Decent race with a field that thin. Can't wait to see the series in person again at LB.

 

Le Mans Series Catalunya 1000 km

Pictures:

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/event/201/2...ya-1000-km.html

 

I sure hope that Acura makes a go at LeMans this year, at least in P2. Any thoughts on why they would hold out?

 

The Le Mans entry list is closed for this year, so no chance in seeing them there this year.

Erik Berkman the President of HPD said on Wind Tunnel that Honda's overall goal is to make incremental steps towards an overall (LMP1) win at Le Mans. So unless Fernandez and Lowes can come up with the cash, I doubt there will be an ARX-01 at Le Mans next year.

 

Plus, I suspect like others they are waiting for the diesels to stop running so that they have a decent chance to win.

 

Without a doubt there needs to be more balancing between the petrol and diesel cars, but with 2 French teams running diesels this year I wouldn't hold my breath on it happening before Le Mans.

 

I am rather new to following ALMS and LMS but what is the advantage of the diesels? Power? Reliability? Fuel economy? Acura's pole at Sebring this year shows that the car can turn lap times as quick or better than the big boys, no?

 

Yes, yes, and yes.
IIRC, the diesel cars for this year have a new smaller air restrictor to promote parity with the gasoline cars.

 

The diesels have a big torque advantage over the petrol powered cars, which helps them in traffic.

 

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74361

The eligibility of the Sebring 12 Hours-winning Audi R15 TDI has been questioned by the German manufacturer's rivals, this week's AUTOSPORT magazine reveals.

Peugeot, Aston Martin Racing and ORECA are among the teams seeking a rules clarification on key elements of the radical R15. They have questioned the way Audi has used the bodywork for aerodynamic effect.

The key area of the R15 under discussion is the front aero package and, in particular, a flap above the front splitter. Audi's rivals claim this constitutes as aerodynamic element and is therefore contrary to the regulations.

The LMP1 regulations state that "with the exception of the rear wing... no bodywork or underbody element having a wing profile is permitted". Audi's rival believe that the splitter element contravenes this regulation.

Aston Martin Racing team principal George Howard-Chappell said: "It looks like it acts exactly like a flap on a wing, with the splitter arrangement acting as the main plane."

Openings on the engine cover and some of the ducting at the side of the car have also been called in question.

"The question is what constitutes an aerodynamic opening and what constitutes a radiator duct?" said Howard-Chappell.

Peugeot is pushing for changes to the R15, despite the car passing scrutineering at Sebring.

"We do not have the same interpretation of the rules as Audi," said Peugeot Sport team manager Serge Saulnier. "I do not think this issue is closed."

A clarification of the rule is imminent, according to Remy Brouard, the new director-general of Le Mans organiser the Automobile Club de l'Ouest.

"We are speaking with everyone, Audi, Peugeot and Acura, to try to clarify these points," he said. "It is the same with any rulebook."

Asked if the ACO could force Audi to modify the R15, Brouard replied: "I cannot answer that question."

It is understood that Audi has rejected overtures from the ACO to make revisions. It has argued that the car was homologated ahead of Sebring and therefore is clear to race in that form.