The latest in a string of reports on Le Mans Series rule changes could stand to really shake things up in the prototype classes in a few years. ACO, the French racing organizers which coordinate the European Le Mans Series and its headline event, are reportedly planning on banning V10s and V12s from the top-tier LMP1 class by 2011.
In their place, LMP1 would adopt the rules currently in place for LMP2, which means 3.4-liter V8s and 2.0-liter turbos. LMP2, meanwhile, would switch exclusively to production-based engines. Both Audi and Peugeot, who have dominated the series with their 12-cylinder turbodiesels, are reportedly in favor of the change in formula despite the need to send their engine development programs back to the drawing board.
[Source: AutoWeek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Neil Schelly @ Sep 26th 2008 8:20AM
I think I'd rather just see displacement limitations than cylinder count limitations, but I also think this could be interesting to really distinguish LMP1 and LMP2 again. With LMP2 being production-based engines, they'll be more prototypical in terms of chassis development. LMP1 can be both and maybe that will up the level of manufacturer commitment to the class?
-N
why not the LS2LS7? @ Sep 26th 2008 8:32AM
That's surprising.
It's good LMP2 is going to production-based motors because it seems that LMP1 is going to get expensive. Getting the kind of HP out of 3.4L NA or 2.0L turbo that LMP racing requires isn't a commonplace thing and so costs a few bucks.
Using production-based motors has done great things for Grand Am prototypes, it'll be interesting to see how LMP2 does with this formula.
JD @ Sep 26th 2008 11:55AM
The ALMS mazda LMP2 car is currently running a race version of the MZR engine that is in many mazda's these days, it will be interesting to see what other manufacturers decide to do.... will porsche go to a 6, or stick with the 8, and shrink it a bit from the Cayenne size?
The more news that comes out about next year, the happier I am that I get to see the current class setups at Laguna Seca, and while I know the ALMS rules are different from Le Mans, the Le Mans rule changes will very likely affect the ALMS rules. Oh, uncertainty. It is the essence of motor racing, isn't it?
why not the LS2LS7? @ Sep 26th 2008 8:39AM
On another note, this doesn't indicate that there are different rules for Diesels and gas engines. I don't see any NA Diesel working out in racing, and I think a 2.0L displacement is too little for a turbo Diesel to compete. I could be wrong though.
Presumably, finally privateers will be able to keep p in LMP1 with a Judd or Zytek V8 or an AER P07 or MZR-R I would imagine.
BigMcLargeHuge @ Sep 26th 2008 8:50AM
A turbodiesel could be competitive at 2.0L theoretically, 3.0+L for sure, but I doubt the ACO will allow high enough boost so that they can get enough HP at low revs to be competitive with the high-revving gassers.
Izzy Johnson @ Sep 26th 2008 9:42AM
Good move, maybe this will cause Audi to go back to FSI and not dominate... Oh wait. I'd hate to see the Audi TDI go, the noiseless stealth bomber R10 is amazing.
Bill Montgomery @ Sep 26th 2008 7:58PM
Except that Audi dominated with the R8 FSI also...
Diesel or standard Petruleum - Audi takes names!
MBS @ Sep 26th 2008 10:01AM
So... In essence they are dropping entirely the current LMP1 class and bumping the classes below them up?
Kinda lame, if they want to drop LMP1 just drop LMP1, don't pretend that there still is an LMP1 class when it's actually LMP2.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Sep 26th 2008 10:43AM
The point of LMP2 is to give privateers a class to win. LMP2 cars have shown they can compete with LMP1 cars with the proper rules (i.e. in ALMS), so there's no reason the LMP2 engine spec can't be used in LMP1.
LMP1 cars are much more expensive to make, so any team, if given a chance to make an LMP1 car or an LMP2 car that is just as fast (i.e. IMSA spec), would likely make an LMP2 car.
The new LMP2 makes a ton of sense for privateers. My only question is are the rules going to be such that pushrod motors can compete effectively (i.e. use restrictors for HP control not displacement) or not? It'd be great to see GM small blocks, BMW OHC engines and Porsche boxers out there competing head to head like in Grand Am.
jgp @ Sep 26th 2008 7:02PM
This is depressing.