WEC news that will suprise about 6 people globally
Discussion
Wouldn't say it's a done deal but McLaren have history at Le Mans and keep talking about a Hypercar project.
Very much the same situation as A-M, who suddenly dig their Valkyrie project up from its grave...around the time the ACO are deciding who to give GT3 spots to, favouring manufacturers with either cars in the Hypercar class or 'attractive' potential cars in the Hypercar class.
...though of course if any/all of the non-Hypercar GT3 entrants actually follow through on the Hypercar programmes there won't be room for them all in GT3 any more!
Very much the same situation as A-M, who suddenly dig their Valkyrie project up from its grave...around the time the ACO are deciding who to give GT3 spots to, favouring manufacturers with either cars in the Hypercar class or 'attractive' potential cars in the Hypercar class.
...though of course if any/all of the non-Hypercar GT3 entrants actually follow through on the Hypercar programmes there won't be room for them all in GT3 any more!
Bearing in mind that have strong history of UAS enter 8-12 cars to aco series globally, and are right at the sharp end of all 4 series, means that for the ACO to not select them would be a bold move!
They were also instrumental in the success of lmp3 as a platform, selling and supporting all those kickers after that shaky first season when Ginetta didn’t quite get the support side in line with the needs of the teams.
Also it’d be quite conceivable that a McLaren LMDh would be a strong addition to bother the IMSA and WEC worlds.
IMO? It’s a shoe in, and a pre-done deal.
They were also instrumental in the success of lmp3 as a platform, selling and supporting all those kickers after that shaky first season when Ginetta didn’t quite get the support side in line with the needs of the teams.
Also it’d be quite conceivable that a McLaren LMDh would be a strong addition to bother the IMSA and WEC worlds.
IMO? It’s a shoe in, and a pre-done deal.
Some Gump said:
Bearing in mind that have strong history of UAS enter 8-12 cars to aco series globally, and are right at the sharp end of all 4 series, means that for the ACO to not select them would be a bold move!
They were also instrumental in the success of lmp3 as a platform, selling and supporting all those kickers after that shaky first season when Ginetta didn’t quite get the support side in line with the needs of the teams.
Also it’d be quite conceivable that a McLaren LMDh would be a strong addition to bother the IMSA and WEC worlds.
IMO? It’s a shoe in, and a pre-done deal.
Agreed. They were also instrumental in the success of lmp3 as a platform, selling and supporting all those kickers after that shaky first season when Ginetta didn’t quite get the support side in line with the needs of the teams.
Also it’d be quite conceivable that a McLaren LMDh would be a strong addition to bother the IMSA and WEC worlds.
IMO? It’s a shoe in, and a pre-done deal.
Aysedasi2 said:
Some Gump said:
Bearing in mind that have strong history of UAS enter 8-12 cars to aco series globally, and are right at the sharp end of all 4 series, means that for the ACO to not select them would be a bold move!
They were also instrumental in the success of lmp3 as a platform, selling and supporting all those kickers after that shaky first season when Ginetta didn’t quite get the support side in line with the needs of the teams.
Also it’d be quite conceivable that a McLaren LMDh would be a strong addition to bother the IMSA and WEC worlds.
IMO? It’s a shoe in, and a pre-done deal.
Agreed. They were also instrumental in the success of lmp3 as a platform, selling and supporting all those kickers after that shaky first season when Ginetta didn’t quite get the support side in line with the needs of the teams.
Also it’d be quite conceivable that a McLaren LMDh would be a strong addition to bother the IMSA and WEC worlds.
IMO? It’s a shoe in, and a pre-done deal.
Starting with the 'certains', those with both GT3 cars and Hypercar entries so getting priority:
1. BMW
2. Corvette (same GM house as Cadillac)
3. Ferarri
4. Lamborghini
5. Porsche
That just leaves 3 slots for:
1. Aston Martin (history)
2. Audi (history/money)
3. Bentley (history - but car now very old so probably unlikely)
4. Ford (history/money)
5. Glickenhaus (need to build enough road cars first but if they do and keep their Hypercar they would jump to the upper list)
6. Honda (money)
7. Lexus (would jump to the first list if they entered vie the Toyota Hypercar)
8. McLaren (history)
9. Mercedes-AMG (money/little bit of history)
10. Nissan (history/money)
I think Hypercar is currently looking like 19 cars:
2x Alpine
2x BMW
1x Cadillac
2x Ferarri
1x Glickenhaus
2x Lamborghini
2x Peugeot
4x Porsche
2x Toyota
1x Vanwall
So while highly likely McLaren will get the nod I think it's quite a long way from a done deal.
Edited by //j17 on Friday 13th October 12:13
Of those contenders I reckon Aston, Ford and McLaren.
Audi has already announced the end of factory GT3 involvement in 2024. Bentley is a total write-off as they pursue full fleet electrification (disastrously in my book, but we'll see), Merc AMG I suspect is happy enough making money from customer racing.
You may have seen Ford just announced their driver line-ups for the Mustang GT3s for IMSA - impressive!
Audi has already announced the end of factory GT3 involvement in 2024. Bentley is a total write-off as they pursue full fleet electrification (disastrously in my book, but we'll see), Merc AMG I suspect is happy enough making money from customer racing.
You may have seen Ford just announced their driver line-ups for the Mustang GT3s for IMSA - impressive!
Ford for sure were already there IMO
Aston were doubtful but announcement of Valkyrie LMH plus new GT3 & GT4 (loosely based on new look front end road car) all at the same time suggests must have got more than a nod. They were until recently one of the 3 main brands getting the LM24 support race on rotation.
Mclaren must have got over the line with United as they were the one big LMP2 team to miss the boat on Hypercar drives.
Do they then let a single/pair? car(s) from a couple of OEMs into Le Mans or a few extra GT3 drives from Porsche and Ferrari or others already in the field.
They shouldn't let Hypercar class get too big especially if they are just promo cars that struggle to beat LMP2 speeds over 24 hours or don't commit to a full WEC season
Aston were doubtful but announcement of Valkyrie LMH plus new GT3 & GT4 (loosely based on new look front end road car) all at the same time suggests must have got more than a nod. They were until recently one of the 3 main brands getting the LM24 support race on rotation.
Mclaren must have got over the line with United as they were the one big LMP2 team to miss the boat on Hypercar drives.
Do they then let a single/pair? car(s) from a couple of OEMs into Le Mans or a few extra GT3 drives from Porsche and Ferrari or others already in the field.
They shouldn't let Hypercar class get too big especially if they are just promo cars that struggle to beat LMP2 speeds over 24 hours or don't commit to a full WEC season
RL17 said:
Mclaren must have got over the line with United as they were the one big LMP2 team to miss the boat on Hypercar drives.
I'm not sure United "missed the boat" on a Hypercar drive, more "McLaren didn't go through with a Hypercar programme" 
RL17 said:
Do they then let a single/pair? car(s) from a couple of OEMs into Le Mans or a few extra GT3 drives from Porsche and Ferrari or others already in the field.
I think all the extra garages at Le Mans are already 'assigned', going to the class winners in IMSA/ELMS/ALMS/etc. A lot of those will be LMP2s and whatever extra GT3s we get will just be down to what winning team X drive in series Y.RL17 said:
They shouldn't let Hypercar class get too big especially if they are just promo cars that struggle to beat LMP2 speeds over 24 hours or don't commit to a full WEC season
Hey, I'd take a load of Hypercars that struggle to beat LMP2 speeds if it gives us racing that's even half as good as the LMP2 class we've lost!
Glickenhaus have killed their Hypercar programme.DailySportscar.com have a new 'best best' at the GT3 grid for '24.
12 spaces seem to be locked out to Hypercar manufacturers:
- 2x BMW M4s
- 2x Corvette Z06s
- 2x Ferarri 296s
- 2x Lamborghini Huracans
- 2x Lexus RC Fs
- 2x Porsche 992s
Leaving a likely 6 slots for everyone else, likely going to:
- 2x Aston Martins
- 2x Fords
- 2x McLarens
Which locks out 'off the shelf' GT3s from:
- Audi
- Honda
- Mercedes
12 spaces seem to be locked out to Hypercar manufacturers:
- 2x BMW M4s
- 2x Corvette Z06s
- 2x Ferarri 296s
- 2x Lamborghini Huracans
- 2x Lexus RC Fs
- 2x Porsche 992s
Leaving a likely 6 slots for everyone else, likely going to:
- 2x Aston Martins
- 2x Fords
- 2x McLarens
Which locks out 'off the shelf' GT3s from:
- Audi
- Honda
- Mercedes
Audi are already canning factory support - no R8 successor and spending their pennies on F1 and no point competing against fellow VWs
I’d rather a few more GT3’s than Hypercar stragglers 4plus laps down- making hypercars qualify would improve the racing but think cllose LMP 2 racing will be missed
I’d rather a few more GT3’s than Hypercar stragglers 4plus laps down- making hypercars qualify would improve the racing but think cllose LMP 2 racing will be missed
RL17 said:
Do they then let a single/pair? car(s) from a couple of OEMs into Le Mans or a few extra GT3 drives from Porsche and Ferrari or others already in the field.
As I understand it, the ACO are very keen to keep the numbers of both hypercars and GT3's even - as in an even number, which may rule out 'singleton' entries. //j17 said:
Aysedasi2 said:
Some Gump said:
Bearing in mind that have strong history of UAS enter 8-12 cars to aco series globally, and are right at the sharp end of all 4 series, means that for the ACO to not select them would be a bold move!
They were also instrumental in the success of lmp3 as a platform, selling and supporting all those kickers after that shaky first season when Ginetta didn’t quite get the support side in line with the needs of the teams.
Also it’d be quite conceivable that a McLaren LMDh would be a strong addition to bother the IMSA and WEC worlds.
IMO? It’s a shoe in, and a pre-done deal.
Agreed. They were also instrumental in the success of lmp3 as a platform, selling and supporting all those kickers after that shaky first season when Ginetta didn’t quite get the support side in line with the needs of the teams.
Also it’d be quite conceivable that a McLaren LMDh would be a strong addition to bother the IMSA and WEC worlds.
IMO? It’s a shoe in, and a pre-done deal.
Starting with the 'certains', those with both GT3 cars and Hypercar entries so getting priority:
1. BMW
2. Corvette (same GM house as Cadillac)
3. Ferarri
4. Lamborghini
5. Porsche
That just leaves 3 slots for:
1. Aston Martin (history)
2. Audi (history/money)
3. Bentley (history - but car now very old so probably unlikely)
4. Ford (history/money)
5. Glickenhaus (need to build enough road cars first but if they do and keep their Hypercar they would jump to the upper list)
6. Honda (money)
7. Lexus (would jump to the first list if they entered vie the Toyota Hypercar)
8. McLaren (history)
9. Mercedes-AMG (money/little bit of history)
10. Nissan (history/money)
I think Hypercar is currently looking like 19 cars:
2x Alpine
2x BMW
1x Cadillac
2x Ferarri
1x Glickenhaus
2x Lamborghini
2x Peugeot
4x Porsche
2x Toyota
1x Vanwall
So while highly likely McLaren will get the nod I think it's quite a long way from a done deal.
Edited by //j17 on Friday 13th October 12:13
eps said:
Glickenhaus aren't going to be in that list https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/glickenhaus-no...
Vanwall looking highly unlikely too.Aysedasi2 said:
RL17 said:
Do they then let a single/pair? car(s) from a couple of OEMs into Le Mans or a few extra GT3 drives from Porsche and Ferrari or others already in the field.
As I understand it, the ACO are very keen to keep the numbers of both hypercars and GT3's even - as in an even number, which may rule out 'singleton' entries. Sounds a bit odd
Makes sense for Noah with animals
It does help if you are a bit OCD with the rolling starting grids at WEC races. Cadillac and Lamborghini are single though- so 18 hypercars - good number.
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