80th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours - 16–17 June 2012

[JohnBM01]

Congratulations to all survivors of Le Mans 2012.

* This may just be Audi's time to dominate. Either Audi is doing enough to solidify themselves as the absolute beasts of sportscar racing, or everyone else not doing enough to even be in the same league as Audi. They are just too damn good.

* I was sad to see the DeltaWing and the Toyota Hybrids fall out of this year's event. Of course, nobody said that Toyota was going to blow peoples' minds. Nobody said Toyota was going to finally dethrone Audi much like what Peugeot did a few years ago. So it wasn't like I was expecting Toyota to shut up (and shut down) Audi. Still, Toyota will learn from this Le Mans and make themselves stronger for next year's event.

As for the DeltaWing, they are winners to me even though they fell out of this year's running. We all have had our doubts as to how this car would actually handle. I think I heard this car was still able to get to 190 mph from a 1.6-liter, 300hp Nissan engine. I still liken the DeltaWing to a WipEout ship. Thing is, this race car was absolutely fascinating to check out and see in action. I just wished this car would finish. It did very well in its debut nonetheless.

* I was pleased for Starworks for their LMP2 victory. Very happy for this team on a job well done. This Honda-powered team lead a bunch of Nissan-powered LMP2 cars. It will be interesting next year when Mazda provides engines to various LMP2 cars. Great job to Starworks.

* It's confusing with the GTE ranks. It was a tough one for the factory Corvettes. All congratulations to Ferrari on a job well done. Congratulations also to the GTE AM winner (whom fails my memory).

* It was impressive seeing all the rookies and the list of rookies. Even seeing Brian Vickers of the NASCAR ranks was great to see. I seem to be a lot more respectful of Michael Waltrip Racing for expanding its racing appeal into sportscar racing.


I have been watching and following Le Mans since 2001. Every year, I ALWAYS look forward to Le Mans. It is a motorsports holiday unlike any other. You got passion, drama, strategy... all to survive one of the most grueling challenges in all of motor racing. This year's race was no different. I even enjoy the sense of humor from the various personalities. Everyone is professional and know what's at stake, but they are also very lighthearted and fun. There is just nothing like Le Mans. If I am fortunate one day, maybe I get to go out to Le Mans and be proud to say I was AT Le Mans as these incredible drivers and teams go at it for 24 hours. Seeing the action on TV and following it online is still just as good.

Now life returns to normal... until Le Mans comes calling again.

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

only really really impressive aspect was the #51 ferrari that car didnt exist until thursday night.

 

[Ardius]

I thought the pace of the Toyotas when they were close to the Audis was impressive, their outright acceleration from their KERS power was amazing to watch. Not bad for a race debut. Easier to make a fast car reliable and consistent, than make a reliable car faster.

 

[sumbrownkid]

I thought the pace of the Toyotas when they were close to the Audis was impressive, their outright acceleration from their KERS power was amazing to watch. Not bad for a race debut. Easier to make a fast car reliable and consistent, than make a reliable car faster.

Their pace was impressive indeed, but they need to work out the reliability kinks.

That, and hope next year's gentleman drivers don't screw it up for them.

 

[IceMan PJN]

I watched until about four hours to go and had to go to bed, but happened to wake up just in time to run in and catch the last five minutes. I was happy to see Audi R18s sweeping the podium, although I wanted all four to be in the top four. Though I wouldn't have wanted Peugeot to win, I still missed having the 908 in there.

I suppose I should have an obligatory moment of silence for the Delta Wang. "Why does everybody disrespect and hate on the DeltaWing? Why do people hate innovation?" I like innovation. I don't hate the Delta Wang. I just mock how it looks, which is bad. I half expect Ace and Gary to be the two main drivers.

I'm also sticking with my defense of the Ferrari driver who hit Davidson (forget his name). I still argue that at the moment he moved over Davidson wasn't yet in view and at the exact moment that he started moving toward the apex he couldn't realistically have been expected to be intently studying everything behind him. I still say it's just "crap happens". It sucks, but it happened.

* This may just be Audi's time to dominate. Either Audi is doing enough to solidify themselves as the absolute beasts of sportscar racing, or everyone else not doing enough to even be in the same league as Audi. They are just too damn good.

This isn't new for Audi. The Audi R8 race car took first, second, and third at Le Mans in 2000. The R8 took first and second in 2001. It took first, second, and third in 2002. First, second, third, and fifth in 2004. First, third, and fourth in 2005. The subsequent Audi R10 took first and third at Le Mans in 2006. R10 won again in 2007. It was first, fourth, and sixth in 2008. The Audi R15 had a bad Le Mans in 2009, only mustering third. In 2010 they came back with a vengeance and swept first, second, and third with the R15. In 2011 they suffered those two wrecks early on but the one remaining R18 won the race.

Audi has always owned Le Mans. Well, not "always" as in "throughout the history of Le Mans" obviously, but since the R8.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

To be honest wasn't my favorite 24h but it was a good race. Audi did a great job again and just shows how much depth they have when it comes to endurance sport car racing

 

[Mac K]

To be honest wasn't my favorite 24h but it was a good race. Audi did a great job again and just shows how much depth they have when it comes to endurance sport car racing

Agreed, last year was fantastic. Still a good race this year, and it was Le Mans, so the race is always good anyways. I have to say though, my favourite 24 Hour race this year has actually been at Daytona, that was an incredibly entertaining race.

 

[Jawehawk]

I hope to gather up enough money to actually go to Le Mans next year.

 

[HELLAFLUSH240SX]

Their pace was impressive indeed, but they need to work out the reliability kinks.

That, and hope next year's gentleman drivers don't screw it up for them.

Not really both cars crashed, not really their problem.
The 2nd Toyota hit the DW, causing sensor problems, leading all the way to different failures.
AFter the sensor failures they were pretty much out anyway.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Fell asleep with an hour to go.

Seems I didn't miss anything.

 

[obsessive rules]

I know I'll he looking over this thread in years to come. My first proper endurance race.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Not really both cars crashed, not really their problem.
The 2nd Toyota hit the DW, causing sensor problems, leading all the way to different failures.
AFter the sensor failures they were pretty much out anyway.

True, the Toyota drivers, especially Nakajima, need to learn that they have 24 hours to race, and so they have to ease off from time to time if the traffic is too hairy.

That video of the Delta Wing driver trying to fix the car was heart breaking though. But he is made of grit for attempting it though.

 

[Speedster502]

An interesting LM24, I don't think it'll go down in history - other than for the fact that Audi won with a diesel-hybrid. Toyota showed good pace at the beginning of the race but they were never going to battle across the full distance, they hadn't had the development, testing, and the lack of any real racing was most definitely a disadvantage to them. I was, however, impressed with Toyota's initial pace and over a normal WEC race distance I do think they'll be competitive. Watch this space I think.

Rebellion was probably the star performance in LMP1, completely trouble free run for the #12 car. Really wanted them to get on the podium but 4th is terrific result for the team. On another note, I was really impressed with LMP2 this year, sure reliability plagued a lot of the cars but the battle was close for good half of the race. GTE was also good, looking forward to next year where the Aston will have had just a little bit more development and hopefully Corvette will have a bit more luck. Safe to say I'm definitely wanting the return of the epic Aston v.s. Corvette battles. Stunning performance by the AF Corse guys though, I never expected to see that #51 car leading the race after the shunt it had in the earlier sessions. Deltawing was interesting, wish it had come back out after the accident but rules are rules. Not sure that next years Garage 56 will drum up as much interest but only time will tell!

I think that after last years nail biting finish we were set-up for a average Le Mans this year without Peugeot, and we got just that. Lets just consider what would have happened if Peugeot had stayed for Le Mans 2012...I think that our opinions would have been very different on this race.

In all, I think we can expect to see a lot more from Toyota next year (and in the coming months). I think Le Mans 2013 is set to be a cracker if all goes to plan - hoping to be there in the flesh next year!

Also wishing a speedy recovery to Anthony, was a very nasty crash and wouldn't wish that upon anyone.

 

[Obli]

Is there a thread for the Group C / GTP Lemans Legends race that took place before the main 24 hour race?

 

[Luminis]

Well, I've got a question. Audi streamed onboard from the e-tron all night long. But, is there a video of an onboard lap at night with the R18 e-tron? Been looking for such a video, but I can't seem to find one. Anyone got a clue?

 

[robert1]

i think ive finaly reached my limit..been up since 7am saturday...and i think i just fell asleep for an hour with bose AE2 headphones on full for an hour...bye all
was a good race!

 

[Tintorera]

I missed the last 4 hours of the race.
Can somone tell me what happened with the #3 Audi at the end of the race?

Was there any drama around the battle for P1 between #1 and#2 car?

 

[Gejabo]

I missed the last 4 hours of the race.
Can somone tell me what happened with the #3 Audi at the end of the race?

Was there any drama around the battle for P1 between #1 and#2 car?

not really.
There were some Audi front end swaps, but's about it.

@all: I must say this was the most fun I had watch Le Mans in years.
Thanks 👍

 

[tribolik]

* It's confusing with the GTE ranks. It was a tough one for the factory Corvettes. All congratulations to Ferrari on a job well done. Congratulations also to the GTE AM winner (whom fails my memory).

Pedro Lamy crossed the finish line in first in a GTE AM Corvette C6-ZR1 Larbre Competition and of course he is Portuguese like me

 

[TankAss95]

I'm so glad they do Le Mans every year. It's such a big event and must require lots of work and preparation each year.

Can't wait till next year. It looks like we will have very exciting endurance races in the future. 👍

 

[Hun200kmh]

Q&A with Anthony Davidson

Q+A WITH TOYOTA RACING DRIVER ANTHONY DAVIDSON
Sunday 17 June 2012

During the Le Mans 24 Hours, TOYOTA Racing’s Anthony Davidson suffered a heavy accident at the wheel of the #8 TS030 HYBRID when he was hit by a lapped car.

He will remain in hospital until Wednesday to begin the recovery process after suffering two broken vertebrae in the impact.

The strength of the TS030 HYBRID chassis, designed and produced at TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH in Cologne, protected Anthony from any more serious outcome. Initial examinations of the chassis suggest it is intact and can be used again.

How do you feel?
Anthony Davidson (AD): I have felt better, that’s for sure. I am in a bit of pain, in my lumber area, the middle area of my back. That’s the only thing that hurts really so I’ve been lucky.

What’s the diagnosis and when will you be back?
AD: Basically I have two broken vertebrae; T11 and T12. The doctors say the average recovery time is three months, but that’s an average person not a professional sportsman or athlete. That estimate is to get back to an absolutely healed bone; as strong as it was before. It’s more like three weeks until the pain subsides and I get my mobility back fully.

Can you describe what happened to cause the accident?
AD: I was almost completely past the car after the apex of the kink. I passed a Corvette and a Ferrari with the pro driver sticker on. They were fighting each other and I just assumed the Ferrari ahead was part of their group and therefore another pro. The car was all the way to the left as you would expect a pro driver to do. It was only when I got right up to the back that I realized it was one of the amateur-stickered cars. But I still wasn’t alarmed, I still felt it was a completely legitimate move and thought he would stay to the left, which it looked like he was doing. I made the apex of the corner, started to brake and I was almost out of the corner when I felt contact on the left rear.

Can you describe what happened then?
AD: Instantly it spun the car, pivoted round to the left, then took off and turned upside down. At that point I felt I was in an aeroplane out of control. I knew how close the barriers were, and travelling at that speed I was going to be there in no time. That part of the crash was pretty petrifying. It crashed back down to the ground, I felt an almighty punch up my spine when the car hit back down on four wheels. I still had my eyes closed and my hands off the wheels, in the brace position. Half a second after that I had the forward impact into the barrier.

What happened when the car came to a stop?
AD: I reopened my eyes and realised I was still here, albeit in a bit of pain. I had feeling and could move my feet; everything was working. I know I should stay in the car, especially with back pain, but initially I felt full of panic and claustrophobia, I just had to get out of the car. It was really odd. I banged the door open and clambered out carefully because I knew I was in pain. I had to stretch out and the closest point was the side of the car, then the medics came over.

Has the team visited you already?
AD: All the drivers have been. Stéphane and Sébastien turned up last night, the #7 guys this morning and it was a nice touch that my team-mate last year Sébastien Bourdais came to the medical centre. It was nice to see a familiar, friendly face at that moment. All the team came over this morning to check how I was.

What is your feeling about the TS030 HYBRID’s race debut?
AD: When the team visited we all gave each other a pat on the back for our performance. More than anything, we wanted to show the speed of the car. When we look back, even from my hospital bed, there were a lot of positives. We needed to tick many boxes this weekend and being fast was one of them. We had a great qualifying session, splitting the Audis, and showed great pace in the race to take the lead through Nico in the #7. I think that was really good for the fans.

Get well soon! 👍

 

[cgr-10]

The way he describes that makes it sound even more terrifying than it looked from outside the car. Get well soon Ant! 👍

 

[GTPorsche]

I think if the Ferrari wasn't there trying to smash through after the Toyota got spun, it wouldn't have gone airborne.

He's very optimistic about recovering ASAP, which is good.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

It wasn't that great of a race results wise for me, but it's Le Mans.

McNish ruined Dindo's birthday.

 

[CarBastard]

It wasn't that great of race results wise for me, but it's Le Mans.

McNish ruined Dindo's birthday.

Sad isn't it? I find it amazing the kind of mistakes the Audi guys were making towards the end. They went in derp mode!!!

McNish was in the lead with good time, and crashed stupidly. Gene crashed exactly like Dumas did at the beggining of the race, and I mean in the exact same way, in the exact same spot, doing the exact same damage to the car.

As somone said on twitter: "The way to defeat audi is taking away it's competition". Still, a victory a Le Mans is something huge. Yay for that 11th Victory!!! GO AUDI!

 

[Patrick]

Audi is only 5 wins behind Porsche on the all time list. I wonder if they can break that record.

 

[paskowitz]

Audi is only 5 wins behind Porsche on the all time list. I wonder if they can break that record.

Funny thing Porsche is returning when they are... hmmm...

 

[nitrorocks]

I still can't believe how bad that crash was between Davidson and the Ferrari. It's good to see that he escaped without huge injuries. It is crazy his some of the Audi's made as many mistakes as they did.

 

[Hyped]

I missed the race, is there anywhere I can find a recorded version of the livestreams?

 

[Mic_Col]

In the thread earlier (I won't go looking for the actual post ) it was mentioned that a few of the GTPlanet members where there at the track.

If so guys I would really love a few pictures, plus some report of what its like to actually be there. Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.