My primary interest was in the LMP2 class in WEC, and I was curious on how the LMP2-based cars in the TUSCC series compared with those in the WEC. The Extreme Speed Motorsport (ESM) team fielded their TUSCC #1 HPD Prototype as the #30 LMP2 in the WEC series, and continued to run their #2 HPD in the TUSCC series. This allowed a pretty close comparison of nearly identical cars in the two series. Additionally OAK racing debuted the new Ligier/HPD coupe in the TUSCC series, and G-Drive has a comparable Ligier/Nissan coupe in the WEC. The biggest differences between these series in Prototype/LMP2 classes are that in the WEC you have to run with a Pro-Am driver lineup and the tire formula is open. Here are the fastest race-lap times for these four cars:
The first thing to notice is that the ESM and G-Drive cars were very close in pace, despite the differing power-trains and body styles. ESM deserves credit for their maiden WEC outing in nearly matching the fastest race lap (set by G-Drive) in the LMP2 class.
The next thing to notice is the 2.702 sec. difference between the TUSCC and WEC ESM cars. The top "suspect" in this difference is the tire choice. TUSCC Prototypes run on a spec. Continental tire, while the WEC ESM LMP2 was running on bespoke Dunlop tires (as do most of the WEC LMP2 field). This is consistant with the 2.052 sec. difference between the two Ligiers.
A Look Back
I was curious about how the former ALMS/LMP2 and Grand-Am/DP lap times compare with the TUSCC and WEC lap times, to get an historical perspective for the COTA track. So here are some fastest race-lap times from last year and this year.
The first thing to stand out for me was the stunning lap time set by the #26 Oreca/Nissan LMP2 in 2013. I am at a loss to find a ready explanation for the 2.726 sec. difference between the two years.
The only car in these comparisons that was actually faster than last year were the Grand-Am Daytona Prototype derived cars. The explanation for that difference is pretty obviously the additional 100bhp and added down-force they gained last winter in going from Grand-Am to TUSCC. The LMP2 derived cars from ALMS in the TUSCC series went from off-the-shelf Michelin tires to the spec. Continental tires and lost nearly two seconds.
A Look Forward
Next year it is expected that there may be no open-top cars in the TUSCC Prototype class. ESM expects to take delivery of brand-new HPD coupes in November. Krohn Racing will field a Ligier coupe in 2015. HPD expects to sell another three coupes for TUSCC in 2015 to un-named teams (vapor-ware so far). Speculation is that ESM will not be running a full TUSCC season, concentrating on the four North American Endurance Championship (NAEC) rounds, as well as running some of the WEC rounds, including Le Mans. Tequila Patron is the sponsor of the NAEC as well as ESM.
Personally, I am glad to see new LMP2 chassis competing in TUSCC. It is a preview of what we might see in 2017 when the DPs will finally be retired.
