Comments on: A.C.O. 2009 rules – Silverstone press conference

By: Anthony Q

Anthony Q — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:37:02 +0000

You know what would be even better as “cost reduction” or just a logical new rule: dont limit the gastank in the car anymore, but limit the amount of fuel a car can use per race, just like Group C did. Our times call for better fuel efficient cars, and this is one of the greatest ways we can make it publically acceptible and competative with gas-guzzlers.

By: Christopher Bouchard

Christopher Bouchard — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:17:52 +0000

Can’t wait to see the equal racing between Diesels vs Petrol(GAS) it will be interesting,and Hybrids can’t wait to see them in action, I think in 2010 DOME and Toyota will work together with a Hybrid. Acura will be okay this year they have 2 overall wins and I think a-hand-full of class victories. I think they will do well.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:56:20 +0000

It’s great news that the Hybrid rules are still open and constructors will be consulted.
The critical decision for Sports prototype hybrid rules will be allowing front wheel motors or not. The F1 KERS system is restricted to the rear axle only yet 70% of braking effort is on the front wheels therefore artificially restricting regeneration potential. Toyota has stated publicly that this restriction makes F1 hybrids less advanced than road cars.
If front wheel motors are allowed at Le-Mans I have no doubt Toyota will return as they already have the first race win for a hybrid with a converted Supra GT car at a 24 hour race. The Hybrid won by 19 laps ahead of 2nd place proving how much potential this new technology has, especially in long distance races.

By: bill bixby

bill bixby — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:16:53 +0000

I sent this email to a mate so i figured i’d post it up on this forum
___

I reckon hybird stuff freaks the sh*t out of the rule makes in sportscar racing

pretty much due its affect on fuel economy, something we know is crucial at Le Mans (they want absolute balance alongside diversity of technology, which is funken hard)

so I reckon it’ll be phased in gradually

what I think is they should insist people rely more on the electric stuff. do something like 80% normal combustion engine capacity in exchange for free use of electric motors… with no weight reduction… so it really drives the hybrid thing… then do something to compensate for the economy like smaller fuel tanks or somethin

will be interesting to see what IMSA in the US does compared to the ACO as there’s a Hybrid project going to happen in LMP1 next year by Zytek

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:26:59 +0000

Pescarolo started with a Courage C60 and has modified it. Unlike Courage-Oreca, Pescarolo doesn’t use windtunnels. The two would be a great force.

By: Bamba

Bamba — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:08:58 +0000

Corvette will sell the old GT1 cars to customers. and still support them. The FIA GT is ripe on GT1 racing. Because over there GT1 means overall victory. So there’s nothing going to waste.

Even if they can’t sell them, there are collectors who wouldn’t mind having these GT1 beasts in their gallery. But judging from the pace of the customer C6Rs this season
(all of them have won) it’s clear Pratt and Miller support their customers, so there will be buyers.

They would race Peugeot in Le Mans 24h. Acura is a shoe in to be at Le Mans they just have to be willing to go. But they would have to see how the P1 car stacks up against the ALMS fierce p2s and Audi in 2009 first. Then decide if they’re going. They wouldn’t want to go and be struggling to keep up with a Pescarolo, or Courage-Oreca.

Pescarolo is a constructor in their own right not just a team. I doubt they would favor a competitor’s work over their own hard labor. If Henri Pescarolo decided to run a few ALMS race (sebring, petit, Laguna) he would get more sponsorship money from his sponsors, which would mean more development funding. It would also make his brand more valuable. Hopefully his business advisor lets him in on that.

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:25:18 +0000

Where would Acura race Peugeot in LMS? Acura doesn’t have firm plans to race at Le Mans in 2009 or 2010.

Toyota is a joke. They have gotten beat by the smallest team in F1 (torro rosso) at the 2008 Italian GP and yet race in NASCAR to sell pickup trucks and even the truck series is on the decline.

Dome should continue on their own or work with Mazda.

With KERS, why sit in a box like NASCAR? Why not embrace new technology?

The noise limit is only going down 2 or 3 db.

Pescarolo should use the Courage-Oreca chassis by 2010.

By: Driver8

Driver8 — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:56:52 +0000

I hate the idea of KERS introduction. Not only it is rather politically driven move, it’s also dull, will cost a fortune to implement and in the end will almost certainly prove ineffective.

By: Roger Everitt

Roger Everitt — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:23:33 +0000

So how noisy is 112db? I havent a clue. Presumerably the current diesel machines are below that limit. Or are we turning Le Mans and the Le Mans series into a village tea party?

Roger

By: Foster

Foster — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:11:24 +0000

Poor Corvette.
Now what do they do with the old cars. I know they are gonna race the first part of the season before building their GT2 car. But knowing that they don’t may change a few minds in Detroit.