June 11-12, 2004 Le Mans 24 Hours

SPEED has a good article and maybe some links.........

 

Rob,

try this: http://www.lemans.org/univers_sport/24hauto/live/pages/sommaire_photos_gb.html

 

Right after Sebring Mr. Risi turned back his entry. If you look at mid-Ohio entry Calpont is not on the car. It is my understanding that Calpont pulled their sponsorship. I do not know way.

 

http://www.f1pits.net/f1nieuws.php?id=P4262_0_1_0

These are the times from the second training (the stars tell you what class the car is in)

 

These are the times from the first training, just to be complete

http://www.f1pits.net/f1nieuws.php?id=P4260_0_1_0

(The bold names are dutch drivers, as this is a dutch site )

 

C5-R is way fast this year. Unbelievably so.

 

But Ferrari is faster
http://www.eurosport.com/home/pages/V4/L0/S76/E6198/sport_Lng0_Spo76_Evt6198_Sto600168.shtml

 

How do you all like Ferrari's chances this year?

 

Damn !! After the first pit stop the two Corvettes took the lead !

The Ferrari's are faster on the straights, the corvettes better in the chicanes.

 

What are the chances of an Audi 1-2-3?
When's the last time one manufacturer took 1-2-3? Was it Bentley just the other year?

 

The race is going pretty well. A bunch of accidents! How about that Corvette guy cursing on camera? He definitely wasn't bumped until after the spinout.
Also, they interviewed Gregor Fisken - I didn't know he raced; he has (had?) that great classic car place in London in the mews houses. I saw a Talbot there once. Anyway, that was neat.
Too bad the Maser MC 12 isn't in the race. What class would it be in? Maybe next year?

 

This may seem to be a simple minded question, but here goes anyway:

I understand very well that Porsche is a great endurance racing marque. Probably the greatest in history. My question is, why does it seem no other manufacturers can make any kind of inroads into Porsche in the GT Class? I am not at all anti-Porsche, as I admire their engineering and their cars. I just don't understand why no other manufacturer seems to be able to challenge in any meaningful manner.

Sadly the 360's seem under-powered, but the others seem to be in the same boat.

Or is it just the sheer number of Porsche entries? Which kind of goes back to my first question being.. why is no one else challenging.

Forgive me if this is too simple, but I don't follow sports car racing as much as I should.

 

Rob

So, if I understand correctly, Porsche focuses their energy almost entirely on the GT Class. Is there a specific reason why they do not participate in GTS or prototype any longer? Obviously cost would be a reason for their prototype non-involvment, but is GTS THAT much more expensive than GT?

And on the same point, why is no other manufacturer challenging in GT with the same impetus as Porsche? Do the other manufacturers see GT as being too difficult to challenge in due to Porsche's total domination? It would seem to me that anyone beating the Porsche's in GT would have quite a marketing tool at their disposal. As I said, sports car racing is not my bread and butter, although I really enjoy the endurance races. (Daytona, Sebring, and LeMans)

The glowing red brake rotors at the Porsche Curve are absolutely glorious.


The GTS Ferrari's are going quite well right now. I hope they can continue to avoid the troubles plaguing the Corvettes. The Corvettes are still very fast and seem poised to jump on any mistakes by the Ferrari's.

 

They tried to compete in GTS with the GT2 anf Failed.
It's hard to compete with Porsche in GT when they have 20 cars plus in every GT field.

I'm glad too see Ferrari beating Corvette... Forza Ferrari

 

The sun is rising...

 

After 18 hours the Ferrari 550 is back in first place in GTS class and has 5 rounds on second, the corvette.
He is also 6th overall

 

11.15

still first in class, with 5 laps on the corvette !!!

(6th overall !)

perfect for the moment

 

What a race!

 

# 66 just got a flat (still leading by five laps).