Peninsula starts testing at Le Mans
TVR team falls to bottom of the leader board
Peninsula TVR arrived safely and has been testing its no. 95 Tuscan T400R at Le Mans. The team is checking out the aero package and doing a spanner check, according to team manager Dennis Leech.
However, the team is currently at the bottom of the timings list, a full five seconds adrift of the second slowest car, Seikel Motorsport's Porsche 996 GT3 RSR at 4 minutes 25.304 seconds, and 52.836 seconds behind the leading car, the Pescarolo Judd with a lap time of 3 minutes 32.468 seconds.
Leech said, "We are trying something with the differential and that caused a small oil leak. There is no rush today so we did a ‘spanner check’ on the whole car. We are concentrating on handling today. Due to the high speed nature of the track it calls for different aerodynamics than we would use anywhere else and at the moment we are a couple of miles an hour down on our top speed."
Still here's looking on the bright side this is a chance for the guys to try out any bits, get the car set up and then make the most of the quali and on into the race. Gut feeling though is that it'll not be a great race for TVR fans, their car hasn't really sparkled on track recently - sorry chaps at Peninsula I know you'll be working your socks off!
>> Edited by d_drinks on Monday 6th June 12:59
I think saying "Peninsula and other teams weren't exactly taking things seriously" is a bit strong after you read the report.
To damage the car on the test weekend for over-doing it expensive especially for the smaller teams. The team are taking their time and not all the drivers have driven at this circuit.
Not a rant just what everyone to get behind the team.
ccharlie6 said:
with rollcentre for LM aren't you ahonen?
the judd car seems to be flying along bettering the times set last year already (even more impressive with the new rules)
were the gearshift problems on the nismo engined dallara sorted out?
Yep, a guest appearance at Rollcentre for a few events this year.
The Judd car went very well, no problems. Vanina, in particular, was very impressive - her times kept falling in big chunks to the stage where she was only a couple of seconds off Joao. She'll go even faster in race week, I'm sure.
I think they sorted the Nissan car, but when the rain came at the end of the day there was no point risking things on a wet/dry track for the sake of it. I had to leave for Paris as soon as the session ended so I didn't get the full story.
A good day, all in.
No disrepespect to Peninsula but my heart sank when they were announced as the only TVR representation, they were well off the pace at Spa LMES.
I wish them luck for Le Mans but can't help wishing Team LNT were there.
I'll still be waving my TVR flag for Peninsula though in hope of an improved performance.
GrahamG said:
Whatever the reasons, good or bad, LNT aren't there and Peninsula are.
Lets get behind them. LM is a tough, tough race and the more support they get the better
Well said!!I'd never heard of Synergy this time last year but it didn't stop me being part of the sea of purple at Le Mans 2004,Three cheers for the underdog,Good luck all at Peninsula/Racesport
HarryW said:
I only hope this doesn't prove to be a backwards step for the marque after two years of steady improvement though .
Harry
This car hasn't made progress the last two years.
Unfortunatly the Purple TVRs (which used to be the DeWalt cars, hence the confusion) HAVE mad a great deal of progress... But this car is acually the First "Tuscan R" that TVR built back in 2001, and with the LNT "widebody" cars being the most developed (albeit not as new as thier BGT cars) it's a shame that they aren't competing because they are as fast as the porsches, and now proving to be pretty reliable too!
I think that the TVR won't be that fast this year, but a finish is always good to see for any team.
With LNT's envolvement in LMES this year hopefully they will be there next year, and who knows where they'll finish?? A podium is very achievable...
top fuel said:
HarryW said:
I only hope this doesn't prove to be a backwards step for the marque after two years of steady improvement though .
Harry
This car hasn't made progress the last two years.
Unfortunatly the Purple TVRs (which used to be the DeWalt cars, hence the confusion) HAVE mad a great deal of progress... But this car is acually the First "Tuscan R" that TVR built back in 2001, and with the LNT "widebody" cars being the most developed (albeit not as new as thier BGT cars) it's a shame that they aren't competing because they are as fast as the porsches, and now proving to be pretty reliable too!
I think that the TVR won't be that fast this year, but a finish is always good to see for any team.
With LNT's envolvement in LMES this year hopefully they will be there next year, and who knows where they'll finish?? A podium is very achievable...
Agree and understood, never said that the Pen boys car was the faster one though. Just that they are wearing the TVR badge and it will, if not an improvement on last year, make the marque look like its standing still or going backwards, if not everybody, certainly to those without a better understanding of whats happened with selection this year will think that.
If anything I've been a bit too vocal in my support for LNT , I wish Penisula every success and will be there to support them on the day .
Harry
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