Imagine......a grid full of diesels.
Discussion
With LMP1 now wholly dominated by diesel powered cars, do we need to prepare ourselves for an entry list of all diesels in the class within the next few years? It's already boring enough with the seven or so diesels fluttering by lap after lap. For me, it's all about the noise and ground shaking as cars like the Corvettes come thundering past. I even read somewhere that the Corvettes may not be in the race at all in the near future - is this right?
The diesels are undoubtedly impressive, but as a spectator's spectacle are totally uninspiring, IMO.
I for one will lose interest in the race if it ever gets to that point - and surely many other fans of this wonderful event would think the same?
The diesels are undoubtedly impressive, but as a spectator's spectacle are totally uninspiring, IMO.
I for one will lose interest in the race if it ever gets to that point - and surely many other fans of this wonderful event would think the same?
It's always been an endurance race, as this year proved so admirably, so if the top teams continue to rock up with diesels then I'll still go and watch them race.
I don't actually have too much of an issue with the sound of the diesels, because the spectacle they provide when you see them hammering out of corners is very impressive.
For me the sound is a bonus, but not an essential part of what Le Mans is about.
That said, Dr Ulrich was recently quoted as saying that sound is an important part of the experience of watching racing cars, and acknowledges that it's OK while there are only a few diesels but that it may need something done if the entire field used them.
For all the b
hing about diesels that goes on (and I'll admit to being a part of it) - the race that they put on this year was incredible - a grid full of racing that close? Yes please.
The noise aspect is a bit worrying (the pugs did actually sound ok in a farty diesel sort of way) but tbh, that is pretty much already gone from the prototypes - even the Lola Aston sounded quiet compared to how it used to.
For me, the whole GTE field was good at noise (especially the evora surprisingly
)
Actually, after hearing the 787B, everything sounded pretty weak.
hing about diesels that goes on (and I'll admit to being a part of it) - the race that they put on this year was incredible - a grid full of racing that close? Yes please.The noise aspect is a bit worrying (the pugs did actually sound ok in a farty diesel sort of way) but tbh, that is pretty much already gone from the prototypes - even the Lola Aston sounded quiet compared to how it used to.
For me, the whole GTE field was good at noise (especially the evora surprisingly
)Actually, after hearing the 787B, everything sounded pretty weak.
I go to watch the Corvettes first and foremost.
Audi have won every year ('cept for Bentley in 2003 and Peugeot in 2009) I have been at Le Mans since 2000 and whether their cars are petrol or diesel the all sound pretty much the same, still devilishly fast though.
One good thing about the diesels is at least they don't keep you awake at night
Audi have won every year ('cept for Bentley in 2003 and Peugeot in 2009) I have been at Le Mans since 2000 and whether their cars are petrol or diesel the all sound pretty much the same, still devilishly fast though.
One good thing about the diesels is at least they don't keep you awake at night
how many people actually go because of the cars or even the race? sure some but personally i go for the banter, the social the fun.
the cars could all be clios for all i cared ... ok maybe thats pushing it a little but in all seriousness, i dont think the noise is a massive issue for most, and the diesels did proveide alot of drama in one form or another this year haha
the cars could all be clios for all i cared ... ok maybe thats pushing it a little but in all seriousness, i dont think the noise is a massive issue for most, and the diesels did proveide alot of drama in one form or another this year haha
Having stated I would lose interest in the race if all the LMP1 entries were diesels, I didn't mean I would lose interest in the EVENT - ie: "Race....what race?"
But for the last 13 years the exitement of hearing awesome sounding thoroughbred race cars has most definitely been a major factor of my weekend's enjoyment. I first went to Le Mans when the Panoz LMP1's were making the ground shake. Remember those? ....and the Cadillac LMP1'S - flippin' awesome sounding!
For the last few years, the ever increasing introduction of diesel engines has gone a long way towards wrecking the soundtrack. I still say bring on next year though.
But for the last 13 years the exitement of hearing awesome sounding thoroughbred race cars has most definitely been a major factor of my weekend's enjoyment. I first went to Le Mans when the Panoz LMP1's were making the ground shake. Remember those? ....and the Cadillac LMP1'S - flippin' awesome sounding!
For the last few years, the ever increasing introduction of diesel engines has gone a long way towards wrecking the soundtrack. I still say bring on next year though.
There are some petrol engine exhaust notes which are just plain unpleasant to listen to though.
I'm not a fan of the noise the Evoras made this year, and the early 911 RSRs (after they went to the GT2 spec rules) were painful to listen to. Ditto some of the early Ferrari F430s.
And the Panoz was just LOUD rather than nice to listen to.
I suspect what it boils down to is that there is a clear association with the sound a car makes and the perception of speed. Oddly a 'whoosh' is quite a 'fast' sound, while a thunderous cacophony that is the passing of a Corvette doesn't always convey the full effect of the speed of the car. By the same token V12 Aston sounds faster than it is.
taylor172 said:
how many people actually go because of the cars or even the race? sure some but personally i go for the banter, the social the fun.
the cars could all be clios for all i cared ... ok maybe thats pushing it a little but in all seriousness, i dont think the noise is a massive issue for most, and the diesels did proveide alot of drama in one form or another this year haha
the cars could all be clios for all i cared ... ok maybe thats pushing it a little but in all seriousness, i dont think the noise is a massive issue for most, and the diesels did proveide alot of drama in one form or another this year haha
I go almost purely for the race. Love every minute of it and socialise with friends before and after the race back at our camp. May sound sad but that's what I go for...
Man-At-Arms said:
Parsnip said:
Actually, after hearing the 787B, everything sounded pretty weak.
i still can't hear right after the Mazda demonstration !
Personally i would rather the cars were noisy but i would rather have quiet cars and racing thatn no cars racing.
Rotor said:
I wonder if the fastest and most competitive teams had their own 24hr just how many fans would attend ?
EFAWhile the ACO and the big factory teams continue to favour diesels they'll always be the cars making the headlines. I wonder how many people outside of this part of the forum even know which petrol car finished highest. The majority are far more interested in who was competing for the podium positions and they all happen to be diesel.
I agree it would be nice to have a more interesting soundtrack, but I think a lot of people overestimate its importance. Thousands of people were on the edge of their seats when Audi and Peugeot were swapping the lead twice in as many laps and I'd say it was one of the most interesting and exciting Le Mans of recent years. Diesel or petrol.
On a related note, I think what [i]is/i] great at Le Mans is the variety. The rasp of the 4-cylinder turbos, the crackle of the big V8s and the express train 'whoosh' of the diesels all contrast beautifully. You don't get that variety anywhere else. And, while I agree a grid full of diesels would lose part of that appeal, I also think that a certain number of them add to it.
Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 21st June 14:35
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