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12.03.2008
Did you know - The Figures O New Michelin Endurance Challenge The Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge was launched in 2007 and harked back to the Thermal Efficiency Index of the 60s/70s. It will be continued in 2008 in the 24 Hours and the Le Mans Series. Its calculation has been revised but its aim is still the same - to reward the teams that combine performance and energy efficiency in the race. Daniel Poissenot, the 24 Hours and Le Mans Series Clerk of the Course, explains: "the fuel consumption and performance measured during the race will be taken into account. Another important innovation is that we will publish a classifi cation all categories combined at the end of the event." O Closed LM P1s and LM P2s In 2008, the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP will not be the only LM P1 with closed bodywork. Three other LM P1s are eagerly awaited from both a general interest and innovative point of view: the Dome-Judd S102, the Epsilon Euskadi-Judd, and the Lola-Aston Martin all ambitious projects, and in the case of the latter a major celebration (Lola is 50-years-old this year and Aston Martin won the 24 Hours outright 50 races ago in 1959). The only closed prototype in LM P2 will be a Lola-Judd.
22 Alexander Wurz’s age in 1996 when he became the youngest-ever winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours at the wheel of a TWR Porsche. Twelve years on the Austrian is back with Peugeot gunning for a second victory. O 4th title for Villeneuve? Jacques Villeneuve was not a bit discouraged by his 2007 retirement. The Canadian is aiming to achieve an exceptional feat. If he wins the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours he will become the first driver in the history of motor racing to score a unique quadruple: victory in the Indy 500 (1995), CART Champion (1995) and F1 World Champion (1997). An awesome challenge! O Ferrari: tops the bill The car to have in LM GT2 at the moment is the Ferrari F 430 GT, no fewer than 8 of which will be at the start of the 76th Le Mans 24 Hours (below the Virgo Motorsport entry). They will be up against 2 Spyker C8s and 3 Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs. But don’t be taken in by the Italian car’s numerical superiority. The Porsche is still the car to beat and last year’s GT2 category winner in the 24 Hours, the IMSA Matmut 911, is back again still carrying the number 76!
O A specialist fights back Apart from the battle between diesel-engined prototypes and F1 drivers, let’s not forget that the best petrol-engined endurance specialists will be out to pounce on any mistakes by Peugeot and Audi. Pescarolo Sport, which was recently taken in hand by businessman, Jacques Nicolet, knows the joys of the rostrum (3rd in 2007 and 2nd in 2005 and 2006). The French team is brimming with confidence and aiming to get back up there again this year with its Judd-powered LM P1 prototypes.
O The Japanese comeback The Japanese comeback to the Le Mans 24 Hours is under way! Dome has entered a closed prototype that announces its ambitions (or those of a major manufacturer) in LM P1. In terms of originality, the prize must go to the Tokai university Courage-based prototype powered by a Japanese YGK engine making its Le Mans debut. Those who remember the only Japanese outright victory in the Sarthe (rotary-engined Mazda 787B in 1991) will have a soft spot for the Lola-Mazda (based on an AER engine) in LM P2. 61-year-old Japanese Yojiro Terada, a legend in his homeland, will start his 29th le Mans 24 Hours in an LM P1 Courage Mugen.
O Star drivers Among the stars and fans of Le Mans are a famous skier and winner of the Dakar, and a successful singer. Luc Alphand will be at the wheel of one of his team’s two Corvette C6.Rs, and will be up against the two works Corvettes as well as four Aston Martin DBR9s in LM GT1.
David Hallyday may well be one of his rivals in the very quick Saleen S7R (above), which he is driving in the 2008 Le Mans series. O The new Porsche RS Spyder Porsche with 16 outright wins in the Le Mans 24 Hours will be closely watched in LM P2. Two RS Spyders entered by private teams will make their debut in the race. Remember that these cars gave Audi a good run for their money in the 2007 American Le Mans Series. They are rapid and nimble and will do everything possible to fight at the front – and not just in their own category!
O Le Mans Series Test 32 out of the 50 cars entered for the 2008 Le Mans Series gave onlookers a glimpse of their potential on the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit on 2nd/3rd March. As expected Audi topped the time sheets in the absence of Peugeot and was the only car to break the 1m 40s barrier. What came as a surprise was the fact that four of the petrol-powered LM P1s were not all that far behind setting times in the 1m 41s – 1m 43s bracket. These included the recently-assembled Creation AM and the Lola-Aston Martin, as well as one of the Courage-Orecas that showed a big improvement since the winter months.
O Shanghai bound in 2008! The ACO has taken the decision to organise a new 1000km race in China on the Shanghai International circuit on 1st/2nd November 2008. To do this the club has decided to call on entrants racing in the European and American Le Mans Series events. Chinese partners and sponsors are already heavily involved in this project that has received help from major motor manufacturers worldwide. The size of the marketing budget and the TV coverage will make this a blue ribbon event on the 2008 motor sporting calendar. Victory in the LM P1, LM P2, LM GT1 and LM GT2 categories will entitle the winners to an automatic entry for the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours. The Shanghai 1000kms prefigures the Asian Le Mans Series, which, in 2009 will have at least two events, one in China and the other in Japan.
O The 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours Moto and the E10 Like the petrol-engined cars entered in the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours, the bikes that will race in the 24 Hours for Motorcycles will use an E10 fuel containing 10% ethanol and 90% petrol. See the battle between the works bikes from Japan Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha and their European rivals BMW, Ducati and MV Augusta, which will take the meaning of racing to another level! - ACO - photos automobilsport.com Romain Scholer
Author: maggy (admin2)
Last modified: Wednesday, 12.03.2008 - 12:59 More reports from this category all copyright automobilsport.com.
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