There May Be Trouble Ahead, 2017 LMP2 Proposals Spark Major Controversy There May Be Trouble Ahead, 2017 LMP2 Proposals Spark Major Controversy It looks like the ACO wants to turn LMP2 into another specs series, with a reduction of chassis manufacturers, a single engine and a single tyre supplier. Why do they do it?
Endurance info.com has an interesting article about the forthcoming divorce between the ACO and the Tudor Series. The ACO wants to enforce its specs engine rule in LMP2, but the Tudor series would accept several engines. It will become difficult for Tudoe participants to enter Le Mans, if they don't have the engine homologated by the ACO.
I think the spec engine idea is a horrible idea. I'd rather see them recruit manufacturers to do a chassis and engine as a unit (think HPD ARX04b). lots of manufacturers have an eligible engine, and those that don't want to develop their own chassis could partner with a "branded" chassis from Ligier, Oreca, et al. i.e. Nissan builds the motor, Oreca provides the chassis, and it's branded the Nissan LMP2 and must run that chassis/engine combo. that way you could keep a cost-contained customer car that still has manufacturer support...get Nissan, Honda, Ford, VW, et al involved and make it interesting. I have little to no interest in yet another "spec prototype" class.