LMP2 Manufacturers and Engine Suppliers

[Rodger Davies]

I'd move the Lotus to the bottom list and the Wolf to the 'maybe'. Is the Alpine actually homologated as a different car?

[Koenigsegg]

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

I'd move the Lotus to the bottom list and the Wolf to the 'maybe'. Is the Alpine actually homologated as a different car?

Yeah, thought about moving the Lotus to the bottom list. But I was thinking if the Lotus P1 doesn't materialize and Kolles is putting most of his effort in F1, then maybe the Lotus LMP team switch back to P2 with 1 or 2 cars.

I've put the Wolf in the top group since Atlantic Racing Team and Liam Talbot Racing will be using the Wolf CN car in AsLMS. With both press releases talking about driving/racing/testing the Wolf LMP2 car later in the year.

I thought the Alpine has a different homologation due to renaming the car/chassis. No other cars were ever renamed, only engines. So I'm not 100% sure about it.

[tux]

Will there be an LMP2 market in a few years time though? I dont see how allowing all pro line ups will increase car count when money is tight in the WEC anyway.

[Rodger Davies]

The thinking is that there are more works drivers in P1 than in F1 at the moment, so they're trying to turn P2 into a GP2 formula, for young drivers with budgets but a future outside F1.

It's a gamble, for sure, but I'm guessing they've checked with the current teams. Of those current teams, SMP are all pros, Leventis has frequently raced in Pro categories before, KCMG are basically all pros and G-Drive had to recruit Julien Canal because they needed a silver driver, not because of the budget (as I understand it). Look at the two semi-works Ligier teams at Le Mans; both all-pro. Delta originally planned an all-pro lineup with Johansson as the 'silver' too.

If they keep the 4 P1 manufacturers for next year then I'd say it's a risk they can afford, although it might make LM a little less enticing for some of the ELMS teams.

[TheMightyM]

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

It's a gamble, for sure, but I'm guessing they've checked with the current teams. Of those current teams, SMP are all pros, Leventis has frequently raced in Pro categories before, KCMG are basically all pros and G-Drive had to recruit Julien Canal because they needed a silver driver, not because of the budget (as I understand it). Look at the two semi-works Ligier teams at Le Mans; both all-pro. Delta originally planned an all-pro lineup with Johansson as the 'silver' too.

If they keep the 4 P1 manufacturers for next year then I'd say it's a risk they can afford, although it might make LM a little less enticing for some of the ELMS teams.

With any sort of change like this, there are always going to be tradeoffs — so hopefully, two or three steps forward and only one step back. The move will change the business model for (some) P2 teams though, as essentially they would be chasing different pots of money — younger (think gold-rated) professional drivers with backing, and possibly some manufacturer money.

This move also makes it much more likely that FIA/ACO and TUSC will agree to a common framework for P2s from 2017 on as the commercial concept of the car in WEC and TUSC would now be much more similar.

[Deleted]

Finally. This drop of the driver categorizations in P2 is probably the best WEC related decision ACO has done during it's three year lifespan. See, you can do good when you try

[Koenigsegg]

Increasing the price cap of the whole P2 package won't do any good for ELMS and AsLMS. Teams in those series rely heavily on drivers with money. A more expensive car means the teams need more money from the drivers. Combine that with the little chance ELMS and AsLMS teams will get to win Le Mans in P2 due to the FIA WEC (possibly) allowing all pro line-ups in P2, will likely result in an deflux of ELMS and AsLMS.

[Rodger Davies]

Whilst I've no doubt it will look a huge figure to me, I suspect in relation to race costs and factored in over a season or two or three it won't be colossal.

[TzeiTzei]

How much will the price cap rise? What's the reason behind the change? Could it be just inflation related? The chassis manufacturers have to be able to make some money.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by TzeiTzei

How much will the price cap rise? What's the reason behind the change? Could it be just inflation related? The chassis manufacturers have to be able to make some money.

Coupes cost more money than open tops. And coupes are clearly the way ACO is pushing things forward

[TzeiTzei]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Coupes cost more money than open tops. And coupes are clearly the way ACO is pushing things forward

Oh yeah, wasn't thinking about the coupes.

[TF110]

In the E-I interview, Pascal Vasselon was posed a question about lmp2 engines, looks like 2017 for that.

[Maelochs]

One reason for raining cost cap is that a lot of P2s were sort of "cheated" past the cap because a lot of development was done on many chassis before the cap was instituted---same with engines.

Companies developing clean-sheet cars might be finding it very hard to do within the old cap.

[Japanese Samurai]

https://twitter.com/ZytekMotorsport/...10502232772608

Next exciting next generation Zytek LMP Coupe Chassis is unveiled #Z16S

It has Strakka Dome S103's handle grip!.

[gwyllion]

The rear https://twitter.com/ZytekMotorsport/...13504435888128

Narrow wing so definitely LMP2.

[Japanese Samurai]

Why does it have a sun roof?

[gwyllion]

According to http://sportscar365.com/industry/zyt...oupe-for-2016/ the car fits the LMP2 cost cap regulations, but the tub is LMP1 compliant.

[Maelochs]

"According to http://sportscar365.com/industry/zyt...oupe-for-2016/ the car fits the LMP2 cost cap regulations, but the tub is LMP1 compliant."

... and there you have the perfect 2017 p1/P2 formula.

[TzeiTzei]

Great news!

[MagVanisher]

Isn't that new Zytek LMP2/P1 car a little bit roomy for a prototype? The tip of the half-canopy windshield is closer to the front wheels.

[Maelochs]

Wirth's new HPD ARX-04b has the same sort of extended forward canopy---it could be the latest development in aero management, or just the best way to manage the new cockpit dimensions aero-efficiently.

[lms]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

https://twitter.com/ZytekMotorsport/...10502232772608

Next exciting next generation Zytek LMP Coupe Chassis is unveiled #Z16S

but... but... it doesnt look like a dayton prutotip ((( convergence talks were underway. why no dayton prutotip look in 2016? ((( or deltawung?

[Pandemonium]

Lol good one xD hahahah.

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by lms

but... but... it doesnt look like a dayton prutotip ((( convergence talks were underway. why no dayton prutotip look in 2016? ((( or deltawung?

C'mon, look at the bright side... At least it's road and consumer-legal appearance-wise when you put Ford Mustang bodywork on it.

[lms]

mustard bodywork on ford prutotip. so kool. viva dayton.