Audi's 2014 LMP1

[Grand_Fromage]

Teaser on www.motorsport.com ...

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/world-endurance-champion-audi-releases-teaser-of-2014-lmp1/

[Perdu]

fair enough

there will be a wheel

or more

Must keep watching for a few days

Thanks GF

[Lorry]

That looks more like an R18 front splitter.  Different lights

[Boorish Grobian]

This a joke? Right?
Supposed to be excited by that?
Good God, be sharper than that. A crap photo like that are what things are reduced to?
The WEC isn't F1, or any thing close to it. Don't think anyone who really knows racing is going to find garbage like that clever.  Unless they feel the need to dumb down sportscar racing anymore. Perhaps they can throw in a Middleton broad...
Fax

[Grand_Fromage]

Yes, it is a harmless light-hearted reminder that Audi will be launching the 2014 car later this week.

I don't think it's 'dumbing-down' in the slightest.

This a joke? Right?
Supposed to be excited by that?
Good God, be sharper than that. A crap photo like that are what things are reduced to?
The WEC isn't F1, or any thing close to it. Don't think anyone who really knows racing is going to find garbage like that clever.  Unless they feel the need to dumb down sportscar racing anymore. Perhaps they can throw in a Middleton broad...
Fax

[Lorry]

Their PR department needs to drum up all the support they can get as there's competition to worry about.

Does anyone else thinks there's a shortage of German fans.  The Danes and the Brits seem far more visible

[Jules G]

Does anyone else thinks there's a shortage of German fans.  The Danes and the Brits seem far more visible

Yes there is; a few years ago, I invited a good friend and work colleague from Germany to come along for the week at Le Mans. He brought 2 of his friends along as well, drove from Munich on the Thursday.

On the face of it, they said that they enjoyed the weekend but did not get the atmosphere in the camp site and all that goes on. It just did not appeal to them So much so, that they left early on the Sunday to drive back and ended up Disneyland Paris  on route back said now ex friend phoned up and said he'll stick to watching F1....................

Maybe it's also the case that the Germans have the Ring 24 hours a few weeks before LM24 which they have made their own.

[Grand_Fromage]

Audi are not bothered at all with their home market, that pretty much takes care of itself. Exports are far more important, particularly to middle and far east customers. So long as the Le Mans grandstands are occupied as a background to TV pictures, I shouldn't think they care what nationality they all are.

 

Their PR department needs to drum up all the support they can get as there's competition to worry about.

Does anyone else thinks there's a shortage of German fans.  The Danes and the Brits seem far more visible

[Robbo]

More positivity from Fax I see  ............

Sneak peak at the 2014 car at the end of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzSnP8exHzM
If your quick with the pause button you can see how low the rear end appears to be.
With the higher cockpit and lower rear end, its looking not great!!

[Boorish Grobian]

Your right Robbo, I can be negative.  Just hate stupid PR stunts.  It reminds me of some of the ads you see from NASCAR, or something along those lines.  You would never have seen Jo Siffert, or Jacky Ickx being asked to pose like that with some dumb expression on their face.  It's the way the sport is evolving that makes me negative.
Sportscar racing should be above this.
Fax

[Grand_Fromage]

You would never have seen Jo Siffert, or Jacky Ickx being asked to pose like that with some dumb expression on their face.

You mean stuff like this ...

[Nordic]

Or These!!

http://cdn.images.autosport.com/specials/60years/photos/large/ickx81.jpg

Notice the logo on the Lorry behind the grinning muppets, Was Joest running the 936's?. Know he had a replica he run at Le Mans etc, but the Jules ones.

http://f1-history.deviantart.com/art/Jacky-Ickx-Spain-1970-338624980

(While looking for this come across some amazing images of Ickx, on trails bikes and every other conceivable car. What a legend)

I dont begrudge Audi the chance to drum up a bit of interest in sportscar racing. Watched a some of the Bahrain race on telly, the place was empty, now if I was a potential sponsor I would be considering my options.

The races need to be in places at least a few p[people bother to turn up at. Fingers crossed the arrival of Webber and Porsche will boost things a bit.

[Boorish Grobian]

Thank you Nordic!  I've been harping on for years about how racing needs to be done in front of people who actually care about the sport, and will show up for a race.
I keep hearing the same old stupid line about races need to be held in emerging markets.  That would be awesome if the people in the emerging markets actually gave a damn.
They even struggled to get fans through the gates in Austin.  Down there they've drawn reasonably well for F1, but there's nothing to indicate anyone has any interest in watching sportscar racing there. http://sportscar365.com/wec/future-unclear-for-austin-wectusc-event/
Fax

[Kristof]

First image

[Grand_Fromage]

From Audi, via TK Facebook
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/919035_629116230485353_616343136_o.jpg[/img]]https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=629116230485353&set=a.145609038836077.29995.144192782311036&type=1&theater