Group C support race
Discussion
I think there is a very good chance that the C1 Jag’s will out qualify the LMP1’s this year. The turbo Jag’s of course never ran at the Sarthe but with 850 bhp it will have about a 250bhp advantage which should more than compensate for the lack of down force.
It is such a crushing shame that either ACO for FIA don’t smell the coffee beans and realise that the enduring popularity of sports car racing has much to do with this great era. I for one first went to the 24hours in 88 (with Clapham 993) and I think it fair to say that having witnessed these great machines it sewed the seed that has become a life long love affair, I’m not so sure the same could be said if the last few years offering were they all I had seen.
Being absolutely brutal watching a few 996’s and Tiv’s in conjunction with various incarnations of that Audi thing is not exactly up there with the likes of a Sauber C9 or C11, AMR 01, 962 or the mighty XJR’s and that’s without a 1000bhp Nissan.
Still I’ll get in and early and watch them and hope there‘s a race worth watching come 4pm Saturday
Good god I’m in danger of sounding all old and “It was much better in my day”
It is such a crushing shame that either ACO for FIA don’t smell the coffee beans and realise that the enduring popularity of sports car racing has much to do with this great era. I for one first went to the 24hours in 88 (with Clapham 993) and I think it fair to say that having witnessed these great machines it sewed the seed that has become a life long love affair, I’m not so sure the same could be said if the last few years offering were they all I had seen.
Being absolutely brutal watching a few 996’s and Tiv’s in conjunction with various incarnations of that Audi thing is not exactly up there with the likes of a Sauber C9 or C11, AMR 01, 962 or the mighty XJR’s and that’s without a 1000bhp Nissan.
Still I’ll get in and early and watch them and hope there‘s a race worth watching come 4pm Saturday
Good god I’m in danger of sounding all old and “It was much better in my day”
I think that the quickest will be around 10 seconds adrift of the LMP pole. They may have a lot more grunt and arguably more downforce but there is a big difference between a factory team and drivers and an amateur - both in terms of skill (although not always)but more importantly, sheer money and resource.
Bobo W said:
The Group C may not have the downforce and are 10 years old but wont they be more powerful with bigger tyres.
I would think less downforce, less braking performance, lesser driving skill nervousness against bending it will drag their lap times way down over the current bread of LMP cars.
The higher power is not necessarily a true representation either, these cars will be designed to a restricter limiting power, but I would imagine the area under the power curve would be a closer match...
It will be interesting to see though.
Oky docky boys time to put the loot where the mouth is on this one.
I’m fully confident that the Don Law prepared XJR (I’m at work so haven’t got access to the Vario library on which one it is) turbo powered car will not being tip toeing around the Sarthe come the second week of June. I will go as far as to say that having seen these perform elsewhere I will stand by what I say on this one. The big ‘king-size fag’ will set a faster lap time than that VW thing which should take poll for the main race.
So gents where’s the money on this one? Shall I suggest that we have a PH meet up in the Champagne tent on Saturday evening where I will be happy to acquire the first bottle? Clapham 993 will be with me so this could prove to be an expensive one as both he and I both have a thirst which is very Browns lane.
I’m fully confident that the Don Law prepared XJR (I’m at work so haven’t got access to the Vario library on which one it is) turbo powered car will not being tip toeing around the Sarthe come the second week of June. I will go as far as to say that having seen these perform elsewhere I will stand by what I say on this one. The big ‘king-size fag’ will set a faster lap time than that VW thing which should take poll for the main race.
So gents where’s the money on this one? Shall I suggest that we have a PH meet up in the Champagne tent on Saturday evening where I will be happy to acquire the first bottle? Clapham 993 will be with me so this could prove to be an expensive one as both he and I both have a thirst which is very Browns lane.
The Group C Porsches (962 driven by Hans Stuck in 1988) set the pole for the race at 3 imn 15sec. The pole for last year was 3 min 32 secs.
Now I know the track has changed significantly since 1988 especially the Mulsanne chicanes and therefore comparison is futile, but I would expect that a 1998 962 Porsche driven by a current driver would be able to set a comparable time to the leading Audis.
The Corvette qualifying time from Sunday would have set the pole for the race in 1994 and fastest lap!
Perhaps we should suggest this to the ACO as a pre race event!
>> Edited by vetteheadracer on Tuesday 27th April 14:09
Now I know the track has changed significantly since 1988 especially the Mulsanne chicanes and therefore comparison is futile, but I would expect that a 1998 962 Porsche driven by a current driver would be able to set a comparable time to the leading Audis.
The Corvette qualifying time from Sunday would have set the pole for the race in 1994 and fastest lap!
Perhaps we should suggest this to the ACO as a pre race event!
>> Edited by vetteheadracer on Tuesday 27th April 14:09
vario-rob said:
Oky docky boys time to put the loot where the mouth is on this one.
I’m fully confident that the Don Law prepared XJR (I’m at work so haven’t got access to the Vario library on which one it is) turbo powered car will not being tip toeing around the Sarthe come the second week of June. I will go as far as to say that having seen these perform elsewhere I will stand by what I say on this one. The big ‘king-size fag’ will set a faster lap time than that VW thing which should take poll for the main race.
So gents where’s the money on this one? Shall I suggest that we have a PH meet up in the Champagne tent on Saturday evening where I will be happy to acquire the first bottle? Clapham 993 will be with me so this could prove to be an expensive one as both he and I both have a thirst which is very Browns lane.
Vario-Rob - Nice idea, but for two things, a. I won't be at Le Mans (first time in 11 years) and b. I don't think I could afford it.....
I would like to say that I am a particular fan of the Jags myself, but I would be very surprised if they will be up there with the current LMP cars...... Would love to be proven wrong though......
I would be happy to meet up and discuss in July though at the Classic if you're up for it!
Chars,
MM
You'd have thought it would be an interesting challenge to the drivers of the Group C cars to see whether they can lap quicker than the contenders for the main race, after all very rarely does the support race end up being faster than the main event !
Given his past performance Justin Law could well be the man.
Given his past performance Justin Law could well be the man.
Ok then boys the champagne tent it is! Bring your duelling pistols we will settle this like gentleman (and woman 
)
Mark, the classic remains on the cards for sure the only potential hurdle is the summer gaunt aboard that new cruise liner with Mrs Vario otherwise I will be delighted to share a libation.
As for the buying, Clapham 993actually owes me a goodly bottle for coming up with the answer for a question that had led him to the cusp of the duelling pistols at some high powered function
What was the name of Miss Piggy’s nephew?
I got it in one I afraid to say so the bubbles are on Clapham, let us all share in my superior knowledge of the Muppet show.
I say again, turbo Jag, quicker than that VW thingy
) Mark, the classic remains on the cards for sure the only potential hurdle is the summer gaunt aboard that new cruise liner with Mrs Vario otherwise I will be delighted to share a libation.
As for the buying, Clapham 993actually owes me a goodly bottle for coming up with the answer for a question that had led him to the cusp of the duelling pistols at some high powered function
What was the name of Miss Piggy’s nephew?
I got it in one I afraid to say so the bubbles are on Clapham, let us all share in my superior knowledge of the Muppet show.
I say again, turbo Jag, quicker than that VW thingy
DustyC said:
Anyone got any pictures of any of the group C cars entering in the support race please.
www.groupc-gtpracing.comGassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff