Le Mans - Looking back 24 H Hour

A little later than usual, as was unfortunately done something much more. But a little distance helps even when viewed.

The "epic battle" all the world at Le Mans had expected, it was then in the end not yet. On the contrary - the victory was clear and there was nothing to shake it. Peugeot had the better car, and it was mainly at almost any time go faster. But how could this happen, because it was still equal to Sebring and, above all, Audi had the advantage of being able to drive one lap longer. That the Peugeot on the long straights at Le Mans would be faster was known, but Audi, experts and my guess is the distance obtained on the brakes and especially in the fast S-bends before the start / finish line again. At the: who should be the perfect Audi team at Le Mans beat already, if not they themselves?

But probably is just that Audi has even beaten. While Peugeot had taken even after all the race at Spa as a test to test for additional changes to the 908 racing, Audi abandoned and left there for some testing. This is not necessarily the fault of Dr. Ulrich and his team. I assume that you would be happy to take both the LMS and ALMS in order to subject the new R15 regular stress tests. But if money is not available, you can do about nothing. Living in these times you have to with these cuts.

But a race in Le Mans, on country roads, and where 50 other cars are on the road is just something else, as a solitary test at any track. One of the main problems of the Audi R15 in the race, that was gathered in the intercoolers of the tire wear. The stuck, what drove the engine temperature went up and to the extent that we had to reduce the power of the engine. This problem had been at Audi so far never had one and it lost to box, not at each stop, but every few hours time. Cost just under two minutes to the action kärchern the cooler, which min at a lap time of 3.30 pretty much is. Peugeot knows the problem, only had the last year. And they had responded, in which you had put the cooler.

But even so - the R15 did not have the speed. During the last year, Peugeot does not keep the lap times were the quality, they could go this year in a similar region. And that's what Audi did not succeed. The 908 could easily lie down he 3:27 hours, while the Audi had to stretch there already. But you could keep the pace of the French difficult, was previously clear.

But it was expected that the 908 is the consumption under control. But here, too, saw the matter differently fast. Both brands were in the same rhythm, and once the ACO, the number of tires coupler had reduced the advantage of quick stops at the Germans was over. Peugeot must have tricked the consumer either in Sebring, or have found a great deal in two months.

Of course we also had bad luck: the early failure of # 3 with a defect, like him, according to Audi, has never happened before, to the accident of # 2 The also showed how much had to move on to the R15 limit. While the 908 very quickly, but reserves were traveling with, seemed to lie at Audi have to sprint laps. What then explains the high consumption, as was supposed, again according to Audi, the 10-cylinder to be more fuel efficient.

There was then no longer an Audi against Peugeot and Pescarolo Peugout two who are adopted but with a terrible departure at 4.00 clock in the morning. Audi at the time but had only one failure to another rescue 908th

Commend you must mention two more teams. The Aston Martin / Lola went like hell and after 12 hours they were still well within striking distance of the diesel. Since not much was missing and the ACO should fine-tune the rules again, could Aston Martin in 2010 very front seat. Also doing well were the two R10 Colin Kolles. There were some who were disappointed that Kolles R10 could never reach the times, the last year has gone. But as well, because you drive an old car so that the new regulations have been adjusted. Alone, that 40 inches should be missing rear wing, the R10 at slowing powerful. The ACO was that the cars are in a time of 3:30 min. The R10 ran in the race to the most minute 3:35. The fit also.

It was good that Peugeot has won. The French had prepared perfectly, they had the fastest car and they deserve it. It would have been detrimental to the race, if Audi would have won again. For so is Peugeot, probably compete only for reasons of honor, and again in 2010, Audi has already confirmed that they will be in 2010 also included. The next battle may come also. And I am sure that next year, Audi no longer makes the mistake of only testing. Although it has yet to be confirmed I assume that we see again the R15 at the Petit Le Mans. And who knows what next year's work with it. Squint to Le Mans Acura, Mazda is not eternal in the LMP2 rumeiern want.

Turning briefly to the other classes:
In LMP2 the great dying, went as usual, go early. Fought for two privately entered Porsche Spyder very refreshing. It was only a few seconds long separated, but then it caught the Porsche from Japan, who fell back five rounds. At the very end, she had also a strong departure from the first chicane. Apparently, a brake disc was broken.

In the GT1 won a Corvette. That was no surprise. If anything, the fact that a Corvette failed to complete a capital gearbox failure. Since Alphond Corvette was also failed, the time traveling, sometimes standing Aston Martin actually conquered space yet somehow three.

In GT2, Porsche initially gave the tone - and then fail the same rows. Ironically, the GT3, this paragon of reliability, was the last weekend of the role completely. Not one of the five Porsche was launched into the target. A nasty slap. It would have been difficult anyway against the risk Ferrari win, but it was of course nothing.

The race was something missing, despite the tension in the LMP1 fun. What is also really fascinating to the LMP1 cars. It has been seen not as beautiful, different cars. The Audi "Shark" R15, the elegant Peugeot, Aston Martin in his "Gulf" painting, which always reminded me a little of the old Porsche 917th Seldom was so taken by the various vehicles.
High praise also for € port and the ACO. Euro Sport had, as always, a great team on site and the many, many interviews with the racers and others has made almost as much fun as the race. The ACO should be congratulated, because they showed this year in the night, the full program. Not only is the pit exit, but inboard shots, chases at night and other things. Certainly be improved is the live timing, but the TV pictures were a good compensation.

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A little later than usual, as was unfortunately done something much more. But a little distance helps even when viewed. The "epic battle" all the world at Le Mans ...