Corvette at Le Mans
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,642
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From: Lake Worth Beach, Florida
Corvette at Le Mans
Appears the only Corvette participant, TF Racing, came in 11th and 15th in LMGT3 class. Didi not see any Pratt and Miller participation.
Popular Reply
Jun 16, 2024, 08:08 PM
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,764
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From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
[QUOTE=Sledge Hammer;1607904703]OK, I admit I am a NASCAR fan and know very little about a endurance racing. Would someone please explain what BOP refers to. My first thoughts went to Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac but that doesn't seem to fit.[/QUOTE
As said above Balance Of Power. If you do too well in races your car is evaluated and typically add weight or detune horsepower. They may also make you add down force. More down force = less HP. In the heyday of Team Corvette it seemed like weekly BOP adjustments. I was at a seminar where Doug Fehan voiced loads of displeasure with BOP. He claimed they would win big, next week depowered. He claimed that it was more about who whined against you. He claimed the Ford GT boys griped every race that the Vettes were too fast. I also think changing the classes was an attempt to get full factory support out of IMSA, frustrating GM again. Indy does similar with BOP. A couple years ago, Chevy was kicking Hondas **** in practice. The result, IRL made Chevy detune, and add down force.
To me, racing should be about winning. If the other guy us fast, you have to figure out how to get faster. I really don't like homogenized racing. It used to be if you showed up with better cars, you won more races. The BOP thinking is to take the equipment out of the equation and just make it about drivers, like IROC did. The issue IS racing IS about equipment as well.
As said above Balance Of Power. If you do too well in races your car is evaluated and typically add weight or detune horsepower. They may also make you add down force. More down force = less HP. In the heyday of Team Corvette it seemed like weekly BOP adjustments. I was at a seminar where Doug Fehan voiced loads of displeasure with BOP. He claimed they would win big, next week depowered. He claimed that it was more about who whined against you. He claimed the Ford GT boys griped every race that the Vettes were too fast. I also think changing the classes was an attempt to get full factory support out of IMSA, frustrating GM again. Indy does similar with BOP. A couple years ago, Chevy was kicking Hondas **** in practice. The result, IRL made Chevy detune, and add down force.
To me, racing should be about winning. If the other guy us fast, you have to figure out how to get faster. I really don't like homogenized racing. It used to be if you showed up with better cars, you won more races. The BOP thinking is to take the equipment out of the equation and just make it about drivers, like IROC did. The issue IS racing IS about equipment as well.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,900
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From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
That is because they weren’t there. First time in over 25 yearsi no factory Vette at LeMans. Sad day.
Caddy 02 was leading when I got up this morning then finished 5th, I believe, or there about. Miserable conditions. Rain most of the race. Over one hour on safety car mid race.
Caddy 02 was leading when I got up this morning then finished 5th, I believe, or there about. Miserable conditions. Rain most of the race. Over one hour on safety car mid race.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
That is because they weren’t there. First time in over 25 yearsi no factory Vette at LeMans. Sad day.
Caddy 02 was leading when I got up this morning then finished 5th, I believe, or there about. Miserable conditions. Rain most of the race. Over one hour on safety car mid race.
Caddy 02 was leading when I got up this morning then finished 5th, I believe, or there about. Miserable conditions. Rain most of the race. Over one hour on safety car mid race.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,900
Likes: 4,352
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Pratt & Miller technically isn't a GM factory team either.either. The sad part for me is GM finally gets the right car, mid engine, it wanted for years and they bail out on the factory program. I know the whole BOP thing frustrated the GM team, so maybe that was a statement to the governing body.
Safety Car
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From: NC
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As I watched the view from the 81 car it was painfully obvious we had no straightway speed. It looked like we were good in braking and cornering but just got killed on the high speed straightways by everybody including the Mustangs. BOP related I'm sure but Corvette wasn't competitive.
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Drifting
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Incredibly disappointing gm abandoned factory backed racing for the Corvette now that it has a mid engine configuration but knowing the time, effort and money factories put into racing (which I support) however I would question pouring money into a program that punished success with BOP nonsense… Last year’s Ferrari win after Lexus was BOP’ed being a prime example….
How many years did Toyota pour money into endurance racing while losing to Audi when they dominated to the top class…. The teams should be held to the letter of law when it comes to the car. Engine size, turbos, hybrid power… whatever… but winning is supposed to be the reward for the best drivers combined with the best car…. Not a fan of BOP…
How many years did Toyota pour money into endurance racing while losing to Audi when they dominated to the top class…. The teams should be held to the letter of law when it comes to the car. Engine size, turbos, hybrid power… whatever… but winning is supposed to be the reward for the best drivers combined with the best car…. Not a fan of BOP…
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
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From: Cape Coral, FL
OK, I admit I am a NASCAR fan and know very little about a endurance racing. Would someone please explain what BOP refers to. My first thoughts went to Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac but that doesn't seem to fit.
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Safety Car
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From: Gettysburg PA
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^^^^ BOP = Balance of Performance
https://www.fia.com/news/wec-what-balance-performance
I'm NOT a fan either...... Corvette Racing was screwed ( IMO ) the past several years......... add more weight..... take away fuel, etc, etc
https://www.fia.com/news/wec-what-balance-performance
I'm NOT a fan either...... Corvette Racing was screwed ( IMO ) the past several years......... add more weight..... take away fuel, etc, etc
Race Director
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
[QUOTE=Sledge Hammer;1607904703]OK, I admit I am a NASCAR fan and know very little about a endurance racing. Would someone please explain what BOP refers to. My first thoughts went to Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac but that doesn't seem to fit.[/QUOTE
As said above Balance Of Power. If you do too well in races your car is evaluated and typically add weight or detune horsepower. They may also make you add down force. More down force = less HP. In the heyday of Team Corvette it seemed like weekly BOP adjustments. I was at a seminar where Doug Fehan voiced loads of displeasure with BOP. He claimed they would win big, next week depowered. He claimed that it was more about who whined against you. He claimed the Ford GT boys griped every race that the Vettes were too fast. I also think changing the classes was an attempt to get full factory support out of IMSA, frustrating GM again. Indy does similar with BOP. A couple years ago, Chevy was kicking Hondas **** in practice. The result, IRL made Chevy detune, and add down force.
To me, racing should be about winning. If the other guy us fast, you have to figure out how to get faster. I really don't like homogenized racing. It used to be if you showed up with better cars, you won more races. The BOP thinking is to take the equipment out of the equation and just make it about drivers, like IROC did. The issue IS racing IS about equipment as well.
As said above Balance Of Power. If you do too well in races your car is evaluated and typically add weight or detune horsepower. They may also make you add down force. More down force = less HP. In the heyday of Team Corvette it seemed like weekly BOP adjustments. I was at a seminar where Doug Fehan voiced loads of displeasure with BOP. He claimed they would win big, next week depowered. He claimed that it was more about who whined against you. He claimed the Ford GT boys griped every race that the Vettes were too fast. I also think changing the classes was an attempt to get full factory support out of IMSA, frustrating GM again. Indy does similar with BOP. A couple years ago, Chevy was kicking Hondas **** in practice. The result, IRL made Chevy detune, and add down force.
To me, racing should be about winning. If the other guy us fast, you have to figure out how to get faster. I really don't like homogenized racing. It used to be if you showed up with better cars, you won more races. The BOP thinking is to take the equipment out of the equation and just make it about drivers, like IROC did. The issue IS racing IS about equipment as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,764
Likes: 2,513
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
NASCAR does it too. Restricter plates, exact same chassis, and added weight per driver. Danica Patrick always had added weight at least 40 lbs every race.
