In 2021 we will finally see the introduction of the Le Mans Hypercar class, the LMH, which will replace the LMP1 class as the top of the line in endurance racing. One of the most famous races in the World Endurance Championship is without a doubt the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, to be held on 13 June 2021, and we will be seeing the SCG 007 Hypercar competing in that grueling race this year.
The FIA WEC will start on 19 March with the 1,000 Miles of Sebring in the United States of America, and next to two SGC 007 there will be hypercars from Toyota, but also an evolution of the Enso CLM P1/01 LMP1 car from ByKolles Racing should be entering. Aston Martin planned to race in the new LMH class with their Valkyrie, but has put their efforts on hold, on the other hand, French based Peugeot plans to enter the championship for the 2022 season.
What’s really interesting about the Le Mans Hypercar regulations, is the fact that aside from the bespoke race car, they will have to make 20 road-going versions too within two years, minimum weight has been set at 1,040 kg (or 2,290 lb) and maximum power is limited at 680 hp, in case of hybrid power, no more than 270 hp (200 kW) may come from that system … this will make for some really interesting, close racing for sure.
It seems that if car makers want to keep competing in the LMH class after the initial two-year period, they will have to build 100 roadcars, all with the same power train, possible hybrid for the front axle, combustion engine to drive the rear wheels. While there have been rumors of entries by Ferrari, Koenigsegg, and even Lamborghini … at this moment none of these have confirmed for the 2021 season.
On the other hand, Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus has confirmed entering two cars in the FIA WEC 2021 season, and while GSC is in no way comparable to the likes of Toyota, they are working together with some of the big boys in this arena. James Glickenhaus, founder of SCG, confirmed that none other than Sauber will be working with him during the campaign and development of the SCG 007 towards March.
Joest Racing, who won Le Mans 15 times already in the past, will be joining the SCG team in terms of logistics and team operations, but make no mistake, it will still be Luca Cianchetti, SCG’s WEC boss who’s in charge ultimately. The actual construction of the SCG 007 race car will be done by Podium Advanced Technologies from Italy, who has made class winning cars for Le Mans for decades, the first SCG 007 cars will be ready for testing later this month.
I’m sure the race car will be really impressive, but I can’t wait for the SCG 007 road car to be shown, imaging encountering that on the Autobahn in Germany, on a section with no speed limit … automotive heaven on Earth for sure.
