Le Mans – Peugeot’s Shock Au Revoir

The Pug takes a holiday. Photo: ALMS

Sometimes life in France is unpredictable.  One day you buy a rail ticket, only to find out the next day that SNCF has gone on strike.  You didn’t know about it, mais, c’est la vie en France.

Other things take you by surprise.  The racing world was shocked by Peugeot’s abrupt decision to pull out of sports car racing with immediate effect.  Peugeot will not race its 908 prototype at Le Mans, where for the last five years, Audi and its French rival have exchanged top steps on the podium.  The rivalry continued at Sebring and was expected to play a large role in the FIA’s new World Endurance Contest.  Now, that series finds itself in disarray as it struggles with the loss of a primary (and – key here: French) competitor just months before the opener at Sebring.

Peugeot’s decision is easy to understand if you follow global economics.  France is in the doldrums along with much of Europe, and as we have seen time and time again, racing is expendable.  Competition programs do not add much to the bottom line, and thus, the expenses become hard to justify.

Ironically, Peugeot’s announcement follows increased manufacturer interest in the French enduro classic.  Nissan, Toyota and Porsche all plan to return with prototypes.  Note, however, that the group is Japanese and German, as the Germans are saving everyone’s economic asses.  Toyota is up and running, having recently tested its new hybrid prototype with Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kaz Nakajima

Unlike the French, we are “glass half full” people.  We think that this could lead to an increase in competition at the privateer level, where smaller funded teams will have a chance at winning the world’s greatest endurance race.  To be sure, Peugeot’s withdrawal will make Audi question its plans, as there is little to be gained from beating up on a small privateer squads.  Whereas, there is much to be lost if any one of those squads beats an Audi.

Hopefully, Peugeot’s decision will have less ripple effect as others join the fray.  And, again, Audi may remain involved as long as other marques maintain their interest.  It will be interesting to see if Aston Martin continues despite the troubles with its AMR1 last season.  If the World Endurance Challenge and the ALMS can hold out for another year, we could see banner days return once Toyota, Porsche and Nissan are back.  And let’s not forget Honda’s discreet involvement in the HPD program.  HPD returns to LMP1 competition this year with the ARX-03a, powered by a normally aspirated 3.4-liter V8 engine.

Still, Peugeot showed up at Le Mans with a serious race car that gave Audi a run for its money.  We’re sad to see the Pug walk away.

---