LMS Rnd 5: Silverstone 1000km 14-16 Sep 2007

[SebringMG]

This only reinforces my opinion that the P1 privateers are not doing very good jobs when P2 cars are quicker on what should be a circuit that favours the P1s.

Only Charouz are doing a good job - i don't know if it is chassis, engine, drivers or just a general inability to set the cars up!! Henri especially will be disgusted with that effort!!

[Tom908V12]

Sum-up of the qualifying times

http://www.lemans-series.com/results...one/lmsent.pdf


Not what we can call a very good start from Pescarolo cars though


Very good pace from the Lola-Charouz and the best LMP2s LNT Zytek and MG Lola...

Courage did quite well too and I guess drivers have been motivated by their bright future with ORECA

[isynge]

Originally Posted by Tom908V12

Sum-up of the qualifying times

http://www.lemans-series.com/results...one/lmsent.pdf


Not what we can call a very good start from Pescarolo cars though


Very good pace from the Lola-Charouz and the best LMP2s LNT Zytek and MG Lola...

Courage did quite well too and I guess drivers have been motivated by their bright future with ORECA

I wouldn't shrug so much at the Pescarolos. Thye've seldom been the fastest petrol LMP1s in qualification this year, but I'll be interested to see where they are at the end of lap 1 and after 1000 km. Henri's built a well sorted race car optimised for La Sarthe, he's also got the professional organisation that would have me surprised if he wasn't on the podium this time tomorrow.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Anyway, it is pretty quick, but not that quick.

Charouz well up on the other Petrol P1 runners. Should be a good race. Any live streaming for this?

Which only goes to show the other P1 runners need to gain another couple of seconds before they complain about diesels, they are FAR from making the best of their package making it exceptionally difficult for the ACO.


The Pescarolos in particular appear far too optimised for Le Mans at the expense of regular circuits.

[jaysalv]

fancy a bet then i say chorouz on podium

[Osella]

are they on the GP circuit?

[dazbaz_99]

Yep

[Zytek_Fan]

Jesus, the LNT Zytek is fast

[pirenzo]

Originally Posted by JAG

Which only goes to show the other P1 runners need to gain another couple of seconds before they complain about diesels, they are FAR from making the best of their package making it exceptionally difficult for the ACO.

I agree with you there, but you'e got to question whether the privateers will ever be able to muster those few seconds. Probably not. In the interests of racing at some point you've got to accept giving the privateers an advantage in absolute performance terms so that they may compete against the manufacturer teams like Peugeot.
While I'm not all that keen on the proposed 2010 ACO rules (I'm not with those who think they're gonna look anything like as functional as the concept Lolas, Zyteks et al) they do have the advantage that in some senses the diesel-petrol comparison will become a moot point since all the P1 cars will be diesel and all the privateers should (if all goes the ACOs way) be competing among themselves in the P2 class.

There has been some improvement of course, I think the privateer Lolas and Zyteks are about on a par with the fastest the R8s ever managed at Silverstone and a whole three seconds faster than the fastest qualifiers in the ALMS round in 2000, so they are catching slowly but really they'll never have the resources to match the Peugeots on any level let alone in the engine department.

[JAG]

Charouz have maximised their car at every round, I expect Oreca-Courage will do the same.

Creation should be up their but after losing Minnasian, selling customer cars and the 2008 AIM car, they appear to have lost their focus.

Too many cars have pay drivers and lack testing miles, maybe next year the top privateer P1's will up their game or move to P2.

Dyson in the ALMS proved it is possible to close the gap on manufacturers each season, if the resources are there.

As the series grows, so will the caliber of teams, maybe Vitaphone will replace Lavaggi?

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by JAG

As the series grows, so will the caliber of teams, maybe Vitaphone will replace Lavaggi?

What about Vitaphone Jag ..... did you hear something .

Hope all you folks have a good race

[Bentley03]

Beautiful morning, the weather's set fine. There'll be no repeat of 2005!

We're on our way. Really looking forward to this!

Safe journey everyone!

[littleman]

In the morning warm up Danny Watts has lapped the LNT Zytec on the same pace as the Peugeots! Wonder if they can do that for the entire race?!

[The Badger]

Now , wouldnt that be something !!!

I can see LNT wanting to keep that little car . Whats the chances of a 2 car team for 2008 ?

[Dani Filth]

it's nice to see the Spyker competitive .. constantly in the top 3 in class . with top class drivers like Hezemans and Dumbreck

[FIRE]

Why is the safety car still on track?

[E46]

Debris on track.

[ger80]

hm, always this safety car ...
GT2 already splitted by the safety car

[The Badger]

Anyone got the link for the radio and live timing please ?

[FIRE]

http://www.lemans-series.com/results...stone/lmsr.htm

[ger80]

#82 Panoz has a puncture ...

[FIRE]

Charouz leading

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Anyone got the link for the radio and live timing please ?

Live ticker:
http://www.the-paddock.net/wrapper/ticker.html

I think there's no online radio.

[The Badger]

Ok , thanks Fire

[Suze]

why is the Gene Peugeot's best lap 2.5 secs quicker than the other Peugeot?

the LNT Zytek with Watts / Kimber-Smith seems very quick with it's best lap, in comparison to the other LMP2s / leaders, just seems to have spent quite a while in the box.