub-contractors and suppliers.

'This engine was conceived in collaboration between the Germans of HWA and Michelotto Engineering, but the intellectual property belongs to Isotta Franchini.
In this version the maximum power was limited to 700 HP, while the front electric motor develops a power of 270 HP. The total weight of the car is 1000 kg.
On the aerodynamic topic the car was developed in the Williams’ wind tunnel in Great Britain. Chassis and bodywork are totally designed by Isotta Fraschini and
produced by ARS Technologies, a leading Italian company in composite materials sector.
Other key components are relized by important project-partners like Brembo (brakes), PWR (cooling system), Multimatic (suspension), XTrac (gearbox),
Williams (battery system), Pankl (transmission) and Bosch (electronics).'

[KlBD]

Originally Posted by Mike E

I don't know who is running the operation but they certainly have experienced sub-contractors and suppliers.

Seems possible that Vector Sport will have some personnel handling the running during testing, given they will be the eventual operators for the race program.

[veeten]

Originally Posted by Mike E

I don't know who is running the operation but they certainly have experienced sub-contractors and suppliers.

'This engine was conceived in collaboration between the Germans of HWA and Michelotto Engineering, but the intellectual property belongs to Isotta Franchini.
In this version the maximum power was limited to 700 HP, while the front electric motor develops a power of 270 HP. The total weight of the car is 1000 kg.
On the aerodynamic topic the car was developed in the Williams’ wind tunnel in Great Britain. Chassis and bodywork are totally designed by Isotta Fraschini and
produced by ARS Technologies, a leading Italian company in composite materials sector.
Other key components are relized by important project-partners like Brembo (brakes), PWR (cooling system), Multimatic (suspension), XTrac (gearbox),
Williams (battery system), Pankl (transmission) and Bosch (electronics).'

Ladies and gentlemen, even with the different manufacturers involved what we have here is the example of an LMDh in build. While Isotta Faschini is the central point, all the others are involved in making the key components that IF assembles.
This is a perfect example of what we have seen, and should expect, from a number of new entrants. This is the cost effective way for manufacturers to entertain getting involved.

[broadrun96]

It's not like Audi was not doing the same thing with their program as well

[veeten]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

It's not like Audi was not doing the same thing with their program as well

The end was that Audi had decided to end and bin their program as they were in talks with Sauber to enter Formula 1. Once that was agreed to, the prototype program was shut down, completely. Even the tub they built was put on a shelf and forgotten about.

[Hawkwood]

I think he meant Audi's previous program, where Dallara built the car (amongst others like IF I assume?)

[broadrun96]

Yeah, Audi spec'd parts to many partners. Why reinvent the wheel when others know exactly what they're doing and can provide you the parts you need.

Hell my truck power train is Italian engine, German transmission, US ECU, German pump (that's what broke), French/German injectors and Mexican chassis rails. Rarely is EVERYTHING built in house even for F1, hire the guys who do it best on your design.

[S griffin]

I think this IF project is not an overambitious one. They seem to have a decent team of people behind it and if they have got the prototype out and running, then there's no reason why it can't race

[hondafan37]

Last year the FIA allowed a some new Hypercar to race 1 or 2 races before homologating the car without scoring points. I remember that a Porsche 963 was going to race the 8 Hours of Bahrain, although it did not happen afterwards.
Could this rule apply to Isotta Fraschini in Fuji and in Bahrain?

[broadrun96]

At the rate they're going the WEC may want to have another entry to replace at least one who's left. And bring some interest in the otherwise yawner to close the season, doubt IF would try for Fuji but Bahrain wouldn't be absurd to try for.