So, who's challenging Audi?

[E38Ross]

Well, with Peugeot having pulled out who seems to be the number 1 challenger this year? I know the track is TOTALLY different but Audi absolutely destroyed Toyota at Sebring at the weekend, they were 4+ secs a lap faster over a much shorter lap!

[Vocal Minority]

The short answer to your question to your question is 'Toyota' - who weren't actually at Sebring. You are referring to the privateer run Rebellion Racing cars, which are a Lola chassis with a 'regular gas' Toyota Engine.

Toyota beat Audi twice at the end of last season in the WEC, and game is very much on for this year.

[vincegail]

Actually, 3 times.
Sao Paulo, Fuji and Shanghai.

The Rebellion Toyotas are indeed in another league. But probably the best privateer entry.

[Harryh87]

GAME ON!!!

[Billyjean2004]

The 2013 Audi wasn't quicker than the 2012 version last weekend, so with Last years Toyota probably being a quicker car than the Audi and Toyota having made some big steps with the 2013 car...

the car in front is a Toyota!

[The Leaper]

Toyota: easily the best team in modern times never to have won LM IMHO. I remember them well: super fast and should have won at their second attempt having stayed out front until the last 30 minutes or so until the lead car hit some debris...the rest is history. Audi: fab team, fab record, but I'll be rooting for Team T in June. I'm even going to be in the ACO tribune to witness it!

R.

[E38Ross]

Ah.......this should be interesting!!

really looking forward to LM this year (as always )

[Red Firecracker]

Billyjean2004 said:

The 2013 Audi wasn't quicker than the 2012 version last weekend, so with Last years Toyota probably being a quicker car than the Audi and Toyota having made some big steps with the 2013 car...

the car in front is a Toyota!

There is some pretty impressive technology rumoured to be on the 2013 car, or at least there was as it is apparently now banned. McNish also referenced some issues they faced from mid race that impacted performance. Mulsannecorner have some good theory on the hybrid system that may or may not have been being raced on the '13 car.

[lowdrag]

Geoff Lees in the works Toyota 1998; IIRC three laps in the lead with 50 mins to go and a sodding 50p gasket blew. The car is still at Le Mans but rather hidden near the Bugatti circuit.

[Dr MAD]

Audi's post Sebring marketing in full swing...

"...It was a good début for our 2013-spec Audi R18 e-tron quattro which just completed its roll-out at Sebring last Monday. Tom Kristensen recorded the fastest lap with the new car in the race and it finished the 12 Hours. Audi Sport is now working on unlocking the full potential of the updated car"

[vincegail]

lowdrag said:

Geoff Lees in the works Toyota 1998; IIRC three laps in the lead with 50 mins to go and a sodding 50p gasket blew. The car is still at Le Mans but rather hidden near the Bugatti circuit.

And where is this exactly? Would love to see that in the flesh!

And why are all the decals removed?

[RobGT81]

The differing exhaust note between the two Audis seem to imply something is going on, most likely with the turbo. Wouldnt be surprised if there was some turbo compounding going on under there.

[lowdrag]

vincegail said:

And where is this exactly? Would love to see that in the flesh!

And why are all the decals removed?

Technoparc behind the Bugatti near Houx and the Karting circuit. But very private and I was a lucky bunny to see it. I heard, but can't verify, that the car was given to the president of Toyota Europe as a leaving present and it's been there ever since. I do know though that they don't have the computer programme to start the bloody thing! There's a lot in that industrial complex that is not publicly known.

Edited by lowdrag on Wednesday 20th March 13:32