[LM24] The 56th garage.....

[johntt]

http://www.lemans.org/en/news/24H-du-Mans-a-new-reserve-and-a-56th-pit_341.html

A 56th garage that will let a reserve run in the race this year, nothing massive.

Their plans for 2011 onwards with it are very interesting though:

"...and the following year the new pit will enable the ACO to invite a team presenting a specific and innovative project in addition to the usual 55 entries for the Le Mans 24 Hours."

[Down F0rce]

So it looks like a Radical Judd SR9 will be added to the P2 category! That's pretty cool. Regarding the ACO's plans for 2011, surely it will be reserved for some kind of alternative energy car? For example, Peugeot wanted to run their hybrid version of the 908 but were told it would not be classified... maybe from 2011 one hybrid car will be invited to the race and occupy the 56th garage...

[skycafe]

I bet the Porsche 918 will be in that garage in 2011

[johntt]

Originally Posted by skycafe

I bet the Porsche 918 will be in that garage in 2011

That would be my vote for garage 56

[broadrun96]

Was my thought exactly. Unless they decide another hybrid would be better, 908H with some tweaks over the next year?

[Victor_RO]

Audi would probably either object to the car being positioned there or just quietly spy on them due to how close that garage is to Audi's classical location.


And also, isn't the 909(?) going to be a hybrid?

[broadrun96]

If they could get the 908s and R15+s an additional year, the basis for the 909 could be the 56th car. I'd say Audi might have a chance with an R15+H (if they were so inclined), but think it would be more likely at Sebring than in France. It could be a good way for the ACO to post some information about any upcoming changes and see if a team if willing to develop to those rules as an experimental run.

[Victor_RO]

Someone mentioned Yves Courage and a possible electric LMP(?) project...

[ger80]

Anyone asked for electric LMP? We want V10's and V12's

[Aysedasi]

Or PP3s and AAA's........

[Gingers4Justice]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread as it's the only one dedicated specifically to Garage 56, rather than a particular project.

I've dug it up due to finding this piece of news, which could be a bit of trouble on the horizon.

In a move which is 100% original and entirely independent and with no influence from another major motor race - no sir, not at all - the Indy 500 could well include a "Garage 34" slot for an invitational, innovative car.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report...ce=mostpopular

There aren't too many realistic projects capable of filling that 56th garage at Le Mans, and without Nissan the concept could be already dead in the water - the last thing it needs is serious competition, you could argue.

[vincegail]

Don Panoz finally could take his Deltawing to Indycar racing

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Thought I'd resurrect this thread as it's the only one dedicated specifically to Garage 56, rather than a particular project.

I've dug it up due to finding this piece of news, which could be a bit of trouble on the horizon.

In a move which is 100% original and entirely independent and with no influence from another major motor race - no sir, not at all - the Indy 500 could well include a "Garage 34" slot for an invitational, innovative car.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report...ce=mostpopular

There aren't too many realistic projects capable of filling that 56th garage at Le Mans, and without Nissan the concept could be already dead in the water - the last thing it needs is serious competition, you could argue.

It could also make it a better investment, as you would have two places to out your otherwise illegal car.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by CTD

It could also make it a better investment, as you would have two places to out your otherwise illegal car.

Very good point!

I don't think this will actually happen, though. Anything interesting will probably be little more than a mobile chicane at Indy.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Very good point!

I don't think this will actually happen, though. Anything interesting will probably be little more than a mobile chicane at Indy.

I don't think it will happen either.
Let's face it, Indycar hasn't been the most innovative class, so I don't see this changing. Will the average Indycar fan even interest him/herself with a alternative technology entry?

[wewantourdarbyback]

I would hope they cater for two different concepts, open wheel vs some variety of sportscar, meaning hopefully neither encroaches on the other's territory.

Although I had to admit I raised an eyebrow when Indy announced their 'new' plan.

[Mike E]

Marcel ten Caat has posted this link.

http://inmotion.tue.nl/wp-content/up...ugust-2014.pdf

[GT6]

Now that is an entry to the 56 class that we would all like to see and perhaps it might even put in a decent result leading to a return of the rotary engine to racing in general. But why wait until 2017?

[Muppetdave901]

Originally Posted by GT6

Now that is an entry to the 56 class that we would all like to see and perhaps it might even put in a decent result leading to a return of the rotary engine to racing in general.

Are rotary engines allowed again though for general classes? Not sure if it was that article that I read, but saw somewhere yesterday that after the Mazda win, rotary engines were banned?

[GT6]

yes they were banned, but if the drive for greener racing brings them back i for one will be happy

[Muppetdave901]

Don't disagree, just wondered if the regs allowed them in full class as yet or would need amendment.

[GT6]

The ACO amends rules every year to suit what ever it wants, that is the french way

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Muppetdave901

Are rotary engines allowed again though for general classes? Not sure if it was that article that I read, but saw somewhere yesterday that after the Mazda win, rotary engines were banned?

Misconception, they were banned from the WSPC along with everything that wasn't a 3.5 liter prototype. There have been rotary engines at Le Mans since then, Jim Downing's Kudzu LMP cars of the mid-to-late-1990s for example.

[Mike E]

Green GT finally launched but won't be raced.

http://www.electricautosport.com/201...ogen-race-car/

[Giba]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Green GT finally launched but won't be raced.

http://www.electricautosport.com/201...ogen-race-car/

I hope they can at least do more demostration runs with it to showcase the car to more people.