Le Mans 2014

it's gonna be epic

 

When should we expect to see an official roll-out of the Porsche LMP-1?

BHW

 

first practice of the WEC Silverstone race?

 

Nothing compares to Le Mans. Nothing. Can't wait.


Mark

 

I'm glad Audi signed Di Grassi for the whole WEC. He deserves it.

 

Per Audi Sport Press release.

Audi welcomes LMP1 efficiency regulations
• New LMP1 regulations set standards in racing
• Audi R18 e-tron quattro more efficient than ever before
• WEC rules represent fundamental change of thinking in motorsport

Ingolstadt, February 17, 2014 – The changes to the Technical Regulations of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for the 2014 season can justifiably be called a revolution. For the first time, the output of a race car is no longer subject to targeted restrictions. Instead, limitations are imposed on energy consumption while new engineering freedoms are allowed. This way, technical creativity will be rewarded so that the most efficient race car may win at Le Mans on June 15.

“The LMP sports prototype class is ideal for demonstrating Audi’s efficiency technology in racing,” emphasizes Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport. “This category has systematically evolved into a class of technological leadership. The world’s most complex race cars are developed for it. That the efficiency targets in LMP1 racing largely match the requirements for current and future passenger cars perfectly fits Audi’s claim and commitment.”

Ever since the brand with the four rings entered LMP1 racing in 1999, the efficiency of the sports prototypes from Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm has continually improved. The major steps in the powertrain sector included the introduction of TFSI gasoline direct injection (2001), TDI diesel technology (2006) and e-tron quattro diesel hybrid technology (2012). In addition, there were innumerable detailed optimizations in all other areas of the race cars. “In 2014, though, the thinking has fundamentally changed,” explains Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport. “Traditionally, technical regulations in motorsport have been focused on limiting engine power output – for instance though factors like cubic capacity limits, relatively tight constraints for turbocharging systems, or through air restrictors. By contrast, the absolute amount of fuel available for a race has typically been unlimited, and this was the case in LMP1 racing as well. But now, a maximum amount of energy per lap is specified. And we need to make the best of it. By taking this step, the FIA, the ACO and all the parties involved have managed to get a set of regulations off the ground with a straightforward focus on efficiency while continuing to make thrilling sport and entertaining races possible.”

In simple terms, the new regulations challenge the entrants to make the best use of a prescribed amount of fuel on each lap in order to cover the longest distance within a certain space of time (such as the 24-hour race duration at Le Mans) and to thereby win. A chart shows the amount of energy allocated to each powertrain concept. Diesel and gasoline engines are permissible. Furthermore, for the manufacturers with factory commitments, hybrid systems are prescribed in four different performance classes. A maximum amount of energy is defined for each of these classes.

This results in a thrilling sporting constellation. “Only those who have optimum control of their consumption, approach the permissible energy limit as closely as possible, and are faster than everyone else thanks to an efficient driving style will be competitive,” explains Chris Reinke, Head of LMP at Audi Sport. If the amount of energy available per lap is not fully consumed, it will be lost, as it may not additionally be used on the subsequent lap. This is a principal difference to the previous regulations, which did not limit consumption in the race.

As of this year, the engineers have clearly more freedom with respect to the solutions they can use to achieve the new goal. Audi has opted for an all-new V6 TDI engine and the e-tron quattro drive system. In the gripping battle of the concepts, the brand is aiming for its 13th victory at Le Mans with the R18 e-tron quattro.

 

Hopefully going to make it to Silverstone in April, should be great.

http://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/2014-FIA-World-Endurance-Championship/

 

That's mighty tiny...

 

Fox Sports, right?

 

Le Mans cars overtook F-1 technically several years ago, especially during the Audi vs.
Peugeot diesel battles.

Where F-1 has filtered the cars down to virtual spec chassis, electronics and other aspects,
WEC designers are given free reign to push the boundaries of modern automotive thought
to the point where F-1 is virtually missing the boat.

Some may point to the fuel economy formula as not being racing, it may be remembered
that the Group C formula of the mid 80s into the early 90s was also a fuel economy formula
which brought valuable technology to every day road cars such as computer controlled
electronic ignitions and more modern electronics which are standard equipment on all cars
these days and many point to that era as some of the best racing ever.

The technology that is coming from WEC cars is truly amazing.

While I'm not sure about how WEC budgets match up to F-1, I may certainly ask my
contact with Audi but not certain he will provide much in the way of details in that regard.

BHW

 

those factory prototypes are damn fast...and just think, they're designed to withstand 12x the continuous running time of an F1 car. think how fast the prototypes would be if they were optimized to run for two hours! (lighter suspension and brake components, etc)

 

As for annual budget, my source with Audi informs me that they do not publicly
discuss such matters.

BHW

 

I saw somewhere that Audi spends more on DTM than LeMans

 

Ingolstadt, March 3, 2014 – Before the Audi R18 e-tron quattro is allowed to contest its first race, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) has to approve it. The required homologation documents had to be submitted by February 15.

When the Audi Sport squad headed by Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich tackles the construction of a new race car, a challenging task has to be resolved. Maximum creativity is obviously a key aspect but at the same time, all the regulations must be complied with. The Technical Regulations for 2014-specification LMP1 sports cars encompass 20 chapters with 67 pages, divided into detailed sections and a comprehensive annex.

The FIA and ACO experts had the opportunity to verify that the R18 e-tron quattro complies with these regulations even before the actual homologation. “Back in November, the manufacturers had to submit initial documents for an advance homologation,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “This allowed the FIA and ACO to gain an initial impression of the planned concept.”

The so-called homologation sheet of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro has 75 pages – more than any of its predecessors. “The level of detailing is the reason,” explains Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport. “The homologation documents put new emphasis on areas such as safety-relevant components, the powertrain and the energy systems.” The freedoms provided by the LMP regulations include the possibility to homologate various body versions. During the course of the season, additional variations in the sense of an evolution may be subjected to post-homologation. “In contrast, the class rating which specifies the permitted amount of hybrid energy, the operation principle of the hybrid system, the type of fuel used by the internal combustion engine and the output and consumption window may not be changed anymore,” says Dr. Mühlmeier. Audi relies on a hybrid system in which the kinetic energy is recuperated at the front axle and fed back into the system.

Even before the car was homologated, Audi provided proof of the accident safety of the new race car. “The crash elements at the front and rear as well as the monocoque were subjected to special static and dynamic tests,” adds Chris Reinke, Head of LMP at Audi Sport. “In a certified test facility all these tests were successfully run in the presence of FIA and ACO delegates.”

In Ingolstadt, the FIA and ACO experts subsequently performed further tests, for instance of individual functions of the race car, made measurements, checked individual geometries by means of gauges and inspected materials. Each R18 e-tron quattro car which Audi will be using in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) this year has its own folder, which contains the homologation documents and the car’s chassis number. This description of the race car, which is like an ‘ID card’ in a manner of speaking, has to be presented at each document and technical scrutineering session at all events. Homologation is an important, but by no means the only prerequisite for fair and thrilling competition in the 2014 season.

 

nice to see McNish staying busy in retirement

 

Must be a nice gig, instead of the suspense of waiting for the 'when' or 'if', he just gets down to business and trashes it right from pit out.

 

I'm glad someone got that joke

 

Well the Vipers pulled out of the 24 entry list due to stalling sales of the production cars.