ILMC/ALMS Round 1 - Sebring - 13-19 March 2011

[Dunlop Corner]

It would be interesting to see the stint times rather than just the overall time in the last hours. My impression is that Montagny was faster but the reason Peugout lost was because of an atrocius performance from Lamy. He spun on his outlap and his pace never got anywere. At times he was losing 5 seconds a lap for severel laps in a row. I would not be surprised if the stint performed by Lamy was around 40 seconds slower than what Montagny or Sarrazin would have managed.

To anyone watching the race there was no question the new 908 was the class of the field. Not by huge margins as previously, but still the best car. I really think ACO is smart enough not to beleive that the HPD is a more capable car than the 908 despite the Sebring result.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Dunlop Corner

I really think ACO is smart enough not to beleive that the HPD is a more capable car than the 908 despite the Sebring result.

it is not so much important what the ACO believes, as well what arguments can be brought forward to once again have to do rebalancing. For the time being the diesels did not run away as in previous years, so the fact that the HPD was there and competitive (well almost) is a blessing for the ACO. For now they may not have to worry about new claims that once again the regulations favour diesel engines.

[davehenrie]

Originally Posted by henk4

it is not so much important what the ACO believes, as well what arguments can be brought forward to once again have to do rebalancing. For the time being the diesels did not run away as in previous years, so the fact that the HPD was there and competitive (well almost) is a blessing for the ACO. For now they may not have to worry about new claims that once again the regulations favour diesel engines.

After the first lap or two, did you see the HPD in same camera shot as the leaders? No, despite Brabs setting the car's fastest lap in the first stint, they fell off once the race settled down. They did seem to equalize the other petrols though, the Muscle Milk AMR could only tail the Dyson Mazda for most of the first stint. I wonder if the race had more green flag running if the HPD could have remained on the lead lap.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by arakis

will the race be archived on the americanlemans.com for us non us viewers

Yes, but there was a technical problem with the Sebring video which is causing a bit of a delay. But they said all the other races will be up the day after the race.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by davehenrie

After the first lap or two, did you see the HPD in same camera shot as the leaders? No, despite Brabs setting the car's fastest lap in the first stint, they fell off once the race settled down. They did seem to equalize the other petrols though, the Muscle Milk AMR could only tail the Dyson Mazda for most of the first stint. I wonder if the race had more green flag running if the HPD could have remained on the lead lap.

well, the answer is quite simple, I only started watching after about 6 hours
I do remember seeing the HPD being overtaken on track by a 908 in the later stage of the race, but I can't remember whether it was a new or the old car.

[wheelz22]

Can anyone suggest a site that has good (and many) photos posted of the action from the weekend ? Motorsport.com is not as 'thorough' as it used to be. Thanks

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by wheelz22

Can anyone suggest a site that has good (and many) photos posted of the action from the weekend ? Motorsport.com is not as 'thorough' as it used to be. Thanks

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...?page=691&np=0

[arakis]

Originally Posted by joeb

Yes, but there was a technical problem with the Sebring video which is causing a bit of a delay. But they said all the other races will be up the day after the race.

yeah the problm being, not eough spac eon the server for the 12h coverage,

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by arakis

yeah the problm being, not eough spac eon the server for the 12h coverage,

Not true.

The replay will be up tomorrow.

[arakis]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Not true.

The replay will be up tomorrow.

I was just teasing

[racerkeke]

Originally Posted by henk4

last year's Sebring pole time was 1.45.2, this year 1.46.5. (both times 908s and I have not checked the weather differences if any).

The qualifying times were likely affected by the weather, as you surmise. Last year's qualifying was done in much cooler, and possibly breezier, conditions. The cars seemed slower this year in the "transition points" where the concrete met asphalt, like the exit of T1, and the marbling was worse.
keke

[arakis]

I did some number crounching for the gte-pro class, here are the average bestlaps for the best cars of a singe model.
BMW 55..........122.47512903225808
Corvette 04..........122.60575806451615 +0.106%
Ferrari 430 51..........122.80208064516133 +0.267%
Ferrari 458 002..........123.00092592592588 +0.429%
PORSCHE 45..........123,501 +0.838%

the calculation was done using ACOs metod, here it is

In order to maintain the gap between the different model of cars
within a range of 0.5% of lap times, the ACO will keep the
possibility to adjust the performance of the LMGTE as follows:
• The reference will be the calculation of the fastest
average lap time of the fastest car for each model and
for each year of the homologation (model homologated
in 2010, evolution of the model in 2011, etc.). The
same model of car with the same specification (same
model of the year) must use the same adjustment of
performance.
• The fastest average lap time will be calculated using the
number of laps which corresponds to 20% of the race
distance.

the calculation was done using the imsa oficial laptimes, the crounching by a self developed app.

[gwyllion]

Some nice pictures of the race by David Lister: http://www.doubledeclutch.com/?p=913

[henk4]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

Some nice pictures of the race by David Lister: http://www.doubledeclutch.com/?p=913

Dave's one of the best and it shows. (He shoots for BMW)

[vlad1977]

It seemed to me that the 908 was the fastest car of all. It was clear at the start and after every new green flag that they were pulling away from the competition. They had a good lead over Oreca and HPD before the last yellow flag. After that, they lost because of the nose change, Lamy's mistake and traffic (including Audi).
It is also true that in the last hours Audi seemed faster than in the begining. I got the impression that Peugeot were up to speed faster than the Audis at the start and after every new green flag, maybe because the tires were up to temperature quicker.
I have only one important question after Sebring:
How fast will the 908 be at Le mans, comapred to the R18?
I think the 908 and the R18 will be similar in aerodinamic performance, and the main diference will come from the engine, maybe including fuel consumption.
Somehow i feel that a diesel V8 (908) produces more power than a V6 (R18) of the same size, but I would love to hear a specialists opinion.
Based on that, i hope the 908 will win and get a revenge for last year.

[carsten66]

Originally Posted by wheelz22

Can anyone suggest a site that has good (and many) photos posted of the action from the weekend ? Motorsport.com is not as 'thorough' as it used to be. Thanks

http://www.planetlemans.com/2011/03/...ing-on-camera/

[davehenrie]

Originally Posted by henk4

Dave's one of the best and it shows. (He shoots for BMW)

Why THAN.....errr nevermind.....

[arakis]

BTW, porsches average best lap is 1.2 seconds slower then its last years avverage best lap....

[ubrben]

The track was definitely slower than last year. It was hotter, and they put more sealer down to fill crack in T7 and T17 amongst others.

Plus GTE cars have larger gurney's

Overall the LMP1 pace should be slower as that was the goal of the regs - I can't see it making a big difference on high (ish) downforce tracks, which I would class Sebring as for LMP1.

Ben

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by arakis

BTW, porsches average best lap is 1.2 seconds slower then its last years avverage best lap....

Porsche was slow - but #45 was also suffering electrical issues caused from Bergmiesters's leaking cool suit.

[Tom V]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Not true.

The replay will be up tomorrow.

And how do you know this? I've emailed their website twice already asking if and when a replay off the entire race will be available, never got a reply.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Tom V

And how do you know this? I've emailed their website twice already asking if and when a replay off the entire race will be available, never got a reply.

I asked. They responded.

[NightStalk3r]

Highlights for NGT Motorsport

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gE-OHbmppI

[Guardian]

Originally Posted by NightStalk3r

Highlights for NGT Motorsport

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gE-OHbmppI

Nice video

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by NightStalk3r

Highlights for NGT Motorsport

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gE-OHbmppI

Now that is a highlight show! Really good job!