Semi-offical ALMS thread
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email an ALMS insider sent me.
No official news other than the PR blather. There's suggestions of a dispute between Mazda and BK over budget next year though Doonan denied this to me. Something happened though. Why else would they purchase a new chassis and then put it up for sale 2 months later at a substantial loss? But the reality was that BK was the problem in Mazda's sub par performance. The team never took the task seriously and certainly never had any engineering depth whatsoever. The team always appeared aloof and inexperienced and it showed in the results. So I see this as a good thing for Mazda. You have to imagine Mazda is courting Dyson very hard...but their options are slim as they aren't in a position to purchase the assets of BK (what would they then do with it?) and we're loosing Intersport more than likely (not that they would be a good fit, they have the same issues of inexperience as BK did and have a crash expert like John Field). Mazda needs to do something soon as they need to start the pre-season testing season ASAP.
No official news other than the PR blather. There's suggestions of a dispute between Mazda and BK over budget next year though Doonan denied this to me. Something happened though. Why else would they purchase a new chassis and then put it up for sale 2 months later at a substantial loss? But the reality was that BK was the problem in Mazda's sub par performance. The team never took the task seriously and certainly never had any engineering depth whatsoever. The team always appeared aloof and inexperienced and it showed in the results. So I see this as a good thing for Mazda. You have to imagine Mazda is courting Dyson very hard...but their options are slim as they aren't in a position to purchase the assets of BK (what would they then do with it?) and we're loosing Intersport more than likely (not that they would be a good fit, they have the same issues of inexperience as BK did and have a crash expert like John Field). Mazda needs to do something soon as they need to start the pre-season testing season ASAP.
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From: C-Squat, NY
Originally Posted by RichUK,Nov 9 2008, 04:42 AM
Mazda engine deal for RML in the LMS - http://www.mg-lola.com/news%20items/...zdalola_01.htm
Rich any news on Creation's ALMS plans for next season?
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RML are also a very accomplished team, so they should do well in 2009. Radio Le Mans were talking about providing commentary from all the LMS races next year, so you might get something at least.
I can't really say what Creations plans for ALMS in 2009 are before they are formally announced, but it sounded very positive the last time I spoke with them (about ten days ago). They should be going back to Judd engines, which hopefully will help them find the pace they lacked this year.
I can't really say what Creations plans for ALMS in 2009 are before they are formally announced, but it sounded very positive the last time I spoke with them (about ten days ago). They should be going back to Judd engines, which hopefully will help them find the pace they lacked this year.
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From: C-Squat, NY
Originally Posted by RichUK,Nov 28 2008, 08:56 AM
I'm hearing that Dyson might have bought one or both of the B-K Motorsport cars.
http://feedmesportscars.com/node/5307
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http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72280
Audi to replace R10 with R15 TDi
Audi has confirmed that it will replace its R10 TDi sportscar with a new model, the R15, next season.
The R10 was Audi's first turbo-diesel LMP1 car and followed the R8, which won the Le Mans 24 Hours five times in six years between 2000 and 2005.
The R10 won Le Mans in each of the three years since its introduction in 2006, and it will be superseded by the R15 TDi from 2009.
Audi claims the new car will have a smaller, lighter and more efficient TDi engine than the R10, and confirmed that it will be another open-topped car.
It is scheduled to test for the first time later this year, but will not be publicly launched until shortly before its race debut in Sebring 12 Hours in March.
"It was clear to us that we must develop a new car if we wanted to continue to be successful at Le Mans," said Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Audi's motorsport boss. "The R15 TDi is the result. The step from R10 to R15 is significantly larger than it was from the R8 to the R10."
The marque also confirmed that Audi Sport Team Joest will again run a trio of its prototypes in the Le Mans 24 Hours next year.
Audi to replace R10 with R15 TDi
Audi has confirmed that it will replace its R10 TDi sportscar with a new model, the R15, next season.
The R10 was Audi's first turbo-diesel LMP1 car and followed the R8, which won the Le Mans 24 Hours five times in six years between 2000 and 2005.
The R10 won Le Mans in each of the three years since its introduction in 2006, and it will be superseded by the R15 TDi from 2009.
Audi claims the new car will have a smaller, lighter and more efficient TDi engine than the R10, and confirmed that it will be another open-topped car.
It is scheduled to test for the first time later this year, but will not be publicly launched until shortly before its race debut in Sebring 12 Hours in March.
"It was clear to us that we must develop a new car if we wanted to continue to be successful at Le Mans," said Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Audi's motorsport boss. "The R15 TDi is the result. The step from R10 to R15 is significantly larger than it was from the R8 to the R10."
The marque also confirmed that Audi Sport Team Joest will again run a trio of its prototypes in the Le Mans 24 Hours next year.