|
Robbo
|
 |
« on: February 25, 2013, 02:31:02 pm » |
|
Place your bets!!
The announcement is being covered live on RLM too so it ought to be Sportscar related.
I hope its a works LMP1 for 2014!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Pessimist - Glass half empty
Optimist - Glass half full
Engineer - Glass twice as big as needed
|
|
|
|
Grand_Fromage
|
 |
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2013, 02:46:13 pm » |
|
There is a big announcement due tomorrow regarding Nismo the sporty offshoot of Nissan.
Going by the feverish activity currently at the ACO, announcement of a Nissan works programme looks like a distinct possibilty, and hopefully an LM P1.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Robbo
|
|
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2013, 03:58:09 pm » |
|
Tweet from Graham Goodwin of DSC:
Tonight's @radiolemans Midweek Motorsport special is a must - Leave it on quietly as you sleep and tomorrow you'll think you dreamt it!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Pessimist - Glass half empty
Optimist - Glass half full
Engineer - Glass twice as big as needed
|
|
|
|
Nordic
|
|
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2013, 08:55:05 pm » |
|
No chatter on the f1 or dtm forums about this, so almost certain to be lmp program if it's as big as they are hinting. Nissan have sewen up p2 engine wise and the delta wing was a coup for them. P1 would be the next logical step.
2014 could be good, Audi, Toyota, Porsche, and now Nissan. Honda and Kia 2015?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Some people will tell you that slow is good - and it may be, on some days - but I am here to tell you that fast is better.
H S Thompson 1937 - 2005
|
|
|
|
Kristof
|
|
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2013, 10:08:51 pm » |
|
Kia  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
mgmark
|
|
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2013, 10:43:52 pm » |
|
Well, something must be happening with the regs to make it attractive for factory teams to return in numbers?
MG Mark
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." Mario Andretti
|
|
|
|
Grand_Fromage
|
|
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2013, 02:47:25 am » |
|
From Nissan press release:
NISSAN POISED FOR RETURN TO LE MANS IN 2014
• Nissan is targeting a return to the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2014 with a pioneering Nissan race car showcasing electric technology
• Project will be led by Nismo, Nissan’s global motorsport and performance arm
• New Le Mans project follows the pioneering Nissan DeltaWing experimental racer which took the motorsport world by storm at the 2012 Le Mans event
YOKOHAMA, Japan (Feb. 26, 2013) – Nissan will return to the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2014 with an innovative project that promises to continue the pioneering spirit of last year’s award-winning Nissan DeltaWing experimental entry.
Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn made the pledge to return to Le Mans during a special event today in Yokohama, Japan, to open a new headquarters for Nismo, Nissan’s global performance and motorsport brand.
Ghosn hinted that a new approach to innovation and excitement will be at the project’s core, while confirming that the company will return as the Garage 56 entry for innovative concepts with an all-new race car incorporating electric technology.
The entry will test innovative new powertrain technology and provide the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) with data to enable all parties to evaluate the incorporation of this breakthrough technology ahead of a potential return to LMP1 in the future.
“We will return to Le Mans with a vehicle that will act as a high-speed test bed in the harshest of environments for both our road car and race car electric vehicle technology,” said Mr. Ghosn.
Ghosn’s revelation promises a continued commitment from Nissan to performance and motorsport innovation – and a bold ambition to change expectations of what is possible in performance.
Nissan will reveal further details behind the new project in the near future.
|
|
|
|
« Last Edit: February 26, 2013, 03:01:57 am by Grand_Fromage »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Nordic
|
|
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2013, 08:51:22 am » |
|
So an electric Delta wing type thing then.
Hardly a full blown LMP project.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Some people will tell you that slow is good - and it may be, on some days - but I am here to tell you that fast is better.
H S Thompson 1937 - 2005
|
|
|
|
Kristof
|
|
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2013, 10:14:54 am » |
|
From ACO
The Automobile Club de l'Ouest is delighted that the Japanese manufacturer is returning to the Le Mans 24 Hours in Garage 56 in anticipation of a potential return to the LMP1 category in the future. Carlos Ghosn, the Nissan CEO, announced today Tuesday 26th February in Yokohama (Japan), Nissan's official entry to the greatest endurance race at the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours.
The Manufactures comeback will be in two stages: in 2014 Nissan have been invited to enter an Innovative car featuring electric drivetrain technology in Garage 56. It is worth remembering that since 2012 a place on the Le Mans grid is awarded by the ACO to an innovative technological project, and the car in question takes part in the race but outside the overall classification. Thus, Nissan will enter a car powered by a totally new powertrain featuring electric technology whose performance level will be defined so as not to interfere with the battle for outright victory or for wins in the different classes.
The aim of the entry using the Garage 56 is to supply the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) with the necessary information to enhance the new LMP1 regulations and to assess their potential in racing conditions. If all the conditions are met, the next step would be Nissan entering a car in LMP1 World Endurance Championship with technology derived from the 2014 Garage 56. The technical regulations that come into force in 2014 in the LMP1 category open the door to the inclusion of new technologies in motor racing, provided they can be measured and introduced while guaranteeing a level playing field for all entrants.
Nissan's targeted participation will swell the ranks in the top category in the Le Mans 24 Hours, and the Japanese company could take on the great names in the motor car industry, Audi, Toyota and Porsche (the latter make coming back in to LM P1 in 2014) in the battle for outright victory! Nissan's project is based on a revolutionary power train, which dovetails perfectly with the ACO' wishes to make its races those in which top-level technology is an integral part of a no-holds-barred sporting contest. This initiative also underlines the validity of the creation of the Garage 56.
Since 1923, the Le Mans 24 Hours have been the greatest test bed for the major motor car manufacturers, and the race has generated a huge number of innovations which, although revolutionary when they first appeared, are now part of today's series production models. Windscreen wipers, disc brakes, diode headlights, radial tyres and turbocharged engines are among the many technologies that appeared at Le Mans and then became part of the everyday motorist's car. This step, again proved in 2012 with the first victory by a hybrid, contributes not only to improve everyday mobility, but also takes into account the major preoccupations of our society linked to sustainable development. The entry of this innovative prototype by one of the major car companies continues to deliver on this approach.
Nissan raced in the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time in 1986, and up till 1999 cars bearing the make's colours with a best result of third place overall in 1998 (no. 32 Nissan R391 driven by Hoshino-Suzuki-Kageyama). Since 2011, Nissan has been a major supplier of engines in LM P2, and in the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours 17 out of the 22 entries in this category will use the Japanese manufacturer's engine.
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest: "We're very proud to confirm that Nissan is coming back to the Le Mans 24 Hours with a two-phase project, which should see the prestigious Japanese manufacturer being an outright victory contender in the future. This entry proves yet again that endurance racing as conceived by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest is the major motor car manufacturers' favourite branch of motor racing! The values of technological development, sporting equity and popularity, which have been our driving force since 1923, correspond perfectly to the spirit of the major players on the world motor car scene who want to invest in racing."
Vincent Beaumesnil, Automobile Club de l'Ouest Sports Manager: "The Nissan project shows yet again that Le Mans-type endurance is the priority testing ground for the major manufacturers in the development of new technologies. The common desire of the ACO and the FIA to allow the inclusion of new technologies in the LM P1 regulations coming into force in 2014 is paying off! We would like to thank the Nissan management for their confidence in us by taking the decision to test a revolutionary power train in next year's Le Mans 24 Hours in preparation for their planned arrival in the LM P1 category in the future."
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Lazy B'stard
|
|
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2013, 10:32:53 am » |
|
Kia Strong rumours regarding Hyundai too. Lots of hits from their IP on Mulsanne Mikes website. Why are they so interested? A golden age of manufacturer interest or the further marginalization of the smaller privateer teams? The manufacturers are a fickle bunch and when they trample all over a sport they leave one hell of a vacuum when they leave. Hope the ACO tread carefully. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Dick Dasterdly was right
'Don't just stand there, do something!'
|
|
|
|
Nordic
|
|
« Reply #10 on: February 26, 2013, 10:43:29 am » |
|
Hyundai own about a third of Kia and as the 3rd or 4 biggest car maker in the world as yet have a very small motorsport program.
Both will step up their programs as some european companies contine to struggle, maybe invest in luxury/sporting brand names.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Some people will tell you that slow is good - and it may be, on some days - but I am here to tell you that fast is better.
H S Thompson 1937 - 2005
|
|
|
|
Jules G
|
|
« Reply #11 on: February 26, 2013, 11:34:52 am » |
|
Today's announcement is more of a broad increase in Nissan's Motorsport involvement: http://www.nissan-motorsports.com/ENN/PRESS/2013/13003.htmlOff their website: 4 car Entry to the Ozzy V8 Series Various GTR entry's in multiple series FIA GT and Blancplain championships Expansion of the GT academy It looks as though the LM entry is a small cog in the overall scheme of things. Plenty of re-branding as well with the new Nismo HQ, looks as though they are trying to emulate BMW "M", Mercedes "AMG" and Audi's "Quattro" performance divisions. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Nordic
|
|
« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2013, 09:05:21 am » |
|
Kia Strong rumours regarding Hyundai too. Lots of hits from their IP on Mulsanne Mikes website. Why are they so interested? A golden age of manufacturer interest or the further marginalization of the smaller privateer teams? The manufacturers are a fickle bunch and when they trample all over a sport they leave one hell of a vacuum when they leave. Hope the ACO tread carefully. The caterham/alpine link seems to have taken another twist as Renault are upping the branding and involvement. Do Renault still own a large part of Nissan? |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Some people will tell you that slow is good - and it may be, on some days - but I am here to tell you that fast is better.
H S Thompson 1937 - 2005
|
|
|
|
nopanic - neil
|
|
« Reply #13 on: March 06, 2013, 10:17:42 am » |
|
Kia Strong rumours regarding Hyundai too. Lots of hits from their IP on Mulsanne Mikes website. Why are they so interested? A golden age of manufacturer interest or the further marginalization of the smaller privateer teams? The manufacturers are a fickle bunch and when they trample all over a sport they leave one hell of a vacuum when they leave. Hope the ACO tread carefully. The caterham/alpine link seems to have taken another twist as Renault are upping the branding and involvement. Do Renault still own a large part of Nissan? see - http://blog.alliance-renault-nissan.com/sites/default/files/BookletAlliance2012_GB_04032013.pdfalso see a tie up with Daimler AG - makers of Merc the world gets smaller |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
If you're going through hell, keep going.
|
|
|
|
JDS
|
|
« Reply #14 on: March 06, 2013, 12:56:30 pm » |
|
....... also see a tie up with Daimler AG - makers of Merc
the world gets smaller
don't forget Ford are in that mix too - the cartel are developing fuel cell technology. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
