Le Mans - Circuit de la Sarthe 2016 – FIA WEC – Race 3 / 9
- Thread starter RSR
- Start date
Soldato
Further to this, Ferrari protested that the Ford was contravening the 107% rule whereby the GTE Pro class has to be lapping over 107% of the times posted by the LMP2, to prevent their pace being too similar.
Ultimately this all comes down to crap sportsmanship by Ford. They don't race at Le Mans for years, decide they'd like a publicity stunt so design a car specifically for GTE, say that there will be a road car, even though none have been built yet, are allowed to compete anyway - a publicity stunt for the ACO I'd say - then sandbag massively. Everything they've done has been in contravention of the spirit of the GT class. Road going GT cars modified to race and performance balanced based on the warm up and practice sessions.
I think the ACO were more than aware however, setting up a nice Ferrari vs Ford battle for the 50th anniversary, and some extra press coverage whilst at it.
Soldato
Their following attempt (and huge amount of wasted money) was the GT-R LM Nismo, which was described as being 'very dangerous' to drive. I'd honestly not expect them to try anything out of the ordinary for quite some time.
The Ford vs Ferrari thing - ACO probably knew about it all and just went for it. Free publicity for the sport with all of the advertising and hype around it.
I liked the talk of hybrid GTE cars. Porsche had a hybrid 911 a few year back if I remember correctly. The new NSX would be a good one to have and unlike the aforementioned GT, at least it's already a car.
Porsche started the whole Hybrid sports car era off with the 911 GT3 RSR Hybrid back in 2010 when they put the Williams Flywheel KERS technology in a GT3 and created a car with 200BHP more than its rivals that could also go further on a tank of fuel.
As for Nissan, they have a recent history of over promising and then under delivering and walking away.
In 2012 they jumped aboard the Delta Wing and all seemed great, but as soon as Le Mans was over they stole Ben Bowlby and all the Delta Wing designs away from the American based Delta Wing team, which basically stiffled any chance that the car could really make waves in GT racing.
Then they took the 2014 Garage 56 entry under the promise of a "full electric" Le Mans car, yet turned up with a "not a Delta Wing" that was a petrol engined car but with a motor and massive battery bolted to it that could juuuust about do 9 miles on electric power alone, yet claimed it was some sort of break through. That promptly broke down about 2 laps into the race and they threw the "not a Delta Wing" project in the trash.
Then in 2015 they anounced a full on manufacturer assault on WEC with the GT-R LM, promised a design they couldn't deliver, failed to turn up to any rounds other than Le Mans where they were woeful, and then threw that project in the bin too.
As for Nissan, they have a recent history of over promising and then under delivering and walking away.
In 2012 they jumped aboard the Delta Wing and all seemed great, but as soon as Le Mans was over they stole Ben Bowlby and all the Delta Wing designs away from the American based Delta Wing team, which basically stiffled any chance that the car could really make waves in GT racing.
Then they took the 2014 Garage 56 entry under the promise of a "full electric" Le Mans car, yet turned up with a "not a Delta Wing" that was a petrol engined car but with a motor and massive battery bolted to it that could juuuust about do 9 miles on electric power alone, yet claimed it was some sort of break through. That promptly broke down about 2 laps into the race and they threw the "not a Delta Wing" project in the trash.
Then in 2015 they anounced a full on manufacturer assault on WEC with the GT-R LM, promised a design they couldn't deliver, failed to turn up to any rounds other than Le Mans where they were woeful, and then threw that project in the bin too.
Soldato
The garage 56 entry this year was much more impressive than Nissan's recent attempts.
Didn't really enjoy the GT pro this year, thought the 'rivalry' kind of spoilt it... Thought the GT Am was much better.
Didn't really enjoy the GT pro this year, thought the 'rivalry' kind of spoilt it... Thought the GT Am was much better.
Soldato
Great stuff every year from the GTE section, very few mistakes from the AM this year too! Although every time I see Dalla Lana I think of what happened to him at Le Mans last year. So close to getting the win, but binning it into the wall. 
Soldato
As I can't see another thread for WEC (feeling too ill for the effort to search 
)..
Audi are flying at the 6H of Nurburgring.
Toyota seem to be half a second off the pace.
)..Audi are flying at the 6H of Nurburgring.
Toyota seem to be half a second off the pace.
Soldato
Create one.
As I can't see another thread for WEC (feeling too ill for the effort to search
Audi are flying at the 6H of Nurburgring.
I've not been at home long enough to create one this week.
Well that's killed the No2 Porsche's race. Being forced to come in and repair the rear of the car.
Understandable, legality panels have to be there and it's dragging bits along the ground. Seems to have been a bit of an argument about it though.
Understandable, legality panels have to be there and it's dragging bits along the ground. Seems to have been a bit of an argument about it though.
Never say never though with the WEC, just look at Toyota at Le Mans. I agree thought those are the rules at least they are being consistent.
It's some epic racing today rather the the snooze feast of the F1. The WEC App + Apple TV is just epic!
Soldato
Agreed - epic action throughout the field. Was quite a bit of body contact, I almost though it was rallycross for some manoeuvres.