2013 marks a unique milestone in GT Academy. It’s the third successive year that gamers have taken to the track at the Le Mans 24 Hours, but this time they’re working together.
Lucas Ordoñez, the Academy’s first winner, is already racing in his third 24 Heures du Mans – all in LMP2 machinery – with a best finish of 2nd in class in 2011. This year he’s joined by 2011 GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough, fresh from his first season as an F3 driver getting used to the wings-and-slicks approach to racing.
GT1 World Champion and Super GT stalwart Michael Krumm takes the remaining driver spot in the trio’s Greaves Motorsport LMP2 Zytek-Nissan – hopefully having better luck than his participation in DeltaWing in 2012.
Qualifying for the race gets underway at 2000 UTC/GMT on Wednesday 19th June with the first night-time qualification round. It’s mandatory for new drivers to complete 5 laps of the track in darkness to be eligible for Saturday’s race.
To keep abreast of events at Le Mans, we’ve put together a bunch of resources you can use whether you’re one of the lucky GTP members to be at the track or not!
Race Coverage
- Starting Time: 1300 UTC/GMT (convert to your local time here)
- GTPlanet’s Live 24h Le Mans Community Discussion
- Official Live Timing and video stream from lemans.com
- Official Live Timing and video stream from FIA WEC
- Radio Le Mans
Le Mans on TV
- SpeedTV scheduling
- SpeedTV stream – including Corvette in-car cams
- EuroSport scheduling
- 24 Hours of Le Mans @24hoursoflemans
- Greaves Motorsport @greavesmsport
- Lucas Ordoñez @Lucas_Ordonez
- Jann Mardenborough @Jannthaman
- Michael Krumm @MichaelKrumm
Other Resources
- Andy Blackmore’s Le Mans Spotter Guide
GTPlanet wishes the Nismo Athletes and every other driver the very best of luck this weekend!
See more articles on Jann Mardenborough and Lucas Ordonez.
Audi wins the race :D, GO AUDI!!!!!!!!
Why cheer AUDI when you suppose to cheer the drivers.
two morgans go 1, 2 in LMP2. Great battle by our boys in the #42 Greaves Zytek almost grabbing a class podium spot in the greatest road race on earth. 3rd was taken by the G-Drive Oreca #26 by less than 1 lap.
Nice work by Toyota putting legitimate pressure on those germans. I sure would love to see toyota jump into the GT classes. Either an LF-A GT3 or maybe the next Supra.. Honda should send a team of HSV-10’s as well. Does anyone think it’s weird that no Audi R8 GT’s ran today? They are usually smacking GT classes around all over the world. At this point it seems that audi can only stop themselves. Somebody else needs to show up.
That’s because those Audi’s are GT3 class, a class not yet allowed at Le Mans.
Le Mans has been by initation only for as long as I can remember. Been waiting since 96(?) for the Skylines and many others to return. Something about the industry’s future they try to promote.
Wouldn’t it be a nice tribute to get the #95 Aston in GT6? Or is that too much?
RIP Allan Simonsen :-(
Nice idea as a tribute.
Great race overall, with my favorite driver off all time winning again. Still, for the first time ever, i’ml sitting with an empty feeling after the race.
R.I.P Allan Simonsen
Anthony Davidson did great this year. Good comeback.
RIP Allan Simonsen….
Good race for Audi and Toyota :)
But I’m happy because today was the first time since 1968 that a Mexican achieve a podium (Last time was Pedro Rodriguez in a GT40), Congratulations to Ricardo Gonzalez winner of LMP2 Class!!.
Who won the lmp2 class category?
Audi (12) + Kristensen (9) = Le Mans 2013
Denmark between happiness and sadness.
RIP Allan Simonsen
What a fantastic race, brimmed with drama and numerous emotions. All sympathy towards Allan Simonsen, and his family/loved ones.
Good to see GT Academy graduates driving to the top 10 on the grid.
Despite the mishaps, I really enjoyed this year’s race! ;-)
That was very amazing. Filled with emotional ups and downs. My hurt goes out to the family of Allen Simonson for there tragic loss. A 24 to remember..
An amazing race. I am truly glad I got to share it with this amazing community.
Our GT Academy drivers did their best.
I hope to see you all next year!
Until next time.
First race @ 24 H of Le Mans I meant
Audi maybe their last race @ LMP1, now is time for his brother Porsche to take the first position! I saw that the Nismo team finished 4th is still a good position considering is the first race for Mardenborough! Better luck next time, maybe they will compete at LMP1!
When Porsche returns to Le Mans, will they compete on LMP1?
Yes, Porsche on LMP1. But as Porsche belongs to Audi it’s not a clean battle… they can choose who will win, all for increase Audi’s reputation par example, wining to Porsche…
Just Like Bentley won under Audi property… you make the competition go up in reputation with emblematic brands wins and after that you win them…
Oh no, will we see the Formula 1 style team order if Audi & Porsche are fighting for the 1st place?
Is not clear what will happen if Audi will be retreat of the competition on LMP1, and maybe they will fight with Audi R8 LMS on GT category. I don’t think Audi will compete against Porsche, since both brands are owned by Volkswagen, I think Audi has show all what they wanted, they won with petrol cars, then with diesel, now with hybrid cars, VW Group will now put Porsche to win with the top contenders, is not logic to put your brands to compete on such a battle and spend resources on both, on GT category maybe but not on LMP1.
You are correct GT911. Having them compete, Audi and Porsche, in the same class would be a waist of resources. Audi replaced Porsche, in the prototype rankings, in 2000. If Porsche returns to le Mans, I’m not sure what category they would be in. I’m not aware of any prototype’s in Porsche’s immediate future. Perhaps an engine for LMP2.
They will use different technologies so there is no problem about fighting each other.
The new Jag “F-Type” is stunning. What a beautiful car. All that and 495 BHP.
Random a bit?
(RIP Alan Simonsen)…….. Good Job SRT both cars Finished the race not bad for there first 24H. And good job Audi didn’t see them winning ………. ok i did …maybe next year Toyota ..
Great race overall with a sad component of course that will not be forgiven.
Congrats to Audi and Toyota, Nissan, Porsche and Ferrari.
Can´t wait for next year with Porsche and Nissan in LM P1!
RIP Allan Simonsen.
Where did Toyota finish? It’s quite disappointing that Nissan couldn’t finish on 3rd on LMP2 class :( Better luck next year boys and I can’t wait until the Spa 24 hour race!!!
Toyota finished 2nd, Audi 1st and 3rd
Ferrari won the GTE class.
Le Mans 2013
Another win for Audi. Congrats to a strong run by GTA representative Jann Mardenborough; fantastic race from all involved.
RIP Alan Simonsen.
R.I.P Allan simonsen
Well that’s it, Audi won again
And no one was even close. They rule LMP1. Now Speed Vision is saying Porsche won the GTA class?
Famine, I need help with who won what other than Audi.
Oh, no one was close, that’s why Toyota finished just one lap behind….
barely 1 lap behind after 300+ laps on that monster is extremely close..
Damn, the live feed on YouTube has finished. I hopefully Jann can finish in 3rd on LMP2 class with less than an hour to go. Go Jann!!!
Thanx
any news on positions?, I can’t get into of the live streams to find out
They are still on 4th place on LMP2 class.
1st has 2 laps gap!? WTF.
sangdude82 asked “Is Le Mans 24 hours physically & mentally tougher to race than Nurburgring 24 hours?”
I’m not even close to a pro. But just watching when it’s wet at Le Mans, I’d say it’s much harder than the ring.
They carry so much speed into just about every turn at Le Mans. When it gets wet you really have to be on your game.
The 458 GT3 car should be a no brainer for GT6. Just like the Corvette and Aston GT3’s
Also, was another chicane added to Muslin straight?
Watkins Glen next week :)
I think Famine did well to post this considering he’s actually at Le Mans and only has a smartphone!!
Hope we ll get the Great cars of Le Mans in GT6 !!!
Yeah, I like that LMP2 car that is driven by Jann, Lucas & Michael. It would be nice if Kaz puts that car (and also GT-R GT3 with YouTube livery) on GT6 since he will have a very easy access to that car.
I didn’t know that we could switch to the onboard cam (on YouTube channel) until about 3 hours ago and have been enjoying the race more since then :)
Great Race so far but a sad day in Racing
RIP Allan Simonsen.
RIP Wolf Silvester.
Damn, another driver has lost his life?
yes, Wolf Silvester @ VLN
Is Le Mans 24 hours physically & mentally tougher to race than Nurburgring 24 hours?
I looked at the entry list. There is no ‘Wolf Silvester’.
Silvester died due to a heart attack during the German long distance race (4 hours) on the Nürburgring Nodschleife. He droves an Opel Astra opc.
R.i.p to both Drives :'(
Curse all the Forza Motorsport signage that’s littering the track. Oh well. Viva la Sarthe.
Agreed.
True Gearheads ^ ^. I don’t think so.
Ahhh… Sarthe at dawn… you can almost smell tyres and petrol!
Jann “The Man” Mardenborough just interviewed on LeMans-TV.com! That dude is so cool under pressure; however the announcers are worried that he may get dehydrated by the coffees and Coca-Cola They even lauded GT academy and the entire PlayStation effort to get drivers off the “couch” and onto the track and behind the wheel. Good stuff! Loving this race….!
Wow… I never noticed before HOW MUCH DETAIL there is at night at Sarthe. All the lights and reflective surfaces and the Michelin tower, etc… I wonder if these really cool touches make it into GT6? I bet some of them do…
Le Mans ~ the race of Legends
R.I.P. Allan Simonsen. :'(
Is anyone watching Nismo live on YT? Lmao
“Truffle F***ing Shuffle” Lmao gotta love live TV.
Nice interview from Jann, seem’s like a cool humble guy.
Really sad about Simonsen. God bless him and his family.
This is one of the handful of tracks in GT that I drive well. Watching the LMP and GT techniques very closely.
The LMP are more stable (better down force I guess). The GT’s seem a bit edgy especially through the S’es.
But it’s so cool to be able to watch what pros do on a course that you can drive at the same time of day under the same weather conditions with close to the same cars. I really like the lighted car numbers. Not seeing much coverage of the NISMO team on Speed Channel…..what’s up with that $7|+?
Still sticking with the three-A’s, even though I’ve lost my Alpine, my Aston’s haven’t let me down yet! Specifically the #97, that’s my favorite art car ever. My boy McNish is leading, I’m feeling good, I’ll night the bullet on Alpine, and lol, I’ll be up all night!
I hope we get this Nismo Youtube LMP car, watching it live on YT i’m actually starting to become fond of it. My hunger for LMP and GT3 cars are starting to grow since e3.
GO SRT (The newest dominant branch of the classic…. MOPAR)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SRT has been around for a while, and they’re now a separate brand within Chrysler.
Yeah… FIAT! Conflicted as heck Ferrari vs SRT. To heck with Porsche. And Ford has opted out? And where’s Henri for France?
R.I.P. Allan Simonsen…
It was his seventh year racing in Le Mans
Yes rest in peace simonsen.another senna lost
Go srt and toyota,beat audi
It’s a big lost for all of us but he wasn’t Senna. Stop idealizing people when they aren’t here.
I don’t want to be disrespectful but I agree with @oneloops I’m just not a into people becoming bigger fans of somebody who’s name that could have very well never heard or knew who was until now. He was a very adaptable GT racer but the Senna comparison is a bit much.
Loving Nismo Youtube Channel On board with Jann Mardenborough :)
Somebody past away during the race? Was it an accident?
Yes, Allan Simonsen hit a barrier early on in the race.
R.I.P. Simonsen :(
Anyone catch them speaking about the Academy drivers? Mad GT props.
R.I.P. Simonsen.
Funny thing… watching #74 live stream, saw what looked like SRT approaching to pass when camera switched to driver cam. LET’s GO SRT!!!
The Toyota TS030 petrol sound vs the Audis diesel…wow, what a difference.
Nothing beats a petrol engine sound…beautiful
Yes ! Nice sound from Toyota :)
Shame Simonsen has died. RIP
That aside, and its a real shame to see, the racing will continue, and its epic so far.
Yes, Toyota is saving the race, after Peugeot closed its team.
Toyota and Audi have been fun, but I’ve been loving the Aston vs Porsce GTE-Pro battle. It’s been simply incredible!
It’s weird how the team itslef did lack of infos, as Simonsen didn’t talk to the radio after the crash, they were relying on the race direction which did not provide any for a long time.
French public TV even said earlier that they had good news, after they learn the driver did leave the hospital… to learn later it died.
RIP
Danish driver in the Aston Martin that went off has died, R.I.P
It’s all about the 3 A’s! Audi, Alpine, Aston :)
is there a video stream for the main broadcast? all the links seem to be showing on board cams..
Just watching the stream and really enjoying all the onboard cams. I’ve been a fan of driving/racing sims on PC and consoles since the mid 80s and as much as we whine and complain about GT5 and GT6 and whatever else, it still blows me away how good the games have gotten. Its incredibly familiar compared to the in car streams…
Interesting to see how much of the curb these guys are allowed to use. With the short cut rules set if GT5 you can not drive like the real drivers do. You get penalized for cutting a corner.
With pens on you can actually cut the last chicain like they do, as long as you keep 2 wheels on the rumble strip, you can cut it a lot more than I thought you could. I never knew how to take the last chicain until last year when I saw Le Mans. It really makes a big difference.
Yes, but… Simonsen goes too far on (probably wet) curb at Tertre Rouge, putting its interior wheels on the very end of the curb – way after the turn itself. It has been his last mistake. :(
A Forza MotorSport /XBOX DONE banner on display at Le Mans. Hope the Aston Martin driver is OK. They wont even talk about his condition. Nasty crash………………………Back to Green now.
Yea, I was a worried for him.
I’m worried too but I’m mostly surprised we’ve had no word 2 hours later, should be getting to that point…
The Aston Martin driver died :(
R.I.P.
Euro sport player subscribed, iPad to TV with Lighting Digital AV Adapter in HD :)
Watching Nismo’s official stream on YouTube..let’s go GT Academy!
Thank you for the links Famine!
Go Tom Kristensen :D
Le Mans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Krumm is a top bloke. I recommend reading his book “Driving On The Edge”. It certainly improved my Gran Turismo gaming. It is the modern approach to race driving and dismisses many old fashioned theories, such as “slow in – fast out”.
Did the laws of physics changed recently…?
Jeez… I hope yall don’t start dive bombing me whilst l’m headed to the next apex. FIFO is not a solution to being quick through EVERY corner at ANY time. It’s bad enough that PD’s stewards penalizes you AFTER being punted by NOSY competitors. Definitely a concept for TTs.
YZF – would you like me to explain?
I remember when Pedro D. Rosa was driving one of the faster F1 cars (Mclaren) when JPM left, and he was like 2sec slower than all other drivers. He is not a reliable advisor how to drive fast.
Hell yeah! :) Excited as hell!
Go:
Audi – LMP1
OAK Racing – LMP2
Corvette – GT.
Good luck guys!
Ganbare Toyota!
Lets go SRT viper! I do hope that at least both cars finish the race.
Audi 123 and Toyota 4th and 5th. Rebellions after that
Outstanding work GTP! Looking forward to the live streaming and the discussion here. Go Team Greaves and SRT!
AWESOME! Great post. Now I shall be watching no matter what!
Anybody knows what position they came out in the quali? I missed it :/
I’ll watch it. :D
I’m in, go dudes!!
Off all weekend! Going to watch my live stream and do my annual 24hrs of lemans in GT. good luck #42 be routing for you
Good luck to everyone racing at Le Sarthe this year, especially our GT Academy winners who are making a difference in the world of racing!
Kick some butt out there guys. Go GT Academy! :D
I can’t watch it this year :(
No comments? I’ll fix that :D