Ford, Aston Martin Receive Weight Breaks in BoP Shakeup for 24H Le Mans

[dbk]

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...weight-breaks-in-bop-shakeup-for-24h-le-mans/

It's a start. No change in boost though, so the GT will still be at a major power disadvantage. I mean, I don't know how to explain it other than a smaller displacement engine with less boost is going to be at a serious disadvantage on a race track.

Aston Martin -20kg (1190 kg)
Ford GT -20kg (1240 kg)
Ferrari 488 +10kg (1250 kg)

 

[Cobrar]

Somebody thinks it's all about aero. ;-))

 

[dbk]

You can have all the aero you want, but if you're getting drilled on corner exit and acceleration...

 

[Indy GT]

Agreed. It is a start.
And it does take horsepower to make the aero work.
Aero does produce downforce BUT the aero also produces aerodynamic drag (which goes up with speed squared) and thus takes a lot of horsepower to create the downforce....

 

[cobra498]

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...weight-breaks-in-bop-shakeup-for-24h-le-mans/

It's a start. No change in boost though, so the GT will still be at a major power disadvantage. I mean, I don't know how to explain it other than a smaller displacement engine with less boost is going to be at a serious disadvantage on a race track.

Aston Martin -20kg (1190 kg)
Ford GT -20kg (1240 kg)
Ferrari 488 +10kg (1250 kg)

IT is really sad to see design innovation and breakthrough aerodynamic technology rewarded with a horsepower penalty. Reminds me of NASCAR where a
new engine cylinder head gets an aero penalty if it works. I understand that they want close racing but why stifle technology? I assume there may be some politics involved too.

 

[dbk]

IT is really sad to see design innovation and breakthrough aerodynamic technology rewarded with a horsepower penalty. Reminds me of NASCAR where a new engine cylinder head gets an aero penalty if it works. I understand that they want close racing but why stifle technology? I assume there may be some politics involved too.

Whole bunch of that.

I really think there's also an element of "look at that thing, it's unfair." Boo hoo.

 

[Ed Sims]

They seem to want the weight around 2700 lbs. What are the horsepower limits for the different cars in the GT's class?

Ed

 

[Cobrar]

When do the LeMans tests begin?

Isn't it a two step process?

What are the Corvette comparables?

 

[dbk]

This Sunday.

 

[Cobrar]

For those nterested, a primer on aero: http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20140819-carmakers-slippery-new-buzzword

Might pay attention to some of the more subtle mentions of active aero & 'hidden in plain sight.' Good thought starters.

 

[Matech GT1]

Remember...

FIA stands for Ferrari International Assistance.

 

[Cobrar]

That's funny! Wonder how much those monthly payments are? ;-))

 

[Sinovac]

I really think there's also an element of "look at that thing, it's unfair." Boo hoo.

I've read a bunch of that nonsense. "It's barely a street legal race car," "cheater car," etc. Ford should compile all these complaints and use in the street car's promo material. For this very reason the new GT is very close in concept to the original GTs. Barely street legal race car, cheater car? Yeah, I want that.

 

[ChipBeck]

You can have all the aero you want, but if you're getting drilled on corner exit and acceleration...

Gentlemen,

This is so frustrating. Ford develops a new GT specifically to race and win at Le Mans only to have the car's design superiority nullified by mandated weight increases and power restrictions. This is like making Usain Bolt wear ankle weights at the Olympics because his 200M dash times were too fast.

Chip

 

[BlackICE]

Gentlemen,

This is so frustrating. Ford develops a new GT specifically to race and win at Le Mans only to have the car's design superiority nullified by mandated weight increases and power restrictions. This is like making Usain Bolt wear ankle weights at the Olympics because his 200M dash times were too fast.

Chip

Much like everything else in today's world, redistribute to equalize the field.

 

[Awsum GT]

Very frustrating to say the least. I hope they find a way to kick some butt!

 

[Ed Sims]

Much like everything else in today's world, redistribute to equalize the field.

You mean like with our taxes?

Ed

 

[BlackICE]

You mean like with our taxes?

Ed

I can't say it's not PC.

 

[fjpikul]

Wait a minute, like E=mc squared? Where c=speed of light?

 

[BIGFOOT]

Is there another article which talks about which cars have had their power dialed back relative to the class? Thnx