Graduating from LMP2 to LMP1

BSchneiderFan · 11 Aug 2005, 13:21 (Ref:1379842)

I had a thought, and I wanted the opinions of the technically minded amongst you. Now, I seem to recall that at least two teams, Miracle Motorsports and Kruse Motorsport, have committed to moving up to LMP1 for 2006. Both currently run Courage C65s, both with Judd engines. My question is this: will they necessarily buy new cars for the graduation to the top class, or could they fit bigger engines and ballast to their existing cars? Which could be the more cost-effective and competitive option?

tblincoe · 11 Aug 2005, 13:40 (Ref:1379857)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

I had a thought, and I wanted the opinions of the technically minded amongst you. Now, I seem to recall that at least two teams, Miracle Motorsports and Kruse Motorsport, have committed to moving up to LMP1 for 2006. Both currently run Courage C65s, both with Judd engines. My question is this: will they necessarily buy new cars for the graduation to the top class, or could they fit bigger engines and ballast to their existing cars? Which could be the more cost-effective and competitive option?

I'm pretty sure that no iteration of the C65 can run as an LMP1 because as far as I know the C65 has only been homologated as an LMP2 car. I'm not exactly sure if it would be at all possible to move the C65 up to LMP1 unless the car was rehomologated in LMP1 configuration.

BSchneiderFan · 11 Aug 2005, 13:47 (Ref:1379865)

And the rehomologation would have to be done by Courage themselves, I assume?

panoz.lmp1 · 11 Aug 2005, 13:50 (Ref:1379871)

Interesting question. The Courage C60 and the C65 have the same chassis so maybe it´s possible ... but: why should they do that. Kruse Motorsport don´t move to LMP1

tblincoe · 11 Aug 2005, 13:51 (Ref:1379875)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

And the rehomologation would have to be done by Courage themselves, I assume?

That's a good question for which I don't have the answer. However, I don't see why a privateer such as Miracle Motorsports couldn't submit the car for homologation as an LMP1 if they were willing to do so (the car would have to be crash-tested).

BSchneiderFan · 11 Aug 2005, 13:52 (Ref:1379876)

Could be expensive, I guess; that was Robinson Racing's problem with their modified Riley and Scott Mk. IIIC, as I recall. Still, Pescarolo managed it.

tblincoe · 11 Aug 2005, 13:56 (Ref:1379882)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

Could be expensive, I guess; that was Robinson Racing's problem with their modified Riley and Scott Mk. IIIC, as I recall. Still, Pescarolo managed it.

That's exactly right, so I really think it comes down to money... and having said that I'm sure the privateers would leave it up to the manufacturer. That having been said I think that Courage wouldn't want to resubmit the C65 as they can gain more of a profit making current C65 owners purchase the next generation Courage LMP1 if they desire to move up.

viperada · 11 Aug 2005, 15:00 (Ref:1379938)

i thought Courage was building a brand new car for LMP1 called the Courage C70 and Miracle Motorsports was going to buy 2 and run them in the ALMS in 2006.

The Badger · 11 Aug 2005, 16:12 (Ref:1379984)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

Could be expensive, I guess; that was Robinson Racing's problem with their modified Riley and Scott Mk. IIIC, as I recall. Still, Pescarolo managed it.

Nope ..... the Pescarolo was never "crash tested" !!! The differance to a C60 is only aero . The C60 and C65 are the same chassis so no crash testing is nessessary .

Robinson revised the whole nose section and didnt or coundnt afford to crash test their car .

panoz.lmp1 · 11 Aug 2005, 16:42 (Ref:1379993)

That´s the reason why the C65 is based on the C60 because Courage hasn´t the money for a new crash test.

The chassis #2 was first a Courage C60, than a Courage C65 and now a Courage C60H

ss_collins · 11 Aug 2005, 18:00 (Ref:1380040)

The C70 may not be called the C70 - the new P2 is named C75. Source - Racecar Engineering/me

tblincoe · 11 Aug 2005, 18:21 (Ref:1380055)

That would be suprising if Courage is beginning to even think about a new LMP2 when they don't have an LMP1 available yet (which I would imagine is their #1 priority).

Fogelhund · 11 Aug 2005, 19:44 (Ref:1380114)

Quote:

Originally Posted by viperada

i thought Courage was building a brand new car for LMP1 called the Courage C70 and Miracle Motorsports was going to buy 2 and run them in the ALMS in 2006.

Last I heard from a source very close to the team, running a P1 was not a certainty. Certainly the Courage P1 wasn't their only option either.

tblincoe · 11 Aug 2005, 20:31 (Ref:1380160)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Last I heard from a source very close to the team, running a P1 was not a certainty. Certainly the Courage P1 wasn't their only option either.

Correct, LMP1 is anything but a done deal for Miracle in 2006...

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