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Freude am Fahren
January 7th, 2015, 05:36 PM
The Nissan rumors are just getting nuts at this point.

http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsjan15.html


A couple of weeks further since Part 2 and more information is coming forward. I'm told that the flywheel KERS on the Nissan is actually in the front of the chassis, with a prop shaft running to the rear to drive the rear wheels. Furthermore, said sources have confirmed, without a doubt, that the combustion engine does indeed power the fronts tires, KERS the rears. My best guess about placement of radiators seems correct, mostly ahead of front wheel CL. And all of this, radiators/intercoolers, KERS, is purely for weight distribution. While the GT-R LM has nothing like the extreme weight distribution of the Delta Wing (30/70), like I mentioned last month, I do believe it is closer to 55-58% (or even slightly more) on the front, which ultimately means it has similar weight distribution numbers to a mid-engined car, but back to front.

I'm told that the Cosworth engine is a conventional twin turbo arrangement, conventional in this case meaning that the turbos aren't located in the 'V' of the engine and aren't being used for energy recovery. They also aren't being utilized for any aerodynamic benefit as they apparently exit out the top of the engine cover, ahead of the windscreen. So this leads me to believe that the exhaust flow from a turbo perhaps isn't that useful aerodynamically. I also understand that the driver is much further back in the chassis than I would have guessed, very close to the rear wheel.

A lot of people doubt the rear wing delete. I get it, we're so used to the current paradigm as it's what, 45 years old? But remember that aero balance follows weight distribution, I can't stress this more; this is pure physics and car setup basics. So by piling the front with weight there becomes less of a need for rear aero balance, and therefore you can begin to consider new options regarding the rear wing. But the removal of the rear wing is more about eliminating unneeded drag. Yes, the rear wing is the most efficient aero device on the car, something on the order of better than 10:1 (compared to a total car L/D of approaching 6:1 at Le Mans). And yes, the rear wing also produces on the order of 20% of the car's total downforce. But the list is precious short for items that can reduce drag so dramatically, around 8% of total drag. And hence eliminating the rear wing is not nearly as counter intuitive as it might seem. And there's been a bit of back and forth about the legality; frankly I've looked at the regulations myself and see nothing that makes a rear wing mandatory. However, in the event it is deemed a necessity, it's easy to imagine a very short chord vestigial rear wing, aerodynamically invisible, being added simply as a rules work around.

And drag reduction isn't limited to the removal of the rear wing. At the rear we can surmise with some confidence that the rear is narrower than the front, 1800 mm vs. 1900 mm. As mentioned previously, it makes sense. But in reducing the rear overall width it becomes apparent that Nissan will not be able to utilize the maximum allowed 14” wide rear tires if they want to maintain the maximum allowed tunnel width of 1100 mm. When you reduce the rear car width from 1900 mm to 1800 mm, you're left with a space that a 12” tire will fit while maintaining the same relationship between the inboard face of the tire and the outer wall of the underfloor as a 14” wide tire (the regulated maximum) out to the 1900 mm max car width. A 13” wide tire will go into this space too, but it begins to encroach heavily on the outer wall of the underfloor, with negative implications via tire wake and underfloor interactions. But if 12” or 13” wide, that's another small chipping away of total drag. However other factors (see below) might indeed see Nissan retain 14” wide rears in lieu of traction desires and in that case they would have to opt for less than the 1100 mm max tunnel exit (the regulation is 1100 mm max tunnel exit width, 1000 mm minimum).

But wait, there's more! I understand that the GT-R LM has a unique rear half shaft arrangement, in that the half shaft is not on-center to the upright, and drop gears, located in the uprights, are utilized for final power transmission to the rear tires. I've never been 100% sure on whether or not the rumor of smaller sized tires at the rear meant narrower width or smaller diameter. I've somewhat moved away from thinking narrower width. And the details regarding the drop gears and half-shafts leads me to smaller diameter. Because as wheel diameter gets smaller, the center point of the hub begins to lower to a point where, combined with a narrower rear end, the half shaft angle starts to get sketchy. The drop gears are used in order to actually reduce what the drive shaft angle might have been, all with the idea of letting the CV joints actually survive. But why all this hoop jumping for smaller diameter tires? Well the rear wheel arches are responsible for between 5 and 8% of total car drag. If you can reduce rear tire height, you can surmise you can chip away at some of that 5-8%.

Further evidence of extreme drag reduction as being a primary design principle is that I was told the top speed projections Nissan are using in their lap simulations are "mental." It would seem Nissan is concentrating on the extreme end of a fast lap time at Le Mans (approaching it from pure drag reduction), and have forged into an area that no one has gone in 60 years. The question remains whether they've strayed too far off the curve that defines lap times at Le Mans.

I've finally been able to confirm that total system horsepower figure. Ready for this? I've been told, from reliable sources, that the Nissan GT-R LM's total system horsepower is a conservative 2000. Yes, that's what you read. However, while these numbers certainly grab your attention, they really are relative to the storage capacity and the harvesting and release strategy, of which we know nothing about at the moment. I can't even assume which Release Energy class Nissan are running in. So while this number is quite fantastic, ultimately it's a little meaningless without context.

Maybe Nissan is planing on the Chicanes being eliminated? :lol:

Also, with the Chrysler program with the Viper over already (:mad:), Riley wants to go with his own effort.

http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/item/112138-lm24-riley-aiming-for-le-mans-viper-return

Kchrpm
January 8th, 2015, 06:12 AM
What the heck...

Rikadyn
January 8th, 2015, 06:51 AM
2000hp is a neat number, doubt it's accurate. Still the mind boggling, but makes sense is the rear wing delete.

Freude am Fahren
January 8th, 2015, 07:22 AM
Yeah. with KERS, I think the HP numbers are misleading. I think the rules will dictate the amount of charge they can use or something, but the 2000 is the potential of the system, unregulated in a short burst?

Rare White Ape
January 8th, 2015, 11:16 AM
That Nissan sounds intriguing.

Hooray for bonkers engineering! Should be more of it.

FaultyMario
January 8th, 2015, 04:38 PM
I can dream of a certain Californian behind the wheel.

Godson
January 11th, 2015, 08:04 AM
I think we all wish for that...

M4FFU
January 12th, 2015, 01:24 AM
Can't wait to see it in April :D

FaultyMario
January 16th, 2015, 06:37 PM
Something more tangible, the car that Fred Alfonso coulda driven at Lemans this year:

http://johndagys.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/gallery/wec-2015-porsche-919-hybrid/M15_0006.jpg (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117379)

The359
January 17th, 2015, 02:37 PM
I like it better than the old 919.

Interesting that none of the promo shots are from the back, and Porsche wont say what their two hybrid systems are.

XHawkeye
January 18th, 2015, 05:05 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B7nzNsKIAAAxDBA.jpg:large

EXCLUSIVE!... Amazingly revealing picture of new Lmp Challenger, yesterday . . @dsceditor pic.twitter.com/KfTZ8XiBc3

Fogelhund
January 19th, 2015, 06:42 AM
http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/exclusive-see-and-hear-nissans-front-engine-gt-r-le-ma-1680363700

and there it is, the Nissan LMP1... Front Engined, and basically looks like the drawings. Kudos for them to do something different.

FaultyMario
January 19th, 2015, 10:51 AM
Wasn't it supposed to lack a rear wing?

Godson
January 19th, 2015, 11:57 AM
Sounds like a V6 to me.

The359
January 19th, 2015, 03:28 PM
Wasn't it supposed to lack a rear wing?

It is rumored the Le Mans specification will lack a rear wing. If they're at COTA, they're running a higher downforce test.

XHawkeye
January 19th, 2015, 04:56 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B7uRb3LCIAAINb2.jpg:large



Thought I saw that car somewhere before? http://t.co/2UVevQO0cA (https://twitter.com/TS040HybridFans/status/557198899740688384/photo/1)

XHawkeye
January 19th, 2015, 05:30 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B7uZFvIIEAAk_oK.jpg:large

Some discussion that concepts tried in the @AMR_Official AMR-One may be 'included' in the Nissan design. pic.twitter.com/amyS0eWAjm
antonio pannullo, NISMO Global and Aston Martin Racing

Freude am Fahren
February 1st, 2015, 04:34 PM
So the Nissan has been unvieles, not going to pay now bc in on my phone, but what I found interesting was what looked like a Nissan DP in the commercial.

The359
February 1st, 2015, 09:27 PM
I definitely saw the old Kodak Doran DP in the commercial. More interesting, they were driving COTA backwards...

The359
February 1st, 2015, 11:34 PM
Yes, it's got a crazy front engine, yes it has a crazy front wheel drive/optional rear wheel drive layout, yes it has exhaust out the front of the windshield. But this is the craziest part of it all:

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/lhinwzgdgvmrwlfnbbgu.jpg

The car is one gigantic duct.

Freude am Fahren
February 2nd, 2015, 05:58 AM
The DPs I think just ended up being fillers that Doran brought along with their 370s and wrapped for the commercial.

XHawkeye
February 2nd, 2015, 07:45 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gx_E23VpQQ



Nissan GT-R LM NISMO: A deep dive with Ben Bowlby (http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a24903/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-tech-deep-dive-with-ben-bowlby/)





http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/15/05/768x432/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-lmp1-by-marshall-pruett-31.jpg

http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/15/05/768x432/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-lmp1-by-marshall-pruett-25.jpg

http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/15/05/768x432/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-lmp1-by-marshall-pruett-55.jpg

http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/15/05/1600x900/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-lmp1-by-marshall-pruett-17.jpg

The359
February 2nd, 2015, 08:30 AM
Amazingly, these rear wheels are powered. Spot the driveshaft.

http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/15/05/980x551/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-lmp1-by-marshall-pruett-30.jpg

This seating position blows my mind too.

http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/15/05/980x551/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-lmp1-by-marshall-pruett-53.jpg

Random
February 2nd, 2015, 10:34 AM
Super cool. Looking forward to seeing it on track.

samoht
February 2nd, 2015, 11:04 AM
Thanks for the pic showing the rear driveshaft, wonder how they get drive to them? I wonder if they considered chain drive to the rear wheels like the old Honda S500?

It sounds like the drivers' legs are raised in part to allow space for the huge flywheel that's used to store power for the hybrid system underneath them.

The359
February 2nd, 2015, 11:59 AM
There is a vertical gearbox with reduction gearing in each rear wheel hub. The halfshafts are in the top of the bodywork.

Alan P
February 2nd, 2015, 01:11 PM
I was under the impression the rears were driven by the Hybrid system only, the ICE was only capable of driving the front wheels? Also only five gears? Some LMP machines are six or seven?

The359
February 2nd, 2015, 01:18 PM
The Audi R10 was originally a five speed. I believe all other current LMP1s are six speeds.

And the ICE is only currently running the front wheels but could run all four if Nissan decides to go that way. The flywheels are connected to the front gearbox through a driveshaft running through the V angle of the ICE, then back out to the rear wheels.

balki
February 2nd, 2015, 06:48 PM
Can some one explain the car to me?

The car will use a front-engine, front-wheel drive setup unlike its competition, with power coming from a 3.0-liter V6 hooked up to a KERS system. Combined output will sit above 1,250 hp. (http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/02/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-makes-video-debut.html)
Why front-engined? why (mostly) fwd?
How has the FIA allowed it so that cars can make so much power? (Not familiar the regulations)

XHawkeye
February 2nd, 2015, 07:13 PM
1019
Amazingly, these rear wheels are powered. Spot the driveshaft.


This seating position blows my mind too.

http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/15/05/980x551/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-lmp1-by-marshall-pruett-53.jpg

This is the Audi R18 seating position:

http://www.eurocarnews.com/media/pictorials/2508/15905.jpg

The359
February 2nd, 2015, 09:20 PM
The GT-R just seems laid even further back, with the feet sitting higher from what I can tell.

The359
February 2nd, 2015, 09:30 PM
Can some one explain the car to me?

Why front-engined? why (mostly) fwd?
How has the FIA allowed it so that cars can make so much power? (Not familiar the regulations)

Front engine allows for a more minimal cooling setup, rather than having radiators at the sidepods, you can have air tunnels around the chassis with the radiators in the nose. Front wheel drive because the engine is already right there, why clog the tunnels with additional driveshafts? The Audi, for example, is rear wheel drive via the internal combustion engine, with the hybrid system powering the front wheels, so this is the same situation but reversed.

The rules are completely open on internal combustion engines, and you're allowed two hybrid systems of any type. The limits however are on how much you can recharge (2, 4, 6, or 8 megajoules) and how long you can utilize it. So the Nissan may have 1250hp, but only when the hybrid system is discharging. The rest of the time its only on the internal combustion engine.

harper
February 3rd, 2015, 01:10 AM
Just imagine what a modern monocoque LMP or F1 car is...and flip it backwards. Gearbox at the front, engine in the middle, monocoque/safety cell at the back.

Beyond the AMR concept, what's hinted at by Pruett and in the other articles is that this is inspired by AAR's old Toyota Eagle Mk III (http://www.mulsannescorner.com/ToyotaEagleMkIII.html) (<---- Mulsanne's Corner write-up) from the final days of Camel GTP

http://i.imgur.com/JyrBKo0.jpg

Why front-engined? Because there's more to be gained, aero-wise, for these rules at the front than at the rear. Radio Le Mans has done an interview with Darren Cox and he brings that up -- as well, Nissan wanted "a clean sheet of paper," he said, notably since they weren't building on an experienced program. Audi? Audi/Joest have been building cars and knowledge since 1998. Porsche? Had the resources to go down the path Audi has. Toyota? Apparently it's more cobbled together than I'd thought (Cox, being reductive, said that it's a good Dome chassis with a Super GT engine and extreme cleverness in how it's utilized and how their hybrid systems have worked). Might be just bluster, but it seems part true - Nissan wanted to go their own way. And I also think their experience with the Delta Wing (and how unique that is) helped lend to that idea too.

I really am behind this. They're saying the right things, doing the right things, are wanting to race and win and do so with something new. They're also using a lot of ex-Indy Car guys and building the car based out of Indianapolis area too. (Why? Good talent that's being under-utilized as of right now because of the Indy Car series' short seasons. Hrm.) It's unique, they're surprisingly open with the press (who have, Jalopnik aside, respected the NDAs apparently), they're promising to be open with the fans, and they see (in Cox's words) that everybody is doing A, and the sport is getting better but not really growing fans, so why not try B?

Whatever happens, it'll be glorious. And unless he fails the height limit, one of our own may well have a shot to drive it - at least to see if he stacks up to the others and will be given a chance.

The359
February 3rd, 2015, 01:15 AM
The only question in my mind is reliability. So far they only have one car and it has only done some limited testing, and they are having problems getting the flywheel system to work properly and with the gearbox. Silverstone is only 70 days away.

harper
February 3rd, 2015, 05:21 AM
I think that's half the reason they're being coy on the hybrid systems - they're not quite sure where the breaking point is still. And depending on what systems they're using, those may be known components or not (if they're known, and have been used by others [I think it's the Flybrid system?] then that may help but if they're doing new things then who knows...). According to the articles, they finally had the gearbox delivered and then...it broke. But better here than in June, for sure. I would guess they break a fair bit during Silverstone and Spa, and I think they're expecting that too. But they're also smart to fully load up three cars for Le Mans...if only to ensure that one survives.

I would also bet they try to just launch that thing down the Mulsanne at least once or twice without the wing just to make headlines.

balki
February 3rd, 2015, 07:28 AM
359, i get that 1250hp can't be had at every gearshift change, but is the ICE (3.0L V6 twin turbo?) is below, say 900hp? Either way I'm glad the rules allow for +1000hp one way or another

Because there's more to be gained, aero-wise, for these rules at the front than at the rear..
ah, okay. That's only reason that makes sense to me. The additional cooling weight penalty shouldn't make up for the loss of traction under braking and acceleration (I was thinking 45/55 weight distribution is still too front heavy for a race car)

Kchrpm
February 3rd, 2015, 07:30 AM
The ICE in the Nissan is ~550 hp.

Kchrpm
February 3rd, 2015, 07:33 AM
Road & Track got some good details of out of Ben Bowlby, the head behind the car.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a24903/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-tech-deep-dive-with-ben-bowlby/

Random
February 3rd, 2015, 07:39 AM
Whatever happens, it'll be glorious. And unless he fails the height limit, one of our own may well have a shot to drive it - at least to see if he stacks up to the others and will be given a chance.

They commented that taller drivers are going to need to be short of leg and long of torso. He happens to be that. ;)

Kchrpm
February 3rd, 2015, 07:43 AM
Giggity :up:

I wonder if they need a program manager/hype man for the Indy office.

Random
February 3rd, 2015, 07:46 AM
That said, I thought Nissan was looking to slot the American GT-Academy drivers into their new US-based P2 seats first.

Kchrpm
February 3rd, 2015, 07:50 AM
Wait, so what team(s) are in Indy?

Rikadyn
February 3rd, 2015, 08:06 AM
That said, I thought Nissan was looking to slot the American GT-Academy drivers into their new US-based P2 seats first.

I don't think there are any, at least not in USCR

The359
February 3rd, 2015, 08:44 AM
I think that's half the reason they're being coy on the hybrid systems - they're not quite sure where the breaking point is still. And depending on what systems they're using, those may be known components or not (if they're known, and have been used by others [I think it's the Flybrid system?] then that may help but if they're doing new things then who knows...). According to the articles, they finally had the gearbox delivered and then...it broke. But better here than in June, for sure. I would guess they break a fair bit during Silverstone and Spa, and I think they're expecting that too. But they're also smart to fully load up three cars for Le Mans...if only to ensure that one survives.

I would also bet they try to just launch that thing down the Mulsanne at least once or twice without the wing just to make headlines.

The hybrid system is a flywheel, like Audi uses, but developed by a different company. From what I've heard they've yet to get the flywheel system to work properly for more than few laps.

The359
February 3rd, 2015, 08:47 AM
Wait, so what team(s) are in Indy?

The team is based in Forsythe's former race shop, not far from the Speedway. From what I understand reading on DSC though, the carbon construction and engineering is in Gurney's AAR shop in California.

Kchrpm
February 3rd, 2015, 09:20 AM
Address found. Thanks, Yellow Pages!

Random
February 3rd, 2015, 02:32 PM
That said, I thought Nissan was looking to slot the American GT-Academy drivers into their new US-based P2 seats first.

Found the press release again, and, yeah, they are looking for LMP1 drivers. But it sounds like they are going to ladder them up through LMP3 (?) and LMP2 first?

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/nissan-seeks-american-driver-for-lmp1-effort/

There's a throwaway comment about the Forsythe Racing digs in Indy there, too, that I just noticed.

XHawkeye
February 3rd, 2015, 05:59 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B82MasQCEAAOwpN.jpg:large

I knew I'd seen (https://twitter.com/wtf1couk/status/562262334673268737/photo/1) the Nissan before... #FIAWEC

harper
February 4th, 2015, 01:27 AM
Found the press release again, and, yeah, they are looking for LMP1 drivers. But it sounds like they are going to ladder them up through LMP3 (?) and LMP2 first?

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/nissan-seeks-american-driver-for-lmp1-effort/

There's a throwaway comment about the Forsythe Racing digs in Indy there, too, that I just noticed.

LMP3 coming out starting this season (?) or next, and Nissan just confirmed they'll be working on an engine for it recently too.

Rikadyn
February 4th, 2015, 07:12 AM
the amount of hate Nissan has seemingly got for this car makes me hope they pull it off year one just to give everyone the finger

Random
February 4th, 2015, 09:10 AM
Some of the hate is residual Ben Bowlby hate from the Deltawing, I'm seeing. *shrug*

Unlike the DW, however, this car is built to a specific rule-set. I'm excited to see how it does--so much of racing development is evolutionary and this seems like a pretty bold leap.

The359
February 4th, 2015, 09:50 AM
LMP3 coming out starting this season (?) or next, and Nissan just confirmed they'll be working on an engine for it recently too.

LMP3 is starting this year, and Nissan is the sole engine supply. It's a semi-spec class to replace LMPC.

samoht
February 4th, 2015, 02:55 PM
It's really clever - a diffuser is the most efficient type of downforce generator*, but the floor of LMPs is pretty much regulated from front axle back. So stick a second big diffuser up front, where you aren't restricted. Now you have two problems - the downforce is at the front but the weight is at the back, and you need somewhere to dump the air coming out of the front diffuser. So you put the engine up front, together with all its cooling (rad/intercooler/oil), solving the weight distribution problem and leaving the sidepods free to duct the diffuser exit air to the rear, where it fills in your wake, reducing drag.

* http://www.caranddriver.com/features/the-physics-of-diffusers-how-to-make-a-car-really-suck-feature

If this doesn't break down, it could blow the others away...

The359
February 4th, 2015, 05:07 PM
The best description of the tunnels I saw was someone said, from the rear of the car in perfect light, you can see the front suspension through the tunnels.

The359
February 5th, 2015, 08:03 AM
Entry list is out. 35 cars for the WEC, 21 more cars from Tudor, ELMS, and Asian LMS. No real major surprises, although the ratio of prototypes to GTs has swung: 27 Prototypes, 28 GTs in 2014, 34 Prototypes and only 22 GTs in 2015.

(WEC cars in italics)

LMP1
1 - Toyota Racing - Toyota TS040 Hybrid
2 - Toyota Racing - Toyota TS040 Hybrid
4 - Team ByKolles - CLM P1/01-AER
7 - Audi Sport Team Joest - Audi R18 e-tron quattro
8 - Audi Sport Team Joest - Audi R18 e-tron quattro
9 - Audi Sport Team Joest - Audi R18 e-tron quattro
12 - Rebellion Racing - Rebellion R-One-AER
13 - Rebellion Racing - Rebellion R-One-AER
17 - Porsche Team - Porsche 919 Hybrid
18 - Porsche Team - Porsche 919 Hybrid
19 - Porsche Team - Porsche 919 Hybrid
21 - Nissan Motorsports - Nissan GT-R LM Nismo
22 - Nissan Motorsports - Nissan GT-R LM Nismo
23 - Nissan Motorsports - Nissan GT-R LM Nismo

LMP2
26 - G-Drive Racing - Ligier JS P2-Nissan
27 - SMP Racing - BR Engineering BR01-Nissan
28 - G-Drive Racing - Ligier JS P2-Nissan
29 - Pegasus Racing - Morgan LMP2-Nissan
30 - Extreme Speed Motorsports - HPD ARX-04b-Honda
31 - Extreme Speed Motorsports - HPD ARX-04b-Honda
34 - OAK Racing - Ligier JS P2-Nissan
35 - OAK Racing - Ligier JS P2-Nissan
36 - Signatech Alpine - Alpine A450b-Nissan
37 - SMP Racinig - BR Engineering BR01-Nissan
38 - Jota Sport - Gibson 015S-Nissan
39 - Team SARD Morand - Morgan LMP2 Evo-SARD
40 - Krohn Racing - Ligier JS P2-Judd
41 - Greaves Motorsport - Gibson 015S-Nissan
42 - Strakka Racing - Strakka-Dome S103-Nissan
43 - Team SARD Morand - Morgan LMP2 Evo-SARD
45 - Ibanez Racing - Oreca 03R-Nissan
46 - Thiriet by TDS Racing - Oreca 05-Nissan
47 - KCMG - Oreca 05-Nissan
48 - Murphy Prototypes - Oreca 03R-Nissan

LMGTE Pro
51 - AF Corse - Ferrari 458 GT2
63 - Corvette Racing-GM - Chevrolet Corvette C7.R
64 - Corvette Racing-GM - Chevrolet Corvette C7.R
71 - AF Corse - Ferrari 458 GT2
91 - Porsche Team Manthey - Porsche 911 RSR
92 - Porsche Team Manthey - Porsche 911 RSR
95 - Aston Martin Racing - Aston Martin Vantage GT2
97 - Aston Martin Racing - Aston Martin Vantage GT2
99 - Aston Martin Racing V8 - Aston Martin Vantage GT2

LMGTE Am
50 - Larbre Competition - Chevrolet Corvette C7.R
55 - AF Corse - Ferrari 458 GT2
61 - AF Corse - Ferrari 458 GT2
62 - Scuderia Corse - Ferrari 458 GT2
66 - JMW Motorsport - Ferrari 458 GT2
67 - Team AAI - Porsche 911 RSR
68 - Team AAI - Porsche 911 RSR
72 - SMP Racing - Ferrari 458 GT2
77 - Dempsey-Proton Racing - Porsche 911 RSR
83 - AF Corse - Ferrari 458 GT2
88 - Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing - Porsche 911 RSR
96 - Aston Martin Racing - Aston Martin Vantage GT2
98 - Aston Martin Racing - Aston Martin Vantage GT2

Reserves
53 - Riley Motorsports-TI Automotive - Dodge Viper GTS-R (LMGTE Am)
49 - KCMG - Oreca 03R-Nissan (LMP2)
60 - Formula Racing - Ferrari 458 GT2 (LMGTE Am)
86 - Gulf Racing UK - Porsche 911 RSR (LMGTE Am)
25 - Algarve Pro Racing - Ligier JS P2-Nissan (LMP2)
65 - Proton Competition - Porsche 911 RSR (LMGTE Am)
44 - Ibanez Racing - Oreca 03R-Nissan (LMP2)

XHawkeye
February 5th, 2015, 08:35 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B9FvKlcCcAEBOi5.jpg:large

The Nissan LMP1 car naked looks like a hot rod from the future. http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/the-nissan-lmp1-car-naked-looks-like-a-hot-rod-from-the-1683946630 …

Freude am Fahren
February 5th, 2015, 08:36 AM
Really looking forward to having a big 4-way (manufacturer) battle at the pointy end. Toyota the only one with just two cars. Confidence, or budgets?

Next year (or '17?) should be better for GT with Ford coming to play. Will we still have Ferrari and Aston in Pro then though? Will we see a new Turbo Ferrari 488 GT2 at some point? WHERE ARE YOU BMW!? Also, it'd be nice to see a shift towards GT-Pro, rather than Am. Hopefully the driver quality has improved over recent years in the Am category (not likely). Hopefully Riley can get in with the Viper too (only one on the reserve list though, don't they have two?).

The359
February 5th, 2015, 01:47 PM
Toyota came out and said that they did not have the budget for three cars.

Riley was only planning on one Viper, although I was under the impression it'd be a Pro car...

FaultyMario
February 5th, 2015, 08:10 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B9FyFhhCEAItNJH.jpg:large

Lovely poster, Dr. Piëch must be delighted.

Alan P
February 6th, 2015, 07:08 PM
In fairness the Nissan has got a lot of people interested.

Rare White Ape
February 6th, 2015, 11:11 PM
I was interested before it was famous.

samoht
February 11th, 2015, 01:00 PM
I've been doing some analysis, running a lap of Le Mans in GT6 and dumping the data to Motec I2.

The challenge with the hybrid system is harvesting enough energy - if you don't collect the full 8MJ during the lap, you obviously can't use it. In fact it's worse than that, the flybrid system for example quotes round-trip efficiency of "over 70%". If we assume 70%, then the 700hp KERS that Nissan mention will only harvest 5.8 MJ during a lap, enough for 4 MJ output. So if they only have 700hp hybrid power, they will be running in the 4 MJ class.

To harvest enough energy to run in the 6 MJ class, you need a hybrid system that can harvest energy at a power of 1400hp.

The power of hybrid systems applies in both directions, so a 700hp hybrid system can harvest energy at a rate of 700hp (522kW, ie 522 kJ per second), and also deploy it at the same rate, equivalent to a 700hp engine. However since you've got to harvest at least as much energy as you deploy, and you spend far longer on the throttle than on the brakes, the harvesting power is the limiting factor.

[This isn't accounting for other forms of energy harvesting, such as from the turbo; however I haven't heard that Nissan are planning anything other than the flywheel system]

samoht
February 11th, 2015, 01:12 PM
If anyone's still interested in the Nismo, you have to read this one - http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/nissan-le-mans-racer-lmp1-gt-r-explained-2015-02-09 - it's the best explanation yet of the 'why'.

The359
February 11th, 2015, 02:04 PM
[This isn't accounting for other forms of energy harvesting, such as from the turbo; however I haven't heard that Nissan are planning anything other than the flywheel system]

Porsche is running a system off the exhaust of their engine.

Rare White Ape
February 12th, 2015, 01:58 AM
If anyone's still interested in the Nismo, you have to read this one - http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/nissan-le-mans-racer-lmp1-gt-r-explained-2015-02-09 - it's the best explanation yet of the 'why'.


I'm still very interested. I generally hate FWD cars but it'll be fun to see this thing wriggle its way out of the hairpin at the end of Mulsanne.

Or it could be very well set up and stable and boring.

An unrelated thought; will we see this in a near-future update of GT6? If so it would be the quickest Gran Turismo car build since the days of Motor Toon GP. It's a long shot and we haven't seen that 3cyl Zeod thing in GT either so yeah.

Kchrpm
February 12th, 2015, 05:22 AM
Weird, I would have guessed everything Nissan would be in Gran Turismo.

The car is so fascinating, and the fact it's only FWD to take advantage of aerodynamics rules will add to a list of crazy cars built by reading a rule book like a magician.

samoht
February 12th, 2015, 01:12 PM
Ok, I've been a bit obsessed with this car since it was launched - I've put my thoughts together here

http://cars-and-trucks-and-things-that-go.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/the-new-nissan-le-mans-car-wtf.html

(corrections welcome)

samoht
February 12th, 2015, 02:23 PM
An unrelated thought; will we see this in a near-future update of GT6? If so it would be the quickest Gran Turismo car build since the days of Motor Toon GP. It's a long shot and we haven't seen that 3cyl Zeod thing in GT either so yeah.

According to Darren Cox, "it'll be in all the games that you guys want to play" (answering a specifically GT-related question) - video interview here:
http://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/nissan-gtr-lm-nismo-to-be-in-granturismo.322287/

Fogelhund
February 14th, 2015, 07:12 PM
Just as a note, Nissan are targeting a top speed of 220 mph... the fastest any of last years cars went 211mph.. so that is a rather significant advantage, and could make up for other shortcomings.

Freude am Fahren
February 15th, 2015, 10:43 AM
They better hope for a dry race.

Alan P
February 15th, 2015, 05:16 PM
Drivers were announced. That bloody Mardenbrough bloke is in. FFS.

Rare White Ape
February 16th, 2015, 01:03 AM
Why is that a bad thing?

Alan P
February 16th, 2015, 05:00 AM
Because it feels like he gets a lot more support fom Nissan EU/UK than Bryan does from Nissan America and therefore far more opportunities.

FaultyMario
February 16th, 2015, 06:35 AM
Is there any comparison of what they've gotten and what they've done with it? Jann being Cuda's closest 'mirror'.

The359
February 16th, 2015, 09:35 AM
When I talked to Nick McMillen, the 2013 US GT Academy Champion at Daytona, he said Nissan has a plan to try and get the US program going but Muscle Milk shutting down their racing program put a stop to it. They had a GT-R program planned for Tudor, and had their LMP2 car, so they had the ability to provide a ladder system.

Nick did say though that there is going to be a "race off" in the LMP1 car in the near future to see who else might drive for the team.

samoht
February 16th, 2015, 10:54 AM
On the one hand, I'm also gutted that Nissan/Sony haven't given Bryan more chances to race. It feels like he hasn't failed at anything, they just haven't truly supported him to see how far his talent could go.

On the other hand, I think focusing that dissatisfaction on Jann is unfair and unreasonable. If Jann didn't exist, or wasn't as good, or wasn't supported by Nissan Europe, that wouldn't magically mean that Bryan would get more opportunities - just that no-one would. There are plenty of races going on around the world, if Nissan USA wanted to get behind their first homegrown champion, they could do so without being 'shut out' by other Academy graduates.

If anything, the renewed worldwide buzz around GT Academy can only help remind Nissan USA and Sony of the homegrown talent they still have...

Kchrpm
February 16th, 2015, 11:35 AM
^^^ What he said.

Rare White Ape
February 16th, 2015, 01:11 PM
I don't want to turn this into too much of a Heitkotter fan club thread (it's about Le Mans after all) so I'll just say that this is sport. It's realities are much harsher than those in job land where we live, and sometimes shit happens.

Bryan is talented enough to win GT Academy, and it would be nice if he was going further, but from here-on luck plays a massive part of it. In a sense he was lucky that he didn't have to rely on luck to get a paid drive in a national series like all his fellow competitors did (and I'll bet that very few of them are paid decently).

Now he's on their playing field and now he's gotta get lucky.

samoht
February 16th, 2015, 02:03 PM
Another interview here with some driving impressions of what a 550hp front-drive car is like in the corners:
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/jann-mardenborough-nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-2015-02-16

"I think our chances at Le Mans are going to be the best out of any other circuit we're going to this year. We've got a shedload of power, and so little drag. Ben and the team have designed the car predominantly for Le Mans.

So the first few races at Silverstone and Spa will be like an extended test, just to get some mileage, so I reckon Le Mans will be our strongest race. We need to test reliability, because we have to finish the race. But the speeds we'll reach will be exciting."

Darren Cox stated in a youTube interview that Nissan's aim is to win Le Mans in the next two years. It's a big deal for the Japanese; Mazda have won it, Toyota and Nissan have very publicly failed to win it so far and Nissan think a Le Mans win would be just what they need, image-wise. They also stated (I think on a Mulsanne Corner podcast) that they chose to rush the programme to get the car to Le Mans this year, because they didn't want to arrive next year, in the last year of the current regulations period. Worst case would be if they arrived in 2016, went fast, broke down, and then the other teams get the regs changed in 2017 to prevent them using this approach again.

If this works, either the other three will have to build FF cars, or they will change the regs to prevent the advantage of doing so.

Kchrpm
February 16th, 2015, 04:00 PM
I hope they change the regs to prevent it, personally, but I'm fine if Nissan is the crew that gets new levels of success in the meantime.

Rikadyn
February 17th, 2015, 06:35 AM
restricting ingenuity through regulations is such bullshit.

Kchrpm
February 17th, 2015, 06:53 AM
The only thing ingenius about what they did was notice that all the downforce regulations were for the rear of the car, not the front. What they're doing isn't intrinsically better, it's just less regulated. It's similar to when Penske realized that running a pushrod engine at Indy allowed you to run a lot more boost, per the rule book, than if you used overhead cams. The pushrod engine wasn't a better solution for IndyCar racing, just like front engine/FWD isn't a better solution for endurance car racing, they're making excellent use of loopholes.

One could argue that strict regulations are exactly what's causing this type of ingenuity, rather than restricting it. I think you're getting into the weeds at that point, but I understand where they're coming from.

Rare White Ape
February 18th, 2015, 01:42 AM
Of all the categories, I think the LMP1 class fosters creativity and ingenuity far more than others like F1 and MotoGP. That's their aim isn't it?

The only reason they should shake up the rules is if all of the manufacturers get shoehorned into the perfect design layout and everyone spends millions for a 0.01 second gain.

There's plenty more options now, with diesels, hybrids and now FWD cars trying new things. Those three were verboten in purist Motorsport only ten years ago.

My ideal rule book:
A chapter on safety regs,
Then a vague paragraph that mentions something about fuel tank size (which reduces by 2% each year) and needing four wheels somewhere on the car.

I'm torn on whether to specify downforce limits and minimum weights, so I'll go write that chapter after I've been to the pub.

Kchrpm
February 18th, 2015, 11:32 AM
The issue with that is costs. Your development costs start to skyrocket, and manufacturers aren't going to spend all that money year after year just so only one of them can be successful each year and the rest will have failed programs with little to no knowledge transfer to their other programs.

And diesels, hybrids and FWD are only being used because of the restrictions that were placed on previous style cars. The FIA decided they wanted manufacturers to use diesel and hybrids, so they gave them looser restrictions compared to gas cars. FWD is only a result of restricting rear downforce, not a superior solution to a long standing problem.

Rikadyn
February 19th, 2015, 01:35 AM
Safety regs
Power-weight limit

and go

Fogelhund
February 19th, 2015, 05:46 AM
The issue with that is costs. Your development costs start to skyrocket, and manufacturers aren't going to spend all that money year after year just so only one of them can be successful each year and the rest will have failed programs with little to no knowledge transfer to their other programs.

And diesels, hybrids and FWD are only being used because of the restrictions that were placed on previous style cars. The FIA decided they wanted manufacturers to use diesel and hybrids, so they gave them looser restrictions compared to gas cars. FWD is only a result of restricting rear downforce, not a superior solution to a long standing problem.

No, Diesels and Hybrids were not pushed down from the FIA, they were pushed on the FIA by the manufacturers, and the FIA accommodated them. It is how the manufacturers wanted to go racing, to promote their products. ..and yes, there is plenty of transfer of some of these various technologies, particularly if you have been paying attention to Audi. There is always going to be rules, and if they can find a superior solution given those rules, all the power to them. That Nissan is trying this, is great for the sport.

Kchrpm
February 19th, 2015, 07:11 AM
Sorry, Fogey, you're correct, but the fact remains: diesels and hybrids aren't being used now because they're intrinsically superior, they're being used because someone wanted them to be used, so the rules were written in a way that it was advantageous to use them.

And I'm not saying that there isn't technology transfer now, that's part of the benefit of having the rules the way they are. I just don't think that if you got rid of almost all regulations that you'd still have many solutions that transfer to road car use.

Fogelhund
February 19th, 2015, 10:23 AM
Sorry, Fogey, you're correct, but the fact remains: diesels and hybrids aren't being used now because they're intrinsically superior, they're being used because someone wanted them to be used, so the rules were written in a way that it was advantageous to use them.

And I'm not saying that there isn't technology transfer now, that's part of the benefit of having the rules the way they are. I just don't think that if you got rid of almost all regulations that you'd still have many solutions that transfer to road car use.

I guess it depends on how you look at it. Could you get the same performance AND fuel mileage out of a non-hybrid petrol car?

Kchrpm
February 19th, 2015, 10:35 AM
You could likely get better performance (due to less weight), and have less complexity, and hope the benefits of that makes up for needing to pit for fuel more often. If you had completely open regulations we might be able to find out.

But I wonder what would happen if you had a turbine, directly powering the wheels or acting as a generator for electric motors.

Fogelhund
February 19th, 2015, 10:41 AM
The weights are basically the same as they have been for a decade and a half though, before these hybrids came into play... You could make an argument for more open regulations on weight, but it is what they chose to do, before hybrids, so the weight isn't really part of that equation.

Kchrpm
February 19th, 2015, 10:54 AM
The hybrids and diesels have a hard time hitting weight, to my understanding, and you could build the petrol cars lighter, as evidenced by the fact there was a class of cars with similar engines that was 175 kg lighter than the current 850 kg minimum weight.

Looking at the differences between the LMP1H and LMP1 classes, the hybrid cars are actually allowed to use any size engine they want, but non-hybrid cars are limited to 5.5 liters. That's an odd quirk, if you can have a 6 liter + hybrid (though why would you? of course why would you have a FWD prototype), but only a 5.5 liter if you have no hybrid system.

Fogelhund
February 19th, 2015, 10:57 AM
The hybrids and diesels have a hard time hitting weight, to my understanding, and you could build the petrol cars lighter, as evidenced by the fact there was a class of cars with similar engines that was 175 kg lighter than the current 850 kg minimum weight.

Looking at the differences between the LMP1H and LMP1 classes, the hybrid cars are actually allowed to use any size engine they want, but non-hybrid cars are limited to 5.5 liters. That's an odd quirk, if you can have a 6 liter + hybrid (though why would you? of course why would you have a FWD prototype), but only a 5.5 liter if you have no hybrid system.

Yes, they are right at the limits of weight, while you remember back, we had LMP675 at one point....

The engine size is more a factor of energy consumption now... so sure, build a 12 liter engine, but can you make it viable for the energy consumption formula? Quite simply a smaller turbo engine is going to make the same power in a more efficient manner.

Kchrpm
February 19th, 2015, 11:30 AM
Oh I don't think anyone *should* build a bigger engine in the current regs, I just think it's interesting that they can.

Godson
February 19th, 2015, 03:15 PM
I still wish the 675 class was around :(

The359
February 19th, 2015, 09:02 PM
They were nice for the ALMS races, but at Le Mans or Sebring they could never be competitive, they just never had the reliability.

Rikadyn
February 20th, 2015, 12:22 AM
Also when Audi went to Diesel there was pretty much no one else really in P1 to compete with them.

Fogelhund
February 20th, 2015, 08:21 AM
They were nice for the ALMS races, but at Le Mans or Sebring they could never be competitive, they just never had the reliability.

Of course, the same could have been said for any of the privateer LMP1's too as far as being competitive. How competitive exactly would the LMP2's of Porsche and Acura been at 675kg? I think LMP2 at that point was 750kg... that 75kg drop could have made quite a significant difference.

The359
February 20th, 2015, 09:05 AM
Yes but the LMP2 regs were very different, Porsche and Acura were able to run V8s. I believe the old LMP675s were limited to V6s and Turbo 4s, which was their weak link. Dyson was able to be competitive with their turbo-4 MG and even won races, but they were always dog meat at the enduros.

Kchrpm
February 20th, 2015, 09:12 AM
So factory built LMP1 gas-powered, non-hybrid cars with a 675 kg minimum weight but no engine size or energy use limit, vs the hybrid cars at 850 kg, who would win? I'd like to see that.

Fogelhund
February 20th, 2015, 01:05 PM
Yes but the LMP2 regs were very different, Porsche and Acura were able to run V8s. I believe the old LMP675s were limited to V6s and Turbo 4s, which was their weak link. Dyson was able to be competitive with their turbo-4 MG and even won races, but they were always dog meat at the enduros.

LMP675 allowed 8 cylinders from the start.
http://www.mulsannescorner.com/2001LMP.pdf
Section 5.1

So no, the LMP2 regs weren't very different.

Random
February 20th, 2015, 07:34 PM
"675" should've been the engine displacement in cubic inches. :hard:

Kchrpm
February 21st, 2015, 05:38 AM
LMP675's could have V8s, but at a maximum of 3.4 liters (2 liters if you went turbo). LMP2s are allowed 5 liter naturally aspirated engines, 3.2 liter turbocharged.

The359
February 21st, 2015, 08:41 AM
That's current LMP2s. I was thinking of the Porsche and Acuras which ran 3.4 V8s, but under the LMP2 title. From my memory the only engines in LMP675 way back when were the MG-AER Turbo 4, the Nissan V6, the ROC-VW Turbo-4, and the Mazda rotary.

EDIT: I guess I forgot the old Zytek V8s.

Fogelhund
February 21st, 2015, 11:00 AM
LMP675's could have V8s, but at a maximum of 3.4 liters (2 liters if you went turbo). LMP2s are allowed 5 liter naturally aspirated engines, 3.2 liter turbocharged.

We should have been more specific for the years... we were talking the Porsche/Acura era as per 359 as LMP2.

harper
February 23rd, 2015, 04:47 PM
The rules package right now is doing exactly what it should: enticing manufacturers to come out and play in the P1 hybrid class. The manufacturers want the exposure, the sport needs the competition, the rules have been designed where we have four different answers to the same question. The Audi builds off their lineage, the Porsche has tweaked that idea with the tiny four-cylinder, the Toyota has cobbled together some parts incredibly well (smaller budget and yet still became world champions? Phwoar), and the Nissan is batshit crazy blank-paper thinking.

It's brilliant, and we haven't see anything like this since 1998-99. And with all sides (ACO, FIA and manufacturers) working together more now than before, I have hopes that it can continue through rules changes in the future. At the least, we need to appreciate what we have right now. It's awesome.

Rikadyn
February 24th, 2015, 06:28 AM
It's great isn't it?

Thus they want to fuck it in the ass...

http://sportscar365.com/industry/scoop-spec-engine-constructor-limit-proposed-in-2017-lmp2-regs/

Kchrpm
February 24th, 2015, 07:49 AM
The greatness he spoke of is in the LMP1 group, LMP2 is barely considered and seems to be the privateer/small manufacturer class. That's already what LMP1 non hybrids are, so turning it into a near spec class for privateers doesn't seem like a bad idea, if you're leaving the LMP1 classes to go crazy.

Random
February 24th, 2015, 08:14 AM
Doesn't seem like a bad idea unless you're an engine manufacturer or one of the chassis builders that doesn't get chosen. Heh. :|

Kchrpm
February 24th, 2015, 09:54 AM
But then you just go to the privateer LMP1 class.

The359
February 24th, 2015, 10:18 AM
To be fair, there are only three engines in LMP2 right now, and Nissan has 80% of the field. In fact the US is the only place where there isn't a Nissan-powered LMP2 car.

The problem I see is that they just started LMP3 which is a mixed chassis manufacturer, single Nissan engine choice class. So what is the difference besides power output?

Kchrpm
February 24th, 2015, 10:31 AM
If the goal of the participants is just to have a race team to go out there and slap sponsors on them, do you need differences other than less power and weight (and the cheaper components that go with those two things)? They're more worried about keeping prices down for privateers than providing as many avenues for their innovations to compete in as possible, because privateers are to the point where they're often the team owners or pay drivers doing a lot of heavy lifting. That's not what they want in traffic with some company's half a billion dollar marketing rocket in the middle of the night on the Mulsanne.

The359
February 24th, 2015, 11:57 AM
But to me LMP3 is designed as the super cheap category. Why make LMP2 cheaper and less unique when you just created a generic class? Granted, LMP3 wont run Le Mans, but still, if they want a ladder system, LMP2 should be somewhere between LMP1 and LMP3. This proposal (it is not in any way approved) seems more like LMP3+.

Kchrpm
February 24th, 2015, 12:34 PM
I think you answered yourself: LMP3 won't run Le Mans. That's where teams (and advertisers) want to be.

The359
February 24th, 2015, 01:15 PM
But there are a lot of ELMS, Asian LMS, and Tudor teams with P2 cars not running Le Mans as well.

Kchrpm
February 25th, 2015, 04:03 AM
Perhaps the proposal will just fail, then. I understand the mindset behind it, but if the people in charge have your view of it then I doubt they'll move forward with it.

Freude am Fahren
February 25th, 2015, 01:37 PM
Along those lines, with TUDOR adopting GT3 regs next year for GTD, what will happen to PWC? Will it stay as a GT3 as well? I know they are kinda different with PWC being sprint races and GT3 being the top of the classes rather than bottom. It would be kinda cool having two GT3 series in the US, as they usually provide great racing with a really nice lineup of machinery.

Kchrpm
February 25th, 2015, 02:11 PM
If PWC folds, I don't know where IndyCar would go for another similar-level support series. Based on that alone, I think PWC will stick around, but that's not really solid.

The359
February 25th, 2015, 02:15 PM
I think PWC will not be effected. Most of the teams switching from Tudor are doing it for the cost of the season, not for the cost of the cars. Further, PWC has plenty of non-GT3 classes to fill the grid as well.

ELMS, Blancpain Endurance, Blancpain Sprint, and International GT Open all coexist in Europe with GT3 machines, and those even have the many national GT3 series to contend with for entries.

Rikadyn
February 25th, 2015, 07:58 PM
http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/02/25/there-may-be-trouble-ahead-2017-lmp2-proposals-spark-major-controversy.html

Godson
February 25th, 2015, 08:48 PM
Correct me if I am wrong. But isn't some sort of bullshit move like the par for the course for IMSA, et el?

LHutton
February 26th, 2015, 03:37 AM
2000hp is a neat number, doubt it's accurate. Still the mind boggling, but makes sense is the rear wing delete.
I've been seeing 1250-1350hp in mags lately.

550hp combustion
700-800hp e-power

Rikadyn
February 26th, 2015, 05:06 AM
Correct me if I am wrong. But isn't some sort of bullshit move like the par for the course for IMSA, et el?

Yea another writer (I think marshall pruett) said it seemed like the fia/aco and Frances of nascar had a brain swap

The359
March 1st, 2015, 03:59 PM
Another good view of the Nissan's tunnels.

http://johndagys.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/gallery/wec-sebring-lmp1-test-sunday/stest2.jpg

samoht
March 1st, 2015, 11:53 PM
Alex Buncombe and Max Chilton confirmed as two more drivers. Didn't see the second of those coming, however his ability to bring a car home is likely well suited to endurance racing, he had an amazing run of finishes albeit mostly in last place ☺

Nice pic, the way the engine is just sitting there on a trolley while all the staff's backs are turned makes me think of wheeling it off to drop into my FD 😁

XHawkeye
March 3rd, 2015, 01:00 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5d4Cs044dc

XHawkeye
March 4th, 2015, 06:18 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_Rkb4XWwAARxV4.jpg:large

RT @sportscar365: Nissan LMP1 Sebring Test Cut Short After Carbon Damage: http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/nissan-sebring-test-cut-short-after-carbon-damage/ … @FIAWEC @NISMO

Rare White Ape
March 5th, 2015, 02:33 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5d4Cs044dc

Oh my that's a hot looking car.

FaultyMario
March 5th, 2015, 06:08 AM
http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/nissan-ceases-sebring-test-early/


Motorsport.com sources have also discovered that the rear gearbox and the flybrid system have also given the team significant headaches in recent weeks.

Sources indicate the car was over ten seconds shy of the 2015 spec Audi R18 e-tron quattro, which is also at the test.

However, it is known that Nissan were not running its front-axle connected rear hybrid system over the first two days.

Fogelhund
March 5th, 2015, 06:11 AM
Disappointing to see them pack up and leave so early... does it have to be said though... one tub, rather revolutionary ideas... they crack the tub and lose valuable time... had they been prepared, like with two running tubs and a spare, they would have had double the information while testing, AND been able to stay. It really makes you scream BUDGET, BUDGET.

XHawkeye
March 5th, 2015, 06:29 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_RwodEW0AIAuhx.jpg:large

@marshallpruett: Ford's new Le Mans challenger spied at Sebring... @specutainment

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_TI5hRUwAAs_M5.jpg:large

@marshallpruett: That is one mean looking @Audi__Sport R18. @RACERmag @RoadandTrack @FIAWEC @Audi @sebringraceway @radiolemans

XHawkeye
March 5th, 2015, 06:31 AM
@mulsannescorner: Nissan's playing it down, but hearing not good things about their withdrawal from the Sebring test. This IS all part of testing of course...

Are they due at Silverstone?

@mulsannescorner: Yes - 2 cars, and a single car at Ricard test

Kchrpm
March 5th, 2015, 08:55 AM
The Audi video reminded me of the year (or so) that they tied multiple flashes to a button press, and then subsequently were told they couldn't because it dazzled/distracted the other drivers. That's a more than reasonable concern, but I do like the idea of knowing exactly what car is about to pass you based on their unique flash sequence.

Although, given that information, without knowing who the driver is, I guess it doesn't really tell you much as the driver being passed to just know which type of prototype it is.

The359
March 5th, 2015, 09:08 AM
I imagine the second Nissan is probably in Europe getting ready for the Prologue.

I remember Toyota falling way behind their first year when they wrecked one of their test cars.

Freude am Fahren
March 5th, 2015, 10:39 AM
Fricken lasers!

XHawkeye
March 6th, 2015, 05:08 PM
@davemccall (https://twitter.com/davemccall/status/573839794393903104) ScarbsF1 Ultra-high-res photo of Nissan's LMP1 rear suspension: http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/frlhmwyayopv7ntxfodx.jpg …
What do you make of that?

==============

@davemccall amazing! Rear venturi must be structural. Short arms, pull rod, linked dampers and no drive shaft!

The359
March 6th, 2015, 11:40 PM
I still have yet to figure out where the power is coming through in these shots of the rear suspension. It seems to me as if the system is not yet in place.

Freude am Fahren
March 7th, 2015, 06:32 AM
I have to agree. In earlier photos, there was more there.

http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/15/05/980x551/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-lmp1-by-marshall-pruett-30.jpg

Clearly a driveshaft from the drop gear to the upright, but I don't know where the power would go into the drop gear. The tub is far to thin to house a driveshaft above or below the tunnel right at the back, and doesn't really line-up properly. I wonder if they are running some kind of dual drive shafts logitudinally in the outside part of the tunnel for a bit before they turn inward. At the very least they are swept very far forward from the location of the rear suspension.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t-OfeF9S8w4/VM7Jdmnp9HI/AAAAAAAAf1g/bHdWMCa8RcA/w1358-h764-no/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-lmp1-by-marshall-pruett-31.jpg

The359
March 7th, 2015, 11:09 AM
"The device is mounted beneath the keel-just under the driver’s legs-and is driven by the 5-speed transmission that sits in front of the engine. It returns its energy to the front wheels through the same shaft that runs through the V6’s 60-degree engine V, and can send the rest, if the team decides to use AWD, to the rear through a long driveshaft beneath the tub that connects to a differential which then feeds the rear wheels through a complex system of secondary driveshafts and outboard gearboxes."

So somewhere in the middle of that second picture is a differential, but I can't see where the shafts would go to get around the tunnels.

The359
March 17th, 2015, 08:53 AM
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-delayed-until-le-mans/

Nissan withdraws from pre-season WEC test and Silverstone and Spa. Cars to debut at Le Mans.

When they said "carbon damage" after Sebring it was a red flag that they damaged the tub and are probably now behind on their production schedule. Same thing Toyota did their debut season, damaged a test car and had to push back their start. Even if the car is fast in qualifying, doing your first race at Le Mans probably wont end well.

LHutton
March 22nd, 2015, 04:22 AM
Oh dear. I hope another Japanese car can win Le Mans though.

The359
March 27th, 2015, 11:55 PM
Since we have one for F1, might as well do it here. Here's the 2015 cars from the other LMP1 contenders:

Toyore is still in the 6MJ class but they are apparently using the full 6MJ this year.
http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/wp-content/gallery/2015-ts040-hybrid-studio-images/2015_Toyota_TS040_Studio_08.jpg

Porsche has moved up to the top 8MJ through refining their hybrid systems.
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/xidvku9qblqjuns7br9d.jpg
(The white car is the only 2015 car, the other two are older spec 919s)

Audi has moved into the 4MJ class.
http://www.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/339/989/2/S3399892/slug/l/2015-audi-r18-etron-quattro-02-1.jpg

Rare White Ape
March 28th, 2015, 03:34 AM
Pushing the bounds of packaging and aerodynamics.

Some seriously fapworthy shit right there.

The359
March 28th, 2015, 03:44 PM
Here's a few of the other new cars this year:

Strakka Dome S103, although it's been testing since early 2014.
http://d2uv4t0ox1pknx.cloudfront.net/fr/wp-content/uploads/galleries/prologue-2015-vendredi/img_7836.jpg

Oreca 05 for KCMG
http://d2uv4t0ox1pknx.cloudfront.net/fr/wp-content/uploads/galleries/prologue-2015-vendredi/img_9604.jpg

First customer C7.R for Larbre
http://d2uv4t0ox1pknx.cloudfront.net/fr/wp-content/uploads/galleries/prologue-fia-wec-jeudi_1/dsc_1161.jpg

And the Russian SMP's BR01. Not running in the WEC but will be at Le Mans.
http://d2uv4t0ox1pknx.cloudfront.net/fr/wp-content/uploads/galleries/prologue-fia-wec-mercredi/dsc_1099.jpg

Freude am Fahren
April 12th, 2015, 10:48 AM
Should we retitle to WEC/Le Mans 2015?

Anyway, having WEC full races live with RLM crew is fantastic. It feels like the early 2000's again when we had full ALMS coverage. I haven't checked the schedule, but I hope they are all on FS1. I don't get FS2 or FSGO, which is bad for LM, as only about 13 hours is on FS1 excluding the finish!@. And pity Porsche just went with two white cars for WEC.

The359
April 12th, 2015, 04:04 PM
I paid for the WEC stream for the season, despite having FOX Sports 1 and 2, just to avoid the commercials and have easier access to Timing & Scoring and stuff. The stream runs perfectly, never any lag. It's a pricey investment, but worth it.

Alan P
April 12th, 2015, 04:59 PM
Race was really good today! The battle between the Porsche and the Audi was brilliant for lap after lap! Audi seemed to have better aero, downforce and mechanical grip but the Porsche had a lot more power!

The359
April 12th, 2015, 08:12 PM
The Porsche has twice the hybrid output of the Audi, it looked almost night and day. Similar to how Toyota pulled on the Audis last year.

The359
April 16th, 2015, 02:10 PM
Good news, one of the WEC LMP2 cars has dropped out for Le Mans, so the privateer Riley Viper GTS-R has been promoted to the race.

Freude am Fahren
April 16th, 2015, 06:20 PM
Saw Mike Fuller's (aka Mulsanne Mike, a Riley team member) post on facebook :up:

Godson
April 16th, 2015, 09:01 PM
Glad to see he is back into the scene. That whole shitstorm with USF1 was a sad deal.

samoht
April 17th, 2015, 01:58 PM
The challenge with the hybrid system is harvesting enough energy - if you don't collect the full 8MJ during the lap, you obviously can't use it. In fact it's worse than that, the flybrid system for example quotes round-trip efficiency of "over 70%". If we assume 70%, then the 700hp KERS that Nissan mention will only harvest 5.8 MJ during a lap, enough for 4 MJ output. So if they only have 700hp hybrid power, they will be running in the 4 MJ class.

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/on-track-with-nissans-front-wheel-drive-le-mans-116660255792.html

That time derives from each and every aspect of the car, including work on the hybrid KERS system, which was once stated to run in the 8 megajoule class but due to complications will now run in the 2 megajoule class. This means more emphasis will be placed on the 3.0-liter twin turbo V-6 up front.

Why not the 8 MJ set up as planned? Many reasons, not least being that the team would be 50 lbs. overweight due to the additional heavy batteries. This would cost 2.5 seconds per lap at Le Mans, and Cox isn’t convinced that the additional punch on acceleration would offset that deficit. Come 2016, however, the car will be lighter and the 8MJ class remains the goal, along with forcing all power from the KERS system to the rear wheels.

...

It’s a long road, and the speed won’t arrive overnight. But just wait until 2016.”

Rikadyn
April 22nd, 2015, 05:54 AM
Starting to sound like the R390 project part deux

Freude am Fahren
April 25th, 2015, 08:06 AM
Spa US Schedule

U.S. TV Schedule (Sat. May 2):
8:30 – 11 a.m. ET — FOX Sports 1
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET — FOX Sports 2
1 – 2:30 p.m. ET — FOX Sports 1

XHawkeye
April 25th, 2015, 08:53 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGXCIw96-N0

XHawkeye
May 12th, 2015, 03:19 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CEzwy1dWoAAmlDo.jpg:large

Exhaust and cooling exits (https://twitter.com/ScarbsF1/status/598117613164695552) on the front end of the @NISMO

Random
May 14th, 2015, 09:46 AM
Will be interesting to see what they do to shield the driver's eyes from the exhaust flashes at LM.

XHawkeye
May 27th, 2015, 06:33 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGCEnn1W8AAm3o7.png:large

Blimey (https://twitter.com/F1Photographer/status/603628167895584768)... This retro colour way almost makes their pig of a car look good! #LM24 #Nissan

Rikadyn
May 27th, 2015, 11:39 PM
there is an onboard video from a gopro on driver helmet, they don't seem that bright

The359
May 28th, 2015, 08:11 AM
Here is the actual retro car.

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/1272264010418556051.png

They'll have the 1990 pole-winning R90CK at Le Mans with Mark Blundell.

Freude am Fahren
May 28th, 2015, 10:26 AM
:up: After seeing this first pic I was afraid they'd all be red.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CF69qv1WMAANlEz.jpg

But now that I look at it, you can just see the white panels inboard of the rear wheels in the top car.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGFTbyUWAAA5bDm.jpg

The359
May 28th, 2015, 08:27 PM
I was digging the black test car from a few weeks ago, shame they didn't keep that one.

harper
May 29th, 2015, 02:08 AM
Cox has always said that one car would always be red and the other (or other two) would rotate. I'm super stoked to see the throwback paint scheme, but then again I was just drooling at the Nissan Collection yesterday so I might be a touch biased toward them at the moment. I'm curious to see if the other car (not the red #23 and not the throwback #21) will have a sponsored paint scheme or something else for Le Mans and after, and how that changes race to race.

Oh and whether the car's actually gonna be any good. That's important to see too. Guess we'll see this weekend!

Random
May 29th, 2015, 08:42 AM
I'm holding out for a black GT Academy paint scheme with "B. Heitkotter" under the window. :devil:

IMOA
May 29th, 2015, 03:41 PM
Tickets purchased. I'm excited :)

XHawkeye
May 29th, 2015, 06:48 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGMus9DWcAA-L37.jpg:large

OMG, Nissan (https://twitter.com/mulsannescorner/status/604378166782758913) has a fun slide!

The359
May 30th, 2015, 08:37 AM
https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/t31.0-8/11334260_920214294701692_47744920434156003_o.jpg

Freude am Fahren
May 30th, 2015, 10:15 AM
One of my favorite parts of Le Mans is that picture.

Hopefully Nissan does something for their third car. I also wish Audi still did three different colors of trim on their cars. I loved the R8 style when they were all silver, with bits of either yellow black or red.

Also, I just realized they are using their numbers from WEC. That's interesting, I thought the winning team from last year always got to use the #1.

The359
May 30th, 2015, 10:35 AM
Well back when Le Mans was a standalone race they gave the winners #1. Now it goes to the WEC Champions, Toyota.

XHawkeye
May 30th, 2015, 02:25 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGP-E4KUkAAah8B.jpg:large

Father & son. (https://twitter.com/NISMO/status/604606160075776000) Our #GTRLeMans mechanic Phil Binks with his @CorvetteRacing crew chief dad, Dan. #eatsleepRACErepeat

Freude am Fahren
May 30th, 2015, 03:39 PM
There's a joke to be made about that hashtag, but these guys have my respect, so I'll leave it be...

Rare White Ape
May 30th, 2015, 04:49 PM
https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/t31.0-8/11334260_920214294701692_47744920434156003_o.jpg

I thought the #17 Porsche was painted up like this for a sec:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Porsche_917C.jpg

The359
May 30th, 2015, 07:03 PM
It is actually meant to invoke that car, their advertising has the two of them together. The black 919 is meant to represent the 918 Spyder.

harper
May 31st, 2015, 12:13 AM
The red and black makes it mildly better, but god I wish Porsche would just get a better paint scheme. It's so awful.

Listening to the test day now (yay time zones) and there's wonders if the grass going away at Porsche Curves means the LMP1s and even P2s might get frisky passing the GT cars in places where they couldn't before, which may have repercussions.

XHawkeye
May 31st, 2015, 08:35 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGUSu47W0AACwTY.jpg:large

Practice is underway here in Le Mans! @CorvetteRacing #LM24TestDay

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGUZv79WoAE4kIb.jpg:large

Podem dir ja que el Nissan GT-R (https://twitter.com/CollaVerglas/status/604951164304662528) LM és el McLaren de les 24 hores de Le Mans 2015? http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGUZv79WoAE4kIb.jpg … #makehistory

XHawkeye
May 31st, 2015, 09:06 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGWBPUOW8AIE8c3.jpg:large

"Always (https://twitter.com/JamesKirkham/status/605031825170411520) rains at #LeMans"

======

@marshallpruett (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/605044114455814145) Fastest trap speed at the @24hoursoflemans Test Day goes to @NISMO with a 208.871mph peak. Next is @Audi__Sport at 206.854mph. @RACERmag

======

@marshallpruett (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/605046520656691201) Top @24hoursoflemans Test Day P2 peak: 191.5mph (43 Team Sard Morand), GTE-Pro: 183.1 (64 @CorvetteRacing), GTE-Am: 181.1 (61 @AFCorse )

Alan P
May 31st, 2015, 06:29 PM
Is that the new Nissan Nismo with the fastest trap speed? If so that's very impressive but they seem to be lacks no downforce and corner speed.

The359
May 31st, 2015, 10:47 PM
Yes, fastest trap speed for the Nissans. They're designed for minimal downforce.

MR2 Fan
May 31st, 2015, 11:24 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw_2N3tGMEg

Rare White Ape
June 1st, 2015, 05:38 AM
If I could level one piece of criticism at the Nismo GT-R LM, it's that it's uglier than Hillary Clinton's yum-yum patch.

But I love it because it's different. So hail the mad bastards that are running with the concept.

Alan P
June 1st, 2015, 03:34 PM
I love the fact that it's function over form.

XHawkeye
June 1st, 2015, 06:13 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGZqx2QWgAA1hqb.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGZqwg-XIAAOdMY.jpg:large

Quite a morning here at the hotel! (https://twitter.com/Hotel_de_France/status/605288609021865984)

XHawkeye
June 1st, 2015, 06:16 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGZsBp6WgAANTkU.jpg:large

Very pleased to have @AMR_Official team boss David Richards back at the hotel. (https://twitter.com/Hotel_de_France/status/605290131696828416)

=====

Think the neighbours are now awake! @Hotel_de_France @AMR_Official (https://twitter.com/DarrenTurner007/status/605271026101067777)

XHawkeye
June 1st, 2015, 06:20 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGbVFdxUcAAxXb4.jpg:large

Magnificent car (https://twitter.com/FIAWEC/status/605405491225882625), sparks and shot at @24hoursoflemans Test Day by Brecht Decancq Photography. #WEC #LM24 @PorscheRaces

XHawkeye
June 7th, 2015, 03:46 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CG5vgtsUgAEQGr7.jpg:large

First of the heavyweights to arrive. (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/607545625710862336) #LM24 @FIAWEC @RACERmag @RoadandTrack @radiolemans @dsceditor

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CG55a95VAAAQPIb.jpg:large

Almost ready for the first multi-car shot. (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/607556522374262785) #lm24 @RACERmag @RoadandTrack @FIAWEC @Audi__Sport @specutainment

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CG7eyRUW0AEkEtx.jpg:large

A few shots from (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/607667956332544000) #LM24 scrutineering today: @NISMO's @fiawec flash mob. @RACERmag @specutainment @dsceditor

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CG59SdFWQAAyU3J.jpg:large

And we have our first GT car (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/607560769065132032) through with @PatrickDempsey + @pLmotorsport @PorscheRaces #LM24 @RACERmag @RoadandTrack

XHawkeye
June 8th, 2015, 05:26 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CG7f8OsW0AEX2r5.jpg:large

And here's Audi's #LM24 (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/607669230549540864) @FIAWEC army. @RACERmag @Audi @Audi__Sport @MarkDahncke @specutainment @dsceditor

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CG_CXErUYAAiDJ_.jpg:large

Awesome--solo #LM24 shot (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/607918199636520961) for @CorvetteRacing's Dan Binks. @IMSA @RACERmag @RoadandTrack @FIAWEC
#SexyAndHeKnowsIt

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CG_C7ghUYAAZM4b.jpg:large

Nice. @CorvetteRacing (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/607918826060062721) #LM24 @RACERmag @RoadandTrack

XHawkeye
June 8th, 2015, 05:29 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CG_lLH9XAAArrWG.jpg:large

Lovely backdrop and sky fo (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/607956455170428928)r the @Toyota_Hybrid #LM24 photo. @antdavidson @Mikeconway26 @alex_wurz @Sebastien_buemi

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CG_tiweWQAEZMIc.jpg:large

The @PorscheRaces 919 Hybrid team (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/607965658719133696) #LM24 photo. @RACERmag @AussieGrit @BrendonHartley @earlbamber @NickTandyR

http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/15/24/980x490/landscape-1433793125-lemans-2015-24h-eg-0195-1.jpg

An American Rookie at Le Mans: What they don't tell you (http://t.co/YqwFztLiWK)
Whether you're there to watch or race, here are a few helpful tips from a friendly Le Mans rookie. Remember: just eat that croissant. Don't fight it.

Freude am Fahren
June 8th, 2015, 09:48 PM
Where's the third driver from car #9?

harper
June 9th, 2015, 02:58 AM
Otherwise engaged during the weekend? It's Filipe Albuquerque, Marco Bonanomi, and Rene Rast, so obviously one of them had a prior engagement.

The359
June 9th, 2015, 07:59 AM
I'm fairly certain Rast was running a Blancpain race.

MR2 Fan
June 9th, 2015, 03:49 PM
If I could level one piece of criticism at the Nismo GT-R LM, it's that it's uglier than Hillary Clinton's yum-yum patch.

But I love it because it's different. So hail the mad bastards that are running with the concept.

but the Audi looks similar

XHawkeye
June 9th, 2015, 05:50 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHDQmNdUAAAZbbv.jpg:large

Hello from @Scuderia_Corsa Land (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/608215324035579904) at #LeMans @townsendbell @JeffSegal @RACERmag @imsa

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHDjp7EUcAIQgsF.jpg:large

Your #LeMans class of 2015 (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/608236260109467648) group photo @RACERmag @RoadandTrack @specutainment @dsceditor #LM24

Rare White Ape
June 10th, 2015, 02:06 AM
but the Audi looks similar

You know what?

I was just perusing the scrutineering pics and recalled the statement I made.

It turns out that Audi has presented an aero package that is different to their previous testing cars… and it's ugly too!

Those steep bulbous headlights are shite. They obviously work though, otherwise Audi (and Toyota and Porsche and Nissan) wouldn't run them.

harper
June 10th, 2015, 05:45 AM
I'm fairly certain Rast was running a Blancpain race.

...and there you go.

[edit]


You know what?

I was just perusing the scrutineering pics and recalled the statement I made.

It turns out that Audi has presented an aero package that is different to their previous testing cars… and it's ugly too!

Those steep bulbous headlights are shite. They obviously work though, otherwise Audi (and Toyota and Porsche and Nissan) wouldn't run them.

Yeah, the Audi low-downforce package did a trick at Spa. They went from being noticeably slower than the Porsches on the straights to keeping level with them. Audi has to be favorites if only because they're almost as fast as the Porsches, and the 919s keep breaking in new and creative ways. Toyota may be the tortoise that can sneak it too.

I'm pretty sure the front ends are pretty tightly restricted in their design anymore. Which is sad, I miss the shovel-nosed look of older LMPs. It must be part of the aero rules to have them all look so similar, it can't be solving a problem the same way.

The359
June 10th, 2015, 07:33 AM
I think it's more down to the the shift of balance between power and aero. With the engine and fuel limitations taking away power, the teams have had to sculpt the cars more carefully. Add in the fact that everyone has started to run taller front wheels than they used to, thus raising the front fenders, and there becomes even more emphasis on cleaning up the air between the fenders.

It's not really the rules, it's just that all the teams have come to the same conclusion.

The359
June 10th, 2015, 07:55 AM
Is it just me or is the Viper wearing the tallest rear wing ever? Looks like it's above the car's roof!

Freude am Fahren
June 10th, 2015, 12:38 PM
Does the WEC app's coverage have Radio Le Mans Commentary? I'm trying to decide bwtween that and upgading my cable. As it stands, I can only watch the bits on FS1, which I think is just that last couple hours.

The359
June 10th, 2015, 01:17 PM
It appears the WEC stuff does not have Radio Le Mans for this race, as the live feed on PC does not have RLM commentary either.

I'm watching here, but obviously it costs: http://members.fiawec.com/

Alan P
June 10th, 2015, 01:49 PM
This is a very useful collection of info for the online streamer. The couch kit 2015 (http://reillybrennan.com/post/87874274460/2014-24-hours-of-le-mans-couch-kit-streaming-all)

Rare White Ape
June 10th, 2015, 01:56 PM
It's not really the rules, it's just that all the teams have come to the same conclusion.

Or one team finds something that works really well and everyone just copies it. Grand Prix racing going back to the early 1900s is like a fossil record of copied designs. Same with war machines. The MiG 29 looks like a smoother F-15 to the untrained eye.

I think in the past it has been 90% outright copying, and 10% some sort of convergent evolution. These days with huge CFD input and less wind tunnel, it might be more 80/20.

XHawkeye
June 10th, 2015, 05:55 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHICmmWWgAAlJQQ.jpg:large

Equality for diesel, (https://twitter.com/ShellMotorsport/status/608551762140798976) petrol and hybrid racers: Here's the 2014 #LM24 tech review.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHBki8WU8AAXJVW.jpg

Dome, from above great looking car (https://twitter.com/atflorio/status/608096550833790976)

XHawkeye
June 10th, 2015, 05:56 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHKLt7vXIAEDkLK.jpg:large

It's Nissan's GT-R LM (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/608702521897562112) @NISMO sparkler at #LeMans ... spectacular. @RACERmag @RoadandTrack @FIAWEC @24hoursoflemans

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHKS2UmUkAAu-hE.jpg:large

Your fastest car from #leMans FP1 (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/608710362716905472), the No. 17 @PorscheRaces 919 Hybrid of @AussieGrit @BrendonHartley @Timo_Bernhard

XHawkeye
June 10th, 2015, 05:57 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHKcElqWgAAh0O7.jpg:large

.@marcmillershow, how many pull-ups can you (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/608720503197569024) do on the @RileyTechno Viper's rear wing? Use it for rain shelter, maybe?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHKrw7TUUAAqtyz.jpg:large

No remote needed here! (https://twitter.com/CorvetteRacing/status/608737779686760448) @olivergavin #HollywoodHoye #Corvette #C7R #LM24

XHawkeye
June 10th, 2015, 06:16 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHJRllnW4AAB2Fd.jpg:large

JUST TRAFFIC!!! (https://twitter.com/f1writers/status/608640867071619072) (but red flag) RT @maxchilton Green light.

The359
June 10th, 2015, 08:01 PM
That equivilance chart is well out of date. Audi and Porsche are no longer in the same MJ allowance class they were in 2014.

Freude am Fahren
June 11th, 2015, 08:28 AM
Dome has always made great looking cars :up: When combined with that Judd V10, they were pure sex.

XHawkeye
June 11th, 2015, 04:41 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHNVkOTUgAA0yE3.jpg:large

Porsche beats records. Jani #18 posted the fastest qualifying lap of current configuration of LeMans circuit #LM24

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHNuIEYVAAAhIZ8.jpg:large

Don´t forget it´s #LeMans24 (https://twitter.com/f1writers/status/608951460815106048) week end! #DontSleepUnderPresure

The359
June 11th, 2015, 04:43 PM
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/corvettes-no-63-car-withdrawn-from-le-mans-after-accident/

Corvette No. 63 withdrawn from Le Mans, cannot be repaired on site and no spare chassis in Europe. Magnussen is OK and was released.

XHawkeye
June 11th, 2015, 04:51 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHNtOsRUUAEgaDJ.jpg:large

.@ScarbsF1 looks at the tech behind (https://twitter.com/SportscarOne/status/608950474830688258) the @PorscheRaces 919 Hybrid : http://bit.ly/1KYDcqe #LeMans

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHOduVVUkAAzbcZ.jpg:large

A few shots from yesterday (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/609003794903539712)--@nismo @FIAWEC #LeMans--full gallery here: http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/item/117832-lm24-wednesday-qualifying-gallery …

XHawkeye
June 11th, 2015, 04:52 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHPcTDXWgAA8hvu.jpg:large

The @CorvetteRacing 63 after its crash #lm24

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHQRc6QW8AEL5kC.jpg:large

Not the news we were wanting to hear. Glad Mags is OK, obviously. @RACERmag @RoadandTrack @IndyCar

XHawkeye
June 11th, 2015, 04:54 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHQRK3DXAAAEi8z.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHQRK_dWIAAuddf.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHQRK4nWsAEWdyB.jpg:large

Photographing cars on (https://twitter.com/jameypricephoto/status/609130730866786304) the Mulsanne is mental. Wow.

XHawkeye
June 11th, 2015, 04:58 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHPpk8AW0AAZYTX.jpg:large

One of the 314 @AFCorse (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/609087196210036737) Ferraris in action at #LeMans ... @RACERmag

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHQCLuwVIAAjsLQ.png:large

Inside #LeMans: How do slow zones (https://twitter.com/BaronVonClutch/status/609114351186776064) at the @24hoursoflemans work? @FIAWEC @MartinHaven @radiolemans #LM24

Kchrpm
June 11th, 2015, 05:05 PM
Sad to hear about the 63, but I'm glad Jan is OK.

XHawkeye
June 11th, 2015, 06:16 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwUVAVeHhu4

Freude am Fahren
June 11th, 2015, 06:48 PM
Kinda looks like something broke:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGChqdoMeWc

Fogelhund
June 11th, 2015, 07:48 PM
Stuck throttle.

CudaMan
June 11th, 2015, 09:33 PM
That happened twice to one Corvette at Sebring this year (I was there). The first time the driver saved the car. The second time, some laps later, it went straight into the barriers. One would think they would have solved that for LeMans. Must be a tricky issue.

The359
June 11th, 2015, 09:38 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwUVAVeHhu4

No wonder they're so off the pace if the car is dancing around that much every time they touch the brakes. Can't even blame the car this time, the other Ligier-Honda in the field is way ahead of them.

Kchrpm
June 12th, 2015, 09:03 AM
America, fuck yeah.

http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/this-is-the-ford-gt-race-car-thats-supposed-to-dominate-1710841924

Edit for pictures. Dat diffuser. I'm going to make any early guess that the intake restrictors are going to be tiny on this, it has such a high aero benefit compared to the competition.

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/1293919030890967109.jpg

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/1293919031271306053.jpg

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/1293919031377624389.jpg

The359
June 12th, 2015, 09:41 AM
Apparently the word from Corvette is that debris became lodged in the throttle linkage which caused it to stick.

Kchrpm
June 12th, 2015, 10:08 AM
Hopefully they have figured out a way to better isolate the throttle linkage in the 64, then.

CudaMan
June 12th, 2015, 12:18 PM
Linkage? I'd be surprised if they aren't running drive-by-wire.

Also, that Ford GT is being run by Ganassi, so chances are it won't suck.

Kchrpm
June 12th, 2015, 04:23 PM
Linkage? I'd be surprised if they aren't running drive-by-wire.
That's what I thought, too.

XHawkeye
June 12th, 2015, 05:27 PM
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/1293919031271306053.jpg



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHTv0PEWoAEpVR6.jpg:large

¡Exaaaaacto! (https://twitter.com/_MLR_/status/609375532476727296) "@CollaVerglas es clarísimamente un cerdo de Angry Birds"

XHawkeye
June 12th, 2015, 05:30 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHTbxICUEAAp3wN.png:large

Penalties for @NISMO after #LeMans qualifying. (https://twitter.com/SportscarOne/status/609353487722393600) They'll start 30th, 31st and 32nd: http://bit.ly/1JKhgSF

====

@SportscarOne @ScarbsF1 @NISMO @NISMO @FIAWEC @24hoursoflemans that seems slightly counterproductive, but yeah, less obstacle 2 faster guys (https://twitter.com/bosyber/status/609364223114768384)

The359
June 12th, 2015, 05:45 PM
They weren't the only cars penalized, the Kolles LMP1 and Ibanez LMP2 were also put at the back. The 71 AF Corse Ferrari was also demoted from 4th in LMGTE Pro to last.

The359
June 13th, 2015, 08:38 AM
This is not Porsche's year for GT cars. Gearbox issues took most of the GT America field out at Daytona, two factory RSRs take each other out, now random fires in the RSRs.

Blerpa
June 13th, 2015, 09:15 AM
Let's hope it's their year in LMP1, instead.
Goddamn Alburqueque's Audi was flying...

XHawkeye
June 13th, 2015, 10:58 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHYVnIzUEAEm7va.jpg:large

Now the long wait for the start shot (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/609698637375901697) @RACERmag @RoadandTrack @radiolemans @specutainment #LeMans

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHYrV7bUEAEFtp1.jpg:large

Not a Ferrari.... (https://twitter.com/AxisOfOversteer/status/609722456002142208) #LeMans24h

XHawkeye
June 13th, 2015, 11:00 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHY3sNxVAAA5c84.jpg:large

Sure. Let's go three wide. (https://twitter.com/BaronVonClutch/status/609736035635867648) #LM24 @CorvetteRacing @AMR_Official @FerrariRaces

=====

The record race distance in LM is 397 laps, (https://twitter.com/F1StatMan/status/609721979612966914) 5410.71km by Audi, a greater distance than Lewis Hamilton managed in races in 2014 (5308.593km)

=====

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHY6NxyXAAE_VvU.jpg:large

Scott Sharp around at Tertre Rouge (https://twitter.com/Mattzel89/status/609738809006272513) #lm24 #LeMans

XHawkeye
June 13th, 2015, 11:02 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHZEt9AUYAIb_n8.png:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHZEyH2UYAAXB1A.png:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHZE0GsUcAA8FNE.png:large

Crash for the number eight Audi! http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/live/wec/ #lemans

XHawkeye
June 13th, 2015, 11:04 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHZJTdsUcAA5c7U.jpg:large

A streak of badass LMP1-Hybrids (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/609755399210856449) early in the 2015 @24hoursoflemans @RACERmag @RoadandTrack @specutainment #LeMans

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHZKxXqUMAAfnY2.jpg:large

Race start for the 2015 @24hoursoflemans (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/609757012608598017) @RACERmag @RoadandTrack @specutainment @radiolemans #LeMans @jpmontoya

XHawkeye
June 13th, 2015, 11:05 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHZL0MvUcAE7Uft.jpg:large

Attack of the @AMR_Official V8 Vantages at the @24hoursoflemans @RACERmag @RoadandTrack #LeMans #LM24 @specutainment

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHZPvPhVAAAtEEc.jpg:large

Thrilling fight for the overall lead in the first few hours. (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/609762474456449025) @Audi...taking the fight to @PorscheRaces...brilliant.

XHawkeye
June 13th, 2015, 11:07 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHZQtpdWEAE0qaX.jpg:large

That moment when @PatrickDempsey (https://twitter.com/AxisOfOversteer/status/609763545811517441) led the #LeMans24h .....sort of :)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHZav5WWEAA79jf.jpg:large

First time I've seen that on exit of the Ford chicanes (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/609774579247149056) w/o climbing the curbs. @RACERmag @FIAWEC @NISMO #LeMans

====

@marshallpruett @RACERmag @FIAWEC @NISMO that good or bad?

@SkottyBell @RACERmag @FIAWEC @NISMO I'll explain it in my post-LM24 Rewind column. Not optimal.

Freude am Fahren
June 13th, 2015, 11:34 AM
So with DISH not getting access to Fox Sports Go, I've found a free stream (www.henno.info), muted it, and listening to Radio Le Mans after getting the audio synced up to video timing via some pausing trial and error. BTW< that does have english commentary if you don't want to bother with two streams at once, and syncing up and such.

Anyone know of a free stream with audio, but no commentary. That would be perfect.

Blerpa
June 13th, 2015, 04:27 PM
Thanks for the link: henno+Chromecast = win.

1268

Freude am Fahren
June 13th, 2015, 05:03 PM
It crapped out on me earlier. So I paid the 9.99 for the official stream after futile attempts at finding an alternative. I guess it's back up? My luck! The official stream video quality is shit on my laptop.

If you saw that Ferrari go up in flames just now, notice the crew member chatting with the driver in the car when it happens. They don't seem to notice until the extinguishers engulf the car, at which point the crew member promptly closes the door and runs away, leaving the driver to roast. About 5-10 seconds later he (or another) comes and gets him out. :lol:

The359
June 13th, 2015, 05:11 PM
Is it the fiawec.com broadcast you paid for?

Freude am Fahren
June 13th, 2015, 05:14 PM
Yeah. The upside is it's only a click away on my phone/ipad/pc, all of which I'll be using to watch since I'm working. At least on my laptop here at work, it's going back and forth between HD and something less than HD. But it's solid. The Henno, for me, is very glitchy.

Also, John Hindaughs back, and it feels good. His voice just makes me happy. Probably because it reminds me of being at the Sebring/Petit.

The359
June 13th, 2015, 05:34 PM
Yeah, fiawec.com on PC has been ebbing and flowing on quality, but it's been fairly solid without any blackouts thus far. The live text and timing and scoring helps too.

XHawkeye
June 13th, 2015, 06:03 PM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHZ11YZUAAEmHSG.jpg:large

Oh you merciless interwebs... :) (https://twitter.com/AxisOfOversteer/status/609804360210583552) #LeMans24h

Freude am Fahren
June 14th, 2015, 04:19 AM
Big crash for the class leading (dominating) Aston Martin in the Ford Chicane. Looks like another stuck throttle, or maybe complete brake failure to me. Third year in a row Aston has lost the race in the final hour? Dempsey now in 2nd in class.

XHawkeye
June 14th, 2015, 04:32 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHb9TyjWoAAQFvb.jpg:large

We speak to @chrishoy about the learning experiences of racing in our Le Mans live blog http://www.evo.co.uk/on-the-right-track/16136/le-mans-live-evo-brings-you-everything-from-the-most-exciting-endurance-race-this …


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6abezcDG2c

Here is the Aston Martin shunt if you missed it. Thankfully news on Goethe seems positive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6abezcDG2c …

XHawkeye
June 14th, 2015, 04:35 AM
https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/609994156715458560https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHcW91kXAAAvkCB.jpg:large

Tras 18 horas de carrera (https://twitter.com/Albrodpul/status/609981540433592320), la lucha por el liderato en GTE-Pro está separado por esto. #LM24

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHcicpqWoAAEX19.jpg:large

Back from Tertre Rouge and ready for@my final @radiolemans stint.

XHawkeye
June 14th, 2015, 04:39 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHcr8KIUMAAvd-n.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHcr8LWUwAAw76Z.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHcr8NBUsAAjhSB.jpg:large

Good morning #Leman #LM24 #lemans #LeMans24h (https://twitter.com/shivyF1/status/610004589178417152)

XHawkeye
June 14th, 2015, 04:46 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHc6b5RWUAAZJeg.jpg:large

Demasiado Rock and Roll RT (https://twitter.com/f1writers/status/610023634799861760) @SanchezdeCastro La enésima salida del Ligier decorado con Rolling Stones #LM24

=====

With 2 hours left, if the #19 (https://twitter.com/thebuxtonblog/status/610039822774833152) does this the emotions are going to be enormous. Each of those three drivers has an incredible story.

For Tandy, remembrance of brother Joe (https://twitter.com/thebuxtonblog/status/610040561043664896). For Bamber, redemption from almost career ending DUI. For Hulkenberg, affirmation of wasted talent.

XHawkeye
June 14th, 2015, 04:48 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHdPAYBW8AAiwhb.jpg:large

Va bien el Chevrolete Corvette C7R (https://twitter.com/f1writers/status/610043267527364608) ehh Magnussen padre?? A qué sí? #GTEPro #LM24

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHdKhWtVEAARfbM.jpg:large

Great thrash and teamwork to get new gear cluster (https://twitter.com/ViperExchange/status/610038535542964224) in and @jbleekemolen out and back in the @24hoursoflemans. #Finish

We've lost 1st and 2nd gear, (https://twitter.com/jbleekemolen/status/610012271411097600) so will just try to bring it home. We won't give up but I would have loved to fight for the podium!

The359
June 14th, 2015, 05:46 AM
Good job to "Not Another Audi" for winning LM, even though its not quite the "Not Another Audi" I would have preferred.

Absolutely annoyed that Aston Martin did everything in their power to throw away victories again.

XHawkeye
June 14th, 2015, 06:13 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHdnlLgWwAA2nhk.jpg:large

CHEQUERED FLAG! (https://twitter.com/f1writers/status/610070163103346688) Porche #17 and #19

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHdohPIUcAAVpCm.jpg:large

Waiting for the winner #LeMans (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/610071275940134912)

XHawkeye
June 14th, 2015, 06:15 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHdvwt-XAAAid4e.jpg:large

#LeMans #LM24 PODIUM LMP1 2015 (https://twitter.com/f1writers/status/610079157503004672)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHd0MZQVAAAR_9T.jpg:large

Congrats to my man @NickTandyR (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/610084032445976576), Kiwi supreme @earlbamber, @NicoHulkenberg+@PorscheRaces on an amazing win @ #LeMans

XHawkeye
June 14th, 2015, 06:16 AM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHd11t2UcAA3Qiu.jpg:large

The raw joy on the #LeMans (https://twitter.com/marshallpruett/status/610085841797447680) podium makes all the effort worth it. @RACERmag @NickTandyR @earlbamber @NicoHulkenberg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHdz_drWoAAMQUf.jpg:large

12 breathtaking photos (https://twitter.com/ForTheWin/status/610083810525454336) from the 24 Hours of Le Mans - http://usat.ly/1L82nGZ