2009 Le Mans/LMS/ALMS Thread

That restrictor might mean up to a 25% reduction of the airflow into the turbos...
They are reducing the diameter of the fuel flow limiters not the diameter of the air restrictors. That is a difference or did i just misunderstand you?
 
2009 LM24 Poster is out!

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They are reducing the diameter of the fuel flow limiters not the diameter of the air restrictors. That is a difference or did i just misunderstand you?

Sorry, I misunderstood the article.

This will mean a very significant power reduction, but being diesels, they will actually stop even fewer times, that's the downside to it.

Let's hope the loss in speed offsets the loss of time losses in the pits.
 
This will mean a very significant power reduction, but being diesels, they will actually stop even fewer times, that's the downside to it.
I think you got it wrong again. ;)
It works this way: The fuel flow limiters are assembled in the fuel dispensers, in order to extend the diesel's time in the pit, because it will take more time to refuel the cars.
 
And the 2009 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans has revealed its honorary starter...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74942

Di Montezemolo to start Le Mans race

By Steven English Wednesday, April 29th 2009, 15:26 GMT

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo will serve as the starter for this year's 77th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours in June.

Di Montezemolo was invited by president of Le Mans organiser ACO, Jean-Claude Plassart, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first of Ferrari's nine victories in the 24 Hours.

"I am delighted to be given the opportunity to start a race that has made motor racing history and has such strong links with Ferrari," said di Montezemolo. "Our Scuderia has delivered some unforgettable achievements on this circuit."

"The Le Mans 24-hour race is synonymous with technologically-advanced sporting competition and has always been a focus of great attention on our part."

As well as the nine outright victories at Le Mans, Ferrari has also taken numerous class victories in the event - the most recent being Risi Competizione's GT2 class win in 2008.

Ferrari F1 team principal Stefano Domenicali will also be present at Le Mans in June.
 
ohhhh ferrari brass is gonna be there?

lol, i hope it's an all porsche podium in GT2. i'll be rooting especially hard for the flying lizards to get their shit together this year.

if there any 550's in GT1 then i hope their gearboxes break.

and i hope ferrari decides to pursue a LMP1 program.
 
if there any 550's in GT1 then i hope their gearboxes break.

There is no Ferrari in GT1. Just one private Aston, Corvettes from the factory and from Luc Alphand, and two Lamborghinis.


As for GT2, I'd laugh my arse off if Ferrari commit seppuku like Porsche last year and allow the Drayson Aston Martin on the podium. :lol:


And as for Ferrari going LMP1... I don't think they'll do it unless they know they can produce another 333SP.



EDIT:

No longer going to happen.

http://www.planetlemans.com/2009/04/29/vitaphone-withdraws-2nd-imsa-porsche-invited/

Vitaphone withdraws; 2nd IMSA Porsche invited
By Series Update ? April 29, 2009

? Planetlemans - Marcel ten Caat

The Vitaphone Racing Team has officialised its withdrawal, as it was unable to find an agreement with Porsche to run an RS Spyder in LM P2 in the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours. Thus, the German team will not be present at the compulsory free practice session on 10th June.

In compliance with the ACO regulations, the place left vacant by the withdrawal of the Porsche RS Spyder goes to the first reserve on the list of competitors invited, no matter what the category, in this case the no. 70 LM GT2 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of the French Imsa Performance Matmut team, which has already entered the no. 76 Porsche 911 in this category.

Another withdrawal concerns the Racing Box SRL team. It has decided to scratch its Lola-Judd coupe (LM P2), which was in seventh and last place on the reserve list. The Italian team will be concentrating all its efforts on its other Lola-Judd coupe (LM P2, no. 30), which is entered for practice.

There are still 5 cars on the reserve list. From 22nd May onwards, it will no longer be possible to bring in reserve cars to replace withdrawals.

NB: The Endurance China Team is now called the Asia Endurance Team (no. 75 LM GT2 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
 
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^Indeed. The rumours started about that a few days ago. Shame.

Only two more entries to pull out before we get the WR from the reserve list! Quack quack!
 
Free Practice 1 results from the 1000km of Spa-Francorchamps... in a session blighted by rain and red flags.

1 9 LMP1 M Peugeot Total GENE Marc/WURZ Alexander/BRABHAM David Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP 2:06.740 27 2:06.740 198,946
2 11 LMP1 M Team Oreca Matmut AIM PANIS Olivier/LAPIERRE Nicolas Oreca AIM 2:06.740 19 2:06.740 0:00.000 198,946
3 10 LMP1 M Team Oreca Matmut AIM ORTELLI Stephane/SENNA Bruno Oreca AIM 2:06.846 17 2:06.846 0:00.106 198,780
4 16 LMP1 M Pescarolo Sport BOULLION Jean-Christophe/TINSEAU Christophe Pescarolo Judd 2:06.930 23 2:06.930 0:00.190 198,648
5 7 LMP1 M Peugeot Total MINASSIAN Nicolas/PAGENAUD Simon/KLIEN ChristianPeugeot 908 Hdi-FAP 2:07.658 26 2:07.658 0:00.918 197,515
6 23 LMP1 M Strakka Racing WATTS Danny/LEVENTIS Nick/HARDMAN Peter Ginetta Zytek 2:07.860 24 2:07.860 0:01.120 197,203
7 009 LMP1 M Aston Martin Racing PRIMAT Harold/RAMOS Miguel/TURNER Darren Lola Aston Martin 2:07.936 17 2:07.936 0:01.196 197,086
8 17 LMP1 M Pescarolo Sport JOUANNY Bruce/BARBOSA Joao Pescarolo Judd 2:10.050 21 2:10.050 0:03.310 193,882
9 25 LMP2 M RML ERDOS Tommy/NEWTON Mike Lola Mazda 2:11.920 16 2:11.920 0:05.180 191,134
10 13 LMP1 M Speedy Racing Team Sebah BELICCHI Andrea/FASSLER Marcel/PROST Nicolas Lola Aston Martin 2:12.048 41 2:12.048 0:05.308 190,949
11 12 LMP1 M Signature Plus RAGUES Pierre/MAILLEUX Franck Oreca Judd 2:12.372 22 2:12.372 0:05.632 190,481
12 007 LMP1 M Aston Martin Racing CHAROUZ Jan/ENGE Tomas/MUCKE Stefan Lola Aston Martin 2:12.580 10 2:12.580 0:05.840 190,183
13 32 LMP2 M Team Barazi Epsilon BARAZI Juan/REES Fernando Zytek 07S 2:13.644 23 2:13.644 0:06.904 188,668
14 40 LMP2 D Quifel ASM Team AMARAL Miguel/PLA Olivier Ginetta Zytek 2:13.912 22 2:13.912 0:07.172 188,291
15 14 LMP1 M Kolles KARTHIKEYAN Narain/MEYRICK Andy/ZWOLSMAN ChAaurldeis R10 TDI 2:13.924 24 2:13.924 0:07.184 188,274
16 30 LMP2 M Racing Box BIAGI Thomas/BOBBI Matteo/PICCINI Andrea Lola Judd 2:14.748 21 2:14.748 0:08.008 187,123
17 41 LMP2 M G.A.C. Racing Team OJJEH Karim/GOSSELIN Claude-Yves/PETER Philipp Ginetta Zytek 2:17.246 22 2:17.246 0:10.506 183,717
18 26 LMP2 D Bruichladdich Bruneau BRUNEAU Pierre/GREAVES Tim/COLEMAN Jonathan Radical AER 2:19.188 24 2:19.188 0:12.448 181,154
19 55 LMGT1 M IPB Spartak Racing SALAQUARDA Filip/KOX Peter/JANIS Erik Lamborghini 2:19.722 21 2:19.722 0:12.982 180,461
20 29 LMP2 M Racing Box CECCATO Andrea/FRANCIONI Filippo/PICCINI GiacomoLola Judd 2:19.788 20 2:19.788 0:13.048 180,376
21 31 LMP2 M Team Essex ELGAARD Casper/COLLARD Emmanuel/POULSEN KriPstoiarsnche RS Spider 2:20.180 21 2:20.180 0:13.440 179,872
22 24 LMP2 D OAK Racing NICOLET Jacques/HEIN Richard Pescarolo Mazda 2:21.990 13 2:21.990 0:15.250 177,579
23 15 LMP1 M Kolles ALBERS Christian/BAKKERUD Christian/MONDINI GioArgudioi R10 TDI 2:22.010 21 2:22.010 0:15.270 177,554
24 22 LMP1 M Team LNT KERR R/SMITH Guy/TOMLINSON Lawrence Ginetta Zytek 2:22.238 12 2:22.238 0:15.498 177,269
25 72 LMGT1 D Alphand Aventures ALPHAND Luc/GOUESLARD Patrice/CLAIRAY Yann Corvette C6.R 2:22.658 19 2:22.658 0:15.918 176,747
26 37 LMP2 D WR Salini SALINI Stephane/SALINI Philippe/GOMMENDY TristanWR Zytek 2:24.124 14 2:24.124 0:17.384 174,949
27 91 LMGT2 M FBR ROSA Gabrio/MONTERMINI Andrea/PETROBELLI GiacFoemrroari F430 GT 2:24.488 19 2:24.488 0:17.748 174,509
28 35 LMP2 D OAK Racing LAHAYE Matthieu/AJLANI Karim Pescarolo Mazda 2:24.598 19 2:24.598 0:17.858 174,376
29 89 LMGT2 H Hankook Team Farnbacher SIMONSEN Allan/KAFFER Pierre Ferrari F430 GT 2:25.584 24 2:25.584 0:18.844 173,195
30 92 LMGT2 D JMW Motorsport BELL Robert/BRUNI Gianmaria Ferrari F430 GT 2:26.530 21 2:26.530 0:19.790 172,077
31 84 LMGT2 M Team Modena GARCIA Antonio/MANSELL Leo/MELO Jaime Ferrari F430 GT 2:26.716 22 2:26.716 0:19.976 171,859
32 90 LMGT2 M FBR EHRET Pierre/FARNBACHER Dominik Ferrari F430 GT 2:27.080 20 2:27.080 0:20.340 171,433
33 96 LMGT2 D Virgo Motorsport McINERNEY Michael/McINERNEY Sean/VERGERS MichFaeerrlari F430 GT 2:27.098 21 2:27.098 0:20.358 171,412
34 43 LMP2 D Q8 Oils Hache Team COMBLOT Pierre/CORTES Maximo/MONTSERRAT Nil Lucchini Judd 2:27.480 20 2:27.480 0:20.740 170,968
35 85 LMGT2 M Snoras Spyker CORONEL Tom/DUMBRECK Peter Spyker C8 Laviolette 2:28.816 19 2:28.816 0:22.076 169,433
36 76 LMGT2 M Imsa Matmut PILET Patrick/NARAC Raymond Porsche 997 GT3 RSR 2:29.132 23 2:29.132 0:22.392 169,074
37 38 LMP2 A Pegasus Racing SCHELL Julien/THIRION Philippe Courage AER 2:29.656 22 2:29.656 0:22.916 168,482
38 77 LMGT2 M Team Felbermayr Proton LIEB Marc/LIETZ Richard/FELBERMAYR Horst Sr Porsche 997 GT3 RSR 2:29.692 13 2:29.692 0:22.952 168,442
39 94 LMGT2 M Prospeed Competition PALTTALA Markus/DANIELS Paul Porsche 997 GT3 RSR 2:29.792 23 2:29.792 0:23.052 168,329
40 42 LMP2 D Ranieri Randaccio RANDACCIO Ranieri/SOLIERI Glauco Lucchini McLaren 2:31.974 9 2:31.974 0:25.234 165,913
41 88 LMGT2 M Team Felbermayr Proton RIED Christian/FELBERMAYR Horst Jr/MARTINS FrancPisocrsoc hCer u9z97 GT3 RSR 2:32.372 20 2:32.372 0:25.632 165,479
42 33 LMP2 M Speedy Racing Team Sebah KANE Jonny/LEUENBERGER Benjamin/POMPIDOU XaLvoielar Judd 2:34.000 11 2:34.000 0:27.260 163,730
43 66 LMGT1 M Jetalliance LICHTNER-HOYER Lukas/GRUBER Thomas/MULLER AAlsetxon Martin DBR9 2:34.144 21 2:34.144 0:27.404 163,577
44 81 LMGT2 P Easyrace TENCHINI GianPaolo/BASSO Paolo-Maurice/PLATI RobFeerrtroari F430 GT 2:36.726 20 2:36.726 0:29.986 160,882
45 78 LMGT2 M Advanced Engineering GRIFFIN Matt/BAMFORD Peter Ferrari F430 GT 2:38.216 24 2:38.216 0:31.476 159,367
46 39 LMP2 D KSM NODA Hideki/SINI Francesco/MARSH Matthew Lola Mazda 2:39.226 13 2:39.226 0:32.486 158,356
47 87 LMGT2 M Drayson Racing COCKER Jonny/DRAYSON Paul Aston Martin Vantage 2:41.904 22 2:41.904 0:35.164 155,737
48 99 LMGT2 M JMB Racing HARTSHORNE John/RODRIGUES Manuel/KRALEV PlaFmeerrnari F430 GT 2:43.828 21 2:43.828 0:37.088 153,908
49 3 LMP1 D Scuderia Lavaggi LAVAGGI Giovanni/KAUFMANN Wolfgang Lavaggi AER 2:44.586 5 2:44.586 0:37.846 153,199
50 79 LMGT2 M Reiter Engineering VON THURN UND TAXIS A/BOUCHUT Christophe Lamborghini 2:44.600 16 2:44.600 0:37.860 153,186
51 28 LMP2 D Ibanez Racing Service IBANEZ Jose/DA ROCHA Frederic/CAVAILHES WilliamCourage AER 2:46.300 4 2:46.300 0:39.560 151,620


A very French battle... but the speed of the ORECA 01 is probably the biggest surprise.
 
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It would be strange if the Senna/Prost battle continued in LMP racing. Such big open wheel names... now in endurance cars.
 
Not too surprised about the Porsches. They've always been good at Spa. Rear engine is good for something!
 
Spa-Francorchamps has done it again. Foggy weather forces the organisers to cancel the warm-up session.



P.S. I wonder what is necessary for the revival of the World Sportscar Championship... I'd say get rid of FIA GT, since this championship should be for all four classes, and merge the ALMS, LMS and the new Asian Le Mans Series under a common set of regulations, and make the 24 Hours of Le Mans the flagship event, maybe with 3 times the points yield of a regular 1000km (or something) race.
 
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OUCH!!!!!! Nasty, nasty, nasty crash for Bruno Senna before the Bus Stop. The car is completely totaled...


EDIT: It's all going on at the very end of the race...


EDIT 2: Peugeot wins. Kinda expected, really... but the Pescarolo-Judd in 2nd place and on the same lap.
 
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Spa-Francorchamps has done it again. Foggy weather forces the organisers to cancel the warm-up session.



P.S. I wonder what is necessary for the revival of the World Sportscar Championship... I'd say get rid of FIA GT, since this championship should be for all four classes, and merge the ALMS, LMS and the new Asian Le Mans Series under a common set of regulations, and make the 24 Hours of Le Mans the flagship event, maybe with 3 times the points yield of a regular 1000km (or something) race.

that would be hugely expensive for the teams to travel all around the world. think of the logistics.
 
I think the only way a world championship could work is by giving some selected events a world championship status (say, Le Mans, Petit Le Mans, Sebring, one of the long races at Spa and a few others, basically what Audi and Peugeot are doing these days) and count points from those but also keep them as races in their respective championships. I think that in a long term having strong continental championships with similar rulebooks (at least as far as tech rules go) is essential because the backbone of the sportscar fields is made by non-pro efforts and amateur drivers who would not have the resources to do a world championship.
 
the other problem is the race format here in the states. a european team isnt going to make a transatlantic flight for a 2.5 hour race here in utah...it just dosent make sense.

audi has said they are returning to alms in 2010...so we'll see what happens. right now i think the thing to focus on is the GT2 cars now they can finally run the C6R's against some competition.
 
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