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    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Did you see the drawings on the last pages? It doesn't look so bad.


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Spyderidol:

    Did you see the drawings on the last pages? It doesn't look so bad.

    Yes, I have seen. It is not a problem, maybe it is more that I wanted to see. Anyway these are great regulations, even better than group C that regulated the engine to be Group A or B derived.


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    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Really with new regulations I don't see how are they going to limit the fastest laps to 3-30))) 


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    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    The new regulations look very promising! 

    Anybody else catch that there are hardly ANY engine restrictions? It even says, no more restrictions against capacity, turbos, amount of cylinders, or air restrictors.

    It'd be cool to see Porsche with a new motorsports flat 6 block introduced!


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

     

    Originally Posted by on another forum
    Porsche motorsports coordinatior was in the German Eurosport commentary booth. He says that Porsche will use a petrol engine. They are waiting for the last details on what the hybrid categories are like for 2014 and what way they choose. It is not decided yet if Porsche Motorsports enters the cars or a team. He denies that the Porsche Vs Audi fight is an accident or only temporarily, since on the market Porsches also fight Audi R8s.
     
    He also revealed that over a hundred people are involved in the work on the car already. - Also from another forum

    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Good news! Nice to see an inter-company battle brewing.


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Quite interesting rumours;

    http://www.ausmotive.com/2012/06/18/webber-to-lead-porsche-at-le-mans-in-2014.html

     

     


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    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Webber would be a natural choice as driver. He has had a long informal association with Porsche outside of F1 duties, and already has LeMans experience. He'll be coming over to the LeMans effort in peak form after having just departed F1 too so it will not be as if he has developed much rust during the downtime and layover.


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    I hope it's true, but I'm keeping a generous amount of skepticism concerning this rumor. 

    Heidfeld is another name that is being rumored to be a possible choice.


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Also have read a couple days ago that audi will quit Le Mans after 2013 and possibly will go to F1 or will concentrate on Dtm and gt categories. VW doesn't want competition inside.

    Hope it is not true.

     


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    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    ExxonMobil will be a technical partner of Porsche LMP1 effort!


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    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Porsche CEO Matthias Müeller talks racing and road cars in interview

    (10 September 2012)

    Matthias Müeller, chairman and CEO of Porsche AG, attended the Grand Prix of Baltimore during the first week of September to witness his first-ever American Le Mans Series race in person. Autoweek and other select media sat down with the 59-year-old to hear his thoughts on Porsche's racing and road-car futures.

    What do you think of the Baltimore event?

    Matthias Müeller: From my point of view, it's a little bit of basic racing, not so much ballyhoo around the race. I suppose the people which are here are very interested in racing and not something else.

    Can you update us on Porsche's 2014 LMP1 race-car project?

    MM: It's in the time schedule. We had a lot of work to do in terms of infrastructure in Germany, but we did it very well. We have a new building for our motorsports department. Of course we've got some people from outside to give a lot of expertise in racing . . . we will do our homework and from my point of view you should see the car for the first time [at the 12 Hours of Sebring] in 2014.

    (NB: This interview was conducted prior to the announcement that the ALMS and Grand-Am will merge their series for 2014. LMP1 cars may or may not be allowed at the 12 Hours of Sebring by then.)

    Can you confirm any details of the car and its hybrid system? Will it use a battery system rather than a flywheel system?

    MM: Not today.

    Will Porsche contest the full World Endurance Championship in year one of the program?

    MM: Of course. We will build the LMP1 car not only for Le Mans but for the WEC series, and we suppose there are at least six [WEC] races all over the world plus Le Mans, so we will see where the events will take place.

    When is the first test?

    MM: We are testing every day. (Laughing)

    Will you race against Audi, which, like Porsche, is a Volkswagen-owned marque?

    MM: At that time the decision is that Audi takes place in LMP1, and we [do] also, so Audi will be a competitor, yes.

    Will there be an American team, perhaps an association with Roger Penske as in the recent past, for example?

    MM: For the LMP1? No.

    Does Porsche see any attraction in joining something like the Izod IndyCar Series?

    MM: No. We have no idea about that. You said open wheel? No. There is no idea [from Porsche] about [joining] open-wheel series. We stick with the GT Series and of course as we discussed with the LMP1 series for 2014. That is our decision.

    Will you continue to run the 911 via a customer program or change it into a factory program?

    MM: Customer motorsports is essential for Porsche, but nevertheless we have to make up our mind whether we give more or less input from the factory. It depends on the situation. We will meet.

    Is there an update on the 918 supercar?

    MM: Frankly speaking, I drove the car two days ago and it was amazing. It's also on a time schedule and the car will be ready in the beginning or middle of next year. The customers will get the cars after [the upcoming winter] holidays.

    Is there any plan to race the 918?

    MM: No, it is no race car. There could be a possibility [down the road], but up to now there is no plan.

    Has the much-publicized DeltaWing project changed how Porsche approaches motorsports in terms of thinking outside the box, or at least caused you to raise an eyebrow at such a concept?

    MM: I have no idea about that. Porsche has not given any expertise or support into a project like that.

    What about drivers for your LMP1 project?

    MM: We have no decision about the drivers. But of course we have contracts with some of the drivers you know, and some of the drivers which have been very successful with Audi [in LMP1 racing] also have contracts with Porsche. We are looking forward to having the best drivers for the program.

    Are you interested in expanding the racing version of the Cayman into a more professional level than it is now?

    MM: That's an interesting question, because we thought about the Cayman and a GT4 series, but it depends on the regulations and some possibilities in the future. We could imagine that the Cayman could also be a race car. But there is no decision now.

    Will the 911 remain Porsche's official GT entry for the foreseeable future?

    MM: For sure.

    Any thought of changing the Cayman or the 911 from their traditional six-cylinder engines?

    MM: At the beginning we will have the same engines as in the 911. For the next generation of the 991 [the new 911] we think to have turbo engines and for the second generation of the 982 [the upcoming Cayman] and 991 we have no decision now, but you know downsizing in engines is very important especially in countries where we have [strong] CO2 regulations. We will see what the future will bring.

    Do you have a timeline for the return of the 911 Turbo?

    MM: It will start production in 2014.

    What about weight reduction there? Less weight is one of the key engineering points of the 991 in general.

    MM: The weight reduction of the 991 in comparison to the 997 [that it replaced] was about more than [200 pounds] and it will be the same with the 911 Turbo. Porsche is [focused on] that question and we've worked very hard to reduce the weight of all of our cars, not only of our sports cars but also the Cayenne and Panamera.

    What do you see as the growth opportunity in the small SUV market, considering Porsche's upcoming Macan SUV?

    MM: First of all, we have to say we have been a little bit surprised by the success we have had with the Cayenne, also with the second generation. We are very successful in the Panamera segment. So it is important for Porsche, of course. That is also the reason that we will have a smaller SUV to start production next year called Macan. We expect [to build] about 50,000 units every year so we will be more successful in the SUV segment.

    This is an ongoing and somewhat tired point, but there are Porsche purists who still seem to think you're spreading into too many categories and diluting the brand. What do you say to them?

    MM: The core of Porsche is the sports-car segment. The most important icon of Porsche is the 911, and that will be also the same in the future.

    From my point of view we say, OK, we have a sports-car company, we have the 911, we have the Cayman, we have the Boxster; and also the Cayenne and the Panamera are sports cars maybe in another size.

    From our point of view in the SUV segment, the Cayenne is the most [sporty] car and in the limousine designation the Panamera is the most [sporty] car. I think it fits all of our customers. For the American market, it is the same as for Europe and Asia.

    What is the present opinion regarding Porsche possibly offering four-cylinder cars in the future?

    MM: Downsizing is a topic, and we have to make up our mind what the right amount of cylinders will be in the future. From my point of view, the 911 is well-prepared with the six-cylinder for the future, but within the Boxster and Cayman I could imagine we could have a four-cylinder boxer engine.

    Will the Porsche “DNA,” so to speak, continue to be separate from Audi, particularly with diesels?

    MM: We always have discussions in the Volkswagen group about the position of the brands. The decision now is that Porsche is the most [sporty] brand in the group and the question about diesel will be decided by the customer.

    If the customer wants to have a diesel—[we just] had a [press program] in Alaska with the Cayenne diesel, and the customers and the press have been very keen on that—so we will have a [sporty] diesel also, and that should have more performance than another diesel of Audi, for example.

    I suppose in the future always there is a question what is the right future for engines? But from my point of view the [gasoline] engine and the diesel engine are not at the end and there will be more development also, and on the other end we will have hybrid.

    [Source: Autoweek]

    Article link: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120910/ALMS/120919979

    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Great interview! Thanks!


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    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    kiss


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Chris Harris On Cars: "Porsche 962"

    The trademark Chris Harris stare gets that bit more intense, courtesy of one of Porsche's most legendary racers...

    The Porsche 962 was the most prolific sports car racer of the 1980s. It dominated Group C and IMSA, and cemented Porsche's reputation as the maker of the most robust prototype racers in the world.

    Pressure? What pressure?
     
    This is the car that won Le Mans in 1987. I wrote about driving it up the hill at Goodwood earlier this year.
     
    A taste of its performance was always going to be frustrating, so I asked the question you shouldn't really ask: "Can we drive it properly please?"
     
    The reply came a month ago. Yes, we could drive the car at Weissach, Porsche's own test track. This was both good and bad. Perfect for story synergy because this is where the 962 was developed. Bad for personal and professional safety because there is literally no run-off around most of the lap.
     
    Adding to an already perfect itinerary, the Porsche Museum which prepares these old cars, said it had invited Norbert Singer along. If you're a student of Le Mans, that's like being told you're going to watch the local cricket team and discovering I.V.A Richards will be opening for the opposition.
     
    And if that wasn't enough here's the bloke behind it...
     
    His CV spans 30 years of Porsche Motorsport success, beginning with the 917 in 1970. Should the 2014 return of Porsche to top-level prototype racing bring victory, it will be the first without Herr Singer involved.
     
    I won't say much more. Days like these don't come very often, and we've all experienced the disappointment of meeting heroes who don't fulfill the expectation. The 962/Singer combination exceeded everything I could have hoped for.
     
     
     
     
     
    "This car belongs to the Porsche Museum. It is worth millions of dollars. And they let me spank it at their Weissach test track. Good times..."
     
     
     
    ...thanks and all due credit to Norbert Singer and Chris Harris!

    Smiley SmileySmiley


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    CH's video/articles are great.  He has such a passion for cars that is equally matched by his driving skills.  As a result he presents videos/articles that pistonheads want to read - week in and week out.

    I think the auto industry likes him too, particularly Porsche, he is getting insane access.


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Fantastic! Thanks for posting.


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Spyderidol, wanted to know if you heard some of the rumors going on that porsche has hired several F1 staff member including a Sauber race engineer. The article also said that many of the factory drivers have been spending lots of time at Mclaren driving the simulators. Could this just mean they could be gearing up for lemans or possibly being a suppplier of engines for 2014 regs? whats your thoughts or any info on the hiring of these Formula  engineers.


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Hi 996cal. I read the same article. I personally think that it just speculation.  Porsche have started to gear up for their LMP1 challenge. It is going to be a huge project and a steep hill to climb. Toyota is using their F1 resources (Cologne)  for their LMP1 project and have ex-F1 drivers. Porsche understand that the challenge is a tough one, and they need to have F1 level personnel in place if they are going to be successful in a short period of time.


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Also it seems that sauber is gonna be the very close partner of VW group in future. Previously, there were rumors that red bull will be a partner, mostly because of Helmut Marko, who, by rumors, has close connections to VW and Porsche, but something has happened and RB will be Renault partner. 

    Of course, Porsche is preparing to Le Mans. Manufacturers start to return to Lmp1 class, new regulations are very interesting, so to be competitive, Porsche need to have the best of the best. Also, not a long time ago they have invested hundreds millions of dollars in Weissach facility. Also, in around 2016 I think we should expect VW route to F1. Wolfgang Durheimer is moving this idea, but Piech is against, he hates F1)))

    p.s. all this post is combo of rumors for around 1,5 years)Smiley


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    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Guys, where can I read this article?devil


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    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Thanks!

    But I really dont understand, why do they think that Le Mans doesn't require the best stuff.


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    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Who are the people mentioned in the article:

    Fritz Enzinger = Head of BMW Motorsport, now to head Porsche LMP1 . (Project Manager) (From Nov 2011)

    Alex Hitzinger = recently 'Head of Advanced Technologies' for Red Bull F1 and Scuderia Toro Rosso.

    Urs Kuratle =  Chief Mechanic at Sauber F1. 

    Mike Krack = ?

     

     

     


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    kudryavchik:

    Thanks!

    But I really dont understand, why do they think that Le Mans doesn't require the best stuff.

    F1 arrogance and ignorance.


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Spyderidol:

    Mike Krack = ?

    http://grandprixinsider.wordpress.com/2009/03/18/3525/


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    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Totally agree.

    I am two hands up for their return to f1 as engine suppliers and maybe later as team holders, but their history is LeMans and this race must be in priority.

    also I would like to see as much as possible of their model range in racing. Dreams...Smiley


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    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    http://de.linkedin.com/pub/livio-galassi/19/518/959?trk=pub-pbmap

    Livio Galassi - Composite Manager. Previously worked in Peogeot.

    http://fr.linkedin.com/pub/nicolas-monteil/5/340/a21?trk=pub-pbmap

    Nicolas Monteil. CFRP engineer, previously worked on Pug 908.

     

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    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    Spyderidol, what role does Hartmut Kristen have then? Isnt he still the head boss of PM?


    Re: Porsche Back in Le Mans with LMP1 2014

    I agree 100%


     
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