LeMans 2005

[Simon TR4a]

Where have all the factory teams gone?
Years ago we used to see big factory efforts from Ferrari, Porsche, Ford, Aston Martin, Jaguar, and semi factory Toyota, Sauber Mercedes and Peugeot teams.
This year the LMP1 class offers 13 entries only, (no Bentley), 2 are from Champion Audi, a factory-supported team, the others are private teams like Oreca, Rollcentre Racing, Jim Gainer International, Pescarolo and Racing for Holland.
Seven entries in LMP1 are Judd powered, 3 Audi, 1 each by Nissan, Mugen (Honda) and Zytek.
I feel the race is in decline, the best battles to watch will be the Corvettes, Saleens and Ferrari Maranellos.

Too bad we can't have factories entries in the Prototype classes any more.
Simon.

 

[catfood]

IMHO it is the prototypes that have caused the decline. I believe people like to see cars they could [dream of] buying in the showrooms of the world. Hopefully the wins of the Maclarens a few years ago and Aston Martins entry of the DBR9 will encourage more manufacturors to enter the GT classes otherwise Le Mans runs the risk of going the way of F1 - one big yawn. The most exciting motor sport that is televised in the UK are the Touring Car races and the international rallies where all the cars are based (loosely in some cases) on production showroom models.

 

[Bruce Bowker]

[ QUOTE ]
IMHO it is the prototypes that have caused the decline. I believe people like to see cars they could [dream of] buying in the showrooms of the world. Hopefully the wins of the Maclarens a few years ago and Aston Martins entry of the DBR9 will encourage more manufacturors to enter the GT classes otherwise Le Mans runs the risk of going the way of F1 - one big yawn. The most exciting motor sport that is televised in the UK are the Touring Car races and the international rallies where all the cars are based (loosely in some cases) on production showroom models.

[/ QUOTE ]

Could not agree more. Great were the days when MG, Austin Healey, Triumph, Jaguar, Ferrari, Porsche and all were racing together. You could actually look at a car and say what it was.

Bruce

 

[Grantura_MKI]

TVR will be there! Too bad that they are now under Russian ownership!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nopity.gif

 

[Simon TR4a]

I applaud Aston Martin, and their car is beautiful!
I think Jaguar should have gone back to their traditional strength instead of getting involved in F1 where they expected too much too soon on too small a budget. Then their frustration led to too many changes of management in the racinf programme.
I agree with you that the public wants cars they can identify with; perhaps why I mostly go to vintage races now, I can imagine driving those cars!
Simon.