Ford GT hit with weight increase & significant power reduction for Le Mans

[twobjshelbys]

So what was the starting point on which the adjustments were based? Was it the standings and parameters after last year's Le Mans, the closing of last year's racing season, or the standings of the current season?

 

[stuntman]

Given the same weight, the Ford's smaller frontal area and less drag are it's advantage over the Ferrari (and the rest of the field). Thus to "balance" the performance, the Ford should have less power to achieve similar top speeds and straight line performance as the Ferrari.

Since they now restrict refueling time and fuel capacity, having a more efficient package and better inherent design doesn't really matter as much since a big car can be given a lot of power and fuel and won't lose time in the pits refueling... Socialist racing is great isn't it?

 

[Ed Sims]

... Socialist racing is great isn't it?

LOL - that is so true! I can understand having rules. Why can't they set a limit to hp, boost, weight, etc & let the best designed car win? I don't see why the rules are different for everyone. It lends itself to misuse.

Ed

 

[Indy GT]

LOL - that is so true! I can understand having rules. Why can't they set a limit to hp, boost, weight, etc & let the best designed car win? I don't see why the rules are different for everyone. It lends itself to misuse.

Ed

Nicely said Ed! I agree with you.

Restriction limits could be placed on hp, boost pressure, weight, etc. as you suggest and let all competitors live within these fixed limits. If you want to go to the design board and spend $200M to optimize your vehicle weight, aerodynamics and powertrain you should be able to do so and not have some sanctioning body say you did too good a job, your car is now the class leader under the previously imposed limits and we must now further limit you (BOP) so the 5 year old cars in your class can approximate your newly designed performance values. How can this possibly encourage any design evolution of the sport??

Let everyone in the class STEP UP if they want to be competitive.

 

[dbk]

5 years old? Some version of the AM GTE car has been racing since it debuted in GT2 in 2008! And it's not even a quick road car. :lol

 

[stuntman]

I like the LMP1s restriction on fuel flow. Fuel = power so limiting fuel limits power, but then the larger displacement Ferrari engine 'may' be more efficient in terms of power or fuel mileage than a 3.5L ecoboost, or a 4.0L flat 6, or whatever destroked hopped up engine is in the Vette, so it still may not be "fair" for some brands. At the end if the day it's not an easy problem to solve.

 

[texas mongrel]

WRL endurance rules follow the KISS principle - the cars are classed by power-to-weight ratio, makes for great racing

 

[Blue Moose]

Race car performance has exceeded the race track capabilities. Maybe it is time to change the tracks.

Still amazes me that for nearly 200 years the railroads have been around and all the advancements to the locomotive, they still run on the same old wheels and rails!

 

[Awsum GT]

LOL - that is so true! I can understand having rules. Why can't they set a limit to hp, boost, weight, etc & let the best designed car win? I don't see why the rules are different for everyone. It lends itself to misuse.

Ed

Totally agree... set limits and design criteria and let them race... best designed car and driver wins

 

[Sinovac]

In unrestricted form, the GT would likely decimate every other car in its class, so I get the BOP arrangement. The problem isn't the BOP concept, it's the implementation. Explaining the process better would go long way to avoid the criticism of "engineered" results.

 

[Stef]

There is nothing "balanced" about this. It's manipulation from the organizers to give the illusion of equality. I understand that Ford knew what they were getting themselves into when they agreed to race but to tie both hands behind their back . . . . . . Come on!

"The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal." - Aristotle

Vince H

Well said +2
BoP has the same type of the characters running
(ruining) CA.

 

[junior]

When the C5 and C6 Corvettes were kicking Aston's butt and winning championships, they put all kind of restrictions on the Vettes and virtually nothing on the Astons, sadly it's not racing anymore, it's politics, Juan Fangio is rolling in his grave.

 

[PeteK]

Race car performance has exceeded the race track capabilities. Maybe it is time to change the tracks.

Still amazes me that for nearly 200 years the railroads have been around and all the advancements to the locomotive, they still run on the same old wheels and rails!

Have you ever heard the story about whoever came up with that standard was a horse's ass?

 

[Blue Moose]

Have you ever heard the story about whoever came up with that standard was a horse's ass?

Yes, but my point was advancements must be made to the race tracks (another chicane is not an advancement) for the same reasons racing in Datona moved from the sandy beaches to the Datona Speedway. The cars simply became better than the track would allow. So, now it's easier to cripple the cars and call it BOP or for safety reasons. Stop restricting the race cars because the tracks are inadequate to handle faster and better cars.

Let the cars race and the talents of the manufacturers/teams win the races.

 

[ByeEnzo]

Test day tomorrow at Le Mans.

 

[Awsum GT]

There is nothing "balanced" about this. It's manipulation from the organizers to give the illusion of equality. I understand that Ford knew what they were getting themselves into when they agreed to race but to tie both hands behind their back . . . . . . Come on!

"The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal." - Aristotle

Vince H

So true Vince... I wish they would allow them all one race at the end of the season to go head to head with everything they have.

 

[FordGTGuy]

Corvette Racing just wants to be in the fight. Just ask driver Oliver Gavin.
*
“Last year was a huge frustration for everyone within the team,” says Gavin,*a five-time class winner at the 24 Hours with the factory Chevrolet squad. “We*want to go to Le Mans with the ability *to compete at the front.”

http://autoweek.com/article/24-hour...-balance-performance-challenges-gte-pro-class

Someone should tell Corvette Racing that this isn't NASCAR or any other kind of stock car racing, if you want to be competitive then bring a competitive car.

 

[dbk]

Morning session in the books. Afternoon starting now. Morning went about as you'd expect.

1. #63 Corvette - 3:55.726
2. #91 Porsche 911 RSR - 3:55.753
3. #64 Corvette - 3:56.290
4. #97 Aston Martin - 3:56.735
5. #92 Porsche - 3:56.858
6. #71 Ferrari - 3:57.662
7. #67 Ford GT - 3:58.251
8. #82 Ferrari - 3:58.288
9. #66 Ford GT - 3:58.319
10. #68 Ford GT - 3:58.614
11. #95 Aston Martin - 3:58.701
12. #51 Ferrari - 3:58.817
13. #69 Ford GT - 3:58.941

 

[GKW05GT]

Total BS we have been neutered. When if any would any BOP adjustments?

 

[SteveA]

This is starting to smell a bit like WWE.