The WR...

dretceterini · 25 Apr 2003, 14:49 (Ref:580653)

The shape of the new car is quite attractive to my eyes...now if it wasn't that boring yellow, and was painted something like the blue and green Pesca car...French blue and yellow maybe?

Fab · 25 Apr 2003, 16:28 (Ref:580756)

The yellow WR is easy to recognize

**FIRE** · 25 Apr 2003, 17:58 (Ref:580860)

I like the design of the old and new WR because it's different. The yellow color is maybe not so nice but again it's different. And like Fab said it's easy to recognize.

Tim Northcutt · 25 Apr 2003, 21:15 (Ref:581044)

The yellow isn't as obnoxius as it could be...and it will be easier to see the WR in the pack of humanity at LM...where it will probably run throughout the race...as opposed to near the front...

kdr · 25 Apr 2003, 21:28 (Ref:581059)

"run throughout the race" being the operative words tim. nearly worked for them last year.

Fab · 26 Apr 2003, 08:27 (Ref:581326)

Something about WR : did you notice that, even if we don't speak about them in term of performances, they meet quite often the chequered flag, at the contrary of some stars

Something making me mad : those some teams missing the start each year because of coming on the grid too late... I don't like to see those cars in the pit lane waiting for the start, it's sad, and not very respectfull for the public (something like 'we don't need to do the start on the track, it's a 24 hours race')...

**Aysedasi** · 26 Apr 2003, 12:14 (Ref:581402)

I agree Fab.

I quite like the WR and the team. They're at Le Mans year in year out with their shoestring effort. Of course, they did have their little slice of the pie at the start in 1995.

Tim Northcutt · 26 Apr 2003, 13:08 (Ref:581414)

I agree with you kdr...

I thought they were perhaps the most compelling story in the final hour of last year's race...and boy did I want them to just keep rolling or limping along once they had the problem so late in the event...true heartbreak for them....

It dies raise a kind of "pick Your Poison" scenario for the 675 class for met though (for whatever it is worth)....

Either you run fast and hard like the MG-Lolas to compete for the overall, only to drop out due to the car not holding up, or you motor along and look for the satisfaction of a class win and count on that attrition....

I'm not dissing the WR...I like the looks of the car, and from what I read from their recent tests, the chassis improvements are good ones...the car IS going to be faster...

I'd like to see someone take an interest in them as a sponsor to see how they would do with more than the shoestring budget, and I'd like to see some privateer run a WR in the ALMS (if chassis can be bought)...

kdr · 26 Apr 2003, 13:18 (Ref:581419)

i always thought the idea of the 675 class was to get smaller teams involved, teams that perhaps didn't have the means to challenge for overall victory, but would go away elated at a class win.

i like the wr. its not the prettiest car ever, but the team seem dedicated...and after all....le mans is an ENDURANCE race.

Tim Northcutt · 26 Apr 2003, 13:24 (Ref:581421)

Can't win if you don't finish....points well made.....

But if that is the 675 fiocus, Dyson seems to have bought two of them for the wrong reason...either that, or his drivers just like to run equipment until it breaks...

They, too, could motor along and easily get the class win...without pushing it to the limit....

kdr · 26 Apr 2003, 13:49 (Ref:581438)

maybe someone could point out that idea to them?!

**Aysedasi** · 26 Apr 2003, 14:28 (Ref:581460)

I like the idea of Wr flogging a car for someone else to run. I'm sure Gerard Welter wouldn't pass up the chance if there were a reasonable amount of Euros on offer.....

dretceterini · 26 Apr 2003, 14:34 (Ref:581468)

I would like to see some financial backing for the team so that they can run in the FIA/SRWC with some minor modifications.

Javi · 27 Apr 2003, 15:36 (Ref:582135)

I think le Mans owes something to WR. Is one of the last true privateers who risk their own car, that´s why i guess LMP675 is so important, it´s a reward for them...

BSchneiderFan · 29 Apr 2003, 13:44 (Ref:583788)

I would have thought that the WR would be attractive to customer teams; it's got to be more competitive than a Tampolli or a Lucchini, and I can't see it being much slower than a Pilbeam.

Tim Northcutt · 29 Apr 2003, 14:37 (Ref:583842)

It HAS to be quicker than the Pilbeam....

This raises another question in my mind, but it probably belongs on another thread...

Other than Pescarolo, what about privateers buying the Courage chassis....especially the new 675 Class, but really both the C65 and the C60 Evo...

KA · 29 Apr 2003, 15:50 (Ref:583942)

Quote:

Originally posted by BSchneiderFan
I would have thought that the WR would be attractive to customer teams; it's got to be more competitive than a Tampolli or a Lucchini, and I can't see it being much slower than a Pilbeam.

I think part of the problem is going to be that it's built to ACO/ALMS 675 regulations, so in Europe- other than at Le Mans- you're going to be competing against Domes and Courages in SR1. The Tampolli/Lucchini/Pilbeam, having been designed around the more restrictive FIA SR2 regulations are able to run in both- as an SR2 for FIA races, or as a 675- admittedly an uncompetitive 675- in ALMS races or at Le Mans.

Anyone know what the WR weighs?- with the new Peugeot V6, if it's anywhere around the SR2 minimum (720kg?), then there's a possible SR2 version which might well be saleable in Europe

Tim Northcutt · 29 Apr 2003, 16:21 (Ref:583968)

Mike has the specs on his site for this chassis...should have the weight listed....

It's worth checking into...if for no other reason to see if they could market it...

The only other side of the coin that we have not considered...if you sell to privateers, that automatically puts you into the parts, service, tech support, etc., business, and would WR want to get involved in that whole aspect of the business...

You make money doing it, but there is a price in time and support that you pay as well...might have to form a whole new division separate from your racing group to do it....