C8 talk during LeMans broadcast
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Instructor
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C8 talk during LeMans broadcast
I was watching the LeMans broadcast last night after 10 p.m. probably closer to 11 p.m. The announcers were talking about the C8 running LeMans next year. They also were talking about a new class of cars that had mid engine power with front engine Electric Power. This does go hand-in-hand with the news that we've heard of a gas electric combo. Did anybody else catch this?
Intermediate
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See article below for the proposed specs for the replacement of LMP1 cars at Le Mans starting 2020. It seems like similarly spec’d cars will be racing in IMSA also.
The 700hp IC engine and 271hp electric power mentioned in the article is close to the rumored specs of the top end Corvette mid engine car.
https://racer.com/2018/06/15/2020-lm...ed-at-le-mans/
The 700hp IC engine and 271hp electric power mentioned in the article is close to the rumored specs of the top end Corvette mid engine car.
https://racer.com/2018/06/15/2020-lm...ed-at-le-mans/
Former Vendor
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From: Lookin over Hoover Dam
I listened to Radio Lemans the entire way...they mentioned the next car several times. Doesn't mean they know the entire story of course, but they definitely seemed confident when they spoke. I heard several times they mentioned the mid engine Corvette racecar being in development at Pratt, something that Fehan also said at the bash.
They also spoke a bit about the 2020-2024 LMP1 rule changes and the possibilities but...actually brought up Cadillac and the DPi's wondering how they'd fit that mold.
They also spoke a bit about the 2020-2024 LMP1 rule changes and the possibilities but...actually brought up Cadillac and the DPi's wondering how they'd fit that mold.
Former Vendor
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From: Lookin over Hoover Dam
Doug Fehan has said many things and when you talk to the press and make a statement, it influences people in various places. When he says something at the bash to random enthusiasts, versus something that has press power, an inconsistent message tells me there are wheels in motion and potential conflicts of how to move forward.
Safety Car
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From: Pacific Northwest
Maybe now that LeMans is over, GM Corporate with huddle with GM Racing, then approach the ACO with a specific proposal for next year?
Last edited by elegant; Jun 17, 2018 at 11:41 AM.
Melting Slicks
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Since I could not watch Le Mans at Home and had to stream at work, I was forced to watch it through Ford's in Car cameras and listen to the broadcast to hear what was going on with Corvette occasionally. Why don't Corvette stream live as well?? Or they only do it in the US?
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Melting Slicks
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From: Annandale VA
Racer
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With how much of an advantage the Porsche’s and Fords had with BoP I really think 5th was a good result for the day. Too bad they never really had a chance to compete for the podium let alone the lead.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: St. Louis MO
All Hail the Pink Pig's. Seriously, between Sebring and now LeMans, it looks like Porsche is on a roll. They will be a handful for everyone during the rest of the IMSA WeatherTech Championship.
Race Director
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From: NC
It's Porsche's 70th anniversary....
Just like it was Ford's 50th anniversary beating Ferrari in 2016...
In BOTH cases, the car's that won have either little to do with a production car (the MID-ENGINE 911 RSR) or were not EVEN in production (2016 Ford GT).
Based on past history, the C7R will race next year, GM has not, to this point, raced Corvettes that were NOT in full production (the C5.R raced all of 2004 and the C6.R raced all of 2013).
Not to say they won't but my money is on the C8.R breaking ground in 2020.
Just like it was Ford's 50th anniversary beating Ferrari in 2016...
In BOTH cases, the car's that won have either little to do with a production car (the MID-ENGINE 911 RSR) or were not EVEN in production (2016 Ford GT).
Based on past history, the C7R will race next year, GM has not, to this point, raced Corvettes that were NOT in full production (the C5.R raced all of 2004 and the C6.R raced all of 2013).
Not to say they won't but my money is on the C8.R breaking ground in 2020.
Burning Brakes
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From: St. Louis MO
Not sure I agree entirely - Fehan has Pratt and Miller working on something that’s not C7-based. The question is LeMans, since they have this crazy “super season”. The politics of this have yet to play out - if the C8.R is ready and races in the Rolex 24 next January, then GM can tell the ACO that they will either bring the C8.R to France or sit 2019 out. The French love Corvette, so having Corvette sit out one year will hurt the ACO more than GM. I can’t see Corvette Racing run two different models of race car next year, and the C7.R is getting long in the tooth. The big decision is what they bring to Daytona. If the C8.R is ready, I’m betting that’s what they will bring. It gives them a whole BOP-Immune year to race for the WeatherTech Championship, since no one will have a clue how fast it will be, (as Ganassi exploited in 2016).
Race Director
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Completely agree.
GM has enough political power at Le Mans to make it happen IMO.
Corvette Racing has been an asset for the ACO.
They don't bitch or are a PITA for the regulatory body to deal with on a constant basis (unlike some others).
It would be awesome to see the C8.R break cover at the 24 Hours of Daytona.
GM has enough political power at Le Mans to make it happen IMO.
Corvette Racing has been an asset for the ACO.
They don't bitch or are a PITA for the regulatory body to deal with on a constant basis (unlike some others).
It would be awesome to see the C8.R break cover at the 24 Hours of Daytona.
Last edited by sunsalem; Jun 18, 2018 at 12:07 PM.
Safety Car
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From: Pacific Northwest
Not sure I agree entirely - Fehan has Pratt and Miller working on something that’s not C7-based. The question is LeMans, since they have this crazy “super season”. The politics of this have yet to play out - if the C8.R is ready and races in the Rolex 24 next January, then GM can tell the ACO that they will either bring the C8.R to France or sit 2019 out. The French love Corvette, so having Corvette sit out one year will hurt the ACO more than GM. I can’t see Corvette Racing run two different models of race car next year, and the C7.R is getting long in the tooth. The big decision is what they bring to Daytona. If the C8.R is ready, I’m betting that’s what they will bring. It gives them a whole BOP-Immune year to race for the WeatherTech Championship, since no one will have a clue how fast it will be, (as Ganassi exploited in 2016).
Completely agree.
GM has enough political power at Le Mans to make it happen IMO.
Corvette Racing has been an asset for the ACO.
They don't bitch or are a PITA for the regulatory body to deal with on a constant basis (unlike some others).It would be awesome to see the C8.R break cover at the 24 Hours of Daytona.
GM has enough political power at Le Mans to make it happen IMO.
Corvette Racing has been an asset for the ACO.
They don't bitch or are a PITA for the regulatory body to deal with on a constant basis (unlike some others).It would be awesome to see the C8.R break cover at the 24 Hours of Daytona.
Le Mans Master
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From: Port Arthur, Texas 77642
Safety Car
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From: Pacific Northwest
Just saw we were moved up to 4th place as one of the Ford’s ahead of us failed to comply with the six-hour minimum drive time per driver rule.
Last edited by elegant; Jun 18, 2018 at 02:18 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: St. Louis MO
Hi, John. I saw that too. It surprises me that Chip Gannassi would let that one get by him - he's usually pretty sharp on this stuff. I guess stuff just happens. The penalty really hurt them - back to 12th place in class.
Burning Brakes
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From: St. Louis MO
Former Vendor
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From: Lookin over Hoover Dam
Not sure I agree entirely - Fehan has Pratt and Miller working on something that’s not C7-based. The question is LeMans, since they have this crazy “super season”. The politics of this have yet to play out - if the C8.R is ready and races in the Rolex 24 next January, then GM can tell the ACO that they will either bring the C8.R to France or sit 2019 out. The French love Corvette, so having Corvette sit out one year will hurt the ACO more than GM. I can’t see Corvette Racing run two different models of race car next year, and the C7.R is getting long in the tooth. The big decision is what they bring to Daytona. If the C8.R is ready, I’m betting that’s what they will bring. It gives them a whole BOP-Immune year to race for the WeatherTech Championship, since no one will have a clue how fast it will be, (as Ganassi exploited in 2016).
I can dream....
Last edited by KnightDriveTV; Jun 18, 2018 at 04:37 PM.