[theox05]

https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsp...sa-after-2020/

I hate the decision. These races drive desire for their cars. Also, I have to think this has more to do with their VW masters than actual COVID impact. Hope they return in 2022.

[243Racing]

But all I hear about is how the BOP is tilted in Porsche’s favor

[bitterspeak]

It's all Volkswagen. As a way to recover from Diesel-Gate, they've pledged their future to zero-emission vehicles.

They've announced their intent to pull out of all racing series that use an internal combustion engine. I believe they'll still sell customer cars/parts but they will no longer have factory teams. This will impact VW, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ducati, SEAT, Skoda.

Soon, Mercedes is going to follow suit. I believe they too have paused development of their ICE units.

The racing world is going to change dramatically in the next 10-years.

[IllSic_Design]

NO!

Horrible to hear, and hope that what bitterspeak said isn't true about more manufacturers following suit.

[Matthew_M3]

Originally Posted by theox05

https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsp...sa-after-2020/

I hate the decision. These races drive desire for their cars. Also, I have to think this has more to do with their VW masters than actual COVID impact. Hope they return in 2022.

A few things to note here regarding this.

COVID19 has had major impacts on all sectors of the economy and brands who sell more expensive vehicles, like Porsche, would be hit harder by the economic impacts than others. Ultimately, I'm not surprised by this that much, I had a feeling we'd lose a manufacturer somewhere, although my money was on BMW to be the one to leave.

Another thing to consider is the potential LMDh entry by Porsche which would made their GTLM program expendable. Cost to run the two programs simultaneously would've been too big. Also, the writing is on the wall for GTLM/GTE as a class anyways. Large investments into the cars/teams for that class have kept manufacturers away and this pushes that notion. We'll probably still see GTE in the WEC but I doubt we'll see GTLM in IMSA within the next year or two.

I have a feeling BMW is the next manufacturer to leave GTLM, seeing that they've been on the fence about the program since the beginning of the year. Once they leave, Corvettes gone too and I bet it's for good unless GM ponies up the money to develop a GT3 car.
I'm curious what IMSA is going to do now to diversify the field or try and pull a new manufacturer in etc

[mk1-fan]

Originally Posted by bitterspeak

It's all Volkswagen. As a way to recover from Diesel-Gate, they've pledged their future to zero-emission vehicles.

They've announced their intent to pull out of all racing series that use an internal combustion engine. I believe they'll still sell customer cars/parts but they will no longer have factory teams. This will impact VW, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ducati, SEAT, Skoda.

Soon, Mercedes is going to follow suit. I believe they too have paused development of their ICE units.

The racing world is going to change dramatically in the next 10-years.

Agreed, and that is very sad.

[Flashstar]

Originally Posted by bitterspeak

The racing world is going to change dramatically in the next 10-years.

I think in the next 5 years.

Audi quits DTM series. Porsche quits IMSA. Many racing teams go bankrupt due to the virus. Big companies and sponsors are beginning to think about the need for sponsorship in motorsport.

At the Nürburgring, the first race of the VLN Endurance will be June 27th. It is very interesting to see who goes there. The borders of the European Union are closed. Japan will not come. China will not come. Russia will not come. USA will not come. Australia, Hong Kong, Korea and many others.

There will be no spectators in the stands. Nice to invest in a great racing show and teams. But when everything is empty, no one has interest.

This is all very sad.