Le mans 2016

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Discussion

MG CHRIS

Original Poster:

9,077 posts

166 months

Wednesday 18th May 2016
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With just 30 days to go till the greatest race in the world to kick off things are looking good for another breath-taking event.
With the first 2 rds of the wec done lmp1 looks super close win for Toyota and audi a piece and all suffering reliability problems so far its the most open race for a long time. Maybe rebellion can do what they did at spa and get a good result just by running consistently.

Lmp2 as always is looking closer several teams in with a chance.

GT class is shaping up to be mega now with ford/Ferrari/Porsche/aston martin/corvette.

Im going to be watching on the tv following the chat and updates on here which last year was really friendly and just chat about the race rather than f1 threads which is handbags at dawn when Britney and is it cause im black guy takes each other out.


confucuis

1,303 posts

123 months

Wednesday 18th May 2016
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Looking forward to it!

Should be going this year. Just finished college and a postgraduate but couldn't get anyone to come with me!!

FredericRobinson

3,668 posts

231 months

Thursday 19th May 2016
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Go by yourself then, you'll be fine

Slalombug

2 posts

94 months

Friday 20th May 2016
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Go alone, camp somewhere near or on the the circuit and you'll meet loads of nice people.

Gibbyo

353 posts

171 months

Saturday 21st May 2016
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Slalombug said:
Go alone, camp somewhere near or on the the circuit and you'll meet loads of nice people.
Yep, I'm going down there on my own, again. But it's never been a problem, I've only ever been alone driving down in the car, there's plenty of people to meet talk to etc. If anything you're more likely to meet and mingle with more people like this than if you went with another 2 or 3.

sirtyro

1,824 posts

197 months

Sunday 22nd May 2016
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Just booked my tickets for the entire trip and will be on my own.

Heading down Sunday 12th very early so I can catch the scrutineering parade, something I've never seen before and then spending the week down there! Hoping for some good weather and also hoping to be one of the first to get a good spot at BJ camp site.

darren no 7

558 posts

247 months

Sunday 22nd May 2016
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I can see why you are going early if you are in the (BJ) camp site !

Catweazle

1,126 posts

141 months

Wednesday 15th June 2016
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Free practice well underway and there has already been a shower of rain.

Catweazle

1,126 posts

141 months

Wednesday 15th June 2016
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Session is red-flagged due to one of the LMP cars on fire.

Allyc85

7,225 posts

185 months

Wednesday 15th June 2016
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Really looking forward to this years race after missing the last. Just signed up to Eurosport player so I can be a totally unsociable git and not be disturbed downstairs, especially at the start!

The Hypno-Toad

12,249 posts

204 months

Wednesday 15th June 2016
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With only two cars each for Audi & Porsche & the forecast rain, could this be Toyotas year? Or even the Rebellion? Looking forward to a great race. smile

The Eurosport coverage is great too. Really makes you feel you are there. smile

IanUAE

2,927 posts

163 months

Thursday 16th June 2016
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and lets not forget the Radio LeMans commentary if you cannot get to a tv / computer.

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

151 months

Thursday 16th June 2016
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Porsche looking very strong on one lap pace. Rebellions are 12-13 seconds shy.

Toyota are about a second a lap slower in qualifying trim, though there is the odd hint that qualifying pace will be better than race pace.

Weather looks tumultuous to say the least, and given some of the hybrid teams shaky start and the Le Mans predisposition for kicking favourites in the plums now and again (Mercedes in 91, Toyota in 1999 and 2014, any World Sportscar in 1995 to name but a few) Rebellion can't be discounted for a podium.

Maybe even a reliable and well driven P2 in the top 5 again?

GT wise it's tough to see past Ferrari or Ford at the moment (pleasingly old school, eh?). Porsche have fallen back and that Aston is getting a touch long in the old tooth.

Alex Langheck

835 posts

128 months

Thursday 16th June 2016
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I saw a few comments on Twitter regarding the Balance of Performance in the GT-Pro class.....they seem to have got it wrong. Personally, BoP should be done at the start of the season - and left.

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

151 months

Thursday 16th June 2016
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Yeah, that's probably right.

I was going to say, the trouble is with new cars is that it is a bit of a guess. Though i have heard theories that Ford have been under-performing on purpose to exploit this in the run up to Le Mans.

Alex Langheck

835 posts

128 months

Thursday 16th June 2016
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It’s just like in horse racing were you lay a horse out for a big handicap; a few runs without winning, get a low weight – turn up and win the big race. Everyone knows it goes on, but unless its really obvious, you can’t stop it.

However, its been obvious that Ford are only concerned about 1 race; Le Mans. They were sandbagging. That’s the fault of the ACO for being taken in. But it suits them if Ford win the GT class….

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

151 months

Thursday 16th June 2016
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I suppose it does.

It's a real pity at the GT class is always amazingly close.

I remember in 2014 standing on the roof of the Karting pit and seeing plases 1-4 (occupied by Ferrari, Porsche, Aston and a Corvette) tearing by at 2 am, covered by about 30 seconds. Great racing.

MiniMan64

16,867 posts

189 months

Thursday 16th June 2016
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Vocal Minority said:
I suppose it does.

It's a real pity at the GT class is always amazingly close.

I remember in 2014 standing on the roof of the Karting pit and seeing plases 1-4 (occupied by Ferrari, Porsche, Aston and a Corvette) tearing by at 2 am, covered by about 30 seconds. Great racing.
I wouldn't be surprised if that was still the case this year except with a few more Fords in the mix.

jimmybell

583 posts

116 months

Thursday 16th June 2016
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Will be there as a first time visitor! Any tips beyond "ensure you drunkenly visit the ferris wheel at 2am" from a colleague?


olliethehut

135 posts

172 months

Thursday 16th June 2016
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jimmybell said:
Will be there as a first time visitor! Any tips beyond "ensure you drunkenly visit the ferris wheel at 2am" from a colleague?
Despite it being a 24hr race it goes really, really quickly. I'd recommend finding a spot for the start really early as the viewing banks get rammed as the start approaches, having a decent walk around the viewing spots near the village as the evening draws in (tetre rouge / Dunlop bridge etc), watching the pits from the start / finish straight in the middle of the night is eerie when you realise that they keep going round, and round, and round etc.
Arnage / Mulsanne is worth a visit just to get a grip of how big the track is, we were based there during the downpour at the start of the 2014 race and watching the cars spinning off at the 1st chicane whilst we were in 30 degree sunshine was surreal. The coffee from Mulsanne corner needs to be drunk as the sun comes up to truly appreciate its strength also...
In short - Don't worry about sleeping, take loads of pics, view from as many places as possible & enjoy the metal on the way down.
Id also recommend the bar outside the entrance (Stella bar???) post race, last time I was there in 2014 a lot of the Rebellion team decamped there rather than pack up their kit!