LeMans 2012 Thread

If you compare the Audi and the Toyota, the Audi looks like it has more blindspots.

The toyota has lower sidepods, and the driver sits further back. The massive rear mirrors helps. The same can't really be said for the Audi

http://www.quattroholic.com/2011/12/audi-r18-tdi-prepares-for-2012-season.html
http://www.tuvie.com/toyota-ts030-hybrid-2012-for-le-mans-challenger/

 

So am I. I hope petrol will be a dominant force again...Diesel has been winning with a **** noise for too long now.

 

Nick Heidfeld to drive the Rebellion Lola/Toyota at Sebring.

http://www.planetlemans.com/2012/02/01/nick-heidfeld-joins-rebellion-racing/

 

Agreed. Toyota's entry was only a minor consideration at best.

 

This isn't specifically relevant to the 2012 24, but I thought it was interesting that the 24 was ranked as the worlds greatest sporting event. It is good to know that plenty of folks still enjoy the smell of burnt fossil fuel and melting rubber.

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/sporting-events/#page=1

 

Audi will be running two diesels plus two diesel hybrids. I think the Toyota will be more competitive than many expect. It's exciting to see Le Mans helping to re-established motor racing as a genuine proving ground for the automotive technology of the future.

 

I will admit I don't know the rules or classes anymore like I used to, but how does Toyota come in with a chance but Ferrari is still neutered to where it is not feasible for them to do a factory effort in ANY class?

 

Ferrari have not produced a prototype since the 333SP days, and those classes (now called LMP1 and LMP2) are more open than the GT category. In GTE-Pro, Ferrari and Porsche are represented by 'works-assisted' private teams, while Corvette and Aston Martin have full-on factory efforts. In fact, the Ferrari 458s are the favorites going in this year's race.

 

I like these

http://youtu.be/w0cDmxQQnzc
http://youtu.be/jdIDmqtIsU0

 

Link to the reasons why the Pugs won't be turning their wheels for a while:

http://www.doubledeclutch.com/?p=3616

 

GM buys 7% of Peugeot:

http://www.motorward.com/2012/03/gm-buys-7-of-peugeot-citroen-in-strategic-alliance/

Perhaps we'll see a diesel Corvette next year

 

A video of Aston Martins LeMans car, turn up the volume!!
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/aston-martin-returning-to-le-mans-and-endurance-racing-video-42924.html

 

And here it is: DeltaWing had a fantastic first track test yesterday... check out http://twitter.com/#!/murphythebear for proof-of-turning! Demonstration laps scheduled for Thursday lunch break at Sebring.

 

http://youtu.be/2H20BbN0BPk

incl 458 GT2 Evo (AF Corse)

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP0KwN3wIuI&feature=related[/ame]

 

Is there a drooling icon?

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBMIhz98t9c[/ame]

 

R18 looks mean.

I love the new paint scheme.

 

+1. great looking car.

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0LS2d7vyks&feature=channel_video_title[/ame]

 

Audi wrecks an R18 at Sebring test & Timo Bernhard spends night in hospital.

How many cars do those guys completely total each year? I guess you need to break some eggs err, diesels in order to make an omelet.

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/le-mans-bernhard-crashes-new-audi-in-sebring-testing/

 

News that the Audi e-tron was into the 1:43's during the Sebring test.

Here's a good video about the new car. Impressive as always.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8j8jz63bUU[/ame]

 

Sad, sad, sad... Toyota Racing will not attend the 6h of Spa due to a damaged monocoque after a testing accident at Paul Ricard:

http://www.endurance-info.com/version2/news-focus-10180.html

 

That's too bad. I find it hard to believe that Toyota would only make one tub -it's ridiculous, in fact. What were they thinking?

 

maybe they were waiting to build others after they developed the car a bit more?

otherwise yeah, epic fail for Toyota.

 

http://youtu.be/TImNAcuAj7k

 

Is Toyota planning on showing up at LeMans without doing any other races before?