"TVR launches bid for Le Mans Glory"
Discussion
Having spoken last October to Neil Andersen (TVR Chassis Designer), who at the time "couldn't see the point in Le Mans" - it does sound like a bit of an about turn. I did point out that even if they couldn;t see the point, 40 to 50 thousand other Brits & potential TVR customers could, and visited every year, including many hundred TVR owners amongst them.
That said, I'd guess Peter Wheeler will call the shots on this one anyway, and certainly the various Rollcentre endurance successes may have helped to change this view.
Perhaps they've deliberately used this press release as a kind of 'toe in the water' exercise - in a similar way to their motorshow 'concepts'.
That said, I'd guess Peter Wheeler will call the shots on this one anyway, and certainly the various Rollcentre endurance successes may have helped to change this view.
Perhaps they've deliberately used this press release as a kind of 'toe in the water' exercise - in a similar way to their motorshow 'concepts'.
'Having spoken last October to Neil Andersen (TVR Chassis Designer), who at the time "couldn't see the point in Le Mans"'
Bentley got the point in the 1920s, and it did Jaguar a great deal of good in the 1950s. If Marcos and Morgan can have a crack, TVR certainly can. Trouble is, PW seems to be a bit like a kid in a toyshop - puts one toy down to pick up the next the moment the novelty's worn off.
And besides, do you really think a TVR could last 24 hours? No of course not, they'd put the electrics over the exhaust pipe so they'd melt on lap 2, or the bonnet would fall off, or something equally daft. Perhaps PW knows that so doesn't bother!
Bentley got the point in the 1920s, and it did Jaguar a great deal of good in the 1950s. If Marcos and Morgan can have a crack, TVR certainly can. Trouble is, PW seems to be a bit like a kid in a toyshop - puts one toy down to pick up the next the moment the novelty's worn off.
And besides, do you really think a TVR could last 24 hours? No of course not, they'd put the electrics over the exhaust pipe so they'd melt on lap 2, or the bonnet would fall off, or something equally daft. Perhaps PW knows that so doesn't bother!
quote:
And besides, do you really think a TVR could last 24 hours?
In 2001 when MG went back to LeMans neither car finished (if I remember) however it was seen as a huge marketing success. There is no other event where you will get so many British sportscar fans in one place. TVR should do it, bloody hell from what I hear Bentley are going to win next year so if TVR are there as well it will be stunning, even if they do break down..
David
Last time TVR entered the Le Mans 24 hours, three cars were entered. Details of the race are here... www.teamdan.com/archive/wsc/1962/62lemans.html
There are only 2 TVRs on the sheet, the third car crashed on the way to the race, I recall reading somewhere.
There are only 2 TVRs on the sheet, the third car crashed on the way to the race, I recall reading somewhere.
Mmhh, so just black on white rumours... but I agree with davidd. The Tuscan R could be a very competitive car in the LM GT class. During this season it proved its potential by beating equally strong opponents in the GTO class. Why not just enter a car in LM ? I agree that it's quite a logistical and expensive challenge (homoligation, registration, pre-selection, prequalifying, there are quite a few hurdles to take). However, I'm sure the marketing effect of an LM entry will be immense (if the cars won't make it the fans certainly will). Morgan has done it and it has done them good and MG was just mentioned. And I'm also sure that the ACO will make it quite easy for TVR to enter a car because a) the Porsche field is still way to big and b) they are keen to get in some other manufacturers to make the race more interesting. So PW, one step forward please...
If this were ever to come off I'd be staggered and the British fans would turn up en masse as they always do, except this time they'd have a reason to take the TVR flag instead of to use it as a bandana as I did this year ...
(to combat sunburn but looked like a roadie from Guns 'N' Roses
(to combat sunburn but looked like a roadie from Guns 'N' Roses
quote:
There is no press release. The article was based on comments PW made over the weekend.
Point taken, but I'm always vaguely suspicious of 'leaked' stories, as you never really find out whether it's down to an over enthusiast journo, or clever politics from those involved in the story.
Oh crumbs, just re-read this and it sounds like another of those 'conspiracy theory' threads now. I'll get me cloak & dagger.
>> Edited by DIGGA on Thursday 22 August 08:00
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