The countdown of the Internet site clock on www.lemans.org gives a precise idea of the time that separates the entrants from 15h00 on Saturday 14th June. The major battle will be between diesel engines: three Audi R10 TDIs and three Peugeot 908 HDi FAPs. It’s a perfect duel between top-drawer motorcar manufacturers who want to associate a victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours with their name.
Large investment, boundless ambition and exceptional drivers are also the indispensable ingredients for the magic duels in the best tradition of the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Remember Jaguar-Ferrari (1953 to 1958), Ford-Ferrari (1964 to 1969), Porsche-Ferrari (1970-1971), Matra-Ferrari 1973), Renault-Porsche 1978-1979), Jaguar-Porsche (1988), Peugeot-Toyota (1992-1993) etc. The battle between manufacturers has always been the driving force behind the great eras of endurance racing.
And as you can never have too much of a good thing, there will be other outstanding duels in 2008: petrol engines against diesels, Courage-Oreca against Pescarolo Sport for supremacy among the French independent constructors, Aston Martin versus Corvette in LM GT1 plus the on-going battle between Ferrari and Porsche in LM GT2.
Whether the duels concern sales, honour or pride they are part and parcel of the extraordinary history of the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The 76th Le Mans 24 Hours is approaching. Even if the start will be given conjointly between the International Orbiting Space Station ISS and three astronauts on the track, it’s not the right moment to have your head in the clouds!
POLE POSITION
10 The percentage of bio fuel in the petrol (10% ethanol, 90% petrol) that will be supplied to all competitors (except diesel): a fi rst in the Le Mans 24- Hours’ history.
O Suzuki’s double in the 24 Hours for Bikes!
The 31st event, much appreciated by the 83 700 spectators present, was marked by the rout of the factory bikes expected to take the fi ght to the works Suzukis. The KMF Kawasaki crashed out after only 5 laps, the GMT 94 Honda retired with engine failure 2 hours later and the National Motos Honda went out before nightfall, while none of the BMWs was classified.
The changing weather conditions - sun alternating with rain - made it a diffi cult race, although only 19 out of the 56 starters retired. Suzuki scored another double after those of 2002-03 and 2007.
Results: 1. Costes/Dietrich/Veneman (SERT Suzuki GSX-R) 770 laps – 3 222,45 kms – 134,134km/h.
2. Philippe/Lagrive/Da Costa (SERT Suzuki GSX-R) 759 laps.
3. Fastre/Leblanc/Dos Santos (Acropolis Moto Expert Yamaha R1) 756 laps.
O MEEC 2008: Automatic selection for Le Mans 24 Hours 2009!
During the 2008 season the MEEC (Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge) will award points to the cars with the best performance in terms of energy savings during the races. At the end of the year the winning entrant will receive a super present: an automatic selection for the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours!
The 2008 provisional classifi cation after the Barcelona 1000kms and Monza is:
1. Porsche RS Spyder LM P2 (Van Merksteijn Motorsport) – 2. Porsche RS Spyder LM P2 (Horag Racing) – 3. Lola B08/80 Judd LM P2 (Speedy Racing Team Sebah).
The 1968 Le Mans 24 Hours: June in September!
With the exception of the first Le Mans 24 Hours in 1923, which took place in May, and the 1956 race put back to July because of works on the circuit, all the Le Mans 24 Hours have been held in June apart from the 1968 24 Hours, which remains the latest in the year in the race’s history.
The events of May 68 forced the ACO to run the race in a "calmer period," and the date chosen was 28th September six days after the equinox (when night and day each last 12 hours). To try and gain a little extra daylight the start was brought forward to 15h00, and to help the entrants cope with the night they were allowed to change the battery if necessary. On 29th September the winning car, the Rodriguez-Bianchi Ford GT 40 N°9, crossed the finishing line in blinding sunshine!
O New official ACO boutique
The ACO boutique has just moved from its familiar setting in the ACO Headquarters.
It is now in the Sarthe Motorcar Museum at the main entrance (north) to the Bugatti circuit. It will be both more visible and easier to access as it will now be open 7 days a week.
Want to go on a shopping spree? Head for the boutique where the new 2008 collections Racing Evenement, Le Mans and Vintage are on show.
O Le Mans Series at Barcelona and Monza
After the Barcelona and Monza rounds of the 2008 LMS it appears evident that although the diesel-powered LM P1s dominate practice, they have a tendency to trip up in the race keeping the suspense alive! Their strategies have been upset by incidents and accidents.
The Peugeot 908 HDi FAP has won both events from the Audi R10 TDIs after a no-holds-barred battle. At Monza, the Primat-Tinseau Pescarolo-Judd took advantage of their mishaps to snatch 3rd place 4 laps behind the winner.
O ALMS : The situation after 3 rounds
The Audi R10 TDIs, the big losers in the Sebring 12 Hours (beaten by the Penske Porsche RS Spyder), took their revenge in the next two races with victory in both the St Petersburg and Long Beach events.
On both occasions, though, the Acuras and Porsches pushed the German cars to the limit – the Penske Porsche Spyder led for 80 out of the 100 minutes of the Long Beach race. Corvette continues its stranglehold in GT1, while in the GT2 category the Tafel Racing Ferrari F 430 GT has won the last two rounds.
O Deaths of David Leslie and Richard Lloyd
Two well-known Le Mans figures David Leslie and Richard Lloyd lost their lives in a plane crash on 30th March in England. David (54) raced in the event 10 times between 1984 and 1995, finishing 8th in an Ecosse C 287 in 1987. Since 2006, he was the commentator for Motors TV UK.
Richard (63) took part in the race 5 times finishing 2nd in 1985 in a Porsche 956 entered by his own team. He was also the director of Apex Motorsport chosen by Audi to bring Bentley back to Le Mans in 2001.
The ACO was deeply affected by these deaths and offers their families and friends its deepest condolences.
- ACO also photos ACO, Peugeot and automobilsport.com
