C8 & Le Mans
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
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C8 & Le Mans
I did a Search & found nothing...
I just saw Ford v Ferrari.. It was excellent... But, I couldn't help noticing at the end that Ford is the only American Car in History to win overall at Le Mans... Several years in a row. I've got to believe GM has built this new Mid Engine C8 Corvette with the Goal of winning Le Mans overall in mind.. But I haven't seen much in print about it...
What do you all think???
I just saw Ford v Ferrari.. It was excellent... But, I couldn't help noticing at the end that Ford is the only American Car in History to win overall at Le Mans... Several years in a row. I've got to believe GM has built this new Mid Engine C8 Corvette with the Goal of winning Le Mans overall in mind.. But I haven't seen much in print about it...
What do you all think???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
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It depends on how the FIA writes the rules. If they keep their Prototype classes, a Corvette win is highly improbable. If they do away with the faster classes, maybe a slower car like the Corvette could win. The LMP1 hybrid class has virtually disappeared because of cost, so I suppose that this scenario could possibly play out. I believe I've heard discussion of a new class based on production cars that sounds like it might make for an overall winner, but I'm just going on memory.
Team Owner
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LOL, not a chance. In the 1960s, the Ford GT40 and it's competitors were the top dogs. Today, it's prototypes that pass the GT cars like they're standing still.
As noted above, prototype classes would have to be legislated out of existence, but that's probably years away.
As noted above, prototype classes would have to be legislated out of existence, but that's probably years away.
Last edited by Foosh; Nov 17, 2019 at 01:36 PM.
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Drifting
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From: Oceanside Ca
I just watched the movie as well, think it might win academy award. A lot of character development and the story is mainly focused on the relationship between Shelby and driver Dan Miles . Think of it as a movie like the "Right Stuff" but about cars.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Edmond Oklahoma
LeMans winners aren't production based cars. Shelby Daytona Coupe, Corvette and latest Ford were American GT Class winners but not overall winner.
The current rules are favorable to hybrids. I think they are going to team oriented rules package where chassis and engines can be mixed and matched by the teams. (I might be wrong.)
The current rules are favorable to hybrids. I think they are going to team oriented rules package where chassis and engines can be mixed and matched by the teams. (I might be wrong.)
Last edited by LowRyter; Nov 17, 2019 at 06:12 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
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Ken Miles. This was a time in auto racing history where racing drivers died at about the same rate as combat pilots.
Melting Slicks
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Corvette did win overall at Daytona once with the C5R if I remember correctly. I think it was a case of all the prototypes having mechanical issues. Kind of a tortoise and hare story, so it's not necessarily impossible.
Banned Scam/Spammer
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The movie was stupid to put that line at the end; it's very misleading. Everyone who follows the 24 Hours of Le Mans knows that there are two main races occuring at once: The prototypes/LMP cars, and the GTLM cars.
Corvette has won many times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As have the latest Ford GTs, and as has the Dodge Viper (or "Chrysler Viper" as they call it in Europe haha). All are American cars.
Also, arguably GTLM is more important because they are MUCH closer to the production cars/chassis that you buy as a road car.
Corvette has won many times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As have the latest Ford GTs, and as has the Dodge Viper (or "Chrysler Viper" as they call it in Europe haha). All are American cars.
Also, arguably GTLM is more important because they are MUCH closer to the production cars/chassis that you buy as a road car.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Nov 17, 2019 at 03:27 PM.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Edmond Oklahoma
I don't think so. The only production GT car to win Daytona 24 was 911 in the mid '70s.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Edmond Oklahoma
winning your class doesn't mean winning the race.
Last edited by LowRyter; Nov 17, 2019 at 06:09 PM.
