24 hours race is coming

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17th June 2011, 00:46
wedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDunnell

One thing I never have a problem with in terms of changing motorsport formulae is slowing them down a bit. Is the speed differential between the slowest GTs and the fastest prototypes now too great? I don't know how it compares statistically with the figures for 40-50 years ago, say.

Logically you'd think that but ironically - and believe it or not its the opposite.

The ACO are intent on slowing the cars down so the driver makes the difference by being aggressive in traffic. Andy Wallace bemoaned the air restrictors caused more contact in racing; ALMS - when the P2 cars seriously threatened Audi some races at times resembled a DTM/BTCC race; and Ant predicted the new diesel engines regs would create more aggressive driving.

Cause and effect: take FIA GTs as another example. You have parity systems mandated in the regs and a couple of 1hr races per meeting and they seem to resemble BTCC races these days.
17th June 2011, 00:48
wedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyRAC

Well after listening to RadioLeMans and their review, it seems that Rockenfeller and Kauffman didn't actually touch - Mike put a wheel slightly off the track and.....straight to the accident. It seems the R18 is a very nervous beast.

Haven't listened to it yet but did they get to interview Ant and give him a grilling?
17th June 2011, 00:50
Daniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by wedge

Haven't listened to it yet but did they get to interview Ant and give him a grilling?

The Radio Le Mans coverage was pitiful. They acted like Ant had almost killed someone when what he'd done was nowhere near being anywhere near being anywhere near as bad as what Michael did to Rubens last year in F1.....
17th June 2011, 00:56
Daniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDunnell

In that instance, the Ferrari certainly does seem to move over, but only by a fraction. Maybe Kauffman was more at fault in that incident than Beltoise was in the McNish shunt. But I view this as, alas, an occupational hazard in endurance racing, unless it is to be made single-class.

One thing I never have a problem with in terms of changing motorsport formulae is slowing them down a bit. Is the speed differential between the slowest GTs and the fastest prototypes now too great? I don't know how it compares statistically with the figures for 40-50 years ago, say.

Agree with the first part, not so sure about the second part though, I think faster cars going through traffic is part of the charm and the cars are exceptionally strong. I mean I really can't imagine anything more serious than those two incidents other than perhaps if a car went off into the trees......
17th June 2011, 00:58
wedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel

The Radio Le Mans coverage was pitiful. They acted like Ant had almost killed someone when what he'd done was nowhere near being anywhere near being anywhere near as bad as what Michael did to Rubens last year in F1.....

To be precise I and Andy were referring to Mid-week Motorsport when perhaps Hindy may have calmed down a bit for the review of the race...
17th June 2011, 00:58
Daniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by wedge

To be precise I and Andy were referring to Mid-week Motorsport when perhaps Hindy may have calmed down a bit for the review of the race...

Ah :)
17th June 2011, 09:02
AndyRAC

Quote:

Originally Posted by wedge

To be precise I and Andy were referring to Mid-week Motorsport when perhaps Hindy may have calmed down a bit for the review of the race...

Yeah, he had calmed down - I think everyone was expecting a night of ranting, but it didn't happen.
17th June 2011, 10:42
BDunnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel

Agree with the first part, not so sure about the second part though, I think faster cars going through traffic is part of the charm and the cars are exceptionally strong. I mean I really can't imagine anything more serious than those two incidents other than perhaps if a car went off into the trees......

I'm not arguing that there shouldn't be faster cars going through traffic, if you see what I mean.
17th June 2011, 10:43
BDunnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by wedge

Logically you'd think that but ironically - and believe it or not its the opposite.

The ACO are intent on slowing the cars down so the driver makes the difference by being aggressive in traffic. Andy Wallace bemoaned the air restrictors caused more contact in racing; ALMS - when the P2 cars seriously threatened Audi some races at times resembled a DTM/BTCC race; and Ant predicted the new diesel engines regs would create more aggressive driving.

I'm not sure I buy this argument at all. It's rather like MPs blaming the expenses system for their outrageous claims, rather than their own actions.
17th June 2011, 15:11
wedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyRAC

Yeah, he had calmed down - I think everyone was expecting a night of ranting, but it didn't happen.

Very civilised and thoughtful discussion even though the gist is fingers are still pointed at Pug's direction.

Hindy's still not happy about Ant. Ant tweeted he enjoyed playing with Audis and then took them down! Wonder if Ant will turn up at the next F1 GP for 5Live and face the Inquisition?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDunnell

I'm not sure I buy this argument at all. It's rather like MPs blaming the expenses system for their outrageous claims, rather than their own actions.

Racing drivers are supposed to race and that means pushing the envelope of machinery, rules and conduct.

In F1 Senna made arrogantly suicidal moves on backmarkers eg. 1988 Italian GP - Berger was catching Senna and Senna tried to make the difference on the chicanes and backmarkers but crashed into Schlesser; 1990 Brazillian GP - Prost was catching Senna and Senna stupidly tried a dive bomb when lapping Nakajima

Passing traffic is essential but in endurance racing (and categories across in North America) the blue flag (or similar) does not mean move out of the way else you'll be penalised.

Diesels are now smaller capacity, less HP and torque than previously used to so getting up to speed will be different, not to mention a close battle with rival. Thus you'll want to gain any vantage possible - traffic being one of them.

Quote:

McNish also played down suggestions that the rule changes that had brought the prototype and GT cars' straightline performance closer together had directly caused the crash - though he admitted that traffic now had to be handled differently.

"It's definitely more tricky to overtake with less speed differential," he said.

"When you have got less speed differential on the straight you are overtaking more in the corners. You can see that the race is coming down to just tenths right now, so you know you have got to maximise advantages when you can.

"But whether it increased the chances of it I'm not sure to be honest. It definitely... if I had 100bhp more then I would definitely have overtaken him easier, but then again it might have been at a different state in the corner."

autosport.com - Le Mans News: McNish: Crash pass not ambitious

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