Category: WEC

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Audi Video WEC

VIDEO: Onboard around the Le Mans circuit

2012 LM24, Audi R8 e-tron quattro, onboard video

Surprisingly, finding decent onboard footage showing a full lap of the Circuit de la Sarthe is a difficult thing to do. Thankfully for you, we’ve done all the hard work and found three of the best examples on YouTube.

The first clip was filmed onboard the #2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro during the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans. The second was shot behind the wheel with Jon Lancaster in his Oreca Judd LMP2 machine during the test day for last year’s race. For the third video three-time Le Mans winner and all-round good guy Allan McNish talks us through a lap of the 13.629km circuit.

For extra reference we’ve included a track layout below, along with a link to the track on Google Maps.

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Porsche WEC

2015 LM24: Porsche claims pole position

No18 Porsche 919 Hybrid, pole position, 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans

The #18 Porsche 919 Hybrid will start the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans from pole position. Yesterday’s time from first qualifying of 3:16.887 was enough for the crew of Dumas/Jani/Lieb and could not be bettered in the next two sessions.

It’s a clean sweep for Porsche, too, as all three 919s will start from the first three positions. Mark Webber’s #17 919 will start from P2, also unable to better its time from yesterday, while the #19 919 did improve its time slightly, but remains in P3.

Following the Porsches are the three Audi R18 e-tron quattros, who stayed ahead of the two Toyota TS040 hybrids. The Nissan GT-R LM Nismos were able to improve somewhat and will start from positions P12, P13 and P15.

A table showing all classes and all 56 grid positions can be seen after the break.

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Porsche WEC

2015 LM24: Porsche dominates qualifying 1

Porsche 919 Hybrid

After qualifying 1 at the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans Porsche has claimed a new qualifying record for the current circuit configuration. That’s thanks to Neel Jani in the #18 919 Hybrid who topped the timesheets with a 3:16.887 lap.

Second fastest was the #17 919 which lapped the 13.629km circuit in 3:17.767, while the #19 919 made it a Porsche clean sweep with a best time of 3:19.297.

There are two further qualifying sessions left for Thursday, but with wet weather expected these times may stand. Both the #17 and #18 cars went comfortably under the old qualifying record of 3:18.513, which was set by Peugeot on way to pole position in the 2008 race.

Behind the Porsches were the three Audi R18 e-tron quattros, with the two Toyota TS040s further behind. The best the Nissan GT-R LM Nismos could do on the overall times is place P12, P31 and P32. The #23 GT-R LM was quickest, more than 21 seconds off the pace.

There’s more from Porsche after the break, including a brief video.

A full list of times from the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans can be accessed HERE.

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BMW Green Machines WEC

BMW to bring hydrogen-power to Le Mans?

BMW V12 LMR

BMW is reportedly considering a return to Le Mans. And it won’t be conventional if they do, with word that BMW plans to power its car with hydrogen fuel cells.

It’s believed the project has moved someway down the internal approval chain inside BMW, with an entry into the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans the most likely.

If BMW does sign-off on a return to Le Mans they may consider applying for a Garage 56 entry, which is non-competitive and affords marketing and research opportunities. The recent Nissan DeltaWing and ZEOD racecars were Garage 56 entries.

A full LMP1 program appears unlikely at this stage after Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport boss, told Autosport, “LMP1 is, at the moment, the big hybrid thing, and in there we wouldn’t be the leader.

“We wouldn’t even be the fast follower, we would be a slow follower now, as the fifth [after Audi, Toyota, Porsche and Nissan] manufacturer joining in.”

BMW has a single Le Mans victory when the V12 LMR, built in partnership with Williams F1, won the 1999 race. We’ve added a few extra pics of the V12 LMR for you after the break.

[Source: Autocar]

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Nissan Video WEC

VIDEO: Why is the Nissan GT-R LM Nismo FWD?

Nissan GT-R LM Nismo

Yes, why is the Nissan GT-R LM Nismo front-wheel drive? That’s a very good question and Nissan attempts to justify its batshit crazy idea in this video…

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Audi WEC

2015 LM24: Audi preview

2015 24 Hours of Le Mans, Audi preview

In recent years Audi and winning have gone hand in hand at Le Mans. The team has racked up a mind boggling 13 race victories since its maiden win in 2000. Only Bentley (2003) and Peugeot (2009) have prevented total Audi dominance.

Since its introduction in 2011 the R18 has remained undefeated at the Circuit de la Sarthe. Audi was disappointed to lose its world champion status to Toyota in 2014 and has begun to remedy that in the 2015 season with victories for the lead #7 car at Silverstone and Spa.

Indeed the Fässler, Lotterer and Tréluyer combination is aiming for its fourth win at Le Mans in the last four years (2011, 2012 and 2014).

Porsche might have the fastest car this year, but Audi has shown time and again that outright pace is not needed to win over 24 hours. You’d be a brave punter to bet against Audi making it victory number 14 this year.

Audi R18 e-tron quattro

#7 – Marcel Fässler (SUI), André Lotterer (GER), Benoît Tréluyer (FRA)
#8 – Lucas di Grassi (BRA), Loïc Duval (FRA), Oliver Jarvis (GB)
#9 – Filipe Albuquerque (POR), Marco Bonanomi (ITA), René Rast (GER)

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Nissan WEC

2015 LM24: Nissan preview

2015 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nissan preview

In one of the most unconventional and crazy ideas ever Nissan is rocking up to Le Mans this year with a front-wheel drive GT-R LM Nismo. And not just one either, there’ll be three of these wacky racers on track.

Yes, Nissan is deadly serious about its upfront approach to winning the world’s best known 24 hour race. And that’s even before you consider the PlayStation gamer turned professional racer recruitment drive.

The world needs people who make you stop and think WTF?! Thank you Nissan. Nothing would be cooler than seeing you guys turn the racing world on its head with victory at the LM24.

Alas, the form shown during the official test session last month shows the GT-R LM has a long way to go before we can expect it to match its more experienced competition.

Nissan GT-R LM Nismo

#23 – Max Chilton (GB), Jann Mardenborough (GB), Olivier Pla (FRA)
#22 – Michael Krumm (GER), Harry Tincknell (GB), Alex Buncombe (GB)
#21 – Tsugio Matsuda (JAP), Lucas Ordonez (ESP), Mark Shulzhitskiy (RUS)

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Toyota WEC

2015 LM24: Toyota preview

2015 24 Hours of Le Mans, Toyota preview

Toyota had great momentum throughout the latter stages of the 2014 WEC season, winning three of the last four races. Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi were crowned world champions.

Unfortunately for Toyota that momentum has not carried through into the 2015 season. The team finished fifth and eighth at the season opener in Silverstone, although improved to finish third and fourth at Spa. But the TS040s were off the pace in the recent Le Mans official test session. Foxing? We don’t think so.

However, the great thing about Le Mans this year is that any of the four factory-backed LMP1 teams would make a wonderful winning story. And Toyota is clearly no exception there, it would be a well deserved win if Toyota can rise to the top step of the podium after the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015. It’s the only step on the Le Mans podium Toyota is yet to conquer.

We wish them well.

Toyota TS040 Hybrid

#1 – Anthony Davidson (GB), Sébastien Buemi (SUI), Kazuki Nakajima (JAP)
#2 – Alex Wurz (AUT), Stéphane Sarrazin (FRA), Mike Conway (GB)

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Porsche WEC

2015 LM24: Porsche preview

2015 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porsche preview

Porsche has entered three 919 Hybrids for Le Mans this year and after setting the fastest time in last month’s official test session at the Circuit de la Sarthe the team will have good reason to think it can claim victory #17 in the endurance classic.

The 2015-spec 919 is super fast in a straight line and that will hold them in good stead on the 13.629km Le Mans circuit.

Each of the three 919s will carry a unique livery, making them easy to spot. For example, and not so seriously, the red one is #17 and shall be known as Mark Webber’s car. The white one is #19, otherwise known as Nico Hulkenberg’s car. And the black one is #18, known as that other 919.

Joining the LMP1 effort will be four 911 RSRs, two each in the GTE Pro and GTE Am categories. For the ladies out there, you need to keep an eye on the #77 911 RSR which will be driven by Patrick Dempsey, and that other Patrick guy.

Porsche’s full pre-race press release and more pics can be seen after the break.

Porsche 919 Hybrid

#17 – Timo Bernhard (GER), Brendon Hartley (NZ), Mark Webber (AUS)
#18 – Romain Dumas (GER), Neel Jani (SUI), Marc Lieb (GER)
#19 – Earl Bamber (NZ), Nico Hulkenberg (GER), Nick Tandy (GB)

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Toyota Video WEC

VIDEO: Toyota’s 30 years of Le Mans

Toyota's 30 years of Le Mans

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Toyota’s first appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Back in 1985 its hopes were pinned on the 85C-L, the two-car effort managing a respectable 12th place for the #36 car, while the #38 entry did not finish.

Today, Toyota will fight for the ultimate Le Mans success with the TS040. Again the team will have two cars, carrying the numbers #1 and #2. And with four second place finishes at the Circuit de la Sarthe (1992, 1994, 1999 and 2013) you could say Toyota is due for a win on Sunday afternoon.

You can relive Toyota’s Le Mans history with a very slick short film after the break.

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Audi Nissan Porsche Toyota WEC

2015 24 Hours of Le Mans spotter guide

2015 24 Hours of Le Mans spotter guide

The 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans will be held this weekend and as always the talented Andy Blackmore has made his legendary spotter guide available as a free download.

[Source: spotterguides]

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Ford WEC

Ford set to return to Le Mans in 2016

Ford GT

Ford has announced it will be holding a press conference in Europe on Friday where it is expected to confirm its return to Le Mans with a GT-based entry in the 2016 race.

Chip Ganassi is tipped to lead a two-car team in the World Endurance Championship in the LMP1 category, along with a two-car United Sportscar Championship team. That will culminate in a four-car assault for outright victory in next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The iconic Ford GT40 won Le Mans four times in success from 1966–69.

[Source: Racer]