>>The ACO today announced changes to the 2008 LMP1 regulations.  Before we get to that, In their press release its interesting to note a somewhat defensive posture, as though changes actually aren't warranted: 

"It should be pointed out that the 2007 24-Hours race highlighted the overall balance of the regulations currently in force with breath-taking suspense right the finish, and the presence of 3 different manufacturers on the rostrum (Audi, Peugeot and Pescarolo). This has only happened once in the last 30 years (1999, with BMW, Toyota and Audi)."

The changes are ultimately minor, a 3% restrictor area increase for the gas powered cars coupled with a reduced overall minimum to 900 kgs for all competitors.  The weight reduction is perhaps the more significant of the two changes though it is somewhat disheartening that it has been granted for all.  But in some ways this is a de facto bonus for the gas powered cars as it would seem the diesels are still struggling to reach even the 925 kgs minimum (dailysportscar quotes between 925-931 kgs for the R10s and 937 & 941 kgs for the 908s at Le Mans this year).  Though I wouldn't put it past Audi and Peugeot to begin to moan about that while shoveling fist-fulls of cash into crash weight reduction programs.  The reality is that the gas powered cars have been running around with substantial levels of ballast to meet the 925 kgs (remember that December 2005 surprise?) and therefore can immediately chuck off the amount needed to meet the new minimum.  One can argue that for once the manufacturers may have to dig deep to reach that goal, but then again we're approaching the end of the season and have a long winter ahead of us before the '08 season begins...