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10 Jul 2010, 19:00 (Ref:2724526) | #1 | |||||||||
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A Speculative Fiction
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Perhaps this: A) A gradual decline of ACO-style prototype racing over the next few years as manufacturers get fed-up with their constant rules-tinkering. Two of the worst implosions of prototype racing in sportscar history happened after the respective powers that were, decided to limit engine sizes - right now I wouldn't bet against that happening again. I think Super GT's intention to expand into East Asia could play quite a big rule in that as well, as much of the Intercontinental Le Mans Challenge's attractiveness will depend on the ACO's ability to establish a presence in emerging markets like China and India. Super GT's popularity has already foiled the ACO's plans for a Japanese ACO-style series and it could also happen on a greater scale. B) An increasing attractiveness of DTM and series that ally itself with it, as so far isolated championships (some of them HIGHLY successfull already) begin to share an attractive, cost-effective and stable ruleset. This might even lead to manufacturers abandoning ACO-style racing in favor of the DTM-rules, as Mario Theissen hints at in the case of BMW. See also Murphy's comment about Audi's R18 possibly being a Le Mans only car. DTM-cars could then not only compete in series all around the world, but also in some of the most important events in the racing world - the 24 hours at the Nürburgring would probably be open to allowing DTM-cars once again, as would the 24 hours of Daytona and even Spa might be up for grabs if Ratel doesn't get GT2 back on track in FIA competition. The big one would of course be missing - or would it? C) With DTM's silhouette formula on the rise and prototypes on the decline, one could even imagine a serious number of manufacturers involved in the silhouette series to push the ACO towards allowing their cars to race at Le Mans - for overall victories that is. Super GT and DTM-cars are only slightly slower than current LMP2-cars and with LMP2s becoming LMP1s and adding on some serious weight, the gap might decline even further, so we could end up in a situation like in the late 70s or 90s, when GT/Silhouette cars could go head to head, if on different strategies, with the traditional prototypes. And as we have seen back then the prototypes might even be reduced to a secondary role everywhere apart from Le Mans and perhaps even there. The ACO abandoned the FIA to make sure that their big race doesn't get ruined by outside forces ever again, but it seems like they are perfectly capable of runining it themselves. DTM, on the other hand, after years of underachieving seems to finally realize its whole potential and it could very well be that they are the big winners of the decline of the ACO's fortunes if they play their hand right. What we could end up with is something very much like Group 5 - not only in regard to it being a silhouette-formula, but also as far as the near-merger of GT and touring cars is concerned. I don't know about anyone else, but I would really welcome that. |
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10 Jul 2010, 19:27 (Ref:2724534) | #2 | ||
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very intresting indeed, seems that the ACO is in big troubles now, at least for the prototype division and their new rules
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10 Jul 2010, 23:22 (Ref:2724602) | #3 | ||
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I have a question! What was Jean Todt doing at the latest round of Grand Am in Daytona? Does Murphy have any poop on that?
DK |
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11 Jul 2010, 08:43 (Ref:2724726) | #4 | ||
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280 days...... |
11 Jul 2010, 12:27 (Ref:2724830) | #5 | ||
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11 Jul 2010, 18:05 (Ref:2725028) | #6 | |
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If grand am, dtm and super gt come together and that is a big IF, I really don't think that prototype racing is going to go away as many privateers prefer that sort of thing. And manufacturers like Ferrari and Porsche are not going to be interested in a DTM like series.
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11 Jul 2010, 18:14 (Ref:2725031) | #7 | |
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12 Jul 2010, 06:55 (Ref:2725250) | #8 | |||
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Moving to a silhouette formula that would allow the traditional 'touring car' manufacturers to compete at Le Mans could drive away the very manufacturers who have supported sportscars in the past... If you're Aston Martin, Porsche, Jaguar or Ferrari, would you really want to get involved knowing you risk being beaten by something that looked like a SEAT Leon, or Ford Mondeo, even if it was in silhouette form and built to the same ruleset as your car under the skin? Le Mans with a grid full of carbon-chassised silhouette family saloon and hatchback lookalikes, no matter how fast they are? No thank you |
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12 Jul 2010, 09:27 (Ref:2725314) | #9 | ||||
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Come to think about it, my scenario is somewhat like "LMP-Evo through the backdoor" Last edited by Speed-King; 12 Jul 2010 at 09:34. |
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12 Jul 2010, 15:02 (Ref:2725525) | #10 | ||
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Oh, what was Bernie's Super Touring series to be called? I think there was only an Alfa built to the spec.
It all sounds familiar, TBH. I would like LM24 to be the pinnacle of ALL sportscar racing series. And NOTHING to do with saloons, no matter how hyped up they may be! I suspect no DTM or GT500 car could finish a full 24 hour race, anyway. Look at teh attrition in the GT1 class this year? |
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12 Jul 2010, 17:01 (Ref:2725595) | #11 | |
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DTM cars have finished and won the Nürburgring 24h. Sure, there were modifications, but nothing too major.
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13 Jul 2010, 07:12 (Ref:2725898) | #12 | ||
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Still there's nothing wrong with Super GT or GT1 merely existing as long as they stay away from Le Mans? Sportscar racing shouldn't just be the Le Mans 24 and the three Le Mans series?
*** I agree that Saloons or Hatchbacks shouldn't be in GT racing. Doesn't mean they can't do Eudurance racing (Nurb 24, V8 supercars) but I'd rather keep them seperate from the GT's. |
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13 Jul 2010, 14:20 (Ref:2726115) | #13 | ||
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Le Mans is for purpose-built sports prototypes and production-based sports cars. Let silhouettes run elsewhere.
But with what level of competition and at what pace? Four purspose-built Peugeots broke last month because they were pushed too hard. |
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13 Jul 2010, 16:38 (Ref:2726187) | #14 | |||
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15 Jul 2010, 00:21 (Ref:2726874) | #15 | |
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That's it. We're done here. Pack it in. It's time to send prototypes on their way while there's still interest in GT racing before the ACO screws that up too.
Bring on the EVO rules, bring on GT 1 supercars for overall wins, bring on GT 3 and 4 for the lesser funded teams and small manufacturers. If the ACO can't come up with a rules package 6 months before the year begins, they don't deserve to have top flight prototype racing. |
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