Peugeot ends Le Mans Program!!

S54dan · 01-18-2012, 11:12 AM

Sad news!! I was always an Audi supporter, but with no Audi vs Peugeot battle, it's going to be a boring watch.

Quote:

Peugeot has announced that it will end its endurance racing programme with immediate effect.

The French manufacturer had been Audi's main rival in sportscar racing, running the variants of its diesel 908 prototype in the Le Mans 24 Hours and associated series since 2007.

"This decision has been taken in the context of a difficult economic environment in Europe," Peugeot said in a statement on Wednesday. "Peugeot has chosen to concentrate resources on its sales performance in 2012."

Le Mans victory in 2009 was Peugeot's greatest success, while last year it won the inaugural Intercontinental Le Mans Cup title ahead of the series' transformation into the World Endurance Championship this year.

The decision to can the programme comes amid declining car sales for the Peugeot group, and will be a major blow to the formative WEC - which had been expected to see a season-long battle between Audi and Peugeot.

Toyota is embarking on a new LMP1 programme but will not contest a full campaign this year, while Porsche's new car will not hit the track until 2014.

Source: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97080

Brainofjjj · 01-18-2012, 11:16 AM

Wow that's a shock. Guess the French economy and Europe's in general is to blame. At least I got to see these race at last year's Petit.

Wonder who can challenge the Audi dominance now.

Jaypod · 01-18-2012, 11:18 AM

This really is unfortunate. I too enjoyed watching their battles with Audi

BFD99 · 01-18-2012, 11:33 AM

That's sad, I really liked their cars and watching them race!

Dele Z. · 01-18-2012, 11:44 AM

Yeah i just heard about this too

Ive cancelled my trip to Le Mans this year, a bit extreme i know but i want to see how this year pans out in terms of entries and competitions before i return

M3_WC · 01-18-2012, 11:49 AM

Sad to see a competitor leave. But more manufacturers will be joining in the future. Both Toyota and Porsche have said they will be building cars. Bentley has interest in rejoining the LMP1 class.

az34 · 01-18-2012, 12:24 PM

thats a shame cuz Peugeot was the only manufacturer that could give Audi a run for the title.

mike the snake · 01-18-2012, 03:20 PM

That totally sucks.

az34 · 01-18-2012, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike the snake

That totally sucks.

+1

mike@Vossen · 01-23-2012, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3_WC

Sad to see a competitor leave. But more manufacturers will be joining in the future. Both Toyota and Porsche have said they will be building cars. Bentley has interest in rejoining the LMP1 class.

Agreed.

Hopefully they come back even stronger!

ptack · 01-27-2012, 03:15 PM

When the going gets tough, the French ..get packing.

01-18-2012, 11:16 AM	#2
Brainofjjj Astronaut 67 Rep 672 Posts Drives: car Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas iTrader: (5)	Wow that's a shock. Guess the French economy and Europe's in general is to blame. At least I got to see these race at last year's Petit. Wonder who can challenge the Audi dominance now.
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01-18-2012, 11:18 AM	#3
Jaypod Brigadier General 127 Rep 4,971 Posts Drives: Frozen M3, AM V8V, 991 GT3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (7)	This really is unfortunate. I too enjoyed watching their battles with Audi
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01-18-2012, 11:33 AM	#4
BFD99 The Stig! 54 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 2008 135i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tulsa, Ok iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [10.00]	That's sad, I really liked their cars and watching them race! __________________ 2008 135i - FBO + JB4 15ohm + Water Meth
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01-18-2012, 11:44 AM	#5
Dele Z. Bad Badtz-Maru 6 Rep 87 Posts Drives: E93 335i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Yeah i just heard about this too Ive cancelled my trip to Le Mans this year, a bit extreme i know but i want to see how this year pans out in terms of entries and competitions before i return __________________ A lot of people go through life doing things badly. Racing’s important to men who do it well. When you’re racing, it... it’s life. Anything that happens before or after... is just waiting. - Steve McQueen
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01-18-2012, 11:49 AM	#6
M3_WC Brigadier General 1048 Rep 3,622 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Sad to see a competitor leave. But more manufacturers will be joining in the future. Both Toyota and Porsche have said they will be building cars. Bentley has interest in rejoining the LMP1 class.
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01-18-2012, 12:24 PM	#7
az34 Major 56 Rep 1,014 Posts Drives: 2009 z4sdrive35i 2008 x5 3.0i Join Date: May 2011 Location: montréal iTrader: (0)	thats a shame cuz Peugeot was the only manufacturer that could give Audi a run for the title.
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01-18-2012, 03:20 PM	#8
mike the snake Captain 70 Rep 643 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sonoma County, CA. iTrader: (1)	That totally sucks.
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01-27-2012, 03:15 PM	#11
ptack Brigadier General 306 Rep 4,481 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	When the going gets tough, the French ..get packing. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
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