| Author | Message | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2630 Registered: 2-2001 |
the chicanes on the Mulsanne straight were a political deal with TV & Eccelstone. Basstards emasculated LeMans, most driver hate it, the chicanes just produce more wear on the cars cus they have to slow & accelerate 2 more times | ||
| Andrew-Phillip Goalen (Andrewg)
New member Username: Andrewg Post Number: 34 Registered: 9-2002 |
Faisal, was sent this last week TVR LE MANS TEAM TO USE COURTESY CAR TVR's plucky Le Mans entry has suffered a serious set-back this week after both T400R racers broke down again, forcing the team to continue testing with a pair of Vauxhall Corsa dealer courtesy cars. 'This is a bit of a bugger,' mumbled a TVR source. 'But we couldn't really carry on testing when both the cars were on fire a bit. Whilst they're back at the dealers we're also getting them to investigate that funny smell, and that stuff that leaks onto your legs in left hand bends. Maybe by the time the race starts we'll also be able to use the wipers without first opening the passenger door, flashing the lights and hooting the horn four times.' However, concern is growing that the cars won't be repaired in time for the race. 'If these were customer cars it'd take months to get them sorted,' said one TVR mechanic. 'But in this case we're really rushing them through. I reckon they should be done within about seven weeks.' 'If worst comes to worst we could always do the race in the courtesy cars,' burbled TVR's spokesman optimistically. 'One of them is a 1.2 GLS. It's got electric windows,' he continued. 'I've never seen those working before.' | ||
| Faisal Khan (Tvrfreak)
Junior Member Username: Tvrfreak Post Number: 229 Registered: 3-2003 |
Go TVR!!!!!!! | ||
| John Ashburne (Jashburne)
New member Username: Jashburne Post Number: 28 Registered: 9-2002 |
Another reason, in addition to higher downforce, for the lower top speeds this year is that the air intakes have been reduced in size. Ron Fellows said that the Corvette's HP was down about 10% compared to last year. I'm most interested in the GTS race and how the Ferraris do against the Corvettes. For the big cars, Bentley and Audi fighting it out is a bit like seeing two brothers duke it out, given the common ownership of the two marques. | ||
| Rikky Alessi (Ralessi)
Junior Member Username: Ralessi Post Number: 171 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'm very dissapointed in Le Mans actually. The track just does not seem that exciting anymore. High top speeds seem to have been the hallmark. The history and the cars were awesome, but now they just seem boring. Where are the special cars that are made JUST for Le Mans and homologated at the minimum number for that purpose only? The cars and the race just doesn't seem that exciting anymore. | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 576 Registered: 4-2003 |
I think it's kind of sad to change a racetrack like Le Mans. It's the ultimate race IMO. I guess I like tradition. But who's to say you can't go 260 or 270, why the handcuffs like the %10 restrictors. Le Mans has always been the best of the best, winner take all, no holds barred....etc. I think Le Mans should be a no hold barred race. Let the manufacturers and racers race the track. I don't want parity, I want to see who can be the fastest from year to year. But I'm happy: Audi and Ferrari are showing well and I can root for both!  | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 1110 Registered: 11-2002 |
James, Aside from the Lamborghini comment... Good to see the Bentleys up there! My dad is one of those pre-war nuts. I'm more the GT40 era. Although I'm also growing fond of the middle ground between then and now. Love some of those Porsches, even the weird looking Moby •••• cars. >>and for some it may be VW battling itself...<< That's a good one. Cheers | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1640 Registered: 10-2002 |
Barney It's so hard to say. There is something gained and something lost in living everyday. I have an original painting of the Ford MK-IV battling the Blood red Ferrari P4 on the Mulsanne. For me those were the days but for others it was the Bentley boys battling the Maserati's and for some it may be VW battling itself... | ||
| Erik (Teenferrarifan)
Junior Member Username: Teenferrarifan Post Number: 205 Registered: 2-2003 |
I think an evolution. Cars engines were always able to make big power for racing just look at Mr. G's MK-IV which reached 223mph(if I recall) on mulsanne. But, downforce and brakes are the reason that a car with a lower top speed can stay with a car with a high top speed what is lost in the straights is made up in the corners. I think this is how racing will be from now on. Every car company except Cadillac can build a fast Lemans car, but the one that has the perfect blend is the team that will win IMO. Keep in mind I have no clue what I am talking about Erik | ||
| Barney Guzzo (Trinacria)
Member Username: Trinacria Post Number: 274 Registered: 8-2002 |
"Racing at LeMans has become about downforce and brakes. The days of 250 on the Mulsanne are gone forever..." Is this for the better, worse, or indifferent? Is this a shame or just evolution? | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1911 Registered: 1-2002 |
Jim, Kinda makes you miss the era of the flying Benzes, eh? LOL about the Lmbos, by the way... | ||
| PSk (Psk)
Member Username: Psk Post Number: 504 Registered: 11-2002 |
 ... Pete | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1638 Registered: 10-2002 |
The qualifing is over and it's interesting to compare the times. The Bentley's and Audi's are at the top and the 550's are at the top of GTS. There are no Lambo's anywhere, except in the car park. If the 550's can last which is a big if they are faster than the Corvettes and could win in class. The new track is slower as you get black flagged if you cut the cornors. They want to keep tire flatening debris off the track. Since my car raced there there are several chicanes on the Mulsanne and several cornors have been changed. The top speed of the top cars is only 185 because they are producing increadible downforce. The conoring speeds are amazing. The lap times, due to the chicanes are longer than my cars 3:22. The new cars are for the new track but without the chicanes my car would still be competitive 33 years later. On todays track I'd be about 30 seconds a lap slower which is a huge amount. Racing at LeMans has become about downforce and brakes. The days of 250 on the Mulsanne are gone forever... |