Pound for Pound who is the best sportscar driver?

Simmi · 22 Mar 2013, 22:17 (Ref:3223015)

This is something I've been thinking about for a while.

With the broad range of different series we have in sportscars there are so many quality drivers in action at the same time.

Borrowing the 'pound for pound' concept you have in boxing and MMA where guys in different (weight) classes can't fight each other - you can build up a subjective list of who is the best driver out there.

I suppose you can do it by looking at drivers who are quick in anything. Or guys who are simply top of the tree in their given category.

I think if people maybe listed five (or more) drivers in order you could quite quickly see who we rate as being the best.

And to be in the spirit of things I think it should be who you feel is currently in these positions - not simply have people dine out on past glories.

Just as a starter right now I think mine would be:
1. Andre Lotterer
2. Fred Makowiecki
3. Stephane Sarrazin
4. Maxime Martin
5. Benoit Treluyer

What does anyone else think?

Koenigsegg · 22 Mar 2013, 22:28 (Ref:3223020)

Based on this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmi

I suppose you can do it by looking at drivers who are quick in anything.

Jeroen Bleekemolen.

crooky · 22 Mar 2013, 22:56 (Ref:3223032)

Ryan Dalziel seems to be at the top of his game. Quick in DPs, P2s and I think we'll see he's a dab hand at GT as well.

Pagenaud was damn good in sportscars and had a brilliant first season in Indycars and I'm sure he'd still be one of the best if he was to return.

I think the recent F1 trio of Buemi, Nakijima and Heidfeld could do big things this year plus of course you have the old hands Wurz and Duval. McNish and Kristensen are probably past it to be honest...

#1 Audi of course and there's probably loads more to consider as well.

Simmi · 22 Mar 2013, 23:16 (Ref:3223036)

Bleekemolen and Dalziel are awesome shouts.

NightStalk3r · 22 Mar 2013, 23:52 (Ref:3223043)

Sean Edwards

gregtummer · 22 Mar 2013, 23:53 (Ref:3223044)

Andre

Starfish Primer · 23 Mar 2013, 00:05 (Ref:3223046)

Nobody thinks in Treluyer?

The Happy Track Fan · 23 Mar 2013, 00:50 (Ref:3223049)

Dalziel, Lucas Luhr, Truleyer are all good picks. However, considering his age, you still can't deny how truly solid Scott Pruett is.

I don't particularly care for the guy, but he still wins and wins and wins, and is in amazing physical condition.

ptclaus98 · 23 Mar 2013, 01:39 (Ref:3223053)

If I were starting a prototype program, whether I were a customer or a manufacturer and I had the funds, I couldn't look past Lotterer. However, I will say that Sean Edwards and Jeroen Bleekemolen would top my list if I were starting a GT program. It seems every time I see those two, it is at the pointy end of the class.

To get a little patriotic, I think the Rahal Letterman crew are all potentially really handy shoes.

Mechanic Z · 23 Mar 2013, 02:12 (Ref:3223055)

Gavin, Milner, Henzler, Turner, Bergmeister, Long, Garcia, Hand and Guy Smith for starters.

The Badger · 23 Mar 2013, 03:29 (Ref:3223062)

I cant decide on this ..... pick 6 drivers from each class would be easier .

Spyderman · 23 Mar 2013, 04:56 (Ref:3223066)

Dumas

TF110 · 23 Mar 2013, 05:09 (Ref:3223067)

LMP would be Wurz, Lotterer, Sarrazin, Davidson. GT would Turner, Mackowiecki just to name a few I think are the best in their respects. There's many different series as well. Nakajima was faster than both Wurz and Lapierre so he may be a star. Kobayashi may be a guy to watch as well.

somebodysb2 · 23 Mar 2013, 05:10 (Ref:3223068)

Definitely Heidfeld. Considering he returned to racing prototypes just this year (last time, 24LM1999), his performance is jaw-dropping. Put him in a better car and he'll fight for victory easily. Though I may be a bit biased as I've been a fan of him since his Williams days.

He has always been the "dark-horse" of the grid. Quick and consistent, he was never put in the best car of the grid, yet he has managed at least a dozen podium finishes in F1.

Or maybe even JJ Lehto.

Mal · 23 Mar 2013, 09:28 (Ref:3223118)

How times change - 3 years ago McNish and Kristensen would have been top of most peoples list.

For me Lotterer & Sarrazin are at the top right now.

Simmi · 23 Mar 2013, 10:05 (Ref:3223129)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

How times change - 3 years ago McNish and Kristensen would have been top of most peoples list.

It's true that was exactly what I was thinking too.

They have been routinely beaten and out-classed by Andre and Ben over the last few years. Having Loic Duval with them at Le Mans could be a big help to them as I think he will be the fastest guy in the trio.

TF110 · 23 Mar 2013, 10:24 (Ref:3223134)

They're reliable and experienced, their speed is still there. IMO they just don't take the world by storm when the 'new guys' come in and are equally as fast.

FordCosworthPanoz · 23 Mar 2013, 10:27 (Ref:3223135)

Andre, the entire Toyota Lineup and Nick Heidfeld in LMP, Edwards and Bleekemolen in GT.

Underrated: Ryan Dalziel.

NaBUru38 · 23 Mar 2013, 13:19 (Ref:3223182)

Here's a healthy list. Those are articles that I've created in the Spanish-language Wikipedia

Simmi · 23 Mar 2013, 13:29 (Ref:3223183)

In terms of name checks these are the guys who are initially coming to the fore:

Lotterer
Dalziel
Heidfeld
Treluyer
Bleekemolen

MJones94 · 23 Mar 2013, 16:01 (Ref:3223253)

Duval, Macowicki, Duval, Davidson, Gavin, Matt Griffin

Mike E · 23 Mar 2013, 16:19 (Ref:3223262)

Lucas Luhr?

FIA GT1 World Championship GT1 class champion: 2011
American Le Mans Series LMP1 class champion: 2008
American Le Mans Series LMP2 class champion: 2006
American Le Mans Series GT class champion: 2000, 2002, 2003
FIA GT N-GT class champion: 2004
24 Hours of Le Mans GT class winner: 2000, 2002, 2003
12 Hours of Sebring GT/GT2 class winner: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005
24 Hours Nurburgring overall winner: 2006, 2011
Spa 24 Hours GT2 class winner: 2005
Petit Le Mans GT class winner: 2002
24 Hours of Daytona GT class winner: 2001
Porsche Supercup champion: 1999

Speed-King · 23 Mar 2013, 16:48 (Ref:3223269)

Luhr's record is somewhat damaged by his DTM-stint to me... Came in together with Rockenfeller - Mike went on to become a championship contender and Luhr was out after one or two years.

Interesting no one's been mentioning Richard Westbrook, though. Certainly one of the most spectacular drivers out there right now.

MJones94 · 23 Mar 2013, 17:01 (Ref:3223276)

I forgot about Timo Bernhard! He has done a great deal in his career and has had a great deal of success in every championship he has competed in. Is he due to be in the Porsche LMP1 line up?

ALMS LMP2 class champion: 2007, 2008
ALMS GT class champion: 2004
24 Hours of Le Mans GT class winner: 2002
24 Hours of Le Mans Overall winner: 2010
12 Hours of Sebring GT class winner: 2004
12 Hours of Sebring Overall winner: 2008
Petit Le Mans LMP2 class winner: 2006
Petit Le Mans GT class winner: 2003, 2004
24 Hours of Daytona overall winner: 2003
24 Hours of Daytona GT class winner: 2002, 2003
24 Hours Nürburgring winner: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
Porsche Carrera Cup Germany champion: 2001

**Bentley03** · 23 Mar 2013, 21:14 (Ref:3223352)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJones94

Duval, Macowicki, Duval, Davidson, Gavin, Matt Griffin

Are the Duval's related?

I'd say Lotterer and Duval at Audi, Sarrazin and Davidson at Toyota.....gut feeling, nothing more.

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