Endurance Racing News Thread

Grim. · 27-06-2012 1:01am

fecking awesome onboard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFrHsXf9x5A

it also reminds me why i love corvettes that engine is a monster

Killinator · 29-06-2012 12:07am

Grim. wrote: »

fecking awesome onboard

CORVETTE VIDEO

it also reminds me why i love corvettes that engine is a monster

That is class,
Looking at the LCD rear view he has, its any wonder they can tell whats behind them, just constant blinding bright lights:D

CaptainFreedom · 29-06-2012 2:27pm

Killinator wrote: »

That is class,
Looking at the LCD rear view he has, its any wonder they can tell whats behind them, just constant blinding bright lights:D

Its a bone of contention among most drivers, little point in flashing until you are within a few car lengths/passing distance, not miles away

CaptainFreedom · 01-07-2012 11:30am

http://www.blancpain-endurance-series.com/ - 3 hour GT3 race from Paul Ricard, race coverage starts around 13.00 Irish time

KenSwee · 07-08-2012 8:08pm

ELMS has cancelled it's last two races and optioned for a trip across the water to join up with ALMS. It's looking dodgy for the whole LMS set up. I'm checking the ALMS website and I saw that they completely screwed up the televised coverage with trying to focus on the web feed. The whole feed crashed. It seemed ok on Motors TV but apparently to make matters worse, the TV coverage started one hour into the race. It looks like the American network providing the coverage didn't have red button option for it's viewers and there a lot of unhappy fans threatening to make the cross over to Grand Am for their sportscar fix.

http://www.alms.com/articles/atherton-web-crash-not-acceptable

This year has seen a disastrous coverage by the TV stations with mixed up commentating, bad video feeds and non stop plugs for sponsors eating into the race. Nobody else is winning apart from Muscle Milk and the multiple categories seem very confusing to everybody bar the hardcore enthusiast. Grand Am looks like the prominent series this year with different winners and less confusion with the different categories. It reminds me of the Indy/Champ battle and we all know how that ended up.

KenSwee · 10-08-2012 12:59pm

Great looking car.

CaptainFreedom · 13-08-2012 12:38am

KenSwee wrote: »

ELMS has cancelled it's last two races and optioned for a trip across the water to join up with ALMS. It's looking dodgy for the whole LMS set up. I'm checking the ALMS website and I saw that they completely screwed up the televised coverage with trying to focus on the web feed. The whole feed crashed. It seemed ok on Motors TV but apparently to make matters worse, the TV coverage started one hour into the race. It looks like the American network providing the coverage didn't have red button option for it's viewers and there a lot of unhappy fans threatening to make the cross over to Grand Am for their sportscar fix.

http://www.alms.com/articles/atherton-web-crash-not-acceptable

This year has seen a disastrous coverage by the TV stations with mixed up commentating, bad video feeds and non stop plugs for sponsors eating into the race.

I agree with you, but never forget, no sponsors = no coverage, so Id rather put up with the ads than a non existant stream

Nobody else is winning apart from Muscle Milk and the multiple categories seem very confusing to everybody bar the hardcore enthusiast. Grand Am looks like the prominent series this year with different winners and less confusion with the different categories. It reminds me of the Indy/Champ battle and we all know how that ended up.

Granted Muscle Milk keep winning but some wins have have taken an even bigger effort than normal - they came from 4 laps behind to win at Lime Rock Park. Dyson are being hampered by the Lola chassis - moreso no Lola support/parts than the team themselves. The recession is hitting the series too, with P2 promising but lacking, the GTC class is good though, but only there to make up numbers and due to the fundig Yokohama tyres are putting in.

Grand-Am is owned by NASCAR so there is more discontent in the series lately with dissatisfied teams and drivers

ALMS has THE best GT racing in the world though, factory Corvette and Viper teams against factory supported BMW,Ferrari,Lotus and Porsche teams, with mostly reasonable Balance of Performance to keep it tight. When SRT/Riley get the Viper fully dialled in it will be even better. The big question mark though is what will replace the BMW M3 in 2013, rumours abound of a compromised Z4, but wait and see as the GT3 Z4 uses the M3 engine, not available in a roadgoing Z4 and therefore illegal under ACO (ALMS) rules

ALMS promotes itself as both 'World Class' and 'For the Fans' so it will be interesting to see how they handle the broadcasting disaster

KenSwee · 27-08-2012 4:38pm

CaptainFreedom wrote: »

I agree with you, but never forget, no sponsors = no coverage, so Id rather put up with the ads than a non existant stream

Granted Muscle Milk keep winning but some wins have have taken an even bigger effort than normal - they came from 4 laps behind to win at Lime Rock Park. Dyson are being hampered by the Lola chassis - moreso no Lola support/parts than the team themselves. The recession is hitting the series too, with P2 promising but lacking, the GTC class is good though, but only there to make up numbers and due to the fundig Yokohama tyres are putting in.

Grand-Am is owned by NASCAR so there is more discontent in the series lately with dissatisfied teams and drivers

ALMS has THE best GT racing in the world though, factory Corvette and Viper teams against factory supported BMW,Ferrari,Lotus and Porsche teams, with mostly reasonable Balance of Performance to keep it tight. When SRT/Riley get the Viper fully dialled in it will be even better. The big question mark though is what will replace the BMW M3 in 2013, rumours abound of a compromised Z4, but wait and see as the GT3 Z4 uses the M3 engine, not available in a roadgoing Z4 and therefore illegal under ACO (ALMS) rules

ALMS promotes itself as both 'World Class' and 'For the Fans' so it will be interesting to see how they handle the broadcasting disaster

Well, ALMS certainly gave us a good ending. I watched it on Motors TV and I know that it's broadcast was delayed (not sure how long as I watched the race the next morning) but as far as I could see, the broadcast was good this time. I did read that there were huge problems with the various online options available to for fans so it seems that the whole TV problem is beyond the organisers capabilities for this season. I even read that one channel decided to broadcast 8 year old's playing baseball instead on the race so that tells us what problems the event had.
I do hope the championship continues as it would be a shame to see it go down the tube.

The World Endurance Championship? Has this has done damage to LMS events around the world. Could it be possible for ELMS & ALMS to combine into a global series with heavy emphasis on European and American events?

Definitely agree with you that the GT class is far better in ALMS.

As a footnote, big kudos to Patrick Dempsey and his team in both ALMS and Grand Am. He is investing a lot and I hope his efforts are fulfilled as I think he and his team are setting a great example and benchmark.

CaptainFreedom · 01-09-2012 9:27pm

ALMS Baltimore GP time http://www.alms.com/camera/television-broadcast

KenSwee · 02-09-2012 11:02am

Well done to Damien Faulkner with solid

3rd in class.

KenSwee · 02-09-2012 11:06am

I saw on the Motors TV website that they were showing all the races bar Le Mans, live but I didn't see the last race (Silverstone) on their listing. Am I wrong or was the races shown only in highlights/delayed coverage?

Also has anybody seen the magazine program for the WEC on Eurosport?
I thought is was full of too much talking and very little racing. I can se that they are trying to promote the championship by introducing drivers, teams and some tips but asking Martin Brundle how it feels to pass backmarkers? I thought it was bit too much.

CaptainFreedom · 02-09-2012 12:10pm

GT1 Championship Race from Moscow Raceway just starting http://gt1world.com/pages/live

kierank01 · 02-09-2012 2:04pm

KenSwee wrote: »

I saw on the Motors TV website that they were showing all the races bar Le Mans, live but I didn't see the last race (Silverstone) on their listing. Am I wrong or was the races shown only in highlights/delayed coverage?

Also has anybody seen the magazine program for the WEC on Eurosport?
I thought is was full of too much talking and very little racing. I can se that they are trying to promote the championship by introducing drivers, teams and some tips but asking Martin Brundle how it feels to pass backmarkers? I thought it was bit too much.

sometimes I think there is not enough talking/features on motors, but that WEC show on eurosport was a bit much.
They seemed to totally ignore lmp2, apart from the wheels coming off the Murphy car.

CaptainFreedom · 02-09-2012 3:01pm

kierank01 wrote: »

sometimes I think there is not enough talking/features on motors, but that WEC show on eurosport was a bit much.
They seemed to totally ignore lmp2, apart from the wheels coming off the Murphy car.

Unfortunately its a case of what people want to see, granted the LMP2 class produces some fantastic racing, but its not at the front of the field, same with GTE

. I was there, epic weekend though

KenSwee · 03-09-2012 12:12am

kierank01 wrote: »

sometimes I think there is not enough talking/features on motors,

My guess is that Motors TV won't pay for presenters.

CaptainFreedom · 03-09-2012 12:31am

KenSwee wrote: »

My guess is that Motors TV won't pay for presenters.

Probably, they are a very low budget operation

KenSwee · 04-09-2012 6:49pm

CaptainFreedom wrote: »

I was there, epic weekend though

Is it going to be a long term formula in your opinion?
How do you think will it work along side Le Mans and Grand Am?

CaptainFreedom · 05-09-2012 10:53am

KenSwee wrote: »

Is it going to be a long term formula in your opinion?
How do you think will it work along side Le Mans and Grand Am?

First Question: Yes

Second Question: Ill give my opinion later after the formal announcement of the Grand Am - ALMS takeover ahem merger

KenSwee · 05-09-2012 3:50pm

CaptainFreedom wrote: »

Second Question: Ill give my opinion later after the formal announcement of the Grand Am - ALMS takeover ahem merger

Is there something I should know?

CaptainFreedom · 05-09-2012 3:55pm

KenSwee wrote: »

Is there something I should know?

http://www.motorsport.com/grandam/news/grand-am-and-alms-series-officially-announce-historic-merger-in-daytona/

KenSwee · 05-09-2012 3:58pm

Yes just read it there. I think it will probably be a good thing if they can get the categories right. The grids all round have been thinner each year. But NASCAR running sportscars is the only thing I'm not too crazy about.
I presume it means the death of ELMS?

CaptainFreedom · 05-09-2012 4:02pm

KenSwee wrote: »

I presume it means the death of ELMS?

Why should it, this is only for the North American market. ELMS is being run by the ACO next year and WEC remains as is

KenSwee · 05-09-2012 4:04pm

Yea I hope so.
I'm hoping ALMS will pan out his way.
LMP1 & 2
DP
GT
GT2

CaptainFreedom · 12-09-2012 3:19pm

KenSwee wrote: »

Yea I hope so.
I'm hoping ALMS will pan out his way.
LMP1 & 2
DP
GT
GT2

No LMP1 for starters - given there are only 2 proper and 1 grandfathered LMP1 cars in this years ALMS

What looks more likely:

LMP(2)
LMPC (until 2015)
DP
GT(E)
GTC

frostie500 · 12-09-2012 5:03pm

Could have a massive impact on the WEC. If the ALMS is now merged with GrandAm it will mean that the new series will have the rights for Sebring and presumably the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta as well

CaptainFreedom · 12-09-2012 7:21pm

frostie500 wrote: »

Could have a massive impact on the WEC. If the ALMS is now merged with GrandAm it will mean that the new series will have the rights for Sebring and presumably the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta as well

WEC is scheduled to visit Circuit of the Americas next year so it wont impact on Sebring or Petit Le Mans

The 2013 WEC Calendar is scheduled to be released this weekend at WEC Sao Paulo

KenSwee · 12-09-2012 10:05pm

Although nothing in terms of venues and types of cars have been released yet. I saw that they are advertising new ovals with infield tracks on the Facebook page so my guess is that they are going to try and tie in Nascar meetings as much as possible. I can see the emphasis being moved away from big road courses.
I suppose it's going to be the norm as long as Nascar is running it.
There are some great road and street courses that are going to lose out over the next few years.

CaptainFreedom · 15-09-2012 1:38am

KenSwee wrote: »

Although nothing in terms of venues and types of cars have been released yet. I saw that they are advertising new ovals with infield tracks on the Facebook page so my guess is that they are going to try and tie in Nascar meetings as much as possible. I can see the emphasis being moved away from big road courses.
I suppose it's going to be the norm as long as Nascar is running it.
There are some great road and street courses that are going to lose out over the next few years.

Fair point, but its another situation, where many years ago everyone worked together and got along (IMSA GTP from the early 80's to the early 90's), then Don Panoz introduced ALMS in the late 90's and the Frances brought in Grand-Am

KenSwee · 15-09-2012 2:48am

CaptainFreedom wrote: »

Fair point, but its another situation, where many years ago everyone worked together and got along (IMSA GTP from the early 80's to the early 90's), then Don Panoz introduced ALMS in the late 90's and the Frances brought in Grand-Am

Christ I'm old enough to remember it very well. Big difference then was that they aligned themselves close to Group C which probably saved a fortune in development costs, especially with the 962 and Spice models. I think there will be a big cull with LMP1 which is a shame in my opinion. Sportscar racing should be all about top technology racing in different classes on an equalisation basis. If there is a decision to make the DP's the top class, then I think that will be a step back. The whole ethos of NASCAR is low technology, high entertainment. Back in the 80's IMSA seemed to have got both just right. Maybe the whole close down of ALMS in America will benefit the WEC in terms of exposure.

On the issue of WEC, I see that Motors TV and Eurosport are covering tomorrow's race live. And Sky will also have a delayed program on Thursday. Amazing pull to get so much TV coverage on so many networks at such a crucial and busy period of sports programming.

CaptainFreedom · 15-09-2012 4:12pm

WEC Sao Paulo live race feed http://www.audi-liveracing.com/desktop/index.jsp?streamid=0&ref=streamId0&l=en_GB

KenSwee · 15-09-2012 5:22pm

CaptainFreedom wrote: »

WEC Sao Paulo live race feed http://www.audi-liveracing.com/desktop/index.jsp?streamid=0&ref=streamId0&l=en_GB

Got to be better than the atrocious coverage by Motors TV.

Grim. · 15-09-2012 6:06pm

that Toyota is turning into a stunningly fast car

KenSwee · 15-09-2012 7:55pm

Awful shame about the Pugs leaving the series. It would have been brilliant to have see a three horse race.

CaptainFreedom · 15-09-2012 8:06pm

If your good at multitasking or have 2 monitors ALMS Virginia is on now too http://www.alms.com/camera/television-broadcast

KenSwee · 16-09-2012 8:45pm

Bad luck for Damien Faulkner.
Unbelievable end to the JBX Porsche. That's sportscar racing for you.

CaptainFreedom · 17-09-2012 12:01am

KenSwee wrote: »

Awful shame about the Pugs leaving the series. It would have been brilliant to have see a three horse race.

Was never going to happen, Peugeot are losing money hand over fist, and in heavily unionised France, closing factories while spending tens of millions on a global sportscar racing programme is not a good way of doing things

kierank01 · 17-09-2012 5:30pm

CaptainFreedom wrote: »

Was never going to happen, Peugeot are losing money hand over fist, and in heavily unionised France, closing factories while spending tens of millions on a global sportscar racing programme is not a good way of doing things

what happened to the win on Sunday sell on Monday idea? :pac:

KenSwee · 17-09-2012 7:01pm

kierank01 wrote: »

what happened to the win on Sunday sell on Monday idea? :pac:

I'm not sure if that ever really applied in Sportscar racing. Definitely applied with rallying as you can easily see your potential car on the track there.

SniperSight · 17-09-2012 8:22pm

I would be inclined to think it does work. I became interested in Audi through Le Mans, and actively sought to get one because of it.
The speed the Le Mans tech is appearing in road cars is unreal. Only last year, Audi's new thing was Ultra .ie. Lightweight materials. No sooner was it over than their road cars were advertising it.
Same deal with DRLs.

I wouldn't be interested in Peugeot except for Le Mans. The amount of RCZs driving around after their launch at Le Mans was easily noticeable.

As was said by the head of the Audi engine department (methinks), the amount it would have cost Peugeot to attend was miniscule compared to what they'd already put into the 4 cars.
The feeling being it was a new suit making a name for himself.

Take Peugeots new ONYX concept, uses the unused 908 hybrid engine....Le Mans would've been the perfect place to prove that tech to a crowd just waiting to make a decision on a car manufacturer to go with.

KenSwee · 30-09-2012 8:05pm

I see those amateur fools on Motors TV managed to screw up the coverage of the final Grand Am race by not having any commentator signal for the entire 3 hours.

I really wish that station would f**k off and die.

SniperSight · 08-10-2012 10:53pm

For anyone interested, this year's Le Mans winning Audi R18 E-Tron quattro will be on display at Audi North Dublin's new terminal on Oct 13th.

Grim. · 09-10-2012 12:21am

SniperSight wrote: »

For anyone interested, this year's Le Mans winning Audi R18 E-Tron quattro will be on display at Audi North Dublin's new terminal on Oct 13th.

argh why cant i drive why!!!!!!!

EDIT: well i can drive just not very well :P

SniperSight · 09-10-2012 12:11pm

Grim. wrote: »

EDIT: well i can drive just not very well :P

No free samples so:-P

Grim. · 09-10-2012 12:43pm

SniperSight wrote: »

No free samples so:-P

Quiet you! :P

James Hunt · 13-10-2012 9:09pm

SniperSight wrote: »

For anyone interested, this year's Le Mans winning Audi R18 E-Tron quattro will be on display at Audi North Dublin's new terminal on Oct 13th.

Went up for a look earlier on. Amazing looking machine.

Audi 1.jpg

Audi 2.jpg

Audi 3.jpg

Audi 4.jpg

Audi 5.jpg

KenSwee · 20-10-2012 3:32am

Delta Wing gets a right good whollop at Road Atlanta

http://youtu.be/uW7qaG9K2_c

SniperSight · 20-10-2012 3:54pm

KenSwee wrote: »

Delta Wing gets a right good whollop at Road Atlanta

http://youtu.be/uW7qaG9K2_c

What was the Porsche doing!?!
Perhaps it was going for the pits but didn't see the Delta Wing.
Poor awareness....or worse.

SniperSight · 20-10-2012 6:57pm

Ya, I think at first it looks pretty bad, but it does appear to be a mixture of getting loose out of the bend and possibly going to box.
Also I'm sure the small size of the Delta didn't help, but you see it all the time where a GT class car doesn't realise a prototype is coming through. In that sense I do think the Porsche has some blame cause they all know theres faster cars gonna be coming through regularly.

Edit: Should mention that given the same Porsche knocked out the Muscle Milk car, he should have been even more aware of faster cars.

Daniel S · 21-10-2012 1:20am

It's always feckin' electronics!

Murphy Prototypes currently off-track after stopping on-track and being towed away.

Grim. · 24-10-2012 5:06pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lewwGOP5Hco

Endurance Racing News Thread

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