24 Hours of Le Mans

[StuttersC]

Well, I know that Mazda hasn't been to this race in a long time but it is still the biggest race of the year for Sports Car fans and teams. This weekend marks the 70th running of the event.

Audi, which has been the dominant force for three years running, is on pole again with a factory backed car. The other two Audi Sport Team Joset cars are second and third in qualification.

The race starts at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time Saturday morning. Live coverage begins at 9:30 a.m. (ET) on Speed Channel.

We shall see if Audi can win overall three years in a row.

[Antoine]

Man...reason #34729837492837482374 to have the speed channel...too bad I can't see it...can I get online coverage anywhere...isn't their Le Mans official site...going to check.

I remember I did see some coverage when Audi first ran and I remember they had insanely fast pit stops...everything on their cars is modular...like the whole rear-end comes of and they pop a new one on (if I remember correctly)...seemed like everyone else was running around with parts. Would like to see someone else take it…although the Audi is a sweet machine…anyone remember the year the cars from Benz were literally flying into the air and into the trees…what an embarrassment.

I hope to one day see it with my own eyes. :eek:

[StuttersC]

Yep, you can hear live coverage of the whole race through Radio Le Mans...

You can get there through Speed Channels site:
http://www.speedvision.com/

Or through the offcial Le Mans site:
http://www.lemans.org/course/aco2002/statique/main/cadre_une_1_2_2_une_auto.shtml

Try those to get to the web-cast of Radio Le Mans.

------------------edit------------------------

Or, oddly enough you can get to Radio Le Mans here:
www.radiolemans.com

And they started broadcasting on Wednesday.

[StuttersC]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, what makes the Audi's so successful? Good pit strategy, reliable cars, great gas mileage and tons of money.

Yes the Audi teams can change the whole gear box in seven minutes. The rear axle and gear box come in one modular piece, so if they have to change out the tranny, they get a whole new axle to boot, complete with brakes.

On top of that the cars are fast, have direct injection and just plain are awesome.

They came in third and fourth the first year out, in '99. They came in first, second and third in 2000. Then they hit first and second last year (only allowed to run two cars becuase of rules). Who knows what will happen this year.

And yes, I think the Mercedes flew off track in '99. Pretty scary for the driver, fortunately for him the car landed right side up.

I think that same year, a Porsche 911 GT1 flipped at Road Atlanta during a sports car race.

[Antoine]

Argh!!!...I'm sitting at my computer listening to a bunch of british wierdo's on radio Le Mans...because I don't get speed channel...this sucks big time. :mad:

[StuttersC]

At least you can listen to it. My 'puter at work won't let me listen to Radio Le Mans.

I've been dying to know what the hell has been going on since Speed stopped coverage at 2:30 pm my time...The damn bastages...

I at least know Audi is 1-2-3...And the Pro-Drive Ferrari is out.

[Antoine]

At least you've seen some coverage on TV...I've been listening on and off...but I have very little idea what’s been going on...something about an abnormal amount of tire punctures because of rocks!?!?

Who’s been giving Audi the most competition?

How are the Corvettes doing?

Trying to listen to get an update before I hit the sack.

[OurP5]

At least you can listen to it. My 'puter at work won't let me listen to Radio Le Mans.

I know. It sucks. They ripped all the sound cards of uor machies at work because people listening to the radio at unbelievable volumes.

Just goes to prove the old saying: "One good apple spoils the bunch"

P.s.- Those Audis are unbelievable. 7 minutes for a rear end swap is just unreal

[StuttersC]

Originally posted by Antoine
At least you've seen some coverage on TV...I've been listening on and off...but I have very little idea what’s been going on...something about an abnormal amount of tire punctures because of rocks!?!?

Yeppers...The number 3 Audi had to start from the pits because of a tire puncture on the warm up lap. That seemed to be the deal for every other car out there. Tire punctures galore.



Who’s been giving Audi the most competition?

No one...The MG's were keeping pace but they all retired or caught fire...


How are the Corvettes doing?

They were losing to the Prodrive Ferrari, but then it broke so now they are in the lead. I think the Vipers are hasseling them now.



Trying to listen to get an update before I hit the sack.


I gotta get home from work so I can watch the end...

[Antoine]

It's over right? Please post how it ended...pleaseeee....thanks :D

[StuttersC]

Yes it's over. It ended at 8:00 am this morning Mountain time...

Audi of course took 1-2-3 overall and for the LM 900 class. The #1 and #2 car have been the same cars for the past three years with the same driver line-up. Not very many teams can claim same three drivers, same car, same team three years in a row on the podium for first and second.

Bentley took the LM GTP class win. The only LM GTP car out there but hey, they took fourth overall.

The LM 675 class honors went to the little ROC VW team. The favorites, the MG's, died through the night.

The Corvettes took 1-2 for the GTS class. A Viper took third. The Ferrari 550 broke down. It was beating the snot of the Vettes but couldn't maintain for the whole race and broke.

And the Porsche 911 GT3 RS took 1-2-3 in the GT class, I think. The Ferrari 360 in this class was supposed to dominate, and it did until it broke down.

Go to the Le Mans site should have all the details. Its here:
http://www.lemans.org/course/aco2002/statique/main/cadre_une_1_2_2_une_auto.shtml

[StuttersC]

Hopefully this will look right...

Pos Car N° Participants
Drivers
Laps - Gap - Best lap - Last lap

1 #1 AUDI SPORT TEAM JOEST (DEU)
AUDI 3596T (PROTO LMP 900)
Biela F. (DEU)
Kristensen T. (DNK)
Pirro E. (ITA)
375 - N/A - 3:33.483 - 5:17.479

2 #2 AUDI SPORT NORTH AMERICA (DEU)
AUDI 3596T (PROTO LMP 900)
Capello R. (ITA)
Herbert J. (GBR)
Pescatori Ch. (ITA)
374 - 1 L - 3:33.886 - 5:17.590

3 #3 AUDI SPORT TEAM JOEST (DEU)
AUDI 3596T (PROTO LMP 900)
Krumm M. (DEU)
Peter Ph. (AUT)
Werner M. (DEU)
372 - 3 L - 3:34.603 - 5:02.471

4 #8 TEAM BENTLEY (GBR)
BENTLEY 3995T (LM GTP)
Wallace A. (GBR)
Leitzinger B. (USA)
Van De Poele E. (BEL)
362 - 13 L - 3:39.484 - 5:45.027

5 #15 PLAYSTATION TEAM ORECA (FRA)
ORECA DALLARA JUDD 3994A (PROTO LMP 900)
Beretta O. (MCO)
Lamy P. (PRT)
Comas E. (FRA)
359 - 16 L - 3:40.268 - 4:09.898

6 #14 PLAYSTATION TEAM ORECA (FRA)
ORECA DALLARA JUDD 3994A (PROTO LMP 900)
Sarrazin S. (FRA)
Montagny F. (FRA)
Minassian N. (FRA)
359 - 00:44.455 - 3:40.474 - 4:09.497

7 #5 AUDI SPORT JAPAN TEAM GOH (JPN)
AUDI 3596T (PROTO LMP 900)
Ara S. (JPN)
Dalmas Y. (FRA)
Katoh H. (JPN)
358 - 17 L - 3:38.215 - 5:25.890

8 #16 RACING FOR HOLLAND B.V. (NLD)
DOME JUDD 3994A (PROTO LMP 900)
Lammers J. (NLD)
Hillebrand V. (NLD)
Coronel T. (NLD)
351 - 24 L - 3:40.141 - 5:17.902

9 #6 TEAM CADILLAC (USA)
CADILLAC 4000T (PROTO LMP 900)
Taylor W. (USA)
Angelelli M. (ITA)
Tinseau CH. (FRA)
344 - 31 L - 3:39.555 - 4:41.297

10 #17 PESCAROLO SPORT (FRA)
COURAGE-PEUGEOT 3199T (PROTO LMP 900)
Boullion J.CH. (FRA)
Lagorce F. (FRA)
Bourdais S. (FRA)
343 - 32 L - 3:42.958 - 4:44.226

11 #63 CORVETTE RACING (USA)
CORVETTE 6991A (LM GTS)
Fellows R. (CAN)
O'Connell J. (USA)
Gavin O. (GBR)
334 - 41 L - 4:00.293 - 4:43.503

12 #7 TEAM CADILLAC (USA)
CADILLAC 4000T (PROTO LMP 900)
Bernard E. (FRA)
Collard E. (FRA)
Lehto J.J. (FIN)
333 - 42 L - 3:40.265 - 4:42.773

13 #64 CORVETTE RACING (USA)
CORVETTE 6991A (LM GTS)
Pilgrim A. (USA)
Collins K. (USA)
Freon F. (FRA)
330 - 45 L - 4:01.980 - 4:43.169

14 #52 EQUIPE DE FRANCE FFSA (FRA)
CHRYSLER VIPER 7986A (LM GTS)
Belloc J.P. (FRA)
Cochet J. (FRA)
Treluyer B. (FRA)
325 - 50 L - 4:02.410 - 4:37.210

15 #13 COURAGE COMPETITION (FRA)
COURAGE JUDD 3994A (PROTO LMP 900)
Cottaz D. (FRA)
Derichebourg B. (FRA)
Bjork T. (SWE)
322 - 53 L - 3:41.069 - 5:13.257

16 #81 THE RACERS GROUP - KEVIN A. BUCKLER (USA)
PORSCHE GT3 3598A (LM GT)
Buckler K. (USA)
Luhr L. (DEU)
Bernhard T. (DEU)
321 - 54 L - 4:11.137 - 4:20.181

17 #80 FREISINGER MOTORSPORT (DEU)
PORSCHE GT3 3598A (LM GT)
Dumas R. (FRA)
Maassen S. (DEU)
Bergmeister J. (DEU)
321 - 02:10.847 - 4:12.346 - 5:11.158

18 #50 LARBRE COMPETITION - CHEREAU (FRA)
CHRYSLER VIPER 7986A (LM GTS)
Bouchut C. (FRA)
Goueslard P. (FRA)
Vosse V. (BEL)
319 - 56 L - 4:00.281 - 6:15.143

19 #29 DEL BELLO NOEL (FRA)
REYNARD LEHMANN 1998T (PROTO LMP 675)
Deletraz J.D. (CHE)
Lechner JR W. (AUT)
Pillon Ch. (CHE)
317 - 58 L - 3:54.675 - 5:21.289

20 #25 WELTER GERARD (FRA)
WR PEUGEOT 1999T (PROTO LMP 675)
Daoudi St. (FRA)
De Fournoux J.R. (FRA)
Bouvet J.B. (FRA)
316 - 59 L - 3:56.860 - 8:53.818

21 #77 TEAM TAISAN ADVAN (JPN)
PORSCHE GT3 3598A (LM GT)
Iida A. (JPN)
Yogo A. (JPN)
Nishizawa K. (JPN)
316 - 09:53.827 - 4:16.487 - 5:38.536

22 #82 SEIKEL MOTORSPORT (DEU)
PORSCHE GT3 3598A (LM GT)
Rosa F. (ITA)
Drudi L. (ITA)
Riccitelli L. (ITA)
315 - 60 L - 4:16.143 - 5:45.979

23 #68 RML (GBR)
SALEEN S7R 6886A (LM GTS)
Pickering G. (GBR)
Ramos M. (PRT)
Chaves P. (PRT)
312 - 63 L - 4:03.353 - 4:58.012

24 #72 LUC ALPHAND AVENTURES (FRA)
PORSCHE GT3 3598A (LM GT)
Alphand L. (FRA)
Lavieille Ch. (FRA)
Thevenin O. (FRA)
299 - 76 L - 4:21.071 - 6:23.164

25 #51 LARBRE COMPETITION - CHEREAU (FRA)
CHRYSLER VIPER 7986A (LM GTS)
Chereau J.L. (FRA)
Lagniez J.C. (FRA)
Rosenblad C. (SWE)
278 - 97 L - 4:07.924 - 6:15.000

26 #66 KONRAD MOTORSPORT (DEU)
SALEEN S7R 6886A (LM GTS)
Konrad F. (AUT)
Borcheller T. (USA)
Seiler T. (CHE)
265 - 110 L - 4:02.780 - 4:42.997

27 #10 DAMS (FRA)
VAILLANTE 3994A (PROTO LMP 900)
Neugarten M. (BEL)
Gache PH. (FRA)
Clerico E. (FRA)
149 - 226 L - 3:49.787 - 2:02.689

Those are the cars that finished...

[Antoine]

Thanks StuttersC!...I like Audi but I was hoping someone would sneak in there an break their 1-2-3 win....but they obviously have great teams/drivers/cars...will have to see for next year.

Glad the Corvettes were able to take the viper out...I wonder what’s up with Ferrari's this year...reliability issues?

Good stuff...too bad I couldn't see it on TV. :(

[StuttersC]

Originally posted by Antoine
Thanks StuttersC!...I like Audi but I was hoping someone would sneak in there an break their 1-2-3 win....but they obviously have great teams/drivers/cars...will have to see for next year.

Glad the Corvettes were able to take the viper out...I wonder what’s up with Ferrari's this year...reliability issues?

Good stuff...too bad I couldn't see it on TV. :(

The Vette's have won in GTS since there second year out. The Viper is an old car now. The biggest challenge for the Vettes ahs been the Saleen...

But now that the Ferrari's are out there, they have been giving both the Saleen and Vette a run for their money. But, the Ferrari has reliability issues in the endurance races. It can win the sprints easily enough though.