1038 replies to this topic

[Victor_RO]

Scrutineering currently going on at the Place de la Republique in Le Mans, track action starts on Wednesday afternoon. We've had the polls about who we think will win, now it's time to discuss what is happening at the event itself.

Garage allocation: http://www.24h-leman...mplantation.pdf

Entry list: http://en.wikipedia....Mans#Entry_list (some drivers subject to change at the last moment)

Schedule:

Wednesday

16:00-20:00 - Free practice
22:00-00:00 - Qualifying 1

Thursday

19:00-21:00 - Qualifying 2
22:00-00:00 - Qualifying 3

Saturday

09:00-09:45 - Warm-up
15:00 - Race start

Support races this year are Ferrari Challenge (a.k.a. Ferrari Crashfest) and the Le Mans Legend race with cars between 1949-1965. No idea about how their sessions fit in the schedule.

Personally, I'll only be able to watch Wednesday practice and a bit of qualifying from home. Leaving Thursday morning... and going to the race. SO EXCITED.

As for streaming: http://www.lemans-tv.com/ will have some onboards during the race, Speed TV will carry the race in the USA, and in Europe the race is going to be viewable online on Eurosport Player (with a subscription fee for one month though).

[Andrew Hope]

Spotter guide released tomorrow: bookmark it!

[midgrid]

I'm working on Saturday and going to Croft for the BTCC event on Sunday, so my experience of Le Mans this year will be limited to reading this thread and watching the DVD review.

[ApexMouse]

Good to see Aston have been given a 20kg weight increase.

[chrisblades85]

I'm working on Saturday and going to Croft for the BTCC event on Sunday, so my experience of Le Mans this year will be limited to reading this thread and watching the DVD review.

Finish work at 5ish? Then get to Croft for around 9? Thats at least a good 13 hour stint through the night you can watch.;)

[jonpollak]

I'll be tuning in as well.
Speed Channel has a bucketload of live coverage and with RLM online...
It's easy as pie.
Jp

[mandingo]

Time to watch cars lapping each other for 24 hours while 4 silver cars cross the line in a formation

[Woody3says]

Time to watch cars lapping each other for 24 hours while 3 silver cars cross the line in a formation

4th car was only a test car for '14 Michelins

[LuckyStrike1]

Time to watch cars lapping each other for 24 hours while 4 silver cars cross the line in a formation

Well I'm looking forward to the second round of the Audi vs. Toyota battle. I think it will be interesting, I just hope the Toyotas manage to stay in the race and get their strategy working.

It looks like the petrol Toyotas actually have better fuel mileage than the Audis.

Also looking forward to the GT-battle. I think there will be a very good fight between the Astons, Corvettes, Ferraris and the factory Porsches.

[Woody3says]

I am hoping for very changable weather conditions which look likely. I would love to see a Rebellion get P4, or miracle of miracles the bottom step on the podium If it must be an Audi yet again then let it be the #2 so Allan can get his third win.

[EightGear]

LMP2 and GTE Pro will be entertaining: 22 cars in LMP2 and 5 factory efforts in GTE Pro with Ferrari, Porsche, Dodge, Corvette and Aston Martin.

[Victor_RO]

I am hoping for very changable weather conditions which look likely.

I'm not. I don't want to have to pack up a wet tent on Sunday morning.

[Woody3says]

Well that's what you get for not taking me with you!


Hope you have a great time in all seriousness =)

[midgrid]

Finish work at 5ish? Then get to Croft for around 9? Thats at least a good 13 hour stint through the night you can watch.;)

So then I have a choice between falling asleep at Croft and drowning/dying of sunstroke (depending on the weather), or falling asleep whilst driving home and wrecking my car.

[Victor_RO]

Radio Le Mans reporting via Twitter that the two LMP2 Lotuses are currently being packed up (!!!!) ready to be taken away from the track... down to 54 cars already?

https://twitter.com/...060461088415745

EDIT: https://twitter.com/...061344090075137 Sounds like the cars are being confiscated under a court order?

[djparky]

as ever looking forward to le Mans and Eurosports fab coverage- will be watching on and off Saturday afternoon and evening and then Sunday morning- race finish

weather forecast looks hmmm mixed down there

[HaydenFan]

Radio Le Mans reporting via Twitter that the two LMP2 Lotuses are currently being packed up (!!!!) ready to be taken away from the track... down to 54 cars already?

https://twitter.com/...060461088415745

EDIT: https://twitter.com/...061344090075137 Sounds like the cars are being confiscated under a court order?

From the last tweet, sounds like someone defaulted on the bills. And it is Colin Kolles. Money trouble seems to follow him more than American's who are trying to race in F1.

Edited by HaydenFan, 18 June 2013 - 19:00.

[Victor_RO]

From the last tweet, sounds like someone defaulted on the bills. And it is Colin Kolles.

And you'd be right: http://www.autohebdo...s-lotus-saisies

[TomNokoe]

Been a long time admirer of the race but I've never paid much attention to it. I've seen the films around it and decided that I'm going to try and engross myself as much as possible this year. Just watched the documentary "Truth in 24" which has really opened my eyes (its on YouTube). I'm pumped now! Would recommend it for anyone in a similar first timer situation!

[DanardiF1]

Been a long time admirer of the race but I've never paid much attention to it. I've seen the films around it and decided that I'm going to try and engross myself as much as possible this year. Just watched the documentary "Truth in 24" which has really opened my eyes (its on YouTube). I'm pumped now! Would recommend it for anyone in a similar first timer situation!

I just spent my evening watching both Truth in 24 films as well!

[TomNokoe]

I just spent my evening watching both Truth in 24 films as well!

There's 2? I've watched the 2008 version! There's another?

[Afterburner]

There's 2? I've watched the 2008 version! There's another?

If it's the Audi documentary, then yes--there's one for 2011 as well. Saw it on Speed Channel once, and it wasn't too bad.

[Woody3says]

Marshall Pruett ‏@marshallpruett @woody3says Both Lotus P2 cars are disassembled, with the No. 32 looking rather bare... pic.twitter.com/Bwo2pxqg4q
So much for those two......

Edited by Woody3says, 19 June 2013 - 09:06.

[dau]

And you'd be right: http://www.autohebdo...s-lotus-saisies

Isn't Friday too late? Unless they get their cars back today or tomorrow, they won't be able to the mandatory 5 night laps. Doesn't look good. What a shame.

Btw, i thought Kolles only runs the cars, with funding coming from Charouz, Lotus and Praga?

[Peat]

Everything Kolles touches with his sweaty little mitts turns to s***.

What a disgrace.

[noikeee]

Anyone willing to make a very short guide for noobs as to who the favourites are? I've watched a few Le Mans editions and know it's more about reliability than pace, but I don't really follow endurance much so am a bit out of the loop. I'm guessing Audis vs Toyotas for the LMP1 win with the other LMP1 cars only really making up the numbers, but who are the favourites in the other classes? I suppose LMP2 is looking like a potential fun scrap due to the sheer number of entries?

And why the **** are the GT classes named "LMGTE Pro" and "LMGTE Am" now, that sounds dumb and confusing?

[Victor_RO]

And why the f*ck are the GT classes named "LMGTE Pro" and "LMGTE Am" now, that sounds dumb and confusing?

Same technical specs (nearly). GTE Am cars need to be in last year's specification, and you can only have one Gold- or Platinum- rated driver in the car, because the class is oriented towards gentleman drivers. GTE-Pro... new cars, whatever drivers you can get (most of them are Platinum-rated, the scrap is going to be unbelievable unless the Astons drive away from the field). GTE is the class formerly known as GT2.

[noikeee]

Tks. So if both GTE classes are sort-of-equivalent to GT2, did the GT1 cars disappear completely then? And I'm assuming the GTE Am laptimes are going to be pretty close to GTE Pro, if the only disadvantage is older spec cars and amateur drivers?

[Andrew Hope]

Here are the 4 preview podcasts from Radio Le Mans, going through the classes (right click + Save Target As for .mp3).

LMP1
LMP2
GTE Pro
GTE Am

And the spotter guide is up: http://www.spotterguides.com/2013-wec/.

Edited by Andrew Hope, 19 June 2013 - 10:19.

[noikeee]

Here are the 4 preview podcasts from Radio Le Mans, going through the classes (right click + Save Target As for .mp3).

LMP1
LMP2
GTE Pro
GTE Am

And the spotter guide is up: http://www.spotterguides.com/2013-wec/.

Brilliant, cheers.

[Peat]

The RadioLeMans preview is pretty indepth.

For anyone who is new to it, i'd recommend the BBC one (1hr) that aired last night: http://www.bbc.co.uk...ries/5lspecials.

Also, Noikee. Advances in technology over the years have turned the race into a 24hr sprint. You will find cars lapping at close to qualifying pace towards the end of their first stints on new rubber (low fuel, tyres still good). The tyres are good for about 3 hours + of flat out punishment. It's now more about keeping out of trouble, of which there are innumerate obstacles to negotiate due to the challenging circuit and mixed classes.

I love this race so so much.

In terms of Favourites:

LMP1 - Audi. (I suspect Toyota have not shown thier hand yet, but if it rains (likely) then the Audi Quattro will walk it barring disasters.
LMP2 - Pick a card, any card. There are 22 cars in the class, all ludicrously close. Even the 'gentleman drivers' in this class are all pretty good.
GTEPro - No idea. Corvette are always strong, Ferrari will raise thier game. But i have a feeling the works Porsche's will come to the fore. It's gonna be good.
GTEAm - As above, bar Porsche. Depends on the gentlemen's relative speed and not binning it.

Edited by Peat, 19 June 2013 - 10:47.

[dau]

Regarding Lotus, maybe it's not over yet.

UPDATE (11:25 a.m.) : A team statement is expected to be released in the next few hours. The cars, stripped of suspension components and gearboxes, remain in the garage. A team spokesperson says a court hearing is expected today.
http://auto-racing.s...eized-by-court/

Edited by dau, 19 June 2013 - 11:00.

[JHSingo]

Really looking forward to this weekend. Le Mans is my favourite race of the year.

Hopefully I'll get to attend the race one year too.

[LuckyStrike1]

Tks. So if both GTE classes are sort-of-equivalent to GT2, did the GT1 cars disappear completely then? And I'm assuming the GTE Am laptimes are going to be pretty close to GTE Pro, if the only disadvantage is older spec cars and amateur drivers?

There are some very professional drivers in GTE AM, but the cars are one or two specifications older htan GTE Pro. It means that the GTE AM cars can be brand new, just as new as the GTE Pro cars but they are running one or two updates behind the Pro cars. So yes, lap times will be close but GTE Pro will have a slight edge - mostly because more fast drivers per cars and more works related teams and more upgraded cars.

GTE is basically an upgraded GT3 car (or in some cases I guess downgraded GT1/GT2 car although it's basically an upgraded slightly faster GT3 car).

GT1 and GT2 doesn't exist anymore.

This is my understanding at least I carry into the race unless someone has more correct info.

I agree with the Radio Le Mans podcasts, very good to listen to for handy information ahead of the race.

[Victor_RO]

GTE is basically an upgraded GT3 car (or in some cases I guess downgraded GT1/GT2 car although it's basically an upgraded slightly faster GT3 car).

GT1 and GT2 doesn't exist anymore.

This is my understanding at least I carry into the race unless someone has more correct info.

No, GTE is a basic continuation and evolution of the 2010 GT2 regulations.

[LuckyStrike1]

Ok. I based it on BMW because their Z4 GTE they drive in ALMS is very much an updated and upgraded version of the Z4 GT3 and they are very similar.

[HaydenFan]

ALMS and Grand-Am rules are a bit different than the FIA-ACO rules for the WEC and Le Mans.

Hence why we don't see the Bimmers at the track.

[Andrew Hope]

Sports car racing classes are among the most tedious aspects of racing.

[SR388]

Looking forward to this!!

[HaydenFan]

It's all political. And politics are not fun. Fun to mock, but not fun to follow. Just pure annoyance. But I do think with the ALMS-GrandAm merger and their desire to have those cars eligible for Le Mans, everything is getting equaled out.

Saying that, the thing I love about Le Mans over other sportscar racing (not really a fan of sportscar racing) is that outside the overall results, realistically anyone int he GTE classes has a true shot at the win. No team orders, all factory efforts are full bore gunning for the win.

Hope Patrick Dempsey gets solid results to bring some serious attention to this race here in North America.

[FerrariV12]

Been looking forward to this for 12 months - best race of the year. Any UK viewers share the same dilemma as me? I subscribe only to Sky TV's sports package, but for some reason Eurosport is on the Entertainment package (ironic since this race is the breath of fresh air against the "entertainment" rubbish that has diluted F1 and others), so I've had to shell out extra for a month just to be able to watch.

Should hopefully be worth it though as I plan on watching all 1440 minutes (still to decide if uninterrupted, or getting a bit of shut-eye and watching the second half of the race on tape delay)

Edited by FerrariV12, 19 June 2013 - 15:16.

[ApexMouse]

Will the WEC live site not carry the telecast?

Edit: No it will not.

Edited by ApexMouse, 19 June 2013 - 15:54.

[Andrew Hope]

So we've had McNish, Rockenfeller and Davidson in recent memory: who among the big teams will carelessly clatter into a backmarker this year, while we all pretend it was the amateur driver's fault?

[dau]

Lotus out on track. Happy end?

@Andrew Hope: You forgot Nakajima. McNish is always a safe bet though.

Edited by dau, 19 June 2013 - 16:18.

[olliek88]

So we've had McNish, Rockenfeller and Davidson in recent memory: who among the big teams will carelessly clatter into a backmarker this year, while we all pretend it was the amateur driver's fault?

Not sure i agree with Davidson. McNish definitely was at fault and i think most said this at the time, not sure about Mike's to be honest.

[Victor_RO]

Not sure i agree with Davidson. McNish definitely was at fault and i think most said this at the time, not sure about Mike's to be honest.

Rocky's crash was kinda 50-50, he flashed his lights at the guy in front and let him know he was there, but the Ferrari driver got blinded by the headlights most likely and didn't know which way to go, the fault lay more with how bright the headlights were. Davidson's crash was far more the fault of the slower driver not looking in his mirrors.

[dau]

Will the WEC live site not carry the telecast?

Edit: No it will not.

There's a stream at ACO's site. Only talking heads at the moment though. They had several onboard channels last year.

http://www.lemans-tv.com/
http://www.24h-lemans.com/live/en/

[Victor_RO]

There's a stream at ACO's site. Only talking heads at the moment though. They had several onboard channels last year.

http://www.lemans-tv.com/
http://www.24h-lemans.com/live/en/

There won't be a live stream like the other WEC races, Eurosport and SpeedTV have exclusive broadcast rights for their respective regions, the race is available on Eurosport Player in full but for a fee. The streams on the ACO websites will be talking heads and onboards only.

[dau]

There won't be a live stream like the other WEC races, Eurosport and SpeedTV have exclusive broadcast rights for their respective regions, the race is available on Eurosport Player in full but for a fee.

Aww, shucks. No onboards on Audi's site as well? There's just a timer on their live stream site right now.

[Victor_RO]

Aww, shucks. No onboards on Audi's site as well? There's just a timer on their live stream site right now.

Probably during the race, but last year the ACO website had about 10-11 onboards and at least two of the Audi onboard cameras were accessible.