WEC GTP, HFC

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roon
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Joined: 17 Dec 2016, 19:04

WEC GTP, HFC

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https://www.fia.com/news/wec-2020-2024- ... egulations

WEC - 2020-2024: REVOLUTIONARY REGULATIONS

A new top class for the FIA World Endurance Championship will be launched for 2020-2024: sleeker prototypes with more marque cachet. While these racing cars will cut quite an imposing figure, they will also retain the usage of a hybrid system while leaving free the choice of combustion engine at a predetermined and fixed cost. The name of the new class will be chosen by popular vote.

The 2020-2024 plan will usher in a new era of endurance racing with an ultramodern style of prototype, with a name to be determined by fans of the FIA WEC. Super Sportscar, GTPrototype, Le Mans Supercars or Le Mans Hypercars? The choice is the fans’!

The regulations, devised by the FIA and the ACO, focus on the appearance, style and lines of the cars in the new premier league. Team and car diversity in endurance racing is one of the discipline’s foremost trademarks, never truer with the emergence of these stylized yet muscular cars, veritable racing beasts in the spirit and image of endurance. They will take on circuits like Le Mans, Spa, Silverstone, Fuji and Sebring in the day and night, rain or shine, in hot weather as in cold. That calls for a tough prototype, one as imposing as it is ingenious and technological. One that turns heads, like hypercars, supercars, prestigious GTs and concept cars do on the street or at any given motor show.

Aerodynamics cannot take precedence over aesthetics.

Being the top class, these new prototypes must be technologically powerful and compelling in design and will therefore remain hybrid, with a KERS system in front and 4WD to ensure energy efficiency. This technology will become more and more popular as the KERS system developed by some constructors will have to be used on production cars at a pre-defined price.

These new prototypes will have an alluring design and incredible pace. The regulations seek excellence: 3:20.00 per lap at Le Mans with limited fuel. The other priority is cost. They will be remarkable, competitive, innovative and affordable - requiring around a quarter of current budgets. Costly developments will be kept in check by a new homologation procedure and technical rules that will naturally reduce budgets.

However, there will be no restrictions on engine selection. Consumption rules will ensure fair competition between different systems. The new regulations will take effect for 2020-2024.

Jean Todt, FIA President: “The new regulations for the FIA World Endurance Championship, which come into effect for the 2020/21 season, are the result of hard work between members of the FIA, ACO, manufacturers and teams. This will provide endurance racing with a long term, stable platform, while continuing to offer a cost-effective stage to showcase future technologies.”

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: “Crafting these regulations was particularly satisfying as very quickly it sparked interest and gained the support of competitors or potential competitors. A new era will dawn in 2020 for endurance racing. On paper it has enormous potential. Le Mans 2018, 2019 and 2020 will each be outstanding editions, but now I can’t wait for the start at the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

Richard Mille, President of the FIA Endurance Commission: “What has been announced today is the first step in a new direction for the premier class of the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The new regulations are a framework that will be attractive to more manufacturers and teams, while at the same time retaining the excitement of endurance racing for existing fans to enjoy and to attract a new generation of spectator to the sport. The proposals announced today include cost limiting measures, making hybrid power more affordable and building a future for endurance with renewable energy. From 2020 the front of the grid will look very different and it is an exciting prospect that we are all looking forward to seeing.”

Gérard Neveu, CEO FIA World Endurance Championship: “The direction for the new regulations announced today jointly by the ACO and the FIA is a supremely positive one. The 2020-24 regulations are, for competitors, both technically interesting and sustainable, with the controlled budgets being a key factor. We are confident that we will welcome an increased number of world-class manufacturers and international teams to the WEC and that all the elements are in place for them to be able to compete at the highest level, with the pinnacle of course being the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
https://www.lemans.org/en/news/24-hours ... ence/49633

24 Hours of Le Mans - Jean Todt, Pierre Fillon and Richard Mille press conference

A few hours before the start at the 86th 24 Hours of Le Mans, Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile President Jean Todt, Automobile Club de l'Ouest President Pierre Fillon and President of the FIA Endurance Commission Richard Mille reiterated their enthusiasm and optimism for the future of LMP1 with the 2020-2024 regulations.


With all eyes on the 86th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans starting in a matter of minutes, Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile President Jean Todt, Automobile Club de l'Ouest President Pierre Fillon and FIA Endurance Commission President Richard Mille took the opportunity of a press conference to express their optimism for the future of endurance racing. On Friday, 15 June, the announcement was made regarding the regulations for a new top class for 2020-2024, and as of 2024 the creation of a new class for hydrogen cars, assuring a promising and technological future in the discipline, with predetermined budget constraints. Performance, safety, new technologies, respect for the environment and a reasonable budget are the mainstays of these 2020-2024 regulations.
https://www.lemans.org/en/news/hydrogen ... 2024/49576

Hydrogen racing at Le Mans in 2024!

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest has always led the way, testing and developing technologies on the racetrack before they are applied to road-going vehicles. Its latest focus is hydrogen, which will be promoted in a special class to be introduced in 2024. A world first.


The Automobile Club de l’Ouest and its flagship event, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, have always encouraged research and the development of new technologies that improve safety and comfort, boost performance and reduce fuel consumption for cleaner and greener motorsport and mobility. Together with the FIA, it is now reflecting on decarbonisation, in other words how to achieve zero emissions with race cars.

After diesel then hybrid technology, the hydrogen fuel cell is the ACO’s next target, with the introduction of a special class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024. A working group is already in place and includes various parties with an interest in the subject. Seven automotive multinationals (major manufacturers and parts makers) actively developing this technology are involved in setting down the conditions required for the creation of this class, and in demonstrating the relevance and efficiency of this new engine technology. The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is supporting the ACO endeavour.

Jean Todt, President of the FIA: “Over the decades the laboratory that motor sport provides has driven forward the development of technology and safety that has a direct benefit to all of us. The FIA has been at the forefront of this development, and the inclusion of a class for hydrogen technology in the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2024 is the next, important, step on the road to a cleaner and sustainable future.”

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: “We continue to drive automotive research and defend our beliefs. Hydrogen is the future of zero-emission mobility. This is not just a statement of intent: we have already set up a panel of experts and are working hand-in-hand with manufacturers. We are focused on practical research so that we are ready for 2024 and the introduction of a hydrogen class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

Richard Mille, President of the FIA Endurance Commission: “The 24 Hours of Le Mans and endurance racing have always provided a place for manufacturers to test and develop new technology. The decision to include a class for hydrogen powered cars from 2024 is the perfect fit with the philosophy of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship. This reflects the importance of this for the automotive industry as it seeks to develop renewable energy to replace the combustion engine as the primary power source for road vehicles.”

santos
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Joined: 06 Nov 2014, 16:48

Re: WEC GTP, HFC

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"Aerodynamics cannot take precedence over aesthetics." I wonder how will they control this. Take the Aston Martin Valkyrie, the "road" car it's all about aerodynamics. The Mclaren Senna, also was designed with aerodynamics functionality in mind… and in the Mclaren, aesthetics it's not their fort.

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machin
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Joined: 25 Nov 2008, 14:45

Re: WEC GTP, HFC

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Well... essentially Aero coefficients will be balanced and fixed.... The styling is "free" (within the constraints of the aero coefficients and some other constraints like overall dimensions, tub size -now two seater, etc)... but that won't stop a team from producing a dog ugly car if they want to! (Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all!)
COMPETITION CAR ENGINEERING -Home of VIRTUAL STOPWATCH

roon
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Joined: 17 Dec 2016, 19:04

Re: WEC GTP, HFC

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"You're car's not pretty enough. Sorry, you can't run it here."

"I will not tolerate this aero-shaming. This car is an extension of me. I'm an engineer, there's so much more to appreciate than what you see on the surface. Beauty is merely a byproduct of transient cultural norms."

"Yeah, but the car's too ugly, you can't run it here. Look, it even says so on the twitter poll."

"Majorities and status quo do not hold monopoly upon truth! The current popularity of my "Create an aero-positive safe space series for the thousands of aeronautical engineers exiting uni and backmarker F1 teams" crowdfund is proof! $20,000 already raised! In the first week!"

"Hey, I don't make the rules, Jean Todt, Jean Todt's wife, and their escorts do."

"Jean Todt?! That cis-fendered, homologo-normative asshole? I've seen better faces on Bangle-era BMWs!"

A crowd of unemployed women gathers nearby, looking at a discarded pile of number placards.

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machin
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Joined: 25 Nov 2008, 14:45

Re: WEC GTP, HFC

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I totally agree it's possible the whole thing could backfire... But in my opinion the second version of the Corvette Daytona Prototype is a good example of what a manufacturer can do when you ask the engineers and stylists to work together to design a car to a specified aero performance...

Image

I know there are some people who don't like that car...

...and I don't like the look of Lamborghinis... But I know plenty of people who do...

I'll say it again; "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder".... The ACO /FIA can't hope to make everyone like every design... But allowing the manufacturers freedom to do what they want with the styling at least opens the doors to the possibility of good looking designs...
COMPETITION CAR ENGINEERING -Home of VIRTUAL STOPWATCH

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