Audi Eyes Daytona Prototypes For 2014

But will they enter as a works team...
The Ganassi era could be over.

 

"We are not ready to jump into anything new tomorrow," he explained. "We are quite happy with the programmes we have at the moment."

somehow I think they're just giving NASCAR/GA lip service for the future.

pardon the pun.

 

sorry, I just don't see how this makes sense for Audi, unless a) the DP is allowed at LeMans/WEC and b) the ACO outlaws the current diesel prototypes (rules changes, etc)

 

I sure hope that's the case. This may sound petty, but the main reason I am not in to GA versus ALMS is the look of the DPs. Corvette Protoypes aside, they are bland looking machines and hard to identify with other than what powers them.

LMP and LMPC cars at least look a bit different and have more "cool" factor.

 

Would be great to have a strong road series that appears in the USA.

 

Audi "eyeing" DP is one thing. Committing to a full
factory program is quite another especially considering
Dr. Ullrich answers to a board of directors back in
Ingolstadt.

GrandAM announced last week they're going to be allowing
in "modern technology" like turbo charging.

Oddly, NASCAR considers turbo charging "modern technology"
when we may date it's origins back to the super charged
engines of the Bentley Blowers, Mercedes-Benz SSKs, WWII
fighter aircraft, practical racing applications in the 60's at Indy
and perfected by Porsche in the 70's.

In the 21st century, modern technology means variations of hybrid,
advanced light weight parts and construction methods, alternative
fuels, etc.

It would take a fair bit of arm twisting for Audi to
commit to DP in light of the fact they're fully committed
to WEC and DTM already.

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BHW

 

Actually, it was an old technology when that happened.

In the 20´s turbos (not superchargers) were already used in planes and Diesel engines and the first turbocharger was invented in 1905!

Sorry for the off-topic.

 

Dumb question - will "DP" be more like the traditional GA car or the ALMS P2 coupes?

A blend of tech is fine - and I am someone that likes the DP look - but the P2 coupes are so much sleeker looking AND would be an easier path to LeMans...am I wrong here?

 

The DP's would have to change a lot to keep up with the P1 cars at LeMans... I suppose the new merged series has to have a goal of worldwide racing eventually, hopefully they can keep the excitement of ALMS alive in North America

Sent from R2D2

 

you couldnt change a DP car enough to keep up with even a privateer LMP1 car even with twin jet engines and hyperdrive from the Enterprise

 

Well, I think the intent is that they compete with LMP2, not LMP1, although I get what you are saying.

The difference between the DP and LMP2 coupe doesn't appear to be that massive (although LMP2 cars generally posted quicker lap times in a comparison I've seen between the two) - they look quite similar.

I guess I was thinking that ACO isn't likely turning LMP2 into DP. If Grand Am / ALMS teams want to compete in LeMans, it would seem that upgrading DPs to LMP2 spec would be the right step.

 

I think at LaSarthe, a DP wouldn't do too badly against a P1....lots of power, low drag/low downforce suits that track. with equal tires I think they'd be close-ish over one lap (the diesels would destroy them on economy/strategy).

any other track, the P1 would annihilate a DP. hell, DP's are only a few seconds quicker than the ALMS GT cars (GT2 spec) at most tracks.

 

Also, Audi have always been innovative with their race tech, I can't say for sure, but I would find it hard to believe that they would just jump in line with everyone and build a DP rather than stick with the R8's in Grand-Am

Sent from R2D2

 

"I do not think that racing for class victories should be our ultimate target"

Best line of the article!

 

All of a sudden, talk of a US-based DTM series is taking
up again with Audi leading the push. Mercedes-Benz is also
keen to race DTM in the US.

GrandAM may be surprised/disapponted by fan and media
reaction to DTM as it could siphon off entry from GrandAM.
Wonder why they're piling this on their plate now?

Feasibility studies coming up.

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BHW

 

I think that DP could do well as the entry, cheap prototype class replacing LMP2. Actually I can´t see the reason for racing in LMP2: you can´t get overall wins in LMS/Le Mans, nor can promote your fancy sports cars.

The DP cars look horrible, but that can be fixed, and the average fan doesn´t know that the inners are outdated.