The Le Mans General Discussion Thread

[psychoazubi]

Well, no I'm actually excited for this program, however, time for Datsun to get a shift on because I am as well as others are losing faith and interest in this experiment, the fact that the closest we have seen it to moving is in a commercial or from a poor quality CCTV camera on a building miles away from the circuit, assuming its even moving under its advertised power plant. There's only so much you can develop outside of a race weekend, the rest comes down to variables that cannot be simulated, and its starting to seem that by the time this car hits the track to compete it will be obsolete,

As for Nissan themselves, I'm neither for or against them. I don't like anyone who cheats, manipulates or "misinterprets" the rules then complains when they don't succeed or get caught,

There is an onboard video of the car doing > 320 kp/h without the hybrid system on the Nismo youtube channel.
And btw: Is there better footage than fan captured low quality videos of the other cars testing?

 

[CodeRedR51]

Well, no I'm actually excited for this program, however, time for Datsun to get a shift on because I am as well as others are losing faith and interest in this experiment...

Anyone who actually knows anything about this program is well aware that the only reason it exists is to win Le Mans. And their goal, as announced at the start and still present to this day, is to win in 2016. It's a brand new program, built from scratch. Expecting them to jump right out of the gate and win races right away is just setting yourself up for disappointment. Sure they've had issues, but what brand new racing program hasn't? It takes time to get things right, and that's what 2015 is for.

Edit: Also, I LOVE in the YouTube comments for that video that someone called them out on the driving upside down part and they are so serious about it that they are contacting the guy to actually get it done. 🤬 awesome.

 

[TDZdave]

There is an onboard video of the car doing > 320 kp/h without the hybrid system on the Nismo youtube channel.

My truck at work is speed limited to 100kph by law, 2 GPS tests say its actually limited to 99.7kph, while the speedo tells me I'm doing a 105kph. Not everything you see can be believed,

 

[CodeRedR51]

My truck at work is speed limited to 100kph by law, 2 GPS tests say its actually limited to 99.7kph, while the speedo tells me I'm doing a 105kph. Not everything you see can be believed,

By experience with using GPS for testing, actual car speedometers read low.

 

[TDZdave]

Anyone who actually knows anything about this program is well aware that the only reason it exists is to win Le Mans. And their goal, as announced at the start and still present to this day, is to win in 2016. It's a brand new program, built from scratch. Expecting them to jump right out of the gate and win races right away is just setting yourself up for disappointment. Sure they've had issues, but what brand new racing program hasn't? It takes time to get things right, and that's what 2015 is for.

Edit: Also, I LOVE in the YouTube comments for that video that someone called them out on the driving upside down part and they are so serious about it that they are contacting the guy to actually get it done. 🤬 awesome.

The competition is far to serious compared to recent years to just turn up and win Le Mans, they will need to find every thousand of a second possible to do it, the Porshe program has been competing for over 12 months now, continually learning and developing, and I don't see them winning it this year either, and its not through a lack of trying on their behalf, Toyota has been there for 4 years now? Still no win, yet they would be the most likely to do so out of the 3 manufacturers currently competing, its tough and hot lapping a circuit by yourself isn't going to help you for long and it certainly won't worry the other teams on your presence,

I'll put my hand up right now, I'll supply myself to drive the Datsun upside down in a tunnel,

 

[CodeRedR51]

The competition is far to serious compared to recent years to just turn up and win Le Mans, they will need to find every thousand of a second possible to do it, the Porshe program has been competing for over 12 months now, continually learning and developing, and I don't see them winning it this year either, and its not through a lack of trying on their behalf, Toyota has been there for 4 years now? Still no win, yet they would be the most likely to do so out of the 3 manufacturers currently competing, its tough and hot lapping a circuit by yourself isn't going to help you for long and it certainly won't worry the other teams on your presence,

Ok, so you do get it that it takes time to get the job done. They why rag on them? If they fail and give up, then people have something to bitch about. But for now, they should just sit back and see what happens.

 

[TDZdave]

Ok, so you do get it that it takes time to get the job done. They why rag on them? If they fail and give up, then people have something to bitch about. But for now, they should just sit back and see what happens.

I'm ragging on them because to find the tine they need to be at races with cars in their class, understand how their cars will behave in rain, dirty air, traffic etc, a race weekend adds a whole different element to development, I want to see this thing on track with others, regardless of how far off pace it is,

 

[CodeRedR51]

I'm ragging on them because to find the tine they need to be at races with cars in their class, understand how their cars will behave in rain, dirty air, traffic etc, a race weekend adds a whole different element to development, I want to see this thing on track with others, regardless of how far off pace it is,

And that's why they are competing at Le Mans this year. Not to win, but to get experience and decide if any changes need to be done. It's basically a 24hr test session for them.

 

[catamount39]

Are they running the rest of the WEC after Le Mans?

 

[TDZdave]

And that's why they are competing at Le Mans this year. Not to win, but to get experience and decide if any changes need to be done. It's basically a 24hr test session for them.

Id bet that one of the cars will be out of the race inside 5 laps due to a temperature issue caused by turbulent air, this is an issue that could have been rectified at silvertstone,

 

[psychoazubi]

Are they running the rest of the WEC after Le Mans?

Yes, with 2 cars. They initially planned to drive in Silverstone and Spa too, but couldn't make it due to problems with the car. They did spent more time on the test track (or in the garage^^) instead.

 

[catamount39]

Yes, with 2 cars. They initially planned to drive in Silverstone and Spa too, but couldn't make it due to problems with the car. They did spent more time on the test track (or in the garage^^) instead.

Right thanks. I knew about the "skipping" of the first two rounds, but was unsure if they were running the rest of the season. Thanks! 👍

 

[wowbaggerBR]

Well, no I'm actually excited for this program, however, time for Datsun to get a shift on because I am as well as others are losing faith and interest in this experiment, the fact that the closest we have seen it to moving is in a commercial or from a poor quality CCTV camera on a building miles away from the circuit, assuming its even moving under its advertised power plant. There's only so much you can develop outside of a race weekend, the rest comes down to variables that cannot be simulated, and its starting to seem that by the time this car hits the track to compete it will be obsolete,

As for Nissan themselves, I'm neither for or against them. I don't like anyone who cheats, manipulates or "misinterprets" the rules then complains when they don't succeed or get caught,

This.

Apparently, you can't have a critical voice about Nissan. As soon as you say some harsh truth about their program, you are against them, you are a monster and you are a disgrace for motorsports.

 

[TDZdave]

This.

Apparently, you can't have a critical voice about Nissan. As soon as you say some harsh truth about their program, you are against them, you are a monster and you are a disgrace for motorsports.

There is that, and also upon reflection, if they are only going to be competing in this race for R&D, then why hasn't the ACO limited them to 1 car? There's realistically 3 slots on the grid that could go to a P2 or GTE team that will finish the race,

 

[mustafur]

Because reality dictates that most people only care about LMP1 class.

 

[CodeRedR51]

This.

Apparently, you can't have a critical voice about Nissan. As soon as you say some harsh truth about their program, you are against them, you are a monster and you are a disgrace for motorsports.

I'm just saying people are expecting too much too early.

Take it how you will, I don't care.

 

[TDZdave]

Expecting a car to reach its class racing speeds, not get in the way of lower class cars and last more then 5 laps in a 24 hour race is expecting to much? Yeah its Datsun but I'm sure Kia could pull that off,

 

[Downhill Dino]

Now that is a bold statement. You say you're not for or against but it's really obvious that's not true.

 

[UnkaD]

I won't lie. I think the thing is strange and hideous, and I'll never like it. I use to love Nissan, but these days I don't really know what they're all about.
Toyota. Please let it be Toyota's year.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Expecting a car to reach its class racing speeds, not get in the way of lower class cars and last more then 5 laps in a 24 hour race is expecting to much? Yeah its Datsun but I'm sure Kia could pull that off,

The fact that you keep calling them Datsun leaves me to believe you really are against them despite what you say. They won't be any more in the way than the GT cars will be, that's for sure.

I won't lie. I think the thing is strange and hideous, and I'll never like it. I use to love Nissan, but these days I don't really know what they're all about.
Toyota. Please let it be Toyota's year.

Toyota's road cars really are not all that much better.

 

[catamount39]

Let's be clear here, Toyota and Nissan are the most dreadfully boring car companies on Earth besides from a few exceptions (Nissan's Nismo's and Toyota's GT86). They make good racers but SUCK at making "cheap" cars fun.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Let's be clear here, Toyota and Nissan are the most dreadfully boring car companies on Earth besides from a few exceptions (Nissan's Nismo's and Toyota's GT86). They make good racers but SUCK at making "cheap" cars fun.

Don't forget Honda.

Nissan will get a small injection of cheap fun shortly.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Well, no I'm actually excited for this program, however, time for Datsun to get a shift on because I am as well as others are losing faith and interest in this experiment, the fact that the closest we have seen it to moving is in a commercial or from a poor quality CCTV camera on a building miles away from the circuit, assuming its even moving under its advertised power plant. There's only so much you can develop outside of a race weekend, the rest comes down to variables that cannot be simulated, and its starting to seem that by the time this car hits the track to compete it will be obsolete,

As for Nissan themselves, I'm neither for or against them. I don't like anyone who cheats, manipulates or "misinterprets" the rules then complains when they don't succeed or get caught,

In other words your poking at one guys fandom (due to working with Nissan thus his livelihood) over your irritations, that I too have, more so due to their V8 Supercars efforts. Cause reading between the lines and what I've seen you say prior seems to give me that impression. I mean you usually have insightful Motorsports things to say but this isn't that. It seems quite unfair to suggest what you have joking or not.

No one expected the Porsche to do much of anything last year but late in the night it did lead the race for a good margin of time. Most expected the V4 to not go all that far, now that isn't as radical as what Nissan are doing but it's possible as well that Nissan could go the distance. I'm on the fence with them but I don't see the reason why some are just purposely trying to get a rise out of a Nissan downfall.

This.

Apparently, you can't have a critical voice about Nissan. As soon as you say some harsh truth about their program, you are against them, you are a monster and you are a disgrace for motorsports.

OR the whole thing is just getting old, he isn't the first one to do it, but the last person most recently ragging on Nissan was over tail lights being illegal as their big claim to why Nissan will clearly have issues. Look you want to point out the tiniest flaws that's fine but you continuously do it all the time due to some irritation you have because of invested time in following said group...you're equally going to be rebuked and asked why expect failure. TZ clearly has a better insight then illegal tail lights (which the car long got rid of) and I too have the same worries as him. But it really doesn't do me any good to take the wind out of them at every corner.

Also your hyperbole is quite the cop out if you don't understand the perspective then why throw yourself under the bus?

 

[G.T.Ace]

My truck at work is speed limited to 100kph by law, 2 GPS tests say its actually limited to 99.7kph, while the speedo tells me I'm doing a 105kph. Not everything you see can be believed,

Did you just compare your work truck's speedometer to the one from an LMP1? Do you really want to argue that way and be taken serious?

 

[neljack]

Urm, quite off topic, but has anyone here who's been to Le Mans know the best places for general viewing? And camping tips

 

[mister dog]

From watching the WEC @ Spa, I'd figure the Porsches pack the most speed, Audi is fast and consistent and Toyota couldn't seem to keep up laptime wise, Nissan is a big question mark but i doubt they will reach the finish at the 24hrs.

Rooting for Porsche, would be so nice if Audi doesn't win it for once (also because their car is bloody ugly IMO with those headlights).

You gentlemen have your personal favorites?

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

Urm, quite off topic, but has anyone here who's been to Le Mans know the best places for general viewing? And camping tips

Take socks.

 

[Northstar]

Here is the issue I have with people complaining about the Nissan. Some of them are the same people complaining about the new P2 regulations for '17. It gets old extremely fast to see people complaining about anything approaching spec only to turn around and start bashing something different the moment it comes along.

 

[G.T.Ace]

You gentlemen have your personal favorites?

I finally want to see Toyota getting their well deserved victory, I just want to see a non-VAG car to win.
Toyota->Nissan->Rebellion->Porsche->Some P2->Whatever GTE car->ByKolles->Audi

 

[Scuderia Paul]

You gentlemen have your personal favorites?

As you may know I am Toyota through and through so only a victory for them will do for me. I was crushed to see they retired during the night last year.