LM - 2018 onwards?

[DS240]

Audi gone, Porsche going at the end of 2017 and most likely Toyota leaving with no real competition to race.

How has this mess happened? We have seen technical masterpieces pushing the boundaries of tech and racing for 24hrs and witnessed some of the best races ever at Le Mans. The event had reached a massive high and now appears to be approaching a big low.

Will LMP 2 become the leading class? Will GTE Pro turn into a more extreme category and become the leading class?

Will the World Endurance Championship now die without the headline acts?

I still intend to go next year, but what will it be like?!

Edited by DS240 on Friday 28th July 08:12

[DS240]

lucido grigio said:

I assume where "lowdrag" says Peugeot concentrate on rallying,means PSA group as the WRC entry is a Citroen.
They maybe need extra cash to pay Sebastien Ogier's wages next year.

Peugeot still doing Dakar rallies too in a 2008 thing.

No, rally cross championship which everyone is apparently watching.... Yet never really see any coverage of (TV or print).

Peugeot putting more support into a team competing. Dunno if they are continuing Dakar entry.

[DS240]

I personally don't know why Toyota would compete if things stay the same. History will obviously read they had a victory (you'd have to hope they would win it), but it would be pretty hollow.

If they don't finish it really would be a smack in the face for the company.

It has been amazing watching these hybrid creations but it's always felt things would go pop. Feel a bit let down at how both audi and porsche have withdrawn. Audi for letting fans not get another chance to see them for last time before announcing exit and porsche for simply doing a precision marketing top up and leaving the event they use so much for history, up the creek without a paddle.

[DS240]

Have I misunderstood the direction ACO have stated they are going.....

I was under the impression that the rules were going to be tweaked so the privateer LMP 1 had a chance and the hybrid elements might be taken away.

Thought final decision was yet to be released.

[DS240]

Great Dane said:

WE should have the greatest respect for Toyota. They started their race programme a year earlier that they had planned ad the ACO begged them to provide competion for Audi even though they knew they would be losing.... They have been totally loyal to their WEC programme... When they lost they always did it with dignity

I agree with much of this. It seems fairly pointless them turning up, but fair play if they continue and adjust the car however the ACO decides in terms of rules changes.

I feel Porsche’s u-turn has damaged their reputation in my eyes. Their sudden departure goes against the commitment they made and damages the very event they have used for reputation and marketing gains for so long.

I was also disappointed Audi didn’t give notice and a chance for their fans to see them knowing it was their last appearance. Having put so much in to LM, to then do their last race and announce the early departure afterwards.