[WEC] Toyota LMP1 Discussion

[chernaudi]

Porsche for sure were screwing around with the fuel filler necks on their cars in 2015. I don't know if they've continued to do that or if the ACO closed those loopholes.

[J Jay]

I'm pretty sure it's been curtailed, for all their faults the ACO do close loopholes [that they don't like] rather quickly and with minimal fuss.

The current difference is mostly down to the superhero-in-Porsche-overalls on the wheel changes, swinging 20+kg of wheel & tyre in each arm like they're toys!

[TF110]

From dsc's Monday scrutineering, Conway thinks they can better the lap record in qualifying.

He also thinks that the lap record – set by Neel Jane in 2015 (3:16.887) – can be beaten this year, after Kobayashi managed to set a 3:18 at the test.

“I think we can better that, if you get a full clear lap maybe we’ll be knocking on the door of Jani’s record a few years ago. But it’s so hard to do that. It’ll be interesting to see what Porsche can do. It’ll all be who can do three or four stints on tyres, the average times at the test

We'll see soon

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Porsche for sure were screwing around with the fuel filler necks on their cars in 2015. I don't know if they've continued to do that or if the ACO closed those loopholes.

Have they also established a minimum length for the fuel hose? I see a lot of them with a large droop over the fuelers shoulders. Remember Penske shortened the fuel hose and moved the rig to the very legal edge in the ALMS days to basically drop the fuel in the tank.

[antonylight]

I believe the working area in the pit lane has been increased by 0.50 metres, consequently refueling hoses have increased by 0.50 metres to 4.00 metres long.

[ModelT]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Have they also established a minimum length for the fuel hose? I see a lot of them with a large droop over the fuelers shoulders. Remember Penske shortened the fuel hose and moved the rig to the very legal edge in the ALMS days to basically drop the fuel in the tank.

Yes there is, 3 meters for normal races, 3.5 for Le Mans.

[gustavobamba]

Rob Leupen thinks Toyota could go 3:15 high or 3:16 low in Qualifying!!!!

That would be Insane

I hope porsche could do something about it...


http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/l...toyotas-reach/

[Akrapovic]

I'd love to see a new record. This year is feeling a little flat. A new record could be just what it needs.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

I'd love to see a new record. This year is feeling a little flat. A new record could be just what it needs.

As a Toyota fan, I think this year is great with the 3 cars, especially one that is setting lap records. Yeah, too bad Audi isn't there but the Audi vs. Peugeot and Audi vs. Toyota matchups were good too. But it'd be awesome to say Toyota has the fastest car ever at Le Mans

[Akrapovic]

I think it's a few things combined. 2 v 3 is never fun. I was hoping Porsche would go for 3 cars. Having only 1 P1 privateer kills that bit. LMP2 is a bit of a joke with only ORECA looking worth having, and losing the Ferrari 458 glorious sound now they're committed to current gen cars in Am is a shame. Overall every class feels like a step down over last year to me.

Hopefully some good racing and some lap records will sort that out.

[TF110]

I don't like the fact Oreca is dominating p2, but I think the race is going to be different. I'm hoping. As for Toyota vs Porsche, I feel it'll be close like the wec races. Le Mans is long and weather will come into play. Even if it's not competitive and Toyota hold a sizable advantage, I think it'll be nice to see them at least get the win after so many tries. And if Porsche is somehow dominant, that's what they deserve because they made their car that way. P2 is a bop class supposedly, so an Oreca white-wash is going to be lame. But lets see if ByKolles is faster

[chernaudi]

The reason why BOP hasn't been applied to LMP2 is that everyone's got the same Gibson 4.2 liter V8 in their cars and the sprint races in the ELMS have been close. It's at LM where there's a gap.

Also, weather doesn't seem to be a big factor right now, as Saturday and Sunday are forecast to be sunny and hot.

Also, could we see, if the weather does hold out, the distance record be broken this weekend? Only reason it didn't fall in 2015 was because of late race rain, and we might have gotten close last year if the first 50 minutes of the race wasn't run behind a pace car.

[sssssssss]

so... toyota are not using the 7th gear at all, as far as i could tell from the onboard telemetry.

[Acid09]

Originally Posted by sssssssss

so... toyota are not using the 7th gear at all, as far as i could tell from the onboard telemetry.

[roderick]

Originally Posted by sssssssss

so... toyota are not using the 7th gear at all, as far as i could tell from the onboard telemetry.

They dont have 7th gear...
they never did

[chernaudi]

Toyota only used a 7 speed gearbox back when they had the V8.

[TF110]

They've always had only have 6 forward gears iirc.

[Japanese Samurai]

Interesting TS050 rear damper mounting and rear suspension via Kota Sera blog.
http://serakota.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2017-06-14-1

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by TF110

They've always had only have 6 forward gears iirc.

that's always been unclear.
TS030 had 6 speeds, TS040 that very likely used the same gearbox of TS030 used to have 7 speeds according to official statements and onboard telemetry or 6 according to rumors. TS050 has 6 speeds, also because has a brand new gearbox.
Is not excluded that TS050 gb maybe has a seventh speed as well, but simply isn't used.

[Articus]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Interesting TS050 rear damper mounting and rear suspension via Kota Sera blog.
http://serakota.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2017-06-14-1

The airfoil shaped control arms and the way that the damper is far inboard sort of confirms a suspicious blown diffuser concept....

What was the conclusion with the blown diffuser talk other than the obvious which was no action by FIA? Is this why Porsche is grumpy?

[Japanese Samurai]

Is a skeleton subframe behind the gearbox made of the machined titanium?
Or 3D-printing titanium?

[J Jay]

I think we can safely say the car is quick!

Outright lap record for Kobayashi, 3:14.791.

[MissClarrpz]

I believe that's the second quickest lap around Le Mans EVER.

[Adam43]

The fastest average ever. Slower time than a 917 round a shorter circuit.

[chernaudi]

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

Interesting TS050 rear damper mounting and rear suspension via Kota Sera blog.
http://serakota.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2017-06-14-1

Audi used a similar shock mount on the R18 when they used a pullrod system.