[LM24] Le Mans 2014

[Beetle]

Welcome to the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans superthread! Glad you could join us. Here, you will be able to find valuable information on everything going on at Le Mans this year, from Test Day to the main event from 14-15 June. The 24 Hours of Le Mans (24 Heures du Mans, as it is known in France) holds a very special place in every motorsport fan's heart, so I thought it deserved a thread that goes far beyond that of my typical FIA WEC threads.



Le Mans is a time of action. It's when months of preparation, triumph, and struggle pay off or end in tragedy. The drama of a motor race has never been so intense anywhere else but at La Sarthe. There's nothing quite like racing down a bumpy, mile-long straight in near pitch darkness at over 300 kph.

Le Mans is round three of the FIA World Endurance Championship, but also invites teams from other forms of sportscar racing worldwide, including the European Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series, and TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. In short, it's the ultimate coming together where teams from around the globe push each other to breaking point... for 24 mind-bending, soul-altering, hours of pushing man and machine to the limit. Excited yet?

Toyota comes off the back of an almost easy race win at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Their new car, the Toyota TS040, boasts almost 1000 bhp and a top speed of over 300 kph. Porsche makes it's return to the top class of Le Mans racing this year with their 919 Hybrid, which has been quick, but unreliable. And Audi, one of the most successful marques in Le Mans history, returns after a dominant 2013 season. But they don't look so comfortable now that the Toyota Hybrid has beat them... twice.

In LMP2, it's anyone's game. Championship contenders Millennium Racing pulled out at the last second, leaving WEC contenders G-Drive Racing and KCMG to battle it out for the honors this season. But they will be joined at Le Mans by a whole slew of ELMS teams that have nothing to lose. Teams like Race Performance, Jota, Greaves Motorsport, and Thiriet by TDS Racing bring a wealth of experience but the flair of young talent. Teams like Larbre Competition may not have the fastest drivers, but experience is on their side. Two brand-new cars will be debuted as well... the Dome Strakka S103 and the Ligier JS P2.

In GTE-Pro, Ferrari looks like the favorite to win after Porsche got pegged back after dominance at Silverstone, allowing AF Corse to take the victory in the last round at Spa. However, Porsche scored an incredible 1-2 with a new car last year even without the overall laptimes of Aston Martin or Ferrari, proving they can be a factor as the race wears on. Although the two SRT Vipers dropped out because of an unfortunate financial situation, don't discount American muscle in the form of Corvette, one of the most successful GT marques at Le Mans.

Finally, in GTE-Am, it's all up to how fast the amateur driver is. Often times, less experienced "gentleman drivers" get caught out by tricky situations and make mistakes, some of which are a lot costlier than others. AF Corse, Aston Martin Racing, 8 Star Motorsports, Proton Competition, and Ram Racing are a few contenders to watch for as the race progresses.

The Circuit



- Website: http://www.24h-lemans.com/en/
- Onboard lap!
- Length: 13.629 km (8.469 mi)
- Lap record: 3:19.074 (Loic Duval, 2010)
- Opened: 1923
- 2013 Winners: Audi Sport Team Joest (LMP1), OAK Racing (LMP2), Porsche AG Team Manthey (GTE-Pro), IMSA Performance Matmut (GTE-Am)

Ticketing

Ticketing is simple at Le Mans. Start the ticketing process HERE. There's a good PDF document explaining the process HERE.

Booking and Accommodations

Booking with official Le Mans partner agencies is something a lot of fans and travelers do. All of them are very credible and good at what they do. http://goo.gl/QW4DPx

There are numerous camping options onsite, quite a few offsite, and a few hotel options as well (Novotel w/ Travel Destinations is probably the best). However, Le Mans is somewhat remote so not as many luxury options exist as in other rounds of the FIA WEC or ELMS. But that's all part of the fun!

Entry List

I'm using Aysedasi's entry list, given my Wikipedia one is more speculative. However, if you want to check it out, feel free!

Schedule

Test Day
all times UTC+02:00
Friday 30 May
09:00-18:00: Scrutineering
Saturday 31 May
09:00-15:00: Scrutineering
Sunday 1 June
09:00-13:00: Test Session 1
14:00-18:00: Test Session 2

Race Weekend
all times UTC+02:00
Sunday 8 June
14:30-19:00: Scrutineering
Monday 9 June
10:00-18:00: Scrutineering
Tuesday 10 June
17:00-18:30: Drivers' autograph session
Wednesday 11 June
16:00-20:00: Free Practice
22:00-00:00: Qualifying/Practice 1
Thursday 12 June
19:00-21:00: Qualifying/Practice 2
22:00-00:00: Qualifying/Practice 3
Friday 13 June
10:00-20:00: Pits & Track Discovery
17:30-19:30: Drivers' parade
Saturday 14 June
09:00-09:45: Morning warmup
15:00: Race start
Sunday 15 June
15:00: Race finish

Concerts
all information from official website

Wednesday 11 June
20:00: Medi
Medi, a singer, guitarist and base player began his career in Nice. First of all he was a musician with Emilie Simon and Charlie Winston after which he founded the rock group Medi and the Medicine Show. He then went solo and his first album whose title song was ‘How Would You Do It,’ came out in 2011. Today, he’s bringing out his second album ‘One is not enough’ a combination of rock, jazz, pop and soul music.
21:00: Hollysiz
Hollysiz chose the powerful impact of rock music which she discovered when in London to which she’s added pop melodies and insolent texts as she uses her powerful voice to win over the fans. Her first album ‘My Name is,’ which came out this year, proves just how gifted she is. Perhaps she waited to grow up a little and have some things to say before writing and composing the twelve songs on her first album. She has chosen the right path and will soon become of the top stars in French pop music.
Thursday June 12
20:00: Charivari
Charivari was founded in 2005 by eight musicians loaded with energy and good humour who decided to pool their talents. Since then Charivari have cultivated their artistic identity. Mixing songs, rock, klezmer and electro the music from the Manceaux* is not beholden to any style and serves the backbone of their compositions – the text. The stage is the Charivari’s favourite place and the Group has been all over France putting on concerts one after another. In the spring of 2014 Charivari is bringing out a new album ‘A l’envers’ to delight your ears and a new spectacle on which to feast your eyes. *People from Le Mans
21:00: Renan Luce
Renan Luce first made a name for himself in 2006 with the album ‘Repenti’ which was an immediate success. Then came the Clan des Miros three years later, which consolidated his place as a singer on the French music scene. This year he is back with the album ‘D’Une tone �* un tout petit poids’ which has folk and pop touches telling his own bitter-sweet stories of which only he knows the secret. He has taken the time to settle down and live a more normal life to write his ten new songs. And it’s a success!
Saturday June 14
20:00: Noa Moon
Impossible to miss her as her record ‘Paradise’ has been played over and over for several months now. What was originally a pastime has become for Noa Moon (Manon) a must and a priority. In September 2013 the young author/composer/singer from Belgium brought out her first album ‘Let Them Talk.’ Her compositions brimming with freshness and joy recount a reality that is not always so rosy and the necessity to make choices. Although only 23 Noa Moon has things to say. She will entice us into her own little paradise.
21:00: Alpha Blondy
Alpha Blondy is one of the pillars of reggae on both the African and world scene. The harbinger from the Ivory Coast has made waking people up his favourite playing field always pleading the African cause. There’s nothing repetitive or bland about his music. On the contrary it’s a well thought-out mixture of colours, emotions and influences which gives his audience songs full of generosity and heart. He is always true to himself and he has sung in the four corners of the earth with his group Solar System attracting an ever-increasing public, as well as flying high the colours of Africa and his own country, the Ivory Coast.

Transportation
all information from official website

By car
From Paris - 205 km - 2 h 00
From Rouen - 210 km - 2 h 15
From Nantes - 183 km - 1 h 40
From Rennes - 161 km - 1 h 35
From Caen - 160 km - 2 h
From Tours - 102 km - 1 h 30
From Alençon - 53 km - 40 min
From Bordeaux - 425 km - 4 h 20

By rail w/ TGV
From Paris Montparnasse - 54 min
From Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport - 1 h 40
From Orly Airport – 1 h 30
From Rennes - 1 h 15
From Nantes - 1 h 15
From Lille - 2 h 30
From Lyon - 3 h 00
From Marseille - 4 h 45
From Grenoble - 4 h 15
From Bruxelles - 3 h 30
From Londres - 4 h 30

Inner-city transport
City Centre République ↔ Gares ↔ Terminus Antarès

The East entrance (Garage Vert) of the circuit is 150 meters from the tram stop, directly linking the station to the circuit in 20 minutes. Services from 5.30am to 1am.

Bus (Bus stop at 15 minutes' walk from the circuit)

City Centre ↔ Circuit (near « Centre des Expositions », North entrance) :
Line 3 : République - terminus Oasis

SNCF ↔ Circuit (near « Centre des Expositions », North entrance) :
Line 17 - terminus Oasis

City Centre ↔ Circuit (near Parc Rouge, Panorama, North entrance) :
Line 12 République – St Martin + Line 7 - terminus Les Raineries

By plane
Next to all international flights fly into Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. Domestic flights can sometimes go into Orly. There is a Le Mans Arnage Airport near the circuit... but good luck finding a flight!

Weather

Weather was a bit spotty last year, with rain occasionally bucketing on some sessions. Let's hope for drier conditions this year, but don't get your hopes up.

This is the best weather forecast I could find. http://goo.gl/6wqBs8

FRC Predictions Competition

Test your knowledge of the race against other sportscar anoraks! Look for a 24 Hours of Le Mans thread by June.

10 Tenths Meeting

What would Le Mans be without the traditional 10 Tenths meeting? This year, 40+ members will be in attendance on Saturday just before the start of the race... a new record I believe! Information about the meeting is here. A few quick notes: it's on Saturday at about noon in the village inside the circuit. All members invited, plus friends and family!

Commentary

Expert commentary from the voice of Le Mans, John Hindhaugh! Tune in live at RadioLeMans.com at the track or at home!

Viewing

TV packages will soon be announced. Watch this space!





Pit Allocations

http://www.24h-lemans.com/wpphpFichi...-mans-2014.pdf

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is undoubtedly the biggest motor race in the world. Join the excitement, from the armchair, the pitwall, or the grandstand! Cheers.

[Articus]

Looks great. There's a hitch in the story though. The Aston was running 3:54-55. The Porsche doing 3:55+. The Ferrari on a 3:57+. So the Porsche had the speed.

[GT6]

That is very good beetle looks great, but i will leave voting until after the test day i think, still to close to call

[andy_b]

Fingers crossed the Le Mans Spotter Guide will return, hopefully with a sponsor too. Anything you felt was missing from last year's guide, let me know

[Filos]

Can't wait for the race. Good luck to Porsche.
I think if Porsche solve the reliability issues in electrical system will win the race.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by andy_b

Fingers crossed the Le Mans Spotter Guide will return, hopefully with a sponsor too. Anything you felt was missing from last year's guide, let me know

A cup holder.


Seriously though, it wouldn't be the same without the guide so fingers crossed here too.

[tyronnezx]

My Heart Wants Toyota to win. they have been at it since the 70's. Four 2nd place finishes are hardly anything. i wander what will happen to their future if they don't win this year

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by tyronnezx

wander what will happen to their future if they don't win this year

IMO it could possibly be worse in terms of them continuing if Toyota DOES win this year...

[nobster]

third year for Toyota so it is up to them to let the rest trail in their wake.
Hoping for a Porsche overall victory but don't think that will happen, car is quick but still a bit fragile.

[Spyderman]

+1

[crooky]

Such a tough one to call. Porsche will probably do a Lancia, get pole and lead the start of the race before they start getting gremlins but the other two it's harder to say. Toyota look quicker it seems but will Audi's bulletproof reliability and extra car overcome this...

[Spyderman]

It feels strange as a Porsche fan to be skeptical about the reliability of the car. It was never one of Porsche's weak points.

[Filos]

Spyderman don' t worry.

It's the first year of development. The project 919 will last at least 5 years.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Chiana

IMO it could possibly be worse in terms of them continuing if Toyota DOES win this year...

I can't see Toyota backing down when* Nissan enter the fray, win or lose. The current regulations also suit their area of expertise so they should be competitive for a couple of years with this design.

*Technically this should be if, after Fuller's tweets I'm taking it as a given.

[seanyb505]

Really appreciate the thread, and all the excellent info. Any chance the circuit image could be resized?

Thanks again!

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by Filos

Spyderman don' t worry.

It's the first year of development. The project 919 will last at least 5 years.

Thanks Filos. Indeed , it is the first year, but reliability issues are playing a bigger role than it is customary with Porsche. Lets keep our fingers crossed.
This was the best thing I have read recently:
"Alexander Hitzinger, Technical Director LMP1: “In car no. 14 we’ve had a false alarm which has switched off the hybrid system. Romain then had to do a time consuming reactivation procedure. We are very conservative when it comes to safety of our hybrid systems, so such a thing can happen and there is some homework to do. The Porsche no. 20 had problems with the rear dampers plus two failures of the front drive shaft. We knew this was a critical part and we are prepared to use stronger parts at the next test and in Le Mans. We have been fast in qualifying and in the race and brought both cars home – for us this was the most important target for the weekend.”

[Beetle]

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/f...p-for-le-mans/

AF Corse lineup complete!

#51 Bruni / Vilander / Fisichella
#71 Rigon / Calado / Beretta

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Really appreciate the thread, and all the excellent info. Any chance the circuit image could be resized?

Thanks again!

Click on it and it will resize to fit your screen.

[Holt]

Originally Posted by Filos

Spyderman don' t worry.

It's the first year of development. The project 919 will last at least 5 years.

If a car is unreliable off the truck then you have to wonder. The Peugeot 908 HDI FAP was unreliable (or at least full of gremlins) from the very beginning, and it continued that way throughout its 4 years of racing. In all the 24 hour races it ran I believe it only had 1 trouble free run. Once in 2009 (unsurprisingly the car won) and thats it. All the other cars had to spend some time in the garage or didnt finish at all.

But at least the 919 is fast

[Canada ALMS fan]

As I've said before - My heart wants to see Porsche win but the head tells me Toyota will. Underestimate Audi at ones' peril though… Going to be a cracker, that's for sure!

[rdjones]

My heart say's Toyota but head send says we are being too quick to write of Audi. I think it is too early for Porsche but who knows.

I think we will have a better idea after test day.

[carbon_titanium]

Realisticly audi could win the race only with a "2010 strategy" that basicly means = audi finishes the race, toyota and porsche not. IMHO porsche has not a great reliability to run the whole race without issues, toyota maybe could do it, but we have not to forget that in 2013 both ts030 at le mans ran with a very conservative engine map, that improved a lot the overall reliability (indeed at le mans 2013 ts030 were slower than 2012).

[Filos]

Yes i read this. I think they know what they're doing...

[Spyderman]

As the test day is on the 1st and the teams have to be present on the 8th (Administrative Checking & scrutineering), does anyone know if they are allowed to stay set up in their boxes for that week, or if indeed any team chooses to do so?

[Deleted]

Seeing as several teams have opted to test on the Bugatti circuit between the Test day and scrutineering in the past few years, I'd think so.