Who's gonna win - Audi or Peugeot ?
Discussion
Puegeot appear to have developed greater outright pace, which is the winning formula at Le Mans given the type of circuit it is.
Audi ran with 2 different nose configurations at Spa, I believe to assess which may be better for Le Mans.
I'm not convinced on the Audi cracking under pressure argument. They've been doing very well for a very long time and know how win things . . .
One key ingredient in the mix will the number of pit stops and Audi require less than Puegeot. It must be to do with their FSi technology, either way, they were getting 2 extra laps compared to Peugeot at Spa. This may equate to 1 additonal lap at Le Mans.
Last year the rumours were that they could go 19 laps between fuelling stops but were only going 17 to hide it from the ACO to protect against further rule changes.
The tyres will go a triple stint, so between tyre stops they could be doing 3 laps more than Peugeot.
On reliability, neither team has looked rock solid this year. Peugeot have had their issues although I do believe the Audi's get more racing hours under their wheels than Peugeot.
I do think it will be Peugeot's best attempt thsi year, but these things are normally a 3 year development plan like Bentley was and this is their second year. Their outright pace is alarming versus the Audi's and as long as they run reliably then I agree it could be there year.
One other thing to consider is the driver line ups. I thin Audi have the stronger driver line ups with more Le Mans 'winning' experience than Peugeot. It's OK having big names but Le Mans is a unique event, just look at Bourdais's feck up at the chicane on the opening lap . .. Calm down chap, 23:59 to go !
I'd like to see Mcnish get another . . .
Audi ran with 2 different nose configurations at Spa, I believe to assess which may be better for Le Mans.
I'm not convinced on the Audi cracking under pressure argument. They've been doing very well for a very long time and know how win things . . .
One key ingredient in the mix will the number of pit stops and Audi require less than Puegeot. It must be to do with their FSi technology, either way, they were getting 2 extra laps compared to Peugeot at Spa. This may equate to 1 additonal lap at Le Mans.
Last year the rumours were that they could go 19 laps between fuelling stops but were only going 17 to hide it from the ACO to protect against further rule changes.
The tyres will go a triple stint, so between tyre stops they could be doing 3 laps more than Peugeot.
On reliability, neither team has looked rock solid this year. Peugeot have had their issues although I do believe the Audi's get more racing hours under their wheels than Peugeot.
I do think it will be Peugeot's best attempt thsi year, but these things are normally a 3 year development plan like Bentley was and this is their second year. Their outright pace is alarming versus the Audi's and as long as they run reliably then I agree it could be there year.
One other thing to consider is the driver line ups. I thin Audi have the stronger driver line ups with more Le Mans 'winning' experience than Peugeot. It's OK having big names but Le Mans is a unique event, just look at Bourdais's feck up at the chicane on the opening lap . .. Calm down chap, 23:59 to go !
I'd like to see Mcnish get another . . .
Peugeot have made improvments but I agree with the comment that Audi know how to win at Le Mans and i'm sure they would sacrifice Spa for the 24hrs if they need to try a few new things.
My main interest is with the Charouz Racing System team. If they stay trouble free and oil burners have a few problems we could see a petrol winner.
My head says Audi, My heart Charouz
My main interest is with the Charouz Racing System team. If they stay trouble free and oil burners have a few problems we could see a petrol winner.
My head says Audi, My heart Charouz
I'm finding it so hard to care about Le Mans any more.
I cant say I want Audi or Peugeot to win, it just doesnt sound right!
Call me Mr Nostalgia but I want evocative names in the mix, if I wanted to see an Audi racing a Peugeot I'd sit in the company car park at 5pm when the company managers are all leaving for the day.
Either way, I hope petrol wins.
I feel depressed.
I cant say I want Audi or Peugeot to win, it just doesnt sound right!
Call me Mr Nostalgia but I want evocative names in the mix, if I wanted to see an Audi racing a Peugeot I'd sit in the company car park at 5pm when the company managers are all leaving for the day.
Either way, I hope petrol wins.
I feel depressed.
Agreed to some extent . . . But if the likes of Peugeot and Audi were not taking part the race would not be on such a good footing as it is now.
I'm not a fan of the oil burners, it's like watching scalextric racing due to lack of sound.
ACO have significant changes afoot and want to make the LMP1 class more coupe type racing. This has been knocked back by the teams although I believe they will continue to pursue this avenue to try and open the field up to more competitors/manufacturers . .
It is what it is and I'll still go. It isn't just LMP1 though and the racing in GT1 & GT2 remains fantastic . . .
LMP2 is the wakest of the classes in my opinion in recent history with 95% of the field retiring or spending significant chunks of the race in the pits . . . This needs sorting as when they all run the racing is very close.
I'm not a fan of the oil burners, it's like watching scalextric racing due to lack of sound.
ACO have significant changes afoot and want to make the LMP1 class more coupe type racing. This has been knocked back by the teams although I believe they will continue to pursue this avenue to try and open the field up to more competitors/manufacturers . .
It is what it is and I'll still go. It isn't just LMP1 though and the racing in GT1 & GT2 remains fantastic . . .
LMP2 is the wakest of the classes in my opinion in recent history with 95% of the field retiring or spending significant chunks of the race in the pits . . . This needs sorting as when they all run the racing is very close.
LMP1 - I reckon it'll be a close run thing. In the LMS its been a tight one, and the Lola-Aston might be able to spring a surprise, i has outpaced the diesels thanks to those performance breaks and the next few years should make for some great diesel vs, petrol battles.
LMP2 - might be interesting; we've got 2 Porsche RS Spyders, 2 of the Saulnier Pescarolos, the Lola-Judd Coupe, and I wouldn't discount the Zyteks and the Embassy. This could be a class worth watching.
GT1 - Aston Martin!
GT2 - Porsche has always been better than Ferrari in the longer races. I hope we see a great battle for the win between two old rivals. I wouldn't count out anything else, remember LNT winning in 06 with the Panoz?
LMP2 - might be interesting; we've got 2 Porsche RS Spyders, 2 of the Saulnier Pescarolos, the Lola-Judd Coupe, and I wouldn't discount the Zyteks and the Embassy. This could be a class worth watching.
GT1 - Aston Martin!
GT2 - Porsche has always been better than Ferrari in the longer races. I hope we see a great battle for the win between two old rivals. I wouldn't count out anything else, remember LNT winning in 06 with the Panoz?
rev-erend said:
Funny someone should bring up the diesel vs petrol debate..
I've thought the last few years have been pretty unfair on the petrol cars competing in the same class..
The ACO needed to redress the unfair balance else it was not worth turning up..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_24_Hours_of_Le_Mans#Rule_changesI've thought the last few years have been pretty unfair on the petrol cars competing in the same class..
The ACO needed to redress the unfair balance else it was not worth turning up..
Petrol cars get a 3% bigger restrcitor and the diesels have had to run a smaller fuel tank since last year. Plus production engines can be used and get further performance breaks.
johnph said:
LMP1 - I reckon it'll be a close run thing. In the LMS its been a tight one, and the Lola-Aston might be able to spring a surprise, i has outpaced the diesels thanks to those performance breaks and the next few years should make for some great diesel vs, petrol battles.
LMP2 - might be interesting; we've got 2 Porsche RS Spyders, 2 of the Saulnier Pescarolos, the Lola-Judd Coupe, and I wouldn't discount the Zyteks and the Embassy. This could be a class worth watching.
GT1 - Aston Martin!
GT2 - Porsche has always been better than Ferrari in the longer races. I hope we see a great battle for the win between two old rivals. I wouldn't count out anything else, remember LNT winning in 06 with the Panoz?
LMP1 - Audi will win as Pugs will break.LMP2 - might be interesting; we've got 2 Porsche RS Spyders, 2 of the Saulnier Pescarolos, the Lola-Judd Coupe, and I wouldn't discount the Zyteks and the Embassy. This could be a class worth watching.
GT1 - Aston Martin!
GT2 - Porsche has always been better than Ferrari in the longer races. I hope we see a great battle for the win between two old rivals. I wouldn't count out anything else, remember LNT winning in 06 with the Panoz?
LMP2 - All cars will spend most of the race in the pits except possibly the Porkers (this is normal for LMP2)
GT1 - Corvettes to exact a terrible revenge on the pesky Aston Fartins, with all four top places in GT1 going to the Corvettes.........
GT2 - Who cares.....feckin mobile chicanes.
Looking at :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_24_Hours_of_Le_M...
Looks like Judd has made a fortune selling the 5.5 V10 .. there are loads..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_24_Hours_of_Le_M...
Looks like Judd has made a fortune selling the 5.5 V10 .. there are loads..
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