- 44,185
- Blackburn
- Furinkazen_54
It is almost that time of year again (thanks to @Wardez for giving the thread the green flag). The time when thousands of motorsports enthusiasts descend on France to a circuit partially made of public road and purpose built track. They are here to watch an event that is arguably the greatest in world motorsports, an event showcasing the very best drivers, teams, cars, and arguably racing of all - The Le Mans 24 Hours.
Le Mans this year is the third race of the FIA World Endurance Championship, which has had perhaps the most exciting opening races in its short history. 4 classes of car, LMP1, LMP2, GTE-PRO and GTE-AM yet again are ready to take stage. But why should we be more excited this year than any other?
LMP1 is growing massively. Stalwarts of Le Mans and sportscar racing Audi have heavily revised the R18 of 2014. It's power class is upgraded, it's aero is upgraded, and it has looked a monster in the corners and also a good strong runner on the straightaways at Spa in its low downforce configuration. However for pure speed, Porsche are unbeatable. Polesitters in the first 2 WEC events, including a 1-2-3 lock-out at Spa, the 919 is mind boggling on the straights but mechanically, it is frail. Technical issues have hampered it and given Audi 2 wins in the opening rounds of the WEC this year.
But what of #1 and #2, the reigning world champions? Toyota have been off the pace but it is worth noting they are the only manufacturer to not have raced a low downforce configuration car yet, and it is guaranteed that they will be up to speed, literally, when the package is revealed. However Japan has a second contender, and I am not sure where you are living if you haven't heard about it...
The beauty of the WEC LMP1 class has been its embracing of new technologies and hybrid systems. Different rates of energy stored (8MJ vs 4MJ), different engines and configurations (Porsches 4 cylinder, Audis turbo-diesel, Toyotas N/A V8) are so different in concept yet on track it is scintillating racing. But Nissan have come along with a car that on paper, might as well be dismissed as a laugh. Generally if you want a competitive sportscar, you don't put an engine in the front, you don't have different size wheels each end of the car, and you certainly don't make it FWD.
Nissan however, have said, "yes we can!" and created the bonkers GT-R LMP, which will make its debut at Le Mans. As if the technical specifications of the car (which will have ex F1 driver Max Chilton and GT Academy winner Lucas Ordonez as two of 9 pilots) didn't sound mad enough, remember that under acceleration this is going to be 1200hp hitting the road. It sounds like fantasy, but come June it will be very much a reality. Also in LMP1 the popular Rebellion team return with new AER powerplants in the beautiful R-One's, whilst the AER powered ByKolles will try to beat the leading LMP2's. Once, every so often...
LMP2 is a class in the news a lot lately. FIA global regulations proposed for 2017 once the current generation of cars end have baffled many in and out of the paddock, and almost threatened to kill a burgeoning class of constructors and makes. Come Le Mans a sizeable P2 contingent will be headed up by the gorgeous Ligier P2's from Onroak (OAK). The G-Drive cars have been fastest coupes in the WEC this season and at Le Mans will be a contender. Ligiers from the US ESM team and OAK themselves are also on the grid. And another Coupe is the Dome of Strakka Racing, former LMP2 winners in a car quietly gathering pace.
However then old guard of open top cars may be dying out slowly, but not going quietly. Jota with the revised Gibson (Zytek) debuted at Spa in the WEC as a rehearsal for Le Mans and won convincingly and head to La Sarthe as a class favourite. Also amongst the open tops are a host of old ORECA and Morgan (Onroak) chassis, whilst the new ORECA 05 and Russian BR01 coupe designs also debut. It might be a race of reliability in P2 with all the new designs, reminiscent of the categories early years and the LMP675 class.
GTE see's the usual suspects. AMR with the growling Aston Martins, Corvette Racing and a customer Larbre entry with thunderous C7R's, howling Ferrari 458's (which even have an unofficial GTP drinking game dedicated to them), and the wailing factory Manthy Porsche 991's. Split into two groups based on driver ability of PRO / AM, it is always a tight race, and many are happy to see a privateer Dodge Viper back on the grid as well from the USA.
So then, GTP, it's going to be a hell of a race. Who's going to Le Mans from GTP? Who's watching from your screen for 24 Hours? it's a test for every person involved, be it spectator, marshal, mechanic, driver, journalist.... but it is an event like no other.
Bring on Le Mans 2015!
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