2008 24h Green Hell Race

[D-Fence]

So guys, it is this time of the year again

The race is on from 22.05.08-25.05.08, currently 280 cars are on the starter list:

http://adac.24h-rennen.de/uploads/me...g_08-04-23.pdf

I am so looking forward to this, the hybrid Apollo, 2 Gallardos, 2 Vipers, 3 Astons, R8, 3 new Sciroccos, a Z06R, and many many others...including the Commodore

So, any predictions?

[anti-net]

This will be the first year where I'll try and listen to most of it on Radio Le Mans, I like N24, something truly amazing about driving 24hr around Green Hell, my dream would be to enter it at some point, maybe in an Aston or Gallardo.

I think the Sciroccos will win there class, I suspect 911 RSR will win again.

EDIT: Is there any TV coverage of the race?

[Ford Prefect]

there´s always some coverage on german tv (dsf), it´s actually very little, but probably more than anyone else gets... it´s a shame really, especially when dsf broadcasts shitty ads for sex-hotlines all night rather than showing what is probably one of the last real hardcore motorsport events...

taking part in the 24hrs at the ring is number one on my list of the things that I want to do before I die, I don´t care what car... even if it´s a beat up old golf that doesn´t even stand a chance in it´s own class, and even if you finish last, if you manage to cross the finish line after 24 hours, you can definitely consider yourself one of the big boys...

[Hazardous]

Last year a web stream was available throughout the event, hopefully the same continues. Radio Le Mans crew was also doing coverage last year and I'm fairly sure they are in this year as well.

[anti-net]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

there´s always some coverage on german tv (dsf), it´s actually very little, but probably more than anyone else gets... it´s a shame really, especially when dsf broadcasts shitty ads for sex-hotlines all night rather than showing what is probably one of the last real hardcore motorsport events...

taking part in the 24hrs at the ring is number one on my list of the things that I want to do before I die, I don´t care what car... even if it´s a beat up old golf that doesn´t even stand a chance in it´s own class, and even if you finish last, if you manage to cross the finish line after 24 hours, you can definitely consider yourself one of the big boys...

Same here, I did start looking on the 'net for how much a used racer would be turns out an old touring car isn't that much...hmmm

[Ford Prefect]

the car is just one of your problems though... you need lots of tires, fuel, and at least a small handful of people to work on the car and stuff like that...

you can buy yourself into the drivers seat though, some teams offer places in their cars, and it´s not as expensive as you might think, still too expensive for me, but you don´t need to be a millionaire...

[Hazardous]

I'd say setting up the team is half the fun... And propably cheaper as well, at least as long as you can find friends, relatives or such to do the servicing and don't need to hire everybody.

[BlitzR]

Interesting, Number 14 is a Lexus LF-A

[anti-net]

Originally Posted by Hazardous

I'd say setting up the team is half the fun... And propably cheaper as well, at least as long as you can find friends, relatives or such to do the servicing and don't need to hire everybody.

Yeah plus you could properly turn it into a little business, I doubt you'd make much but you might be able to break even...maybe...

[jack_christie]

Love to see the Apollo win. Have they done other races? They should have some seriously sucessful motorsport brains behind it.

[fbc]

Originally Posted by BlitzR

Interesting, Number 14 is a Lexus LF-A

Lexus LF-A supercar goes racing

Toyota’s luxury arm is going endurance racing at the Nurburgring 24-hour with a big-winged development version of its upcoming V10-powered rival to Ferraris and Porsches, writes JEZ SPINKS.

Lexus’s forthcoming rival for the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini will enter May’s Nurburgring 24-hour race as part of its intensive development program.

The LF-A supercar is due to be unveiled in 2009 and Toyota’s luxury division plans to use the endurance event to fine-tune performance and handling rather than aim for victory.

Lexus is competing with the LF-A concept car that first debuted at the 2005 Detroit motor show and says the car’s V10 engine generates about 380kW of power.

The company says the LF-A’s combination of big power and slippery aerodynamics will help the supercar achieve a top speed of 322km/h, although this is still short of the 350km/h maximum velocity Lexus has been reported to be targeting.

The mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive supercar is said to be consturcted from carbonfibre and reinforced plastics and features rear-mounted radiators and gearbox, which Lexus claims “allows for excellent weight distribution and agile handling”.

The LF-A prototype is already familiar with the Nurburgring’s 22km of twisting bitumen having been spotted regularly testing at the famous German circuit in recent months.

A roll-cage and other essential safety equipment will be fitted to the LF-A for the event on 24-25 May 2008, but Lexus says it isn’t a dedicated race car.

The Nurburgring-spec LF-A, however, is expected to wear a large rear wing (seen in our spy photos) whereas the production version is likely to have a smaller, retractable rear wing similar to the McLaren-Mercedes SLR's Airbrake system.

Bigger, racing-style brakes are also likely to be fitted to the LF-A's 20-inch wheels to help maintain consistent stopping performance over 24 hours.

A team of Japanese race drivers will provide Lexus engineers with valuable feedback on a car that is expected to be priced above $300,000.

Lexus will also develop its in-house engineering talent by assigning young mechanics to the race support team.

Lexus's first F-branded performance vehicle arrives in Australia later in 2008. The IS-F is a 300kW V8-powered version of the IS250 sedan and will be a rival for the Audi RS4, BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG.

Source

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Hazardous

I'd say setting up the team is half the fun... And propably cheaper as well, at least as long as you can find friends, relatives or such to do the servicing and don't need to hire everybody.

If you are lucky enough to find people who will do this for free, then it might be doable, but you´ll definitely need a few of them to be fairly decent mechanics.

Don´t get me wrong, I think something like this would be the coolest thing in the world... Maybe we should start making plans for "Team N24 Finalgear" or something

Originally Posted by anti-net

Yeah plus you could properly turn it into a little business, I doubt you'd make much but you might be able to break even...maybe...

If you manage to compete in the 24 hours at the ring, and break even, it means your team will be competing at a very (very very) high level... Trust me, if you were to (just for fun) gather all the people I know who would agree to something like this, if it could be pulled off without investing large sums of money, without even thinking for a second, you would need about 5 large buses to cart them around in...

[anti-net]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

If you manage to compete in the 24 hours at the ring, and break even, it means your team will be competing at a very (very very) high level... Trust me, if you were to (just for fun) gather all the people I know who would agree to something like this, if it could be pulled off without investing large sums of money, without even thinking for a second, you would need about 5 large buses to cart them around in...

Yeah your right about that, someone (can't remeber who, I think it was a commentator on FIA GT) said "if you want to make 1million in GT racing, show up with 10". Such a pity my favourite sport also is also one of the most expensive

[Ford Prefect]

I honestly can´t think of any sport that is more expensive than motorsport, which is mainly due to the very expensive sort of equipment you need in order to even show up. I mean yeah there are people who buy racing horses for large sums of money, and I suspect one of those Americas Cup boats will have a pretty nasty pricetag on it as well, but these are all things that you can do for a lot less money if you´re just competing at an amateur level...

[Hazardous]

I think a horse is quite an expensive piece of kit, and any sort of competition boat for competition use as well. Not that I'd know really anything about either sport. I wouldn't say that getting started in some form of racing is that much more expensive than riding or sailing. For example, you could get a Legends race car (2nd hand) for under 10k€, and VW Funcup car would propably set you back about the same or less if you have about 3-4 drivers splitting the cost. And, what, 1500€ for your personal kit (suit, helmet, etc.).

Obviously competing will bring extra costs but what sport doesn't.

[Ford Prefect]

I also don´t know much about these other high budget sports, so I could be wrong here.

But just remember that buying a car for a couple thousand euros won´t really be the end of it. I mean sure you can spend 10K € on a logan cup car, and you´ll already be saving quite a lot because you (and most importantly, the competition) are not allowed to do anything with the engine, so far so good. But if you want be anywhere but at the very back of the field (which should be the whole point), you´ll need lots of expensive data recording equipment, and all sorts of special tools and measuring devices just for the suspension setup. You´ll eventually get to the point where it´s easier and cheaper to just buy yourself into a seat somewhere.

Keep in mind though that I´m mainly talking about europe here, on the other side of the pond there seem to be some small and "affordable" racing series for amateurs, where you can buy a relatively cheap racing car and set it up with simple methods. But I really don´t know much about them. I have done quite a bit of research over here though, because there is nothing I would like more than to compete in a real race with a real racecar. If I do come across a cheap way of doing this, I will let you all know

Edit: I forgot the most important part:
I´ve been looking into this: http://www.classic-racing-company.de/bmw/index.html
it´s essentially a cup where you run an E30 325i which has to conform with Group N regulations, this essentially means that the engine has to be completely stock, there is even a mandatory exhaust system. You´re more or less free to do what you want with the suspension, and the car has to conform with the usual safety regulations. This could theoretically be a possibility for an affordable racing series, but it all still seems to be in it´s starting phase... I will keep you posted...

[Viper007Bond]

Go go Vipers!

[Hazardous]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Edit: I forgot the most important part:
I´ve been looking into this: http://www.classic-racing-company.de/bmw/index.html
it´s essentially a cup where you run an E30 325i which has to conform with Group N regulations, this essentially means that the engine has to be completely stock, there is even a mandatory exhaust system. You´re more or less free to do what you want with the suspension, and the car has to conform with the usual safety regulations. This could theoretically be a possibility for an affordable racing series, but it all still seems to be in it´s starting phase... I will keep you posted...

There's a similar series in Finland, although with newer body BMW:s. Same cars can be run on rallies and on track. Stock engines, transmissions, limited suspension modifications allowed.

[minigolf]

You can download a full schedule of races for the weekend an AUSringers.

[DTMracer]

I've always loved this race. The variety of cars competing is awesome!

If I recall correctly, didn't Evo race a Maserati there a while ago and did a brilliant magazine article on it?