[LM24] Sub 3:21.209 Le Mans Pole?

[Splendid Cat]

Accepting resurfacing and reprofiling means that a true like for like comparison can't be had, will Alliot's "avec chicane" benchmark of 1992 be beaten this year?

HTTT Audi times say that it may well be.

[Zytek_Fan]

The regulations this year are meant to keep that from happening, but it still could.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Zytek_Fan

The regulations this year are meant to keep that from happening, but it still could.

Not only that but onboard GPS systems and predictive lap timing computer equipment would tell the drivers and team managers on what time they are running to stay under the ACOs time restraints for each class.

[GTfour]

I thought these restrains only applied for the race,not qualifying?

[pirenzo]

Well, at any time during the event I suppose. What is the point of driving slower during the race just to keep the ACO happy? The ACO will look at the times and make performance restrictions next year.

I personally don't think they will beat Alliot's time, but I haven't been keeping track of things at Paul Ricard.

[broadrun96]

If it did happen I would expect the Pugs to push it and Audi to respond in practice sessions but not in qualifying. Too much at stake with performance adjustments for next year but one flying lap in practice may not change too much.

[AU N EGL]

Qualifing is the best ONE lap, the race is 24 hours. So does it really matter?

[JAG]

The 'limit' is for the actual race, on a consistent basis, i.e. a full stint ruunning under, well under, 3.30.

Last year the diesels were running between 3.28-3.32, with the odd flyer dipping into the 26/27's.

Still the ACO, rather than restricting them, gave an across the board 25kg P1 weight reduction, potentially improving the speed of the diesels, regardless of development. You can't say there wa an ulterier motive to guarantee a French victory, Audi are running a diese,l while there's no factory petrol P1 competition yet.

I reckon we'll see a similar situation to the factory GT1 cars for the last few years, they'll put in a bancker qualifying lap that isn't too outragous, then concentrate on running a quick, coinsistent, race pace not too far off 3.30.

The petrol P1's on the other hand will need to run flat out to keep within touching distance.

If the diesel teams are clever, and following recent examples in GT1, in '09 they could well get away with only a 5% restrictor cut and 25kg ballast, plus, for example, an across the board smaller wing/splitter, for all P1's.

In other words, with development, they'll continue to run around their current '08 pace, just as factory GT1 cars have done after restrictions, and recently the RS Spyder, despite a 5% restrictor cut and hefty 50kg ballast.

This will take us through to 2010/11, when the all new coupes should be coming on stream, and everyone starts the development from scratch once again.

[Splendid Cat]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Qualifing is the best ONE lap, the race is 24 hours. So does it really matter?

Porsche, Jaguar (XJR14), Peugeot, Toyota, Audi, Bentley, Mercedes have all thought it matters in recent times.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Splendid Cat

Porsche, Jaguar (XJR14), Peugeot, Toyota, Audi, Bentley, Mercedes have all thought it matters in recent times.

ah I guess so. Great Marketing. "We qualifed first" or "We Out qualified the Worlds Best sports cars" yaddah yaddah yaddah