“The car was built in Japan - using many parts of the type originally used at Le Mans in 1975 and 1976, and with great effort to accurately represent the original 1975 entry - and yet it was rejected on grounds that proved the organising committee had no clue what had actually raced in the '75 and '76 events.”
I would love to find out more about the above car - where it is now and what FIA papers it has as it sounds like an amazing project. Does anyone have any more information on this? Does the car race and if so where? Any photos?
Just interested in tracking the replica car down as it sounds like a really interesting car. Does anyone know where it is now? Or have any photos of it?
It is in Japan (where it has always been....) and I have photos of it.
What exactly would you like to know about it?
I would love to know who owns it and what their plans are for the car - basically as much information as possible.
Do we know of any other cars out there that are true to the original Le Mans car and have their papers for racing?
Do you want to know how it was then (more than 10 years ago...) or how it is now? The car is quite different now.
"True to the original Le Mans car" is a matter of degree, clearly. 100% correct would be a tall order considering just how special the original car was. Do you know the full details of the original car?
When talking about 'papers' for cars racing in Japan vs racing in Europe, it brings up the question of the FIA's 'Historic Technical Passport' (HTP) system and its differences with the JAF Motorsport system. There be dragons...
Are you open to questions about your own car? I'd be interested to hear what your thoughts were with regard to its specification and its relevance to the original event in period? To me it appears to be radically different than the original car in configuration, body type, mechanical spec and even livery. As far as I was aware, the organisers had very strict criteria for acceptance when the LMC event was conceived, and I was told that cars had at least to *look* period correct to the original event/entry even if full mechanical compliance was subject to Force Majeure, but maybe I'm missing something?
I do not know the full details of the original car or what happened to it. Would be interested to learn though. Do we keep a register of all cars that are racing currently?
Sorry, yes I knew that about the car and the story - I am not aware of the complete car specification though and did not know whether the complete car had been destroyed or whether it or part of it was salvaged in some way.This explains a lot.
Maybe I'm out of step with everyone else here, but my impression has always been that the Le Mans Classic event was supposed to be referencing what actually happened in the LM24hrs race in period? In which case I kind of took it for granted that people taking part would know about those that went before them.
No 240Z would be able to take part on the LMC events if Andre Haller had not managed to get an entry in 1975 (in itself almost a story from a comic book) and - having been a classified finisher in '75 - was then given an entry in '76. The end to the story was tragic. Haller was killed in the '76 event and the car was destroyed. Largely because he, his team and the car itself were attempting to punch well above their weight...
I had always hoped for a tip of the hat to Haller and his team, and at least some acknowledgement of their participation from those who followed in his footsteps. It seems to me that at least a period-correct looking car (even if the mechanical spec was impossible to replicate) would be a good tribute and a good way to pay some respect. Others have tried, and have been denied the chance.
Maybe we should try again with a period correct looking car in 2026! I feel a project coming on and I respect your views Alan.
Maybe we should try again with a period correct looking car in 2026! I feel a project coming on and I respect your views Alan.
Keep as you are Rob. What difference does some plastic body bits make. You have driven a very decent S30 to 24th in the 2018 Classic - after all the Classic is not the 24hr so the event itself is not the genuine thing.
Enjoy your achievement - well done!
Keep as you are Rob. What difference does some plastic body bits make. You have driven a very decent S30 to 24th in the 2018 Classic - after all the Classic is not the 24hr so the event itself is not the genuine thing.
Enjoy your achievement - well done!
PS will be sticking some onboard footage and data up under the car profile on MotorBrag.com in due course if anyone is interested.