Le-Mans 24hrs 2013

[Rob]

Well it kicks off tomorrow with Scrutineering. Will use this thread for all build up news, quali and race news/updates.

24H LE MANS: SCRUTINEERING BEGINS AT 14:30H SUNDAY

The countdown to the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans officially begins at 15:00h on Sunday, 16th June when the first 23 of the 56 entries for the 90th anniversary edition of the world’s most famous sports car race pass through their administrative and scrutineering checks.

Held in Place de la République in the centre of Le Mans, all cars and drivers entered for the race must present themselves, their official licences and racing equipment such as helmets and suits to the officials tasked with ensuring that they fully comply with the regulations.

The first of the FIA World Endurance Championship cars to go through will be LMGTE Am’s No.76 IMSA Performance Matmut Porsche 911 GT3 RSR at 15:15h, followed by the two Lotus T128 LMP2 cars and the OAK Racing entries, the first of which is due to begin the process at 16:10h. Further LMP2 challengers from the Gulf Racing Middle East, Delta-ADR and G-Drive Racing teams will be under the scrutiny of the officials from 16:40h before one of the day’s highlights begins.

The many thousands of fans who will have assembled in the town will, at 17:10, enjoy their first close up look at the two LMP1 Toyota Racing TS030-HYBRIDS and the all-star driver line up who will be challenging for overall honours in this third round of the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship.

The final two FIA WEC cars to go through scrutineering on Sunday are the No.88 Proton Competition Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (LMGTEAm) at 18:10h and 30 minutes later the first of the LMP1 Privateer entries to be rolled in front of the public – the No.21 Strakka Racing HPD ARX 03c Honda.

After each team has completed all its technical and administrative checks, the team members assemble with their car and drivers for a group photograph. That is when everyone knows that their week at the 24 Hours of Le Mans has officially begun!

Sunday, June 16

15:15 No.76 IMSA Performance Matmut Porsche 911 GT3 RSR LMGTE Am

15:30 No.32 Lotus T128 LMP2

15:45 No.31 Lotus T128 LMP2

16:10 No.24 OAK Racing Morgan-Nissan LMP2

16:20 No.35 OAK Racing Morgan-Nissan LMP2

16:40 No.28 Gulf Racing Middle East Lola B12/80 Coupe-Nissan LMP2

16:50 No.25 Delta-ADR ORECA 03 Nissan LMP2

17:00 No.26 G-Drive Racing ORECA 03 Nissan LMP2

17:10 No.7 Toyota Racing Toyota TS030 Hybrid LMP1

17:20 No.8 Toyota Racing Toyota TS030 Hybrid LMP1

18:10 No.88 Proton Competition Porsche 911 GT3 RSR LMGTE Am

18:40 No.21 Strakka Racing HPD ARX 03c-Honda LMP1

Details of all the cars due to go through Scrutineering on Monday, June 17 will be released tomorrow.

[Rob]

MURPHY PROTOTYPES TO TEST DAY
As all competitors 81st 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Irish team Murphy Prototypes participated last Sunday, the traditional test day.

Sunday, June 9, at 9 am, the fifty five cars entered the 24 Hours of Le Mans are soaring on the big Sarthe circuit. It was time to finally discover the latest innovations that will mark the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours. Alpine and Nissan, Viper GTS-R and other Porsche 911 RSR made a grand entrance.

Among the sixteen nationalities teams have this year Ireland will be honored. The Murphy Prototypes team as last year incur an Oreca 03 Nissan LM P2. This chassis, driven by Hartley, Mark Patterson and Karun Chandhok DISPLA all day fine performances. By late morning, and despite rainy weather, she realized the sixteenth time of the morning in 4'04'' 610. Unfortunately, as time Le Mans improved, the prototype lost ground on their opponents and found himself in the twenty-second and thirteenth place overall in its class.

The next confrontation will be held Wednesday June 19, during the first timed practice session. This will be the moment of truth! Until that evening, find in this video a lap in on-board camera of the Oreca 03 Nissan of the Irish team, along with Brendon Hartley. Click below to learn more about commitment , the categories and the program of the 90th anniversary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will be held on 22 and 23 June

[Rob]

24 HEURES DU MANS 2013: UNDER THE SUN?
After a chilly spring and rainy most of France, was Will he finally make its appearance to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans?

One thing is for sure, the fans at Weighing on Sunday to 14 hours should not need jackets advertised as temperatures exceed 20 degrees, against, an umbrella might be necessary Monday morning with 80% chance of rain.

Everything should be back to normal as soon as this afternoon under the sun that the free practice and the first qualifying session should take place Wednesday. Competitors will be well advised to get the best position on the grid in the first qualifying session because unfortunately the weather forecast for Thursday are somewhat pessimistic drizzle with the program.

Great Drivers Parade, which is traditionally held on Friday evening in the city center of Le Mans in turn could be watered by a few showers, as the warm-up and race start. However, the chances of rain for Saturday are limited to 30%.

The second part of the race and the finish should be played under overcast skies, but on a dry track.

The 2013 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans should not be the hottest edition or the wettest, to the delight of the pilots, but also spectators and campers still many around the circuit.

[Rob]

[Nova]

Great posts Rob. This is one of my favs for years. This year Speed is showing quite a bit, although I cant remember any channel ever showing the whole race. WOuld like to go there someday. Lemans tends to bring out some of the craziest n coolest designs of any race by far. Remember the 512 BBiLM? The 458's look pretty good, although the Astons look really strong, and Porsche will be there to wrest back the crown from Ferrari (The real rivals) Go Ferrari.

[Rob]

WEIGHING THE START IN A FEW HOURS!

The traditional week before the Le Mans 24 Hours (22-23 June) always opens by technical and administrative checks, commonly called the "Weighing". Required to obtain the famous sesame to compete in the race passing these checks are performed Republic Square (Sunday, June 16 from 14h30 to 19h, Monday, June 17 from 10 to 18).

They happen in two stages. It is first of all licensing control, helmets, suits for pilots, it is the so-called "administrative" part. During that time, cars are examined from every angle. This is the size of the car to lights, harness, weight through control of fire extinguishers and the tank is the "technical" part. About an hour is required for the car to be fully controlled. At the end, a souvenir picture together car (s), drivers and team members is taken.

The highlight of this year these checks point will be the passage of the two favorites for the final victory. Toyota TS 030 Hybrid will be presented on Sunday at 16:40, while the three Audi R18 Official E-Tron will be discussed the next day at 3:50 p.m.!

As in previous editions, the weighing is a genuine popular festival during which a crowd was incredible to see drivers and cars.

[Rob]

Great posts Rob. This is one of my favs for years. This year Speed is showing quite a bit, although I cant remember any channel ever showing the whole race. WOuld like to go there someday. Lemans tends to bring out some of the craziest n coolest designs of any race by far. Remember the 512 BBiLM? The 458's look pretty good, although the Astons look really strong, and Porsche will be there to wrest back the crown from Ferrari (The real rivals) Go Ferrari.

Think the Astons be strong aswell, but also the Vettes can never be counted out. Still think our fuel consumption is better than our enemies (rivals). The 512 BBiLM menatl car, still very good looking. My main concern is the Astons, 5 they taking 3 in PRO and 2 in AM. Wednesday is the first days running, cannt wait.

[Rob]

Scrutineering live stream...
http://www.lemans-tv.com/

[Rob]

TOYOTA Racing ‏@Toyota_Hybrid 1m
About 40min to go before scrutineering for our cars. Enjoying a bit of sun while we wait.

[Nero Horse]

Remember the 512 BBiLM?

Oh yea, the 512BB LM was/is one of the coolest and most badass looking race car ever! An absolute beast of a car! Love it! It's such a shame though that it didn't have the kind of success it would've deserved to have had. Still a masterpiece of a machine, no doubt.

[Rob]

Great posts Rob. This is one of my favs for years. This year Speed is showing quite a bit, although I cant remember any channel ever showing the whole race. WOuld like to go there someday. Lemans tends to bring out some of the craziest n coolest designs of any race by far. Remember the 512 BBiLM? The 458's look pretty good, although the Astons look really strong, and Porsche will be there to wrest back the crown from Ferrari (The real rivals) Go Ferrari.

Totally forgot that the Vipers are back this year. Now, they could be big big threat.

[Rob]

Catching Up With Allan McNish
on 13/06/2013 18:17 in Interviews

I caught up with Allan McNish on the phone a couple of days after the Le Mans Test Day with the wee Scot taking in some R&R with the family in sunny Monaco before the madness of Le Mans week begins.

So tell me Allan, just between you, me and the Internet, was Loic’s time part of the programme or was it designed to send Toyota away scratching their heads?

“It was absolutely part of the work programme. Loic got a good clear lap at the time when the track was drying out nicely. I knew from my sector times that a time was on but my own lap was spoiled by another car spinning ahead of me at Indianapolis.

“In truth his time was a little bit better than the simulation data we had but I think that’s because the grip levels in several places are much higher than last year. For instance last year we had all sorts of trouble in the chicanes, they were slippery beyond belief, I think now though, with a further year they have cured well and the grip levels in theWEC in particular are just so much better.



“The same is true on the racing line out of Arnage too and the Porsche Curves look a lot tidier this year too, last year, and for a coupe, of years, there’s been some moss at the edge of the track in the final right handed and whilst that sounds ridiculous it really does make the difference between finding usable grip or not.

“So it was definitely zero to do with psychology, but there was a little something there I guess that Loic was saying thanks to the guys after the damage to the car in his earlier shunt was fixed so quickly and so well. There’s few better ways of getting the guys back in your corner than pulling a lap like that out and giving them something to cheer about.”

Aside from that how did the Test Day go for the team?

“We had a plan, and it was a good plan, but it all went out of the window with the rain in the morning.

“Once we got out in the afternoon (after the #2 car was repaired following Loic Duval’s morning accident) we pushed on with the programme, Tom went out on slicks later in the session and then I did just two quick laps with 40 minutes to go before handing the car back to Loic, he needed the time.



“What was clear from even our earliest running is than the balance of the car was really good, it felt particularly good in the Porsche a curves where you felt you could really attack. We lost some valuable track time but it wasn’t a disaster.”

So what’s your perspective on the difference we’ve seen, not just here but to this point in the season, between the Audis and Toyotas?

“We’ll I don’t think we have yet seen the full picture! There has been a lot written about what a huge step we have taken and whilst there has been a step I don’t think it’s been of the order of magnitude that’s being talked about.

“Yes the engine guys have done a very good job in clawing back the deficit we had to the Toyota last year and there have been aero improvements too but we are still learning about how this car works as a package and that’s only natural with something this new.



“As far as the comparisons with Toyota so far this year are concerned, let’s not forget that at Silverstone they ran their old cars – Let’s race it if we’d struggled against them with our 2013 package we’d have looked pretty silly and we’d have been in trouble.

“Don’t forget either that Silverstone was good for our car last year too, it suits the package we have more than several other places we’ll race. Toyota made some poor tyre decisions too so, all in all, it wasn’t as strong an indicator to form as it perhaps appeared.

“Then at Spa when Toyota ran a ’13 car alongside an old car and we had one of the long tail 13 cars too, they were running ahead of the Le Mans car before they had their hybrid system issue – Do we have the upper hand? Yes we do, but I am pretty sure there isn’t a huge step between us.”



You’ve won at Le Mans twice but have had some major disappointments too – Do you have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the race?

“Well at least I’ve had a bit of love there! If you win it’s fantastic, beautiful but if it goes wrong……..

“The one that sticks in my mind is 2010 when we had a problem early on and lost laps – That’s when it punishes you because it is such a long race to try to chase down cars that you know are likely to be reliable, that was a very tough one.”

Almost every driver I ask says they would take a Le Mans win over the World Championship – As someone who has already won it, what would you say?

“If I was being greedy I would say that I would take both and obviously that’s what we are pushing for but the fact is that a Le Mans win effectively does that anyway – In a Championship that is so close with the other team car the double points difference between winning Le Mans and coming second is effectively massive.

“Toyota already have a long way to come back but if they do well at Le Mans they are right back in it – Equally if any of us fail to finish at Le Mans we’re out of contention immediately. It matters then if you win it, if you don’t but in particular if you don’t finish at all!”

http://www.dailysportscar.com/?p=7749

[Nova]

Yes, the Vipers are back..technically, they belong to Fiat..Chrysler being a Fiat co now, with Viper being a Chrysler product. Dont think its going to matter much, but a few years ago, they were very dominant.

[Rob]

24H LE MANS: AUDI AIMS FOR 12TH VICTORY.

On June 22/23, Audi will be competing at the classic 24-hour race at Le Mans for the 15th time. On the 90th anniversary of the world’s most important endurance race, the challenge is particularly great for the brand with the four rings, following the most recent changes in the regulations.

Le Mans 2013 will be a year of historic dimensions. The inaugural event of the endurance race was held 90 years ago. Audi is now competing for the 15th time. The current World Endurance Champions Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (CH/D/F) will enter the race in the number ‘1’ Audi R18 e-tron quattro. If successful, the three drivers, following two consecutive victories, could manage a hat-trick at La Sarthe. This was last achieved by another Audi trio: In 2000, 2001 and 2002, Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro/Tom Kristensen (D/I/DK) remained unbeaten three times in succession.

Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen (eight wins) expects to be in contention for a top result with his current team-mates Loïc Duval (F) and Allan McNish (GB) as well. In April, the trio won the season opener of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Silverstone. A year ago, Kristensen and McNish finished as the runners-up at Le Mans.

The driver line-up of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro designated as car number ‘3’ is aiming for the trophy as well: Marc Gené (E) was the overall winner at Le Mans in 2009. Oliver Jarvis (GB) was on podium at Le Mans for the first time last year and in March won the 12-hour race at Sebring (USA) in the R18 e-tron quattro. Lucas di Grassi (BR) is experiencing a premiere. The Brazilian is contesting his first Le Mans race and since making his WEC debut with Audi last September has finished his three races to date on the podium. In doing so, he continually benefited from the wealth of experience of his team-mates in the Audi driver squad that boasts an amazing combined tally of 17 Le Mans victories.

On the technology side, the team of Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich and Chris Reinke, Head of LMP, has rigorously prepared for the toughest race of the season as well. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro has been thoroughly revised with respect to the engine, the hybrid system, its ultra-lightweight design and in other areas. Furthermore, the diesel hybrid sports car will be running with optimized aerodynamics at Le Mans.

Audi is underscoring its role as a technology pioneer with the high-performance LED headlights featuring matrix-beam technology, the digital rear-view mirror with an AMOLED display and other forward-thinking detailed solutions. Audi has been transferring a wealth of innovations from motorsport to its products for more than 30 years. Customers profit from ideas such as quattro four-wheel drive and leading-edge TDI and TFSI engines as well as the most recent innovations in the field of active safety.

The score in the duel between FIA Endurance World Champion Audi and challenger Toyota is currently at 5-3. But although Audi has been unbeaten this year in sports prototype racing to date and set the best time on the test day on June 9, a question mark remains: More than ever before, it is uncertain whether the rating of diesel and gasoline engines is sufficiently balanced to ensure fair relative strengths over the distance. Since January, diesel sports cars have progressively been subjected to more severe restrictions.

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport: “This year, Le Mans will be a particularly great challenge for us. There have been various changes made to the regulations in recent months. This has put us in a position that will make it difficult for us to decide the competition in our favor based on our racing performance. But we’re going to focus on our strengths as a team, which we’ve demonstrated on numerous occasions. It’s about doing a one-hundred-percent perfect job. We’ve got to reduce the stopping times in the pits to a minimum and, that way, try to compensate for the restrictions which the regulations have imposed on us.”

Chris Reinke, Leiter LMP: “We thoroughly prepared for the most important race of the year with the entire team and, as is typical for Audi, are again entering the race with a number of innovations this year. On the test day a week ago, we didn’t learn a lot yet about how the relative strengths pan out this year. The first two WEC races haven’t been representative either. We’re eager to see how the race week will develop and whether the type of battle will be possible that the audience and we all greatly wish to see – a balanced competition for overall victory. We’ve done everything we could on our part to make this happen.”

Ralf Jüttner, Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest: “We’re very much hoping to see a classic race at Le Mans this year that won’t make things too easy for anybody. Maybe we’ll get an idea of absolute lap times in qualifying. But we’ll probably only be able to tell during the course of the race what effects the most recent changes in the regulations will have. Only then will we be able to finalize our strategy. I’m expecting an intense battle.”

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers

Marcel Fässler (37/CH), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-In 2011, was the first Swiss to win the Le Mans 24 Hours
-Most recently won at Spa with André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer
“I look forward to Le Mans every year because it’s a fantastic challenge. We’ve got strong rivals, but we’re very motivated and have got a good car in the Audi R18 e-tron quattro. We know what the entire team is capable of achieving and will go all out in order to win.”

André Lotterer (31/D), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Has clinched two victories at Le Mans in four runs so far
-Is leading the World Championship with his two team-mates
“I’m traveling to Le Mans with a good feeling. The two victories in recent years are great and give us self-confidence, and of course we’re competing to win. But we should simply ignore these two wins and concentrate on this year. Finishing – hopefully without any problems – has to be our first objective. Then we’ll see what the outcome will be because at Le Mans anything can happen.”

Benoît Tréluyer (36/F), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-The winner of the past two years is experiencing his home race at Le Mans
-This year, has won the Sebring 12 Hours and the Spa 6 Hours
“Finally, we’re returning to Le Mans and I can run on this track in the Audi R18 e-tron quattro again. After Spa, I drove the car once more on the test day at Le Mans. That was good practice. A home round is always something very special. Many fans and friends will come to the event to support me. That’s a nice feeling.”

Loïc Duval (31/F), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Drove the fastest race lap last year and set the absolute best time in 2010
-Achieved the fastest time at Le Mans a week ago on the test day
“Le Mans is an amazing event. For me, it’s almost a home around because I’m from Chartres. For a year, I’ve been waiting to return to La Sarthe. At that time, things weren’t going as well for us as they should have. Now I’m hoping for a particularly good result and can hardly wait for the race week to finally start.”

Tom Kristensen (45/DK), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-As an eight-time winner, is holding the record at Le Mans
-Won the opening event at Silverstone with his team-mates
“There’s no other race you’ve got to prepare for in such detail. We haven’t been on this track for a year, that’s why the test day last Sunday was so valuable. Audi has continually improved the R18 e-tron quattro and taken care of a lot of details. The battle this year will again be very close and tough. Top performance is equally important as consistency. And on a personal note, Allan McNish and I’ll be driving without Dindo Capello as our team-mate for the first time in seven years at Le Mans. Our new colleague Loïc Duval is quick and loaded with motivation. The three of us have established excellent rapport.”

Allan McNish (43/GB), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Has won the Le Mans 24 Hours twice before
-Is only trailing the leaders of the WEC standings by one point
“Le Mans with its unique character is like a world soccer championship in a way. You absolutely want to win the biggest race of the year, but even if you’re on podium in second or third place it’s a great feeling. I’ve been on podium there eight times before, and twice as a winner. This year, I’d like to mount the very top again. You can never afford to rest at this race. Emotionally, the 24 Hours cost me more energy than the physical strength you’ve got to exert as a race driver.”

Marc Gené (39/E), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #3 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Won the classic race at Le Mans in 2009
-Is running with two new Audi team-mates this year
“We’re working for a whole year toward this one race. We’re well prepared, as we’ve previously shown at Silverstone and Spa. I’m expecting us to be in contention for victory. I’m running at Le Mans for the seventh time and have never had as good a feeling before the race as this year.”

Lucas di Grassi (28/BR), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #3 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Is the only Audi driver who has never run at Le Mans before
-Achieved second place at the Sebring 12 Hours with Audi
“My first race at Le Mans will be a great experience at which I’ll be learning a lot. In our team, we’ve got legends like Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish. It’s a privilege to belong to such a squad. Finishing the race, learning and being as good as possible – these are my aims.”

Oliver Jarvis (29/GB), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #3 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Won the GT class at Daytona 24 Hours with Audi
-Celebrated his first sports car victory at the Sebring 12 Hours
“After third place last year, I’d obviously like to move up on the podium. But first, you’ve got to finish on podium to begin with. Anything’s possible at what is arguably the world’s toughest race. I believe in our competitiveness – in the battle with our team colleagues, as well as with Toyota.”


Audi Sport press release

[Rob]

ASTON MARTIN TARGETS LE MANS SUCCESS WITH FIVE-CAR ENTRY

Le Mans, 17 June 2013 - Aston Martin Racing prepares for its most ambitious assault on the 24 Hour of Le Mans as it takes five Vantage GTEs – the team’s largest entry to date – to the world-famous endurance race this weekend (22-23 June).

The 2013 event is set to live long in the memories of racing fans as Aston Martin celebrates its centenary and the 24-hour event marks its 90th anniversary.

The team returns to the Circuit de le Sarthe in a strong position as it leads the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in both the Pro and the Am GTE classes following the first two rounds. Furthermore, at the official Le Mans test day (9 June) it topped the timesheets with the #97 Pro car and the #96 Am car both showing class-leading pace.

“Yes, we were the fastest in the test session, but winning a race like the 24 Hours of Le Mans takes more than speed,” comments Aston Martin Racing Team Principal, John Gaw. “Saying that, we’ve also shown great reliability – throughout both the Six Hours of Silverstone, at which we won in both classes, and the Six Hours of Spa where we had no significant issues with any of our Vantage GTEs.

“Running five cars smoothly for 24 hours, however, is going to be a huge challenge. We are very well prepared, thanks to our hard-working team, and we are incredibly focused but we know that there is fierce competition in both GTE classes. Our ambition is to be on that podium in both classes; our desire is to be on the top step – that would be the most fitting way to celebrate Aston Martin’s centenary year.”

Alongside the prestigious endurance race, Aston Martin will continue its centenary celebrations with a host of activities on and off the track. The weekend kicks off at 10:55 hrs on Saturday 22 June, when an exclusive selection of modern and historic Aston Martin sports cars take part in an exclusive Centenary Festival Parade led by Aston Martin’s latest concept car, the CC100, which will be driven by the British company’s CEO Dr Ulrich Bez.

Created as a stunning celebration of the great British brand’s 100 years of sports car excellence the one-off CC100 looks both to the past and the DBR1 – Aston Martin’s greatest sporting triumph on the track – and to the future with its teasing glimpses of potential future design direction.

In addition, Aston Martin Racing’s partner Gulf will be unveiling the winning design for its livery competition. To mark Aston Martin’s centenary, the global oil brand invited fans to design the Le Mans livery for the #97 Vantage GTE. Drivers Darren Turner (GB), Stefan Mücke (D) and Peter Dumbreck (GB) chose their favourite design, which will be unveiled at scrutineering today (Monday 17 June) and will adorn the #97 car throughout race week.

David Richards Aston Martin Chairman, said: “The 24 Hours of Le Mans is, without doubt, the greatest sports car race in the world and this will be the ninth consecutive year that we’ve taken part. However, our centenary year is rather special and if we were to win on this occasion it would be the perfect way to cap a year of celebrations.”

Aston Martin Racing’s five-car campaign – its most ambitious entry to date in the endurance classic – comprises three entries in the GTE Pro class and two in the GTE Am class. Each car has a three-strong driver line-up with Jonny Adam (GB) and Richie Stanaway (NZ) acting as reserve drivers for the team for the 24-hour race, ready to step into any car should they be required.

GTE Pro cars:
#97 Darren Turner (GB), Stefan Mücke (D) and Peter Dumbreck (GB)
#98 Pedro Lamy (PT), Paul Dalla Lana (CN) and Bill Auberlen (USA)
#99 Bruno Senna (BR), Fred Makowiecki (FR) and Rob Bell (GB)

GTE Am cars:
#95 Allan Simonsen (DN), Kristian Poulsen (DN) and Christoffer Nygaard (DN)
#96 Jamie Campbell-Walter (GB), Stuart Hall (GB) and Roald Goethe (D)

The 90th Edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans starts on 22 June at 15:00 hrs CET. Follow the team’s progress at www.astonmartin.com/racing on Facebook www.facebook.com/astonmartinracing and on Twitter using @AMR_Official

- ENDS -

[Rob]

[Tifoso]

Is this on SPEED?

[Rob]

Is this on SPEED?

i think it is yes amico mio. I will check to make 120% sure.

[Rob]

OLIVIER BERETTA: "I AM CONFIDENT FOR THE RACE! "
The Monegasque driver will approach its 18th Le Mans 24 Hours and like last year it will be behind the wheel of a Ferrari F458 Italia AF Corse in GTE Pro.

How were your laps during testing trials Sunday, June 9?



Olivier Beretta: Like everyone, it rained so unfortunately we have not been able to do all the program you want! But overall we did a good job! But now we do not know who has what at the Balance of Performance and especially that showed and showed no know! , We can not go beyond what we've shown! They have taken us 5 liters, we have a small spoiler. It is difficult for the organizer who is trying to do its best and its best! I put myself in their place, I will not be able to do it, I will not be where to start! But when you see the grid fins of Aston Martin, Corvettes and those of Ferrari, we see immediately that this is not the same category! They have a wide car, they have more spoiler and go as fast as we straight! I'm not an engineer, of course, but it is obvious. It is difficult for the organizers to find a balance as close as possible! The only thing I hope is that we will have a race where the cars are relatively very close and we attend a great race!

What about the race? You remain confident because the Ferrari F458 has a good frame!

I'm very confident of course! We have a great frame, I would say it is one of the best chassis I've never driven but there are straight lines too!

How does your agreement with Kamui Kobayashi?

This is going very well. He learns quickly and is a very professional!

[Rob]

THE AF CORSE FERRARI ARMADA LANDED IN WEIGHING!
The AF Corse armada has just made its appearance Republic Square with its five Ferrari 458 Italia to pass regulatory audits.

Itlaienne the brand will face tough competition with the Corvette, Aston Martin, Porsche and Viper now. To meet this challenge, the team will run two models GTE Pro with three former Formula 1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella, Gianmaria Bruni (a GT victory in 2008), Olivier Beretta (6 wins in GT) and the last little while straight out of Formula 1, Kamui Kobayashi.

51: Gianmaria Bruni, Giancarlo FISICHELLA, Matteo Malucelli

No. 71: Olivier BERETTA, Kamui Kobayashi, Toni Vilander

In GTE Am, the team will enter three Ferrari 458 Italia (2012 model as required by the regulations)

54: Yannick MALLEGOL, Jean-Marc Bachelier, Howard BLANK

55: Piergiuseppe Perazzini, Lorenzo CASE, DARRYL O'YOUNG

No. 61: Jack Gerber, Matthew Griffin, Marco Cioci

The objectives are clearly displayed: retain the title in the GTE Pro and GTE Am class win!

[Tifoso]

i think it is yes amico mio. I will check to make 120% sure.

Thanks mate!

[Nova]

I remember them saying they are going to broadcast something like 12 or more hours live. I dont watch Speed much anymore, they show quite a bit of non racing reality shows, so not much need to tune in. Real racing is reality enough for me...
I'll check out their schedule n post it.

Here ya go...Its all I could find on their site..
TELEVISION: SPEED: Saturday 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. ET; 4-7 p.m. ET; 7:30 p.m.-9:30 a.m. ET
STREAMING: SPEED.com: Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET; 7-7:30 p.m. ET; Plus Live! In-Car cameras

[Nova]

Dont the Astons run 12 cyl engines? They sure posted some fast times. The Vipers are new, so they may have teething problems...If the Astons fall out, Vettes will def be there..they are pretty strong. But so are we..Go Ferrari!!!!!
Thx for the cool 512 vids. Cool.

[Rob]

Dont the Astons run 12 cyl engines? They sure posted some fast times. The Vipers are new, so they may have teething problems...If the Astons fall out, Vettes will def be there..they are pretty strong. But so are we..Go Ferrari!!!!!
Thx for the cool 512 vids. Cool.

The Astons are V8s, but sound very very nice. Vipers i cannt see getting to the end, like them too as i do like them(just as few parts are from Maranello)

Yes the 512 vids cracking, lovely car.

[Rob]

ASTON MARTIN RACING UNVEILS WINNING LE MANS GULF LIVERY

Le Mans, 18 June 2013 - Aston Martin Racing and Gulf have unveiled the winner of their livery design competition.

The design, inspired by the change in atmosphere as day gives way to night during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, was created by Jonathan Wesley from Kettering in the UK and will adorn the #97 Vantage GTE throughout race week.

Darren Turner (GB), Stefan Mücke (D) and Peter Dumbreck (GB), drivers of the #97 Vantage GTE, selected Jonathan’s design from the hundreds of entries received. He will now attend the race weekend as a VIP guest of Gulf to see his winning design compete in the 90th 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"I have been excited ever since I got the news that my design had been chosen,” comments Jonathan. “I loved the chance of being able to design a Gulf Aston Martin, but it's already such a classic livery that I was wondering what I could do.

“I was just sketching a few thoughts out and I liked the idea of the car being a different colour on both sides. I thought about the Gulf corporate colours – dark blue, light blue, orange and white – and I came up with the idea of ‘daylight to dusk’, which to me is the most exciting part of the race.

“So it moves from the white with the broad orange stripe dividing things to the dark blue of the night. The orange and blue lines represent the streaks that you often see in photos of the cars at night and the whole design sort of summed up the essence of Le Mans to me."

Gulf, which has partnered Aston Martin Racing for five years and has signed a further three-year deal, ran the livery competition to allow fans to participate in the team’s most ambitious Le Mans campaign, marking the centenary year of Aston Martin.

Sam Cork, Global Brand Manager at Gulf explained: “Gulf has been responsible for some extremely iconic motorsport liveries and we wanted to give fans the opportunity to play their part. To design the livery for a Gulf Aston Martin, racing at Le Mans in the brand’s centenary year, is really something quite special.

“This livery will enter Gulf and Aston Martin Racing’s history books and Jonathan should be extremely proud to be the winner, as we had hundreds of entries from all over the world. The design is excellent. It is everything we hoped for. We can’t wait to see it take to the track for the most exciting endurance race of the year.”

The #97 car is one of five Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTEs competing in the 24-hour race, but the only one to carry the competition-winning design. The car will first be seen on the Circuit de la Sarthe at the first free practice session on Wednesday 19 June at 16:00 hrs.

Follow the team’s progress on the website www.astonmartin.com/racing, on Facebook www.facebook.com and on Twitter using @AMR_Official

- ENDS -

[Rob]

[Rob]

SECRETS OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM TOYOTA TS030
A few days of great duel Audi-Toyota, we begin to learn a little more about the forces. Here Toyota unveils its hybrid system that will power this year, two prototypes.

Since its introduction in 2012, the Toyota TS030 Hybrid never ceases to evolve. Like its German rival, the Japanese firm has chosen a hybrid system to equip its cars competing in endurance. But the similarities end there.

The powertrain consists of a 530hp V8, 3.4 liter petrol engine motor air associated with a hybrid with 300 hp. Braking, in the recovery zones, the energy is stored in the system which converts it into electricity by the generator-motor unit, located between the engine and the gearbox, in the gearbox housing.

This power is transmitted via an inverter in a storage device in the cab next to the driver. So when it accelerates, the hybrid system automatically delivers for about three seconds, the additional energy. Therefore the driver has additional than the gasoline engine and transmits power to the rear wheels.

There can be no doubt that the Toyota engineers have all thought. Whether the engine, aerodynamics or the control system, it seems that the TS030 Hybrid brings with it significant assets on the eve of playing the long-awaited duel.

Find out in this video, Yoshiaki Kinoshita, president of Toyota and Hisatake Murat, Head of Hybrid project. Commentary in English

[Rob]

24 HOURS OF LE MANS DRIVERS IN STATISTICS

The largest number of wins by nationality : 32 English 42 wins. Contrary to what one might think, it is not the French who come to mind, but the English, a cult in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and are still very many around the circuit, sometimes driving cars improbable, and in the stands. Paradoxically, only Derek Bell has more than three victories at Le Mans. Note that the traffic are just a win less and therefore, if Benoit Treluyer added a third consecutive win to his record, the "froggies" catch up with the subjects of his majesty!

The greatest number of consecutive wins : 6 Tom "Mr. Le Mans" Kristensen (! 12 podiums still, another record), as would be in doubt. However, it does not hold the record for the most number of consecutive podiums: he is his former teammate Audi, Emanuele Pirro, with a total of 9, while the star is in Danish only 7 . The winning trio from last year could continue its momentum with three podiums in a row so far.

The highest number of pole positions : 5 Jacky Ickx, who held the record for victories at Le Mans before Tom Kristensen dethrones. Surprisingly, only nine drivers have won more than one pole position in the history of Le Mans double clock tower. Surprisingly, too, is Rinaldo "Dindo" Capello (10 podiums and three wins) and not his former teammates Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish, one pole each, who signed three poles. Finally, one pilot was hoisted on the first line in his first participation: William David in 1995.

The largest number of fastest laps : 5 Jacky Icks again and only 13 drivers have several fastest laps. Among the drivers who will participate in the 90th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Tom Kristensen (3), Allan McNish and Loïc Duval (2) are shown.

[Rob]

Just afew pictures from past couple days...

[Rob]