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Rear drivetrain out apparently and lost at least 5 laps (more like 6 now). Apparently a crankshaft sensor gone, which can affect all sorts such as gear changes etc. They're putting it back together now but I reckon they'll be 7 or 8 laps back by the time they get back out.Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
Personally I don't think that appears to be what happened. If the car had hit a tree then I don't think it would have bounced back onto the track so far. Trees tend to keep a hold of cars to a certain extent.Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
As someone said on Facebook, it was the type of accident that happened which caused the end result, this wasn't an impact that happened across seconds like Rockenfeller and McNish's 2011 accidents, this was short and sharp. One wonders why perhaps there wasn't a tyre wall there? Obviously we need to know what actually happened before knowing how it could have been averted, if as someone else said, it was a seat failure, then there may have been nothing at all that could have been done. If a seat fails then you're at the mercy of the gods and you could be lucky like Ari Vatanen or not so lucky. Only time will tell.
Yer, so #1 is out of the battle for podium, so its 2 Audis and 2 Toyotas for 3 podium placesQuote:
Originally Posted by MrJan
Way to early for that types of conclusions, we saw how quickly things can change.Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
With 16½ hours to go, allot of things can go wrong. Mechanical problems, flat tires, driver errors.
Mistake while lapping and etc....
Well look what the cat dragged in :laugh: Haven't seen your name around these parts for a while.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
Still way too early to predict any results, we haven't even begun to nudge close to the half way point and it's only just started to get dark. With plenty of talk still about rain I think that it's going to be a long race with a lot more twists and turns.
Hear what you are saying but #1 is 21st an 11 laps down, so for the 4 leaders to have 9 or 10 laps worth of problems is unlikely a they are on similar pace.
#1 could still gain 7 laps to finish 5th as it stands and even 3rd or 4th with retirements but in terms of battling the top 4 as it stands would be a miracle surely.
Agree about the accident, I was only suggesting as a driver following Simonsen said he had seen the tree behind the barrier marked.
Still dont know what happened for certain.
3 car in the garage now. Doesn't look as serious as the #1's problems but still could lose a bit of time. The saving grace is that the SC is out at the minute, so everyone else is circulating slowly.
I'm always watching Le Mans :) can't quite get into the race this year for some reason.Quote:
Originally Posted by MrJan
Me too. It is the best circuit race in the world in my opinion, but as a Belgian of course I like the 24 hours of Spa-Francorchamps too, which will have around 70 cars at the start this year. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
Still I have a mixed feeling about this year Le Mans with the dead of Simonsen, R.I.P. :(
Nice to hear.... well read you again Daniel after so long.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
Its understandable. This race will never get us as excited after events today. Still an interesting race though, especially after the recent issues for Audi.
It is also enjoyable to discuss a race without any trolling. Just people enjoying the race.
And that only happens when it appeals solely to true enthusiasts, as opposed to 'fans'. Sports car racing generally isn't the domain of idiots.Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
This is another indication of how rare fatal accidents are nowadays. Quite rightly, the 1969 race is revered as one of the greatest ever and was at the time, too, in spite of the fact that John Woolfe was killed in a violent accident on the first lap (to say nothing of Lucien Bianchi's death at the test weekend).Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
This race could absolutely still become a classic race, but as we have said things being as they are today, the wider world will only remember poor Simonsen.
Not saying thats wrong of course, but as you say times change.
As for this race I am enjoying it alot, interesting to see if that #2 Audi runs trouble free. I have to admit I wouldn't mind seeing a Toyota win, albeit through racing rather than retirements.
I saw an interview earlier with Giancarlo Fisichella and he was very visibly upset over Simonsens death, and comparing to other drivers seemed in a bad state in terms of being able to drive.
As I write car #88 in the gravel and out of 1st place in the GT Am Class. Another SC they are suggesting.
So just over 13 hours left and I am still watching.
Anyone else still up and committed?
Anyway we now seem to have 5 retirements and 51 cars left spread out by 33 Laps.
Still only a couple of minutes covering 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Its looking a decent battle. Still only 1 lap behind the lead Audi too.
Yay wakey wakey!
Not much happening now though.
We are into the real night leg now though and things can really change now.
Ohhh Night Driving :)
Just got in from a 14 hour shift by the way.
Another nasty crash. Looks like the drivers out this time thank god.
What Ben said is completely true. People watch Le Mans for the racing and nothing more.......Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
Huge accident out of the Porsche Curves, I was amazed to see him get out of the car under his own steam and walk away, was really fearing the worst.
Some great onboard shots at the minute, the speed that's being carried is phenomenal, the entry to Indianapolis is fantastic.
Did not expect to tune back in to find that Audi #1 and #3 hit trouble!
BS call from race director. Shouldn't keep safety car out just to allow others to chance tyres.
Yep, that was a brilliant call by the #8 Toyota team which has just been completely undone.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfa Fan
Why aren't we racing?!
At least we still have a race on our hands. Still 2:27 between the #2 Audi and the #8 Toyota with only a second or two back to the #7.
Not proud of it but had to give up and get some sleep. Time to see whats been happening
One of the Eurosport commentators at the moment has an incredibly annoying voice.
Just had a catch up overnight. That was a huge shunt wasn't it for #30. Great to see the driver seemingly walking away.
Also a comic incident with the slow LMP2 car not being aware and collecting a couple of unsuspecting GT cars.
So Audi #2 is looking good thus far. A nice Lap and a bit gap so in terms of driving they can take it steady and just watch for mistakes and mechanical issues.
Toyota #8 is just over a lap behind and Wurz in the #7 car is all but 2 laps down now and Audi #3 is a safety car behind Wurz so a nice battle for Podiums is still on.
Also a great drive from #1 crew. They were 25th at one point and in only 6 or 7 hours are back up to 6th even passing fellow LMP1 cars.
Oh no #13 Lola from 5th into the barrier and now another SC and could be a long one. Its damaged another barrier.
Audi #1 should be able to gain 5th now.
Could be another long SC.
How sad.
Another big impact for Aston. Drivers OK but any hope of a win has gone.
Well I was really soft and had a good few hours sleep. I saw the safety car after the barriers were screwed at Dunlop Chicane and woke up just to see the tail end of the SC for the Aston crash.
Disappointing to see that the Porsche now leads GTE Pro but Darren Turner doesn't look too far behind so I hope that Aston can still do it :up:
Jeez, that Ferrari pitstop was a bloody shambles.
Not great. Leaving with fuel hose on, then releasing into the side of another car.
Oh dear.
More Rain on the way
It would be easy to blame tiredness for that, but it was pretty much just several kinds of f**k up at once.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
Lotterer on the 'intermediate', unlikely to improve his position but can be a great guinea pig for the 2 and 3 cars.
No one hurt at least, that's what matters
Turner still gradually winding in the #92 Porsche, really hope that the Aston can bridge the gap over the next 3 hours or so.