Streak

Damn shame

http://lemanslive.com/News/Slower-LM...types-for-2016

The ACO and FIA Endurance Committee has introduced measures to curb the performance of the hybrid LM P1 prototypes. There have also been adjustments to the GTE Balance of Performance (BoP).

It was always unlikely that Porsche/Michelin’s qualifying lap of 3m16.887s at Le Mans last year would go unpunished by the discipline’s decision makers and the FIA Endurance Committee has effectively introduced measures to slow the hybrid LM P1s in 2016.

The energy allowance par lap at Le Mans has accordingly been cut by 10MJ which, says the FIA WEC press release, is a fall of around 7.5 percent. Fuel flow has been restricted by a similar proportion and the hybrid power has been cut to 300kW per lap at Le Mans.

For memory, the quantity of energy attributed to the Porsche 919 Hybrid/Michelin at Le Mans last June was 138MJ/lap, with a fuel flow of 88.5kg/h. The car’s rating was 8MJ which meant there were no restrictions regarding hybrid power.

Weight (870kg) and maximum turbo pressure (4 bar) are unchanged in LM P1, however.

Meanwhile, to keep a check on costs, only three aero kits will be allowed for the season and, testing time has been capped, as has wind tunnel work. Tyre quotas are the same for 2016, though.

The GTE’s BoP has been revised, too, with changes notably concerning the cars’ weights. The Porsche 911 RSR, Corvette C7.R and the Ferrari 488 will begin the season at 1,240kg, while the new Aston Martin Vantage and new Ford GT will tip the scales at 1,230kg and 1,260kg respectively for the 6 Hours of Silverstone.

At the same time, the diameter of the air restrictors of the Porsche 911 RSR (29.3mm), Corvette C7.R (29.8mm) and Aston Martin (30mm) is 0.7mm bigger compared with the end of 2015.

With regard to fuel tank sizes, the Aston Martin will start the year with a capacity of 95 litres, the Ford and Porsche with 90 litres, Corvette with 88 litres and the Ferrari 488 with 86 litres.

The FIA Endurance Committee is authorised to adjust these figures based on the average lap times of the fastest representative of each model over 20 percent of the race distance at the world championship’s opening rounds.

ir_fuel

Not really.
You don't want cars crashing at 400 km/h.

Streak

Really? Then stop racing altogether.

When is the last time an LMP1 driver got hurt?

It's not got anything to do with crashing. Do you want to watch slower race cars?

It's stifling innovation as well.

ir_fuel

So as long as people don't get hurt we don't need to do anything? Let everyone run faster and faster until someone dies, and we can all say "you had that coming, those cars are way too fast"

And you never saw this?

Want this to happen at 250mph?

or this?


So you want us to go back to F1 of the seventies? Let them drive a frame with 2 fuel tanks next to the driver, on tracks full of trees and other obstacles? And every race one guy dies, but hey "it's part of the sport"!

And I don't care about "slower" cars indeed. A Porsche Supercup race can be a lot more exciting than a Formula 1 race, although the Supercup cars are a lot slower. As long as the cars have a decent BoP there will be good racing. I don't care about the fact that they get up to 200mph vs 240mph, that doesn't really change anything or make anyone a better racer. It just makes stuff a lot more dangerous once speeds get higher.

It's not as if they limit cars to 100mph, we are still talking about 1000hp full aero prototypes.

Why is that?

Streak

OK, we'll all race Priuses then.

More people die slipping in the shower than racing.

No one is sacrificing safety for speed.

The LMP1 program is all about innovation. When you throw a yolk on the manufacturers you reduce innovation.

Veloce Raptor

Seriously.

What a bunch of hand wringing bed wetters...

brake dust

Some fairly significant changes to Le Mans circuit this year including the Porsche curves (more run off). HP reduction is in part due to Le Mans circuit not being a FIA grade 1 circuit.

enduro911

I was really into the WEC last year and will likely be very enthusiastic this year. There's no doubt that, on a very basic level, I was attracted the absurd speeds that these cars were capable of producing. When the 919 was on the attack at Rennsport I honestly thought the track was almost too small for the car. It was a brilliant entertainment spectacle. Therefore, in my opinion, reducing the speed is tantamount to reducing the most basic appeal of motorsport.

The WEC formula was so good because it created a) variety in approaches b) innovation c) speed d) major manufacturer interest e) good racing f) advancements in usable technology. Whatever the formula please don't let it turn into the circus that is currently F1, run by Jean (lost his *********) Todt and Bernie Ecclestone-Trump. Please. Thanks for listening, now please enjoy an onboard in a car 1,000 horsepower for one lap at Le Mans:

brake dust

Well stated Enduro. Believe the other issue is the speed differential from the LMP1 cars and the GTE AM. The closing speed is incredible. Changes to technical regulations this year have the GTE cars faster then 2015. Best racing in motorsport today!