Nissan Lmp1 car launched. Front engined.

[Rude-boy]

I've had the privilege to be standing right outside the Audi front doors when they have been doing their thing mid race. It is highly noticeable how prepared they are for the most unpredictable of events and how 'routine' reasonably foreseeable issues appear to be dealt with.

[The Wookie]

fk me that is one ugly baby. Hats off to them for such a daring design though, interested to see how competitive it is

[Leithen]

I was already a lot more interested in this years WEC than F1 - then Nissan toss in this curveball to add to it all - wonderful stuff.

Here's hoping it's competitive. If it is, it will be interesting to see how quickly toys get thrown out of prams elsewhere in the Paddock....

[PabloTheOrange]

Red Firecracker said:

The thing is, the Audi way of approaching the race is well known and imminently copyable, the turbo replacement being the case in point. Every tool, part and widget required for the job is in a pack. That pack is brought out when the car is pulled in and the job is done. That is not a secret, it is widely reported. Yet nobody else seems to do that. Obviously it is harder for the smaller teams as it means an increased cost in parts and tools, but it is inexcusable for the factory teams to overlook that process.

We will see if Nissan take things like that on board.

Quite. The issue Toyota and Porsche have had winning le 24 Heures du Mans is that whilst their cars are blindingly quick and more than reliable enough for 6 hours, they seem to both have had real issues getting that whole-race reliability - and garage choreography when it breaks - sorted...

[l354uge]

Video of it in action from Jann Mardenborough

Sweet jesus I need to go le mans very soon.

[IanUAE]

Toyota changed the number of body panels / fixing points after their 1st year at Le Mans (`2 years ago) as a simple part broke and it took ages to get to the part.

[airbusA346]

Nissan have had to cut the Sebring test short after suffering carbon damage that can't be fixed at Sebring.

It is reported that they only managed to do 25 laps in 2 days.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/nissan-sebring-...

[Red Firecracker]

Debut now delayed until Le Mans.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/03/17/nissans-w...

[Vocal Minority]

Boo!

[Alex Langheck]

A shame, but if it isn't ready what can they do?

But, as somebody who wants to see the WEC grow into a great championship, it's going to be hard. Really, all people care about is Le Mans. If you've bought tickets for either Silverstone or Spa you're going to feel a bit let down; I should think both circuits aren't exactly delighted either.

[Red Firecracker]

I have to say, having a ticket for Silverstone and thinking of going to Spa, I'm not feeling let down at all, more a feeling of 'yup, as expected'. Obviously, that's just me, I go for the race, not a specific car, but I can understand some will feel (rightly or wrongly) aggrieved.

ETA: Reported to be a marginal crash test failure as the given reason;

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/cox-nissan-well...

Edited by Red Firecracker on Tuesday 17th March 17:51

[Mezzanine]

Balls.

That was high on my list of reasons to go the Silverstone 6hrs as will not make it to France in June

[airbusA346]

Red Firecracker said:

ETA: Reported to be a marginal crash test failure as the given reason

Surely this should have been picked up on a while ago?

[Red Firecracker]

I guess it depends. You can either destroy a tub at the beginning and move on having built a new tub after the test with the associated delays or back your figures and only destroy a tub when you're ready to homologate, having used that time to test.

DSC are suggesting that is not the only reason, the lack of running and apparent poor performance also contributing;

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/03/17/nissan-de...

I've a nasty feeling that they'll decide to 'do a Strakka' and debut in 2016.

[DiscoColin]

Why do I get the impression that they aren't even considering Spa as it is built for the straights at Le Mans and they are concerned about it being embarrassingly uncompetitive elsewhere at this early stage of development??

[Red Firecracker]

They definitely aren't considering Spa, it'll not turn up to compete at a race until Le Mans.

[Alex Langheck]

It's going to be a Le Mans special......designed only for that track......or so it seems.

[marshall100]

Pity, was looking forward to seeing it next month. Still, there's more than enough to gawp at. Been a while since I went to Silverstone, 2000/2001 I think. Anyone got any info? got a weekend pass for the family so really looking forward to it.

[Red Firecracker]

marshall100 said:

Pity, was looking forward to seeing it next month. Still, there's more than enough to gawp at. Been a while since I went to Silverstone, 2000/2001 I think. Anyone got any info? got a weekend pass for the family so really looking forward to it.

It's a royal paint in the backside, or more accurately feet, getting around to the wing, unless you're prepared to wait for the crowded buses. Also, don't forget the ELMS paddock in the old pits.

[marshall100]

Didn't think it'd be that busy to be honest? Staying fairly local and I think access has improved somewhat since I watched Hakkinen send one round the outside of the Cobbler at Copse.