Le Mans Series 2009 - Page 64

isynge · 11 Apr 2009, 23:09 (Ref:2439039)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Hmm, rather curious that it is a week after the opening round of the season and no one is talking about the fuel issue which clearly affects a full third of the P-2 class.

I think we're all just depressed by it. It makes for an absolute farce of the class and means that despite having a fantastically varied entry with predominantly a high quality about it we're not seeing the races we should. With the relatively developed packages that are around at the moment the race come June could be superb, instead the fuel issue makes it so much more likely we'll see the sort of disappointing attrition battle we've seen in the past.

Bearing this in mind, I'm comparatively surprised that nobody's gone for a Lola-Zytek package this year.

Lola T70 · 12 Apr 2009, 11:20 (Ref:2439220)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Hmm, rather curious that it is a week after the opening round of the season and no one is talking about the fuel issue which clearly affects a full third of the P-2 class.

L.P.

Sorry Horndawg, missed it, what Fuel issue is that?

isynge · 12 Apr 2009, 12:32 (Ref:2439261)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lola T70

Sorry Horndawg, missed it, what Fuel issue is that?

A lot of the teams in LMP2 have complained about the quality of the fuel supplied, especially those running turbo engines. The only way they can make the fuel work and their engines last is to back off the boost considerably, which puts them at a real disadvantage to the normally aspirated cars.

I don't know if it's been confirmed yet, but there were certainly suspicions that RML's engine failure at Barcelona was down to fuel issues.

This issue cropped up last year, and by all accounts the situation this year is, if anything, even worse.

Lola T70 · 12 Apr 2009, 13:36 (Ref:2439282)

Oh dear.

The Badger · 20 Apr 2009, 03:24 (Ref:2445148)

Barbosa in an EasyRace Fiat and 2 in GT1 for Spa , and the apearance of the Horag RS Spyder with a supposedly retired Theys !!!

How strange does this get ..... no R15 and 2 Pugs too .

rich07 · 20 Apr 2009, 03:49 (Ref:2445158)

Interested to know why Barbosa parted ways with Pescarolo to race in GT2.

The Badger · 20 Apr 2009, 04:48 (Ref:2445178)

No Poulsen RS Spyder , yet either !!! .... Brabs & Pagenaud in at Pug .

The Badger · 20 Apr 2009, 10:54 (Ref:2445369)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

Barbosa in an EasyRace Fiat and 2 in GT1 for Spa , and the apearance of the Horag RS Spyder with a supposedly retired Theys

Amazing how an entry list can change in 8 hours !!!

The Horag RS Spyder with Theys has magically changed into the Poulsen car , Gt1 is back to 4 cars with an Aston , great news and no mention of Barbosa in a Fiat either !!!

Whoever wrote the original list I saw definatly deserves journalist of the year

AstonGeoff · 20 Apr 2009, 11:58 (Ref:2445436)

It seems like the cancellation of the LM Test Day is to the benefit of the Spa 1000k's to some degree! The Pugs are getting some mileage in for new drivers, and the Aston is also there to give it and it's drivers some mileage. Same for the Spyder I guess.

Lets hope Joao Barbosa gets a proper prototype drive for Spa and LM, I reckon he's quick and reliable enough to grace any top team.

Speedblood · 20 Apr 2009, 20:45 (Ref:2445851)

51 cars so far for spa

My first racing experience abroad is gonna be a good one I hope

Marcel ten Caat · 20 Apr 2009, 21:20 (Ref:2445877)

Guys the initial list shown on the LMS site (and as it was discussed in an article on E-I) was nothing more than the list of the full season entries minus the ones that were already taken off way before the Barcelona round and plus the two Peugeots.

Right now the list is better...even though there are some cars that were expected missing while others are on the list but not sure to be there.

dxk1 · 21 Apr 2009, 18:48 (Ref:2446502)

ACO have down adjusted diesel engined cars again based on performance at Sebring and Catalunya? This is to take effect from Spa on including Le Mans. See here:

http://www.lemans.org/sport/sport/ac...__3871_gb.html

Sebring I can understand, but Catalunya? What diesel ran well there?

DK

supermario21 · 21 Apr 2009, 18:53 (Ref:2446508)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxk1

ACO have down adjusted diesel engined cars again based on performance at Sebring and Catalunya? This is to take effect from Spa on including Le Mans. See here:

http://www.lemans.org/sport/sport/ac...__3871_gb.html

Sebring I can understand, but Catalunya? What diesel ran well there?

DK

Dr. Kolles must be killing himself. First off, a rather disappointing performance at Barcelona, now this. They really need to step it up or they could wind up the way of Swiss Spirit-benched.

sceptic · 21 Apr 2009, 20:33 (Ref:2446571)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxk1

Catalunya? What diesel ran well there?

The one that was sandbagging?

Thumper · 21 Apr 2009, 21:58 (Ref:2446614)

Quote:

Originally Posted by isynge

A lot of the teams in LMP2 have complained about the quality of the fuel supplied, especially those running turbo engines. The only way they can make the fuel work and their engines last is to back off the boost considerably, which puts them at a real disadvantage to the normally aspirated cars.

I don't know if it's been confirmed yet, but there were certainly suspicions that RML's engine failure at Barcelona was down to fuel issues.

This issue cropped up last year, and by all accounts the situation this year is, if anything, even worse.

RML's official press release confirmed that the engine failure at Barcelona was down to the fuel, and alluded to the problems that resulted in last year's Lola blowing two engines in the pre-season test at Paul Ricard, and then having to run the whole of the rest of 2008 with the engine de-tuned.

Assurances given last year that the situation would be addressed before the start of this year have, apparently, not been met, and initial tests are reputed to show that the incompatibility between the bio-fuel formulation and the turbocharged engines is actually worse, not better, in 2009. According to a report on DSC, Radical voiced concerns before the Barcelona race, although their AER-powered car provided the best result for any turbocharged entry in Round 1. However, shortly after the event KSM's engine failure was also being blamed on the fuel, although I've not seen confirmation of that since.

The bottom line last year was that the normally-aspirated P2 cars had roughly 50 bhp over the turbo-engined entries, and anyone who watched the likes of RML's Lola struggling to keep pace with GT cars down the straights must have been able to appreciate the problem. Hopefully, now that the issue is "out in the open", something will be done.

**joeb** · 22 Apr 2009, 00:42 (Ref:2446693)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumper

RML's official press release confirmed that the engine failure at Barcelona was down to the fuel, and alluded to the problems that resulted in last year's Lola blowing two engines in the pre-season test at Paul Ricard, and then having to run the whole of the rest of 2008 with the engine de-tuned.

Assurances given last year that the situation would be addressed before the start of this year have, apparently, not been met, and initial tests are reputed to show that the incompatibility between the bio-fuel formulation and the turbocharged engines is actually worse, not better, in 2009. According to a report on DSC, Radical voiced concerns before the Barcelona race, although their AER-powered car provided the best result for any turbocharged entry in Round 1. However, shortly after the event KSM's engine failure was also being blamed on the fuel, although I've not seen confirmation of that since.

The bottom line last year was that the normally-aspirated P2 cars had roughly 50 bhp over the turbo-engined entries, and anyone who watched the likes of RML's Lola struggling to keep pace with GT cars down the straights must have been able to appreciate the problem. Hopefully, now that the issue is "out in the open", something will be done.

I wonder how different the LMS fuel is from the ALMS. I haven't heard any of the same problems occurring on this side of the pond and teams have been running AER Turbo's for a few years (in both P classes).

Félix · 22 Apr 2009, 13:58 (Ref:2447018)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

I wonder how different the LMS fuel is from the ALMS. I haven't heard any of the same problems occurring on this side of the pond and teams have been running AER Turbo's for a few years (in both P classes).

Well the current AER car is BP-sponsored, so I hope it does not struggle with fuel

CTD · 22 Apr 2009, 14:21 (Ref:2447035)

Isn't the American fuel added with Ethanol?.

**joeb** · 22 Apr 2009, 16:17 (Ref:2447109)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTD

Isn't the American fuel added with Ethanol?.

Yes, 10% Ethanol for all petrol, except when they have E85 (team choice)

HORNDAWG · 22 Apr 2009, 19:38 (Ref:2447266)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Félix

Well the current AER car is BP-sponsored, so I hope it does not struggle with fuel

Who the car is sponsored by has nothing to do with the fuel used.

L.P.

The Badger · 25 Apr 2009, 19:05 (Ref:2449432)

Interesting to see Barbosa's name on the car under Jouanny's name . Happy for him .

AstonGeoff · 25 Apr 2009, 20:22 (Ref:2449468)

Great news indeed, especially as the 2nd Pesca is supposed to have the 2009 updates now.

Marcel ten Caat · 25 Apr 2009, 20:29 (Ref:2449471)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

Interesting to see Barbosa's name on the car under Jouanny's name . Happy for him .

Jouanny is the only guy testing at the Bugatti track in that car, names are just unchanged.

Same thing at let's say Speedy Racing Team Sebah where Fässler is mentioned and Jani isn't.

The Badger · 26 Apr 2009, 14:13 (Ref:2449910)

See this !!!

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...i_Lola_Acc.jpg

The Real DMN · 26 Apr 2009, 15:05 (Ref:2449970)

Hope the tub isn't damaged.....

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