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1 Jul 2011, 04:01 (Ref:2909040) | #126 | |||
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1 Jul 2011, 05:11 (Ref:2909047) | #127 | |||
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Later in the interview he was asked a similar question about whether they would switch to Hybrid. The answer was that the decision would be performance led and not marketing led and they would only switch when they were sure such a car would be faster and reliable. This answer somewhat contradicts the first as if the decisions are made purely for performance reasons and not marketing ones why haven't they switched to petrol if they consider it faster? |
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1 Jul 2011, 05:15 (Ref:2909048) | #128 | |
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That's the problem with the diesel advantage. There isn't a very big advantage when you consider they're running against privateer teams and a weak effort from Aston Martin. Toyota, Nissan now for sure- Porsche comes to LeMans, you can bet they'll be up to speed, if not faster than Audi and Peugeot.
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1 Jul 2011, 05:21 (Ref:2909049) | #129 | |
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Regarding the lack of drivers.....Two words......Danny Watts
I think Timo and Romain are going back to Porsche, which is why they are still Porsche factory drivers who have been loaned to Audi... I also think Lucas Luhr will return as a Porsche Factory Driver......(Much too young and talented to be without a drive). But Danny whats is a shoe in for a drive in a factory LMP1 proto in the near future.... Possibly the return of the indycar guys,(Castroneves,Briscoe, and maybe Power). for the third car at Lemans. I think that Porsche will run three cars but two will be factory Porsche efforts while the third one will be run by Penske and his indycar drivers. |
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1 Jul 2011, 05:22 (Ref:2909050) | #130 | |
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As far as we know their is no "diesel" advantage. there is a "manufacuterer vs Privateer advantage" however thats worth about 12 seconds at Lemans.
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1 Jul 2011, 05:38 (Ref:2909055) | #131 | |||
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Watts would be a good hire I think. Even Jonny Kane is pretty good. The two Oreca Frenchman are quite good too. I would also consider Joey Hand if he is available, but that's just me. It'll be interesting to see if any good IRL and F1 drivers will consider sports cars now that the WEC will have a driver's title. Ok, F1 will still be the top destination for sure, but maybe a good driver stuck in a middling or low end F1 seat will reconsider? Of course, I believe that the winning six drivers from the last two years do not have any F1 race seat time between them. To that extent, who needs F1? I think Audi (and Porsche obviously) may have found the winning formula by picking top GT drivers who know how to dice things up with other cars instead of old F1 rejects. |
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1 Jul 2011, 07:50 (Ref:2909102) | #132 | ||
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Hmm, could Porsche start a partnership with Pescarolo!?
They are the most capable free LM team right now. |
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1 Jul 2011, 08:09 (Ref:2909114) | #133 | ||
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With Porsche in and all the rumors about Toyota, Nissan, McLaren, and Viper coming to Le Mans in one form or another, it's starting to feel a bit like 1998 all over again. One has to wonder if BMW and Mercedes are still thinking that DTM is the magic elixir for the future. |
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1 Jul 2011, 08:12 (Ref:2909115) | #134 | ||
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The driver issue is going to be very interesting to follow.
Assuming that all current contracts will remain valid in 2014, my take is that Bernhard,Dumas, Long and Lieb will definitely be involved in the program. (Remember that Lieb is playing a larger and larger role as race-car engineer at Porsche so he will have a sizable role in the development work) Leitz - I suspect may also get a ride. The issue will be the management of the driver portfolio. Porsche will still have to provide support to the GTE teams, so I suspect Bergmeister (due to size),Henzler, Pilet and Holzer will continue to hold down the fort for the GTE program. Holzer may get a crack at the prototype as he is showing himself to be quick and is still very young. Luhr - maybe brought back into the fold, but his little "episode" at Audi may play against him. Porsche will need to bring in at least two other LMP drivers and possibly two other drivers to support GTE. I would think that Rene Rast would get offered a contract along with Norbert Siedler.That would take care of GTE. Bleekmolen and Graf will certainly be possibilities for the LMP1 program. Sponsorship - Christophorus (official Porsche magazine) had a large article about Dr. Helmut Marko and Porsche in one of their recent issues. Also Red Bull is giving up their NASCAR sponsorship program. Coincidence? |
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1 Jul 2011, 08:32 (Ref:2909123) | #135 | |||
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A couple of things.......Let us enjoy our day. I think it is a great day for sports car racing in general, having Porsche returning to Le Mans and LMP1. By the way, it's been a long time since I was a boy, so I will take that as a compliment (I think??) You're probably right, I should move over to the other thread to poke any jibes your way. |
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1 Jul 2011, 08:41 (Ref:2909127) | #136 | |
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Well if (and a big if) Red Bull does indeed go with Porsche, maybe see a return for Webber?
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1 Jul 2011, 08:46 (Ref:2909131) | #137 | |||
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As for Graf, the guy is pretty much seen as a "never-has-been" in Germany. Yes, he's had some good showings in ALMS lately, but with the current fields over there that isn't worth as much as it would have been five years ago and he isn't getting any younger. |
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1 Jul 2011, 08:51 (Ref:2909134) | #138 |
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What news could possibly be better than this for sportscar racing fans?
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1 Jul 2011, 09:01 (Ref:2909137) | #139 | |||
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I am not "married" to either driver. It will all depend on the "profile" of the driver that Porsche deem to be necessary to complement the team at that stage. |
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1 Jul 2011, 09:10 (Ref:2909138) | #140 | |
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Any ideas on the looks. Put it this way.
It Could: 1. bear a striking resemblance to the Porsche RS Spyder 2.Take little bits and pieces from the RS Spyder 3.A Radical Departure from the RS Spyder... Considering the car is probably going to have the large front tires like everyone else. That gives alot of room on the front fender to incorporate a Porsche style headlight. |
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1 Jul 2011, 09:14 (Ref:2909142) | #141 | ||
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I haven't a clue what it will look like, but I suspect it will look as weird as all the other LMP1's running around with that massive shark fin down its back.
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1 Jul 2011, 09:26 (Ref:2909150) | #142 | |
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I have an idea of what it will sound like. It depends on whether they use a turbo or not.
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1 Jul 2011, 09:29 (Ref:2909155) | #143 | |
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BMS Scuderia Italia Spa can also be a force,in 1997 their 911 GT1 finished 4th in class at LM24,last year rank 3rd at LM24 and won Spa24 overall with a GT3 RSR,this year they intend to race the RSR again with Romian Grosjean.That an experienced historic team without any project yet.Also,their excellent results can attract lots of drivers from other races.
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1 Jul 2011, 09:33 (Ref:2909158) | #144 | |
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Anyone care to have with one of these engineers and see if you can get something out of them.......
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1 Jul 2011, 09:38 (Ref:2909160) | #145 | ||
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1 Jul 2011, 09:45 (Ref:2909165) | #146 | |
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Someone mentioned it earlier but i think that it is a double positive for VAG to have Porsche and Audi in LMP1. Do you know how many more people are tning into Lemans now that they've heard Porsche are back. You can imagine the aura in Japan if toyotat comes back. Bringing attention to the sport is what matters. Having Porsche in the sport brigs soo much attention. Including the attention of One Mr. Roger Penske.
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1 Jul 2011, 09:49 (Ref:2909167) | #147 | |
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I don't know about Penske. If Penske were involved, it would probably be in the ALMS. I'm sure Porsche would be willing to have him run a car if he can find some money for a program, but who knows if that will happen. I guess it could end up like Audi's efforts to put a car in the ALMS this year, although maybe Porsche US (or whatever) would be more willing to chip in a couple of bucks. Of course, we are talking about 2.5 years from now, a lot of things can change in regard to who the fast drivers are, who potential team managers are, the rules, and so forth.
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1 Jul 2011, 09:53 (Ref:2909169) | #148 | ||
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However this is run or by which teams, this is great for sports racing to have Porsche back in the top category. A very, very positive bit of news and probably a sign that the sports governance of sports car racing is getting stable enough for Porsche to come back in.
Very good and very positive news - now if only Ferrari would have a crack as well - how good would that be? |
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1 Jul 2011, 09:55 (Ref:2909171) | #149 | |
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Do you think DHL(german mail carrier/package serrvice) will sponsor. I don;t know what it is about that paint scheme that has me mesmerized.
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1 Jul 2011, 09:58 (Ref:2909173) | #150 | ||
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Nishy tweeted this a couple of hours ago:
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All the talk is of 'competition' which is good to hear. |
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