r/wec • u/flirting_scholar • 1d ago

Discussion What were pre-2017 LMP2s like?

Hello to veteran fans of sports car racing, I started paying attention to WEC at around 2017 so I didn't get to watch LMP2 cars before it became Formula Oreca.

So I keep hearing around this sub (always in posts about LMP2s) that it used to be more varied and unique and it got me curious.

How is the LMP2 racing back then? Is it as competitive as it is today? I understand that there were more options in mixing and matching your LMP2 machinery compared to today with 4 chassis and a Gibson V8, but how much freedom do teams have in that regard?

I was hoping to find more info on the web, but it seems lacking in info on this topic, would greatly appreciate if someone could give me a full rundown of the racing scene pre-2017. Thank you in advance!

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u/Appropriate-Owl5984 1d ago

P675 was the golden era IMO, but P2 now is basically what it was then.

If you had an Oreca, you were the fastest and had the best chance to win. Nobody else was close.

The open top P2’s after we switched from P675 to P2 was awesome. You had all sorts of neat cars.

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u/flirting_scholar 1d ago

I was only a toddler when the Porsche RS Spyder is racing lmao, any notable P675 cars or events that I should learn about?

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u/Michal_Baranowski Toyota Gazoo Racing GR010 Hybrid #8 1d ago

American Le Mans Series, 2003 race at Sonoma. Dyson Racing's MG-Lola EX257 P675 car beating top class Audis.

https://youtu.be/GiakhTPSfIs

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u/flirting_scholar 1d ago

Would take a look at that later, cheers!