The Le Mans General Discussion Thread

[KinLM]

Actually, some of us knew it was a V4, and others didn't. I still don't see what the issue is especially considering that was the first choice of F1 before the finally went with a V6. There is research and testing of these engines the amount of money Porsche is prepared to throw at this, I wouldn't find anything they do too questionable for WEC.

I didn't know because all I had heard was that it was a four cylinder. I remember reading somewhere that V4's aren't popular because they're very rough since there aren't enough cylinders to stop some shaking effect.. Is this true?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I didn't know because all I had heard was that it was a four cylinder. I remember reading somewhere that V4's aren't popular because they're very rough since there aren't enough cylinders to stop some shaking effect.. Is this true?

That's fine, I just don't want that user generalizing because we told him to act with more intellectual thought then someone that might be taken as a kid. Cause he did just say "you guys didn't realize it was a V4", I'm just clarifying some of us did and some didn't but either way it's not really something that is funny.

Also they're fine I'd say Motogp does quite well with them and have for a long time. They're used in many top end sports bikes and the porsche is just double a Motogp size version and given a turbo with kers/ers. Also the four cylinders can handle a good amount of boost so...

 

[KinLM]

That's fine, I just don't want that user generalizing because we told him to act with more intellectual thought then someone that might be taken as a kid. Cause he did just say "you guys didn't realize it was a V4", I'm just clarifying some of us did and some didn't but either way it's not really something that is funny.

Also they're fine I'd say Motogp does quite well with them and have for a long time. They're used in many top end sports bikes and the porsche is just double a Motogp size version and given a turbo with kers/ers. Also the four cylinders can handle a good amount of boost so...

Yeah I knew they were very popular in motorbikes. Considering it's Porsche I really doubt they're going to go with an engine design if it's rubbish. I really can't wait to see this car. It might revolutionize the engines of the future if it proves to be efficient as well as compact..

The last V4 in a car worth mentioning was an old Lancia from decades ago..

 

[FordMKIVJ5]

I didn't know because all I had heard was that it was a four cylinder. I remember reading somewhere that V4's aren't popular because they're very rough since there aren't enough cylinders to stop some shaking effect.. Is this true?

They aren't 'inherently balanced' but they are very compact. I'm sure Porsche will come up with some clever way of reducing vibrations without gaining too much weight.

 

[GTracer38]

I can't link it but Toyota Motorsport GmbH posted teaser pics of the TS040 Hybrid on their Facebook page.

I'm not sure if this has been posted here so sorry if it has.

 

[Northstar]

There are a couple more, but you can't tell anything from them.

 

[Furinkazen]

Appears to me a higher nose config than the 2013 T030?

 

[Azure Flare]

It doesn't matter to me what engine configuration Porsche is using for the 919, I'm just happy that Porsche has come home.

And sorry, this is the color I use.

Not as good as mine though.

 

[gtone339]

Teaser - more pics of the Toyota TS040 Hybrid :

link

-----------------
More Info:

The TS040 HYBRID prototype has been designed according to new regulations intended to keep the WEC and Le Mans at the forefront of road-relevant technology development.

Its first public appearance will come at the WEC official test session on 28-29 March when it will take to the track alongside prototypes from Audi and Porsche for the first time.

After the TS030 HYBRID established TOYOTA Racing as a pioneer in the field of hybrid powertrains for motorsport, its successor, the TS040 HYBRID, takes the technology to the next level.

The addition of an Aisin AW motor/generator on the front axle, in combination with the DENSO unit at the rear, means the TOYOTA HYBRID System – Racing now provides power to all four wheels.

Under deceleration, the motor/generators apply braking force in combination with traditional mechanical brakes to generate energy, which is transferred via a DENSO inverter to the Nisshinbo super-capacitor. During acceleration, the motor/generator reverses its function, acting as a motor to deliver a significant power boost.

That four-wheel-drive hybrid power is allied to a petrol-powered V8 engine, both having been developed by Motor Sports Unit Development Division at the Higashifuji technical centre, where next generation TOYOTA road car technology is also under development.

 

[RACECAR]

Holy GT-One, batman.

 

[Panoz]

Holy GT-One, batman.

The resemblance is uncanny. Especially the nose.

 

[Bram Turismo]

I don't really see the TS020 in it. If anything it just looks like a black TS030 with what seems like an oddly high cockpit.

 

[GOTMAXPOWER]

The resemblance is uncanny. Especially the nose.

The first thing that came to my mind was this:

I guess it's just the new LMP1 cars being narrower than their predecessors.

 

[Diehardracer]

It doesn't matter to me what engine configuration Porsche is using for the 919, I'm just happy that Porsche has come home.

"It doesn't matter to me what engine configuration [insert team name] is using for the [insert car name], I'm just happy that [insert team name] has come home" is a fairer interpretation of your post in my eyes.

I leave the worrying over the mechanics of the car to the boffins whose job it is to worry about buying and tuning a competitive unit. So long as the racing will be very good then I am happy.

 

[Hun200kmh]

Well, I wouldn't totally put it that way. History has this undefined aura around it that makes you give a special meaning to facts that are objectively equal.

It isn't an accident that AUDI plastered "Home of quattro" all over Le Mans, and that PORSCHE "replied" with their "Home is where your heart is" motto (referring to a return to Le Mans).

It isn't also an accident that FERRARI, more than 50 years after they last won, are still at home when Le Mans is considered. And same goes to a brand like BENTLEY, or JAGUAR.

The fact is, old tracks where old races are still run, like and remember their old teams and their historic victories and defeats.

So, they are a Home for some brands and fans like to see those brands return.

Plus, PORSCHE has this kind of awesomeness in their Le Mans related past:

And they must live up to it, that's what make this return (home) so interesting.

 

[JCH8r]

Hey guys, great discussion. I'm tired of F1: mickey mouse points rules, mickey mouse circuits. Bernie, etc. But, all you see online are updates about F1 testing. Does anyone have links to sports car and endurance racing websites or news?

Sorry, if I missed them in the thread (200 pages)... TL;DR.

Thanks.

 

[R0ssingt0n]

Hey guys, great discussion. I'm tired of F1: mickey mouse points rules, mickey mouse circuits. Bernie, etc. But, all you see online are updates about F1 testing. Does anyone have links to sports car and endurance racing websites or news?

Sorry, if I missed them in the thread (200 pages)... TL;DR.

Thanks.

http://sportscar365.com/ This is a decent one...
http://www.motorsport.com/ This has a decent amount of sportscar related stuff on it too

 

[Tired Tyres]

Together with these official sites

http://www.fiawec.com/
http://www.24h-lemans.com/en/
http://www.europeanlemansseries.com/

& the indispensable

http://radiolemans.0157.org/node
http://www.dailysportscar.com/
http://www.racer.com/

 

[Hun200kmh]

And if you like to understand how these cars work, don't miss:

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/ (covers all motorsports, but sports cars get a treatmente second to none, as deserved)

And to become a guy that definitely knows more about sports cars than anyone else in a 200 mile radius check this too. I just did to check the address and BANG, now I know something I didn't (read about rumours, but never saw anyhthing)!

Back in 2000, here is Porsche's anti- AUDI R8.

The address is in the pictures

 

[RACECAR]

And the strange thing is they deny its existence, even with evidence that it does exist (last I read anyway).

 

[JCH8r]

http://sportscar365.com/ This is a decent one...
http://www.motorsport.com/ This has a decent amount of sportscar related stuff on it too

Thanks for this and all of the responses. Look forward to some internet reading this weekend to get myself more up to speed.

Reading up on the new Le Mans regs makes it seem even more interesting. Turbos to run kers rather than just dump the exhaust gas back into the engine. I know F1 is doing the same thing, and frankly, I think (somebody, not Bernie Ecclestone) realized Le Mans was leaving them in the dust in technology development.

Just my opinion, but wouldn't a V4 be called a boxer engine if the cylinder angle is 180 degrees?

 

[Furinkazen]

Graham Goodwin ‏@dsceditor1m
Interlagos round of @FIAWEC moves to November "at request of local promoter" and becomes season finale

COTA also is confirmed.

 

[Tired Tyres]

This leaves a two month long gap between Le Mans and COTA. That is too long. They need another race

2014 FIA World Endurance Championship (Final)

April 18-20 – Silverstone
May 2-3 – Spa-Francorchamps
June 1 – Le Mans Test Day
June 14-15 – 24 Hours of Le Mans
September 18-20 – Circuit of The Americas
October 10-12 – Fuji
October 31-November 2 – Shanghai
November 13-15 – Bahrain
November 28-30- Sao Paulo

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

This leaves a two month long gap between Le Mans and COTA. That is too long. They need another race

2014 FIA World Endurance Championship (Final)

April 18-20 – Silverstone
May 2-3 – Spa-Francorchamps
June 1 – Le Mans Test Day
June 14-15 – 24 Hours of Le Mans
September 18-20 – Circuit of The Americas
October 10-12 – Fuji
October 31-November 2 – Shanghai
November 13-15 – Bahrain
November 28-30- Sao Paulo

I still need to talk @daan into going to Le Mans.....

 

[sumbrownkid]

The teams probably use that two month gap as a break and develop the cars for more downforce after Spa and Le Mans.

 

[Diehardracer]

When will the entry list for the ELMS and WEC be released?

In the ELMS I know Pegasus Racing will be competing in a Morgan LPM2 powered by Onroak Automotive, Barwell will be running a car in the GTC class and Morand Racing will be entering an LMP2 for Gary Hitsch and Christian Klien but that is all.

 

[GTPorsche]

Motors TV@MotorsTV1m
Lucas di Grassi has been confirmed as Allan McNish's replacement in the #1 Audi for the 2014 WEC campaign.

Edit: Here's the official press release for the entire lineup.
http://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/a...ld-endurance-championship_2_2_1746_13884.html

 

[Hun200kmh]

Gené is out? I didn't know that.

I'll be rooting for Audi's third team (Albuquerque/Bonamoni/Jarvis). And also for Wurz's Toyota, I like that Austrian guy

Oh and for Porsche to do well also. Would be awesome to see Mark "Aussie Grit" Webber sticking his finger up F1's once and for all

 

[wowbaggerBR]

Di Grassi on #1 Audi.

So, this year I'd support them.


Looking forward to go to Interlagos to enjoy the season finale!

 

[Ninners]

When #1 Audi is mentioned I always think about Lotterer, Treluyer and Fassler. This will take some getting used to.