24 Heures du Mans 12th-13th June 2010

[freshseth83]

Think I may be wrong, looks like one of the team peugeots took the top spot today as well. with a 3:23

 

[Prince.M5]

Yeah.. It's Alex Wurz #1 Peugeot claimed the fastest so in here : http://www.lemans.org/en/news/Fastest-time-of-session_675.html

 

[JAGUAR1977]

I like the GT idea, and was pondering this myself, and I love the idea of re-introducing a World Sportscar Champsionship-style championship, uniting all the major sportscar races - the Sebring 12hrs, Le Mans 24hrs, 1000km of Silverstone, Petit Le Mans, all in one series. Fantastic. The only other one I'd have is the Daytona 24hrs, but I realise that's an exclusive Grand-Am event nowadays.

The prototype proposals stink though. I don't like the way that motorsport is becoming more and more politicised - I've always been one to say that motorsport is a form of escapism, an experiance to enjoy and savour, to escape from everyday life for a weekend and immerse oneself in the visceral thrill of it. Constant 'green' messages and 'green' influences affecting the racing gives me a very awkward feeling. Somebody previously mentioned about how the quiet diesels 'are not wasting needless energy on sound' or something along those lines, but for me, the roar of a Corvette V8 is an experiance to savour, and is all part of the incredible show of motor racing. Why are the prototype engines being restricted? Am I reading it right when I say that there are nothing bigger than a V8 in P2? I might be being a little naive here, I mean, I can see the logic of a small electric motor to take cars down pit road, that makes common sense.

If I'm being naive here with presuming that the engines will be overly restricted for P1, please feel free to explain away

These days even if your buying a high performance road car you have to consider running costs.

Smaller capcity engines, hybrid technology and lightweight chassis are the way forward.

 

[NotThePrez]

Another thing, since P2 now has to run engines similar to production cars, that makes it easier for other manufacturers to enter if the want to. Have A Ferrari V12 prototype running against a Porsche flat six. That may be a bit overboard, but you can see what I'm getting at.

 

[NapoleonMikey]

I have seen Audi jump to the lead within the first few turns of a number of races where they did not qualify on pole. Most recent for me was Petit Le Mans where Peugeot were sitting 1-2 at the beginning of the race, but I was sitting at Turn 4 and saw Allan McNish come around Turn 2 in the lead.

I don't know if Audi just doesn't push as hard in qualifying or what, but I've learned not to take their timing there as any kind of sign.

My guess is Audi doesn't set the car up for qualifying and instead leaves it in race prep and uses the qual sessions as extra practice in race trim. I know a few other teams do that such as the Corvettes really would surprise me if thats what Audi does.

 

[Tommi]

Could someone please tell me how the GT1 Marc VDS Ford GT and JLOC did?, I missed the session.

EDIT: Marc VDS 2nd in class

 

[NotThePrez]

JLOC is 7th in GT1. Not good, but not last.

 

[Tommi]

JLOC is 7th in GT1. Not good, but not last.

Awesome!, this is their year (to finish second behind Marc VDS) I tell you!👍 and thanks.

 

[Lotrzyna]

Just my few comments to all the posts from past few days.

Visibility on that night driving by AWurtz on Le Mans was quite good I would say...

Thanks to Grenade and all the other people for all the interesting links.

Too bad next year LMP1 will run on LMP2 specks I don't mind evolution I even encourage it but why tune down the cars ? I understand hybrid moves in and that is a good thing but still - they could leave LMP1 cars as they are right now.
In addition since they tune down LMP2 its pointless to tuning down LMP1 due to one reason - in my opinion - class difference - I mean - leaving LMP1 cars as they are would make the difference otherwise its just making the race (series) slower :/ Of course, I suspect, I'm wrong so please correct me if I am, I am not a technical master, just like to watch racing

I also think that Audi is slower because they are opened cockpit - I have read the post here - cooling thing etc. - but honestly - did Peugeot or any other closed car have any cooling problems last year ? (I have watched the whole race live but do not remember if any car had any problems...) too bad Audi is so much slower - close racing is always much more fun !!

 

[Bram Turismo]

Two years ago, I set out to complete the proximus 24h of spa on my GTR game, as a prelude to the Le Mans competition. I was trying to get myself into the spirit of the competition. I entered in the Porsche GT2, everything was going well, I was in the Top 5 with a pit stop in hand, 4 hours into the race. I was passing a back marker heading into Eau Rouge, and getting off line in the process. I lost the back end and hit the wall backwards, at which point I saw one of my wheels rolling across the track.

Despite being absolutely gutted at the time, it reminded me exactly what endurance racing is all about - survival. I think this time I am going to prepare with a 50 lap arcade race of circuit de la sarthe in GT4. Thankfully Gran turismo doesn't have damage yet.

Today I installed the game and I nearly forgot how much fun this game still is. Without any doubt the best racing game I have ever played. Currently in an NGT Porsche at Barcelona where after the two first practice sessions I've topped the timing table by half a second over the Ferrari of Thomas Enge

The thing that makes this game so great is all the variables that affect it. You can clearly feel the grip of the track building up as time goes by and temperatures rise. I can guarantee you that I have been pushing everything I had for the entire duration of both practice sessions and I set my fastest lap in the last 15 minutes. I never had this in Gran Turismo, but GTR is what every racing game should be like. Get Real! 👍

I have seen Audi jump to the lead within the first few turns of a number of races where they did not qualify on pole. Most recent for me was Petit Le Mans where Peugeot were sitting 1-2 at the beginning of the race, but I was sitting at Turn 4 and saw Allan McNish come around Turn 2 in the lead.

I don't know if Audi just doesn't push as hard in qualifying or what, but I've learned not to take their timing there as any kind of sign.

Alan McNish said none of the Audis would stand a chance against the Peugeots in qualifying as they weren't expecting 3'19s. He also said they would be closer on race pace, but the entirety of the RLM crew agreed that Audi can only beat Peugeot when the 908s somehow got wiped out of the race. Frankly I agree with them, but it's OK because Audi has dominated this race long enough and it's time for a new manufacturer to step onto the highest podium spot and earn that kind of legendary status 👍

EDIT: Marc VDS 2nd in class

 

[NapoleonMikey]

Awesome!, this is their year (to finish second behind Marc VDS) I tell you!👍 and thanks.

I think you should edit that that this will be the year JLOC just finishes

 

[Speedster502]

Haha yeah. JLOC back in last. As per usual for them

 

[Tommi]

I think you should edit that that this will be the year JLOC just finishes

Well yes there is that small detail, but they're going to do more than finish this year!.

 

[Wardy 944]

I'm not sure which car will retire first, It's either the JLOC or JAG

 

[Mt. Lynx]

JLOC is running the old R-GT aren´t they? Not a new Reiter R-SV as was my hopes. That means there is actually only one new GT1 model in the field being the Ford GT´s.

I really hope that the ACO and the FIA can get to terms with their GT issues. I remember ACO stating a year ago that they did want four classes at Le Mans, but earlier this season they sort of said that they only wanted one class and that the GT2 class should be that. They didn´t say it exactly, so it´s still hanging in the air. IMO it would be a great loss if they ruled out GT1.

 

[Tommi]

JLOC is running the old R-GT aren´t they? Not a new Reiter R-SV as was my hopes. That means there is actually only one new GT1 model in the field being the Ford GT´s.

.

No, they are running an RSV-LM. I believe they are the only people to have this Le Mans 'spec' R-SV too.👍

EDIT:

I'm not sure which car will retire first, It's either the JLOC or JAG

Jaaaaaggg!. JLOC are not going to retire.

 

[NapoleonMikey]

I'm not sure which car will retire first, It's either the JLOC or JAG

Im going to go with Jag. I think they will just be lucky to take the green flag. My guess is they will miss it because there try to fix something on the car.

 

[Mt. Lynx]

Just my few comments to all the posts from past few days.

Visibility on that night driving by AWurtz on Le Mans was quite good I would say...

Thanks to Grenade and all the other people for all the interesting links.

Too bad next year LMP1 will run on LMP2 specks I don't mind evolution I even encourage it but why tune down the cars ? I understand hybrid moves in and that is a good thing but still - they could leave LMP1 cars as they are right now.
In addition since they tune down LMP2 its pointless to tuning down LMP1 due to one reason - in my opinion - class difference - I mean - leaving LMP1 cars as they are would make the difference otherwise its just making the race (series) slower :/ Of course, I suspect, I'm wrong so please correct me if I am, I am not a technical master, just like to watch racing

I also think that Audi is slower because they are opened cockpit - I have read the post here - cooling thing etc. - but honestly - did Peugeot or any other closed car have any cooling problems last year ? (I have watched the whole race live but do not remember if any car had any problems...) too bad Audi is so much slower - close racing is always much more fun !!

The way it looks right now P1 and P2 will be basically the same. The differences will be the engines and the tyres AFAIK.

The cooling is not for the engines, it´s for the driver. A closed car has to have an AC installed, and that means more weight. It also means that they are allowed a bigger restictor - they were I should say, don´t think that is the case anylonger, and they produce less drag wich = higher top speed.

 

[Neal]

I've just been setting the Sky+ box to record the race on Saturday and notice there is a "Legends" support race on before it. "Cars from the 1980s 'Group C' era of car racing compete in the Legends support race at the 2010 Le Mans Hours.". It's on British Eurosport 10am - 11am on Saturday, apologies if this has been mentioned before but it sounds like it will feature some tasty cars.

Also to Ardius I think the race starts at 2pm UK time and the first post says 3pm

 

[Wardy 944]

I've just been setting the Sky+ box to record the race on Saturday and notice there is a "Legends" support race on before it. "Cars from the 1980s 'Group C' era of car racing compete in the Legends support race at the 2010 Le Mans Hours.". It's on British Eurosport 10am - 11am on Saturday, apologies if this has been mentioned before but it sounds like it will feature some tasty cars.

Yes it has, but well worth another mention as it should be one of the highlights of the weekend 👍

 

[Falcon787B]

The problem is though, much of motorsport relies on government support to continue to run - race circuits in particular struggle to operate without help from the government and the community. How can the governments or race circuits convince people spending money on what is seen as a rich mans sport as being reasonable?
Manufacturers struggle to convince their boards of directors of the benefits of motorsport and its a big thing in business and companies today to look towards green solutions now.

If motorsport tries to ignore it all it will die forever. I see nothing wrong as long as the racing is good, though I do agree the sound of the diesels is not exciting. But ideas like KERS and so on should be brought in and green technologies should be considered and focused on to stay relevant with the times.

I certainly don't want to see electric motor racing though, but I don't consider electric motors particularly green anyway.

You are of course correct, and it was rather naive of me not to think of that earlier. Money is everything, and as you say, the only way to get that money nowadays is to toe the line of current social issues - which currently is the 'green' concept.

You are also right with the idea of KERS and such, KERS is actually a rather imaginative idea and I like the sound of it, and it makes sound common sense, especially in endurance racing, where reliability and economy are huge factors.

The day electric motor racing comes in is the day I will stop being a motor racing fan. As you say, electric motors are not particularly 'green', and it surprises me that people still view them as such - although as you say, it is likely there is a financial aspect to that too.

As for the session, I've missed it too, but I'm very interested in the apparent lack of pace of the Audis...maybe I've just grown up used to them dominating sportscar racing, but seeing them off the pace is a little odd. Still, I've learnt better than to ever discount them...

Also, as for first retiree...I'm hoping not JLOC. It appears I'm getting Tommi2000's underdog bug, because I'm beginning to pull for humble JLOC. I just don't know how Rocketsports are screwing up so badly with the Jaguar, how can it be so unreliable?

 

[Tommi]

Also, as for first retiree...I'm hoping not JLOC. It appears I'm getting Tommi2000's underdog bug, because I'm beginning to pull for humble JLOC.

Yay!, welcome to the club.

I just don't know how Rocketsports are screwing up so badly with the Jaguar, how can it be so unreliable?

I'm going to say 'teething problems' because the Jag is a new car.

 

[Neal]

Yes it has, but well worth another mention as it should be one of the highlights of the weekend 👍

I looked back a couple of pages but got distracted

I'm certain it's been mentioned already watching the in car cockpit cameras in the dark is amazing...terrifying if I'm being honest! Doubt I'll get to watch many hours this weekend but I'm still looking forward to it.

 

[Stevisiov]

Audi catching the Pug in terms of pace now. Getting tense.

 

[Speedster502]

And Qualifying is finished now. A couple of cars still on track, but nothing that's going to make much of an impact.

 

[Wardy 944]

So there it is Peugeot 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th


Early night tommorow see you all Saturday

 

[Mt. Lynx]

Pretty much as expected. The only surprise for me was the lack of pace from the Porsches. I really expected them to be up there with the F430´s and the Vettes.

 

[Tommi]

I'm not really surprised by the LMP1 outcome either, those 908's are amazing. Great job by Marc VDS today, moved all the way up to second in class and less than a second off the time set by the Young Driver AMR Aston.👍

 

[analog]

First 3 places for the factory Pugs, 4th for the Oreca Pug....quite a good starting point ( and good publicity ) I would say, although slightly less important in an endurance race I guess.

Funniest thing was when the Oreca Pug set the quickest first sector time at the end of qualification and the Peugeot team boss went over to Oreca to say they had to slow down...... ( at least that's what it looked like to me ).

Wouldn't be appreciated if the Oreca team claimed pole I suppose, so team orders ( from a different team ) I'm afraid, but at least the cars are similar it seems.

 

[Mt. Lynx]

Funny how I mentioned the ACO/FIA GT issues: GT1 dropped for next year