2008 Rules changes

[HORNDAWG]

Preface of rules release by the ACO.

The 2008 technical regulations: stability and opening
jeudi 20 décembre 2007 - 14h26

All the races organized under the Le Mans label in 2008 (Le Mans 24 Hours, the American Le Mans Series in the USA and the Le Mans Series in Europe) will comply with new specifications drawn up by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, which, in fact, are new technical regulations for all entrants. In 2008, there will be no changes in the categories accepted - LM P1 and LM P2 prototypes, LM GT1 and LM GT2 Grand Touring Cars.

Stability and opening are the keywords to the 2008 regulations:
- Those governing LM GT1 and LM GT2 remain identical to 2007;
- The performance of the petrol-engined LM P1 cars is brought closer to that of the LM P1 diesels;
- An obvious performance difference is maintained between LM P1 and LM P2 prototypes;
- The LM P2’s role as a vehicle for privateers is reinforced. To prevent entrants wasting money attempting to lighten their cars their weight has been increased by 50 kilos.
In a further attempt to reduce costs a series production engine (in contrast to those designed exclusively for racing) can be installed in LM P1 and LM P2 cars.
Opening up the race to bio fuels highlights the ACO’s concern with the protection of the environment, as well as its desire to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.
As a result petrol with 10% ethanol and bio diesel (BTL) will be allowed in 2008 in both LM P1 and LM P2.

Innovations in the 2008 ACO regulations
LM P1:
- Minimum weight: 900 kgs
- Air restrictors on petrol-engined cars increased by 3%

LM P2:
- 50 kg increase in weight (raised to 825 kgs)
- Fuel tank capacity reduced to 80 litres (instead of 90 litres)

LM P1 & LM P2:
- Series production engines allowed
- Bio fuels allowed: petrol with 10% ethanol plus biodiesel (BTL)

LM GT1 & LM GT2: no changes in relation to the 2007 regulations

The ACO is considering a reduction in performances in LM P1 and LM P2 for safety reasons, given the fact that the 3m 30s barrier was breached in the 2007 race.
Discussions with the entrants will begin in 2008 to introduce such measures in 2009 or 2010.
The modifications to be made will apply mainly to the bodywork, the wings and the air restrictors, so that the LM P1 cars’ times will not dip under 3m 30s over a lap of the Le Mans circuit.

Well the bulk of the rules seem to be the Clarifying of what the ACO seems to think that the prototype classes should be and their individual performance in relation to each other.
Of which I agree was/is needed.

There also is what appears to be some positioning for the 2010 LMGTP(?) in the engine rules art. 5.1. and in the last sentence of their press statement on the release of the new rules.

The statement I find most telling is the opening paragraph which is new wording on the subject.

[Nick Koske]

I think it's a mistake to slow the LMP2 down but not slow down the GT classes as a similar percent. The drivers were already having to take risks around GT cars and have a hard enough time trying to pass the GT cars (see the Corvette/Acura get together at Petit). By just slowing the P2 cars further you're asking for more trouble, IMO of course.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Nick Koske

I think it's a mistake to slow the LMP2 down but not slow down the GT classes as a similar percent. The drivers were already having to take risks around GT cars and have a hard enough time trying to pass the GT cars (see the Corvette/Acura get together at Petit). By just slowing the P2 cars further you're asking for more trouble, IMO of course.

Mistake? The first thing I guess that I disagree with is the fact that the P-2 drivers HAD to take risks! Had they not been trying to set the same pace as the P-1's they would not have been there in the first place.
As to more trouble by slowing them; I think not, as now they will not be in that window where they think they can because the P-1 did! But I guess we shall see as things pan out this year in the ALMS and LMS with their application of the rules.

[Nick Koske]

I'll have to disagree...as long as the competition is good in P2...i.e. Porsche vs. Acura they will push each other regardless of trying to keep up with the P1s. One could say they might have to push harder to try and keep up with the P1s. You can't tell me that they're not going to try. They're race car drivers they'll go as fast as they can. If there is any competition at all...they'll push and take chances...that's what makes them good.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Nick Koske

I'll have to disagree...as long as the competition is good in P2...i.e. Porsche vs. Acura they will push each other regardless of trying to keep up with the P1s. One could say they might have to push harder to try and keep up with the P1s. You can't tell me that they're not going to try. They're race car drivers they'll go as fast as they can. If there is any competition at all...they'll push and take chances...that's what makes them good.

Yes, one of the hallmarks of a good driver is the ability to go fast. But another of those hallmarks is to do it without running into other cars!
To simply state that to be a good driver they must push, take chances and drive as fast they can without any regards as to the consequences of their effort, is just wrong. Or is that not what is being advocating in this statement?

[John Thawley]

Regardless, I think when rules are established, there has to be an understanding (and assumption) that the driver factor, while an unknown quantity in the calculation, falls within a range that could fairly be described as "expert." Yes we know there are variances... but isn't THAT what makes the difference. So, where the rules strive for ways to establish a reasonably level playing field, the driver is the element in the equation that, all things being equal, makes the difference.

I realize there are other factors, tires, reliability, preparation, the team, strategy etc... but I think to some extent, technical specification need to somewhat ignore the variable in driver skill.

I could be wrong.

JT

[ChuckK]

It will be difficult to build much interest for a boring Audi dominated series. I have seen it before and skipped it after a while. Hardly the draw of a Audi-Porsche-Acura battle. It is all about demographics--without real competition the numbers that really matter will slip away.
2007 was a vintage year for great racing in ALMS.
Audi dominated racing puts new wind in the NASCAR GrandAm sails in the fight for demographics.The other Roger has to be giggling with this Christmas gift.
What is the next shoe to drop?

[John Thawley]

Originally Posted by ChuckK

Audi dominated racing puts new wind in the NASCAR GrandAm sails in the fight for demographics.The other Roger has to be giggling with this Christmas gift.

I fail to see the relevance. You're indicating that not wanting to see Audi win translates to let's go watch something else. And, while that may have some truth... to predict the "something else" is automatically GrandAm is a reach.

I think their will be plenty of exciting action on the on-track menu regardless of what happens with LMP1. There is a lot of off season shuffling going on that is not being revealed yet.... trust me, Sebring will have all the action you can handle.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by John Thawley

I fail to see the relevance. You're indicating that not wanting to see Audi win translates to let's go watch something else. And, while that may have some truth... to predict the "something else" is automatically GrandAm is a reach.

I think their will be plenty of exciting action on the on-track menu regardless of what happens with LMP1. There is a lot of off season shuffling going on that is not being revealed yet.... trust me, Sebring will have all the action you can handle.

Even without the stuff that has not reached the light of day yet. There have been rule changes that will help with competition at the front in P-1. The class weight reduction; even though Audi has stated it is not going to be a problem for them to reach it they already have a problem with medium and low speed front mechanical grip and I do not see them losing weight in the back of the car or they would have already adjusted it to get more front grip. So losing the weight for Audi is not a plus in the ALMS races from what I see. And the petrol P-1's get a larger (as in more flow) air restrictor next year. Not to mention that Memo just broke the track record at Sears Pt. in the Cytosport Lola with the old engine in it, Cytosport and most likely Intersport will have the bigger AER engine next year. So to just write off the battle at the front next year is a little premature IMO. Also there should be some decent competition from across the pond for a coupla three races.

[HORNDAWG]

Well from a cursory glance it seems that the only thing different with the IMSA/ALMS starting point to last year is a 25kg add on for the P-2's.