[LM24] OFFICIAL 2013 LE MANS ENTRY LIST

[Aysedasi]

I thought they could run with just 2?

[GT6]

I am sure the regulations state 3 drivers must be used, with maximum times but no minumum, but three drivers must be used in order to be classified

[nobster]

Originally Posted by GT6

I am sure the regulations state 3 drivers must be used, with maximum times but no minumum, but three drivers must be used in order to be classified

a few years ago, Charles Zwolsman and Andre Lotterer drove a Kolles Audi from start to finish with no third driver as he got injured jumping of the pitwall just before the start.

[morningview66]

They definitely used to do it up until the mid-80s and probably way afterwards for some of the smaller teams. But i cant remember anyone doing it in recent years apart from in exceptional circumstances.

Is it even feasible within the allowed driving time rules?

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by morningview66

They definitely used to do it up until the mid-80s and probably way afterwards for some of the smaller teams. But i cant remember anyone doing it in recent years apart from in exceptional circumstances.

Is it even feasible within the allowed driving time rules?

Barely, they would have to split the driving time evenly (the maximum time per driver over a full race is 14 hours).

[Mike E]

It tells us so much but ends so many fun arguments. 2 drivers permitted.

From the Sporting Regs:
The composition of the definitive crew (3 drivers maximum) must be sent to the Promoter at least 15 days before the start (opening of the administrative checks) of each Event, on pain of paying a fine of 1000 € to the FIA for each driver not designated. Any modification to a crew is prohibited after the end of the administrative checks, except in cases of force majeure acknowledged as such by the Panel of Stewards.


For the LMP2 category only: the rule governing the composition of the crews derives from the categorisations of the drivers: a crew of 2 or 3 drivers must include at least one Silver or Bronze driver.


For the LMGTE Am category only, the rule governing the composition of the crews derives from the categorisations of the drivers: a crew of 2 or 3 drivers must include at most one Gold or Platinum driver.


For the LMP1 category only, Bronze drivers are not admitted.


For the LMGTE Pro category, the composition of the crews is free.

[vincegail]

Can't see such a high-level team try to 'safe' money that way and thereby jeopardise the safety of its drivers and other contestants by depriving them of the necessary rest.

They either have:
-no driver at all yet and are searching still/negotiating still
-a very high profile one and are waiting for the right PR-moment to announce his name

All will be revealed soon I reckon.

[vincegail]

@Mike E:
is that for WEC races only or for Le Mans too? Because some of the rules are different regarding Le Mans.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by vincegail

@Mike E:
is that for WEC races only or for Le Mans too? Because some of the rules are different regarding Le Mans.

Seems to be both.

LM supplementary regs say:
43.A: Drivers’ categorization & 43.B: Composition of the crews:
Refer to Sporting Regulations of the 2013 FIA World Endurance
Championship (Article 43.A.b and 43.A.c and 43.B).

[Gingers4Justice]

Interesting on the official entry list that the first driver column is entitled "designated driver".

http://www.24h-lemans.com/wpphpFichi...-mans-2013.pdf

I suppose it's only fitting that on the 60th anniversary of Jaguar's drunk-drive win, the ACO finally recognises it's a good idea for at least one driver to remain sober for the entirety of the race.

[GT6]

i would love to see the french plod pull one over on the mulsanne and ask them to blow into a bag

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by GT6

i would love to see the french plod pull one over on the mulsanne and ask them to blow into a bag

Didn't they breathalyze Dumbreck after his aerobatics in the Merc in the '99 race?

[Muppetdave901]

I can't remember the exact stipulation, but I'm sure there's something along the lines of all three must undertake the quali process to enable the car to race, but then if a driver subsequently pulls out prior to the race they can go ahead with the two as per Lotterer et al. I'm certain qualifying was a really key part, as in that say that driver fell and hurt himself, they can bring in the reserve driver, but he couldn't necessarily then be a replacement in the example given.

[Mechanic Z]

I would think that they would run three drivers, in case something happened to one during the race.
The #73 Corvette ran most of the 2011 race with two drivers, because Beretta got sick in the middle of it.

[Richard117]

Just an idea about the 3th #51 driver that crossed my mind, maybe it's a big star like Valentino Rossi. A name they want to give a big announcment or as a surprise at test day.

[kurski]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Looks realistically like that opportunity came and went.

how he would not be able to get Bruni/Fisichella carbase?

Originally Posted by Simmi

Didn't reports in Norway say Petter Solberg also had a seat for the race?

I have not heard this rumors.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Richard117

Just an idea about the 3th #51 driver that crossed my mind, maybe it's a big star like Valentino Rossi. A name they want to give a big announcment or as a surprise at test day.

Surely The Doctor could conquer Le Mans? He was amazing in the Blancpain race so whose to say he wouldn't be the star driver of the team?

I think you're right - someone who will cause a lot of hubbub will be the 3rd driver. I simply can't imagine there only being two.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Beetle

Surely The Doctor could conquer Le Mans? He was amazing in the Blancpain race so whose to say he wouldn't be the star driver of the team?

I think you're right - someone who will cause a lot of hubbub will be the 3rd driver. I simply can't imagine there only being two.

Nah, car #46 is already taken and it isn't a Ferrari.

[Simmi]

It's a fair point - when was the last time Rossi ran a car/bike in any form that wasn't the #46?

When he used to do WRC rounds whoever had the number used to be made to give it up for Rossi.

[wewantourdarbyback]

He'd bring some lucrative Monster sponsorship.

[morningview66]

Good bit of information from endurance info on driver categorisations.

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...nce-18358.html

Hopefully this should clear up some of the confusion as to what puts a driver in which category.
It also has a handy list of what each drivers is categorised as for the LM24.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by morningview66

Good bit of information from endurance info on driver categorisations.

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...nce-18358.html

Hopefully this should clear up some of the confusion as to what puts a driver in which category.
It also has a handy list of what each drivers is categorised as for the LM24.

Indeed. Thank you.

[Simmi]

One for next year - the Heyer name will likely return to Le Mans with Kenneth Heyer.

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...nce-18361.html

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Simmi

One for next year - the Heyer name will likely return to Le Mans with Kenneth Heyer.

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...nce-18361.html

That's interesting. Still nothing on the AF Corse side of things, though. Surely within the next week we'll hear of something. Maybe I'll try to reach Bruni on Twitter and get something out of him.

[Beetle]

NASCAR president Jim France will give the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...cus-18365.html

The doomsday era of NASCAR domination over sportscars is looming in the distance.