RE: Toyota Back In Motorsport With Le Mans EnginePresumably

[Nick M]

davepoth said:

A slight drop in peak revs would make it last much longer I think.

Last of the Group C cars ran 3.5 litre engines which, apart from lasting slightly longer, were pretty much F1 engines.

So yes, it can be done.


I recall looking into something a few years back when I was having a healthy 'discussion' with an American about their oh so reliable V8s in the Corvettes at Le Mans and how the Ferraris (this was some time ago...) were going to struggle with their high-revving, highly-strung engines. I did some checking and was surprised at a) the peak rpm of both engines was around about the same, b) the displacements were different (5.9 vs. 7.0 litre for the Corvette) but the Ferrari had 50% more cylinders and a shorter stroke, and c) when we worked out the piston speeds (which was one element we discussed in terms of reliability) they were higher on the V8 than on the Ferrari.

And of course the Ferrari won that particular battle (2003).

So, after all that waffle, the point is that there are lots of things to consider when making an engine for endurance racing, but that you can't always assume which engine configuration will be more reliable than another.

[johnyboy1976]

Toyota needs to be back in some sort of motorsport IMO.
The F1 adventure didnt bear fruit but they need something.
Id love to see them return to the raly stages as todays WRC is a sad reflection of the glory days of the 90's

[Lucky Eddie]

Still got my GT1 hat too. They won't beat the Peugeots in 2011, diesel rules.

[Fane]

With my pedantic head on, Toyota have been involved with NASCAR over the last few years and thus aren't "back" in Motorsport.