This weekend is Father's Day weekend. No better way to enjoy Father's Day weekend than with Le Mans. I always joke to my stepfather that this race is his gift. Doesn't really watch it, but I don't really have materialistic parents. I personally think this is the greatest race in the world, speaking as a sportscar racing fan. Many people have their favorites; this race is mine. And as usual, you'll have to plan your attack towards taping the event if you have any blanks on you. As usual, NASCAR will intercept any good coverage of Le Mans action on Speed Channel. I think Formula One at the United States Grand Prix (which I'm okay with) will be there as well.
I read some good news on planetlemans.com. It's said that Tom Kristensen will start at Le Mans this weekend. It's great news for one of my newest motorsports heroes. * I gave my previews for all four classes, but I'm just not as detailed or as accurate. Planetlemans.com have their own previews which you can read here:
http://www.planetlemans.com/cmsv2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2779&Itemid=2 (LMP1)
http://www.planetlemans.com/cmsv2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2780&Itemid=2 (LMP2)
http://www.planetlemans.com/cmsv2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2782&Itemid=2 (LMGT1)
http://www.planetlemans.com/cmsv2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2784&Itemid=2 (LMGT2)
I'll go on reports I've seen on TV and read online to present "FACT OR FICTION?" to all of you. I'll present you a good number of statements regarding this year's race. If you think the statement in question is very likely to happen, state FACT. If you think the statement in question is very UNlikely to happen and too good to be true, state FICTION. As with many race discussions, I'll also provide my own comments after the race as well as some discussion questions to reflect on each race I try to offer. So you ready? Here goes:
The 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans - FACT OR FICTION?
1.) The Audi vs. Peugeot battle has been praised as being a great battle all race long. At least one car from Audi and/or Peugeot will not finish. (To be fact, at least one entry from Audi and/or Peugeot will not finish. It's fiction if all R10's and 908 HDi FAP's finish)
2.) Aston Martin will win LMGT1 class honors regardless of which car finishes first.
3.) Regardless of final classification, Creation Autosportif will finish.
4.) Panoz won Le Mans in LMGT2 as an upset last year. This year, it's Ferrari's turn to rule LMGT2. Yeah. No chance of Panoz, Porsche, or even Spyker winning this one.
5.) Both Spykers in LMGT2 will not finish.
6.) (6a) Pescarolo Sport will see both cars finish, (6b) and at least one of them will place in the Top 5 either overall or in LMP1.
7.) Radical was quite good at Le Mans last year. This year, they will win in the LMP2 class.
8.) At least two teams that race in the ALMS will win in class.
9.) The lone Pescarolo in LMP2 will not finish.
10.) The JLOC (Japanese Lamborghini Owners Club) will finish again like they did last year.
11.) Flying Lizard will finish somewhere in the LMGT2 podium.
12.) At least one Team Oreca Saleen will not finish.
13.) No more than two Courage machines (in LMP1 and LMP2) will DNF.
14.) All Zyteks in LMP1 and LMP2 will finish.
15.) Racing for Holland's Dome will not finish.
There's your "FACT OR FICTION?" statements. What do you think? Just remember to post your answers before the race starts. Not real fun to be a prognosticator and change results as we go along.
A thing I've always loved about Le Mans are the wonderfully-painted cars as well as excellent performers. This year's race looks to be no exception. I'll introduce my emphasis on some of the nicest-looking cars as well as the not-so-nice machines. Keep us in the mood. Should be a great Le Mans.
UPDATE: I meant "Pescarolo" and not Peugeot for LMP2! Sorry.