CHRISTMAS BENCH RACING If Ford Wanted to Win Le Mans in 2011...

[Keith]

In the Protoype Class.. what engine would they use and why?

In the spirit of the '60's, the engine would have to be production based and not exotic and it has to be a Ford.
Would it even be possible these days?

Our American friends would be the most likely to answer this as they have a far better knowledge of current Ford products but please feel free to chime in with your thoughts.

I would be very interested to hear Members thoughts as, being a racing engine enthusiast, I am keen on mechanical innovation and creativity.

PS before some smart bugger comes back and says, "weeel, they would need a bit more time etc" I realise that, this is an exercise...

PPS There will be a prize of 25 Forum Points (to spend on anything you wish) for the best solution.:thumbsup:

 

[Fred/Belgium]

Keith


look at MarcVDS Racing - Home.

This may help you in regards to engine questions.

they are a Belgian team and did their first run in Le Mans during 2010.Good friends and amazing sympathic team.

Rgds
Fred

They are preparing the car for next year.

 

[Ron Scarboro]

Looks like this one...

Ford Racing Performance Parts

 

[Jac Mac]

The Aussie Supercar V8, exactly what you specify in the 'spirit' of the sixties, even uses an 8.2" block as basis, already proved it can run long periods. I know the rest of the playstation racers on the forum will hate it though. Dont expect Ford to do it, they have a history of doing it wrong & admitting that they were right the first time is not in their job description....

 

[Ron Earp]

I watched that latest Supercar race (maybe delayed for us in the US) where the Ford man in the lead ran out of gas with 1/2 a lap to go. That hurt!

Looks like some awesome racing though.

Keith, Ford should use an old big block of some type for sure. oke:

 

[Keith]

Not sure 550 hp would cut it in LMP, so Jac are you saying a Cleveland push rod type motor would cut the mustard (providing they could get the weight down)? I do accept it wouldn't happen but it's a what if? kind of question.

If it would why are the current crop of gasoline racers using fairly exotic & expensive Judd, AER, Zytek motors?

Fred I accept that in GT1, the Ford GT might make it, but I am talking the top prize - Prototype.

You know, it would be fun to throw a pushrod Ford into a Lola chassis and have a crack...Just to finish would be fantastic!

What might the numbers (have to) be dialling in reliability for continuous running for say, 36 hours?

I think the cammers might just be too heavy though

 

[Keith]

I watched that latest Supercar race (maybe delayed for us in the US) where the Ford man in the lead ran out of gas with 1/2 a lap to go. That hurt!

Looks like some awesome racing though.

Keith, Ford should use an old big block of some type for sure. oke:

Touche!

 

[egoman/ Shawn Wedge]

Just approach one of the DP teams and ask them if they would like to race with the full force of ford motor company behind them. In much the same way that porsche went to roger with the same offer.Fords v8 engine technology is up to par with anything else out there so any of the 4 cam engines would be useable.
It would still take a year of development if the team was started from scratch, but if an existing chassis and transaxle that was proven was available results could start to improve fairly quickly.

 

[Troy]

Not sure 550 hp would cut it in LMP,

Yes it would, in both LMP1 and LMP2.

For LMP2, 2010 ACO regulations stipulate maximum capacity of 3400cc for non-production engines, 4000cc for minimum 1,000 units per annum production and 4500cc for minimum 10,000 units per annum production.

For 2011, I believe the maximum capacity will be 4000cc. HP should come back to around 485hp.

Maximum engine cost set at Euro75,000, and should last a miniumum of 30 hrs (effectively, 1 race meeting). From there, rebuild costs should not exceed Euro35,000.

For LMP1, the restricted fuel tank sizes and search for better economy will see engine outputs around 520hp.

Look for a big leap in energy recovery systems from 2011 onwards, too.

 

[Howard Jones]

The car would be very similar to the Peugeot and Audi. Complete with a diesel.

Here's a team for ya. Marco Andretti, Alex Gurney, AJ Foyt III, and Danica.