Changes for 2011; the competitors.

Photo : - Ferrari Spa

What changes in 2011? - Part 2 / 3 - Competitors

The new technical regulations and the continuing popularity of endurance racing are bringing on changes.

LM P1
Audi, Peugeot and Aston Martin are preparing their new machines and should be the favourites of the "Le Mans" series' (90X, R18 and Aston Martin LM P1). For some weeks, we have known that the world's largest automaker, Toyota, will make a comeback as an engine in the Rebellion Lola(here). 2011 is also the year that Henri Pescarolo will resurrect his eponymous team and commitment of Oak Racing in the premier category (see here and here). Like ASM, the official partner of Ginetta Zytek, several competitors intend to profit from the reduction in engine displacement to transform their LM P2 into an LM P1. New competitors, such as Art Grand Prix (here), could join Oreca or Signature (here and here). Finally, the PoleVision Hope team is the first to be openly embark on a project using a hybrid motor vehicle (here). Peugeot and Audi are considering it too.

LM P2
Motors for the 'small' prototypes are now to be based on those used in road going cars, prompting many brands to invest in the category such as Nissan (here) or Ford (Roush Yates) who join the faithful Judd and Honda (here). The teams also have a wide choice of chassis, including those of Oreca (here), Pescarolo  (here), Lola (see here and here), Riley(here), Ginetta, Norma, WR, etc.. In September, the new Lotus is expected to make its first laps (here).

GTE
After five seasons of loyal service, the Ferrari 430 GT will be replaced by the 458 GTC derived from the 458 Italia (here). Initially seen at Petit Le Mans, the debut of the Panoz Abruzzi will finally be at the 12 Hours of Sebring on the 19th of March (here). Lotus are definitely present on all fronts, will launch its new Evora soon and the GT2 of Team Jet Alliance will be seen in the ILMC (here). No less than ten Ford LMGT Endurance, distant descendants of the legendary GT40, will be produced and entered in various series (here). Finally Porsche (here), BMW ( here and here),Corvette  (here), Aston Martin, Jaguar, Lamborghini and Spyker are still in the game with models evolved during the winter months.

See also: What changed in 2011 - Part 1 / 3 - Rules
To follow: What changed in 2012 - Part 3 / 3 - Series

Julien Hergault

Photo: Fiorano (Italy), PRESENTATION OF THE FERRARI 458 GTC, December 13, 2010. The Ferrari 458 GTC is one of the great innovations of the 2011 season.