Le Mans Group C/GTP enduro race at Donington 04/10/08

[autofocus]

Hi there,

Headed up to a very cold and very overcast Donington Park yesterday for the Group C/GTP 90 minute enduro race which was part of the 'Donington Collection Meeting'

Love seeing these wonderful cars in action and was over the moon to see the Sauber Mercedes C9 back out on track after its huge smash at Silverstone earlier in the year.

Big shock at the track as the whole of the infield is closed for 'redevelopment' no media, no spectators only marshalls allowed over there. Meant I had to try and find some new angles as many of my usual spots are accessed via the infield.

Anyway here are the shots, C&C welcome as always.

1) Porsche 962



2) Nissan - eventual race winner



3) Momo Nissan leads Mustang



4) Budweiser car - look at that rear wing !



5) Kenwood Porsche



6) Spirit of Miami



7) Porsche leading the pack



8) My favourite Silk Cut Jaguar XJR-9



9) Two Porsches - just like being at Le Mans



10) Finally the Sauber Mercedes - stunning



You can see more on my site here: -

http://www.dunlopix.com/Group%20C%202008%20Doningt...

Hope you like them.

Regards

Tim

[zac510]

They look great!

No infield - wouldn't be much fun for spectators then..

[skeggysteve]

As usual great pictures Tim, thanks.

Agree with the for the Silk Cut Jaguar.

I'd be very interested to hear more about the development in the infield - are they 'really' trying to get the GP?

[lazyitus]

bks -

I wish I'd known this was on !

[entropy]

lazyitus said:

bks -

I wish I'd known this was on !

Exactly what I was thinking.

[MrKipling43]

entropy said:

lazyitus said:

bks -

I wish I'd known this was on !

Exactly what I was thinking.

Yeah, me too. I would have been there - never got to see them race in their day. They still look flippin' excellent.

I wonder how their pace would compare with a modern prototype. Astonishingly poorly I would have thought!

[SlipStream77]

MrKipling43 said:

entropy said:

lazyitus said:

bks -

I wish I'd known this was on !

Exactly what I was thinking.

Yeah, me too. I would have been there - never got to see them race in their day. They still look flippin' excellent.

I wonder how their pace would compare with a modern prototype. Astonishingly poorly I would have thought!

Interesting point, a little research later...

Monza

1991 fastest lap Group C - M Brundle - Jaguar XJR-14 - 1.29.1

2008 fastest lap LMP1 - Driver not listed - Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP - 1.31.5

The track has changed slightly at the first chicane between when those times were set.
I'm not sure which layout would be the faster, but I would suspect the current one is since it now consists of a sharp right then left. It used to be at least three significant turns.

Also bear in mind that although the current cars probably have better traction due to tyre tech and geometry advances, one of Sauber Mercedes (the C9 I think) achieved over 250mph on the Mulsanne. (Pre chicane)

For those that drive on sims, a mod is being worked on for rFactor, it's looking great.

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cfm?ID=Protot...

References:

1991 results
http://www.wspr-racing.com/wspr/results/wscc/ms199...

2008 results
http://www.verstappen.nl/news/1557.html

[Muz_Wez]

Stunning pictures & they really bring back memories of when I was Donington for the World Sport Car Championship rounds between 1989-1992.

Why did you have to mention R-Factor? I have resisted upgrading my PC purely to play R-Factor, but now I can see I'm losing my will power all over again!

[hollypop]

Has anyone got a picture showing just how wet it was on Sunday?

[lewis1]

Muz_Wez said:

Stunning pictures & they really bring back memories of when I was Donington for the World Sport Car Championship rounds between 1989-1992.

Why did you have to mention R-Factor? I have resisted upgrading my PC purely to play R-Factor, but now I can see I'm losing my will power all over again!

i wouldnt upgrade just so you can play that mod,
its been a wip for about 2years!
although you could play rfactor,gtr2,gtl,race 07!

[andy97]

skeggysteve said:

I'd be very interested to hear more about the development in the infield - are they 'really' trying to get the GP?

Well, they say they are and have published pictures of the new track layout - I think that the planning application may have already been submitted - but I wouldn't get too excited, the infield "development" was probably far more to do with the fact that DP held a "MotorCross of Nations" event last weekend and the motorcross track was developed especially for the event on....the Infield!

[b8ste]

few of mine from sunday, by the time the cars were on track the rain had stopped and the sun was out,

[Dr KT]

Stunning.

[Cuban]

Did they put the race back in the schedule or was the sun out by 2pm?

[Gashmaster]

Awesome to see the Sauber C9 back on track, missed it at Silverstone classic due to the crash.

[Save Ferris]

Brilliant photos!

[skeggysteve]

andy97 said:

skeggysteve said:

I'd be very interested to hear more about the development in the infield - are they 'really' trying to get the GP?

Well, they say they are and have published pictures of the new track layout - I think that the planning application may have already been submitted - but I wouldn't get too excited, the infield "development" was probably far more to do with the fact that DP held a "MotorCross of Nations" event last weekend and the motorcross track was developed especially for the event on....the Infield!

Thanks for info that Andy, I've seen the proposed new track and did wonder!

Steve (b8ste) very good pictures - thanks.

[groomi]

Wow! Great stuff.

Group C was the best racing series ever, bar none IMO. Great manufacturer support, engines based on production blocks, decent teams with great names, speed, noise...

Everything modern motor racing lacks.

[b8ste]

Cuban said:

Did they put the race back in the schedule or was the sun out by 2pm?

to be honest i cant remember what time the race started i think it was about 3oclock the sun came out about 12
thanks for the comments guys but will need a lot more practice to get as good as autofocus

Edited by b8ste on Monday 6th October 23:40

[L100NYY]

Oh bugger, I can't believe that I missed this!

Saw these guys at Le Mans this year and it was awe inspiring stuff, especially the noise!