Friday 21st March 2014

LM 2014: runners, riders and rule changes

PH examines who and what will be on the start line at Le Mans 2014

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Break out your tents and start practicing your beer bottle pyramid-building skills - the Le Mans entry list is out. And it makes for very interesting reading.

We'll go through the 56 entries class-by-class and give a rundown of the main protagonists and cars to look out for. What better place to start than LMP1 and Porsche?

Who would bet against Audi again?

LMP1-H

For 2014 LMP1 is split up into the hybrid 'H' and a non-hybrid LMP1-L classes.

More importantly, this year marks Porsche's return to top-class endurance racing - two 919 Hybrids will take on three Audi R18 E-Tron Quattros in a German petrol vs diesel hybrid battle. The Porsche employs a compact 2.0-litre turbo V4 supplemented by a battery-based hybrid system, while the Audi retains its 3.7-litre turbodiesel V6, bolstered by a flywheel energy 'storage' unit.

There'll be two Japanese interlopers between the German teams in the form of Toyota's TS040. Although the Japanese firm's 2014 car looks the same and is still powered by that sweet 3.4-litre V8, its electric motor now drives the front wheels instead of the rears, meaning it's four-wheel drive just like the Audi and the Porsche.

Porsche may have something to say...

After two years back in tier one motorsport - 2012 a foray, 2013 a consolidation season - this time Toyota needs to deliver.

Mr Le Mans himself, Tom Kristensen, could drive alongside Loic Duval in one of the R18s - but there'll be no McNish following his retirement. The proven Fassler-Lotterer-Treluyer partnership will also be looking for their third win together in an Audi.

Former Red Bull man Mark Webber will be the star attraction in the Porsche camp, but keep an eye out for Le Mans winners Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas. Works Porsche man Mark Lieb steps up to LMP1, while Red Bull junior and former LMP2 driver Brendon Hartley completes the roster for Stuttgart, along with the Swiss Neel Jani.

... don't discount Toyota either

Toyota keeps its drivers, but could reshuffle the trios come June.

LMP1-L

Just three cars will race in P1-L, including a lone Lotus T129 and two V8-engined Rebellion-Toyota R-Ones built by French chassis constructor Oreca. They might not ultimately be on the pace of the top three teams, but it'll still be great to hear them scream out of Tertre Rouge and into the darkness at 3am.

LMP2

LMP2 has been where the real prototype battle has raged over the last few years while Audi dominated up-front, so hopefully the lower class will still be as competitive as ever.

New Dome coupe will be run by Strakka

There are a few cars to note on the entry list - the first a new coupe from Japanese constructor Dome run by British outfit Strakka Racing. The S103 uses Nissan power, but in the car's debut season there could be some teething trouble.

Same goes for the Ligier JS P2 coupe. Built by Oak Racing's sister company OnRoak Automotive and run under the banner of the classic French brand, both the HPD and NISMO motors shouldn't be the issue here. Getting the chassis to work around Le Mans will be. Given they're based just off the Mulsanne Straight, you'd hope local knowledge pays off...

Don't be fooled by the Morgan entries, it's just a branding exercise as per usual. They're Pescarolos underneath. On which point, a moment of silence please. Run by three-time Le Mans winner Henri Pescarolo, Pesca Sport has closed its garage doors for the last time. A sad day.

Legions of Oreca 03s - including a car run by none other than Sebastien Loeb Racing - and Zytek Z11SNs make up the rest of the grid.

The Nissan entry that isn't a ZEOD...

LM GTE Pro and GTE Am

GTE Pro will be as hotly contested as ever. Porsche will hope its two factory 991 GT3s can repeat last year's win, going up against a trio of 458s, and three Aston Vantage V8s. Expect some sort of tribute on the latter to honour the late Allan Simonsen, who sadly lost his life driving an Aston in last year's race .

The American contingent will be out in force, with a pair of spanking new Corvette C7.Rs and two Viper GTS-Rs bringing the noise.

GTE Am looks like it'll be the fastest Ferrari that takes honours again. Eight 458s will face-off against four Astons and just three 997-generation GT3s.

Thunderous C7.Rs making Le Mans debut

Garage 56

If you aren't totally bored of Nissan pushing its ZEOD marketing down your throat by June, the 400hp 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo engine and electric motor in the back of what's effectively a Deltawing coupe should pique your interest.

For each tank of fuel it uses, Nissan is aiming to do one lap of Le Mans on electric power alone. The experimental G56 entry previews the firm's 2015 LMP1 contender, too.

Rule changes

Just like F1, endurance racing is undergoing change for 2014 - in the top class, at least. LMP1 cars no longer have to breathe through air restrictors. Instead, they get an allocated amount of energy per lap.

991s will present a tough challenge

For non-hybrid cars that's 4.95 litres of petrol or 3.99 litres of diesel, controlled by a fuel flow sensor. For hybrid cars using the maximum 8 megajoules of energy recovery, that's 4.42 litres of petrol and 3.56 litres of diesel - even though there is a sliding scale here, it's thought all LMP1-H vehicles will use the 8MJ setup.

Wheel tethers, improved visibility, stronger tubs and improved aero should also make the cars safer, while hybrid cars now have to weigh a minimum of 850kg. Non-hybrids tip the scales at 830.

The ACO reckons together these changes will reduce fuel consumption by roughly 30%, and doing the maths, it means the minimum the Audi will return is around 10.6mpg. That's pretty good going for pushing something through the air at 200mph.

For the full entry list, click here.

 

[Images: LAT]

[S6OOH]

Can we go now?

[VladD]

Can't wait. Hopefully something noisy will win.

[Antj]

audi's biggest threat is Toyota, they were closer last year than they were given credit for.

[VladD]

Antj said:

audi's biggest threat is Toyota, they were closer last year than they were given credit for.

A Toyota was leading when it crashed wasn't it?

[aww999]

I am a big Toyota fanboy, and the Corvette Z06 has been top of my "want" list since I first laid eyes on a Velocity Yellow C5 Z06, so there will be plenty for me to enjoy! However, I find it hard to get excited about a Porsche (hooray!) with a V4 engine (boo!). I know it's not Porsche's fault, but it's hardly a successor to the 917/956 monsters, is it?

[PabloTheOrange]

The noise of the Corvettes...

Also, they have possibly the best rear view "mirror" ever! Watch the centre console display for some rather impressive trickery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxOl0b8K6FY

[hdrflow]

Audi wins but doesn't really dominate. Toyota has put on a good show and this year they may win LeMans if Audi doesn't improve. How come no mention of DiGrassi alongside Kristensen and Duval? He's been confirmed if I'm not mistaken.

[paranha]

LMP 1 class will now have the Allocated fuel class regulations applied, with Fuel Flow Sensors.
Will we still be waiting 5 hours After the finish, to hear who Might have won---Or

[theaxe]

PabloTheOrange said:

The noise of the Corvettes...

Also, they have possibly the best rear view "mirror" ever! Watch the centre console display for some rather impressive trickery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxOl0b8K6FY

Awesome, thanks for that. Love the 'mirror'...

[DevonPaul]

The winner this year will be whatever category of car the rules favour. We've seen petrol, diesel, and now hybrids dominate.

Give me half a day with the rule book and I reckon I could win it next year with a steam engine.

[wildman0609]

PW said:

It's a Pistonheads article. Don't expect accurate, well researched information.

Its also very probable that Porsche and Audi won't use the full 8MJ allocation as it's almost impossible to harvest that much energy on a lap of any circuit in the rest of the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. Toyota will have an advantage at Le Mans and the Germans should have an advantage through the rest of the season. Toyota are reported to be using the full 8MJ to get the most marketing benefit of using a hybrid.
I'm looking forward to Silverstone WEC round in April

[Alex Langheck]

wildman0609 said:

PW said:

It's a Pistonheads article. Don't expect accurate, well researched information.

Its also very probable that Porsche and Audi won't use the full 8MJ allocation as it's almost impossible to harvest that much energy on a lap of any circuit in the rest of the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. Toyota will have an advantage at Le Mans and the Germans should have an advantage through the rest of the season. Toyota are reported to be using the full 8MJ to get the most marketing benefit of using a hybrid.
I'm looking forward to Silverstone WEC round in April

I see you have highlighted ‘World Championship’. While I understand peoples stance – so many put Le Mans first, and the WEC a poor second. I personally think it’s a shame this happens. No matter how big Le Mans is, a World Title should always trump a one off race. That is the challenge for the FiA and ACO; to build up the WEC into a top series. It doesn’t help when all the other races are 6 Hours. No variety at all; a 10hr and/or 12hr and even 3Hr/500km race would mix things up.

However, I would like to see Toyota win, and finally be rewarded for all their efforts and near misses over the years; the fantastic TS020 Toyota GT-One which came so close.

[zebedee]

Alex Langheck said:

I see you have highlighted ‘World Championship’. While I understand peoples stance – so many put Le Mans first, and the WEC a poor second. I personally think it’s a shame this happens. No matter how big Le Mans is, a World Title should always trump a one off race. That is the challenge for the FiA and ACO; to build up the WEC into a top series. It doesn’t help when all the other races are 6 Hours. No variety at all; a 10hr and/or 12hr and even 3Hr/500km race would mix things up.

However, I would like to see Toyota win, and finally be rewarded for all their efforts and near misses over the years; the fantastic TS020 Toyota GT-One which came so close.

I think it is great that one event can be so hugely significant and capture so much imagination. I'll remember the cars that win Le Mans much more readily than those that top out the championship. I'd actually prefer it if Le Mans wasn't a championship race, because then the world championship could have more cars in it too (on the basis that they can't allow too many cars in it otherwise Le Mans becomes a closed shop, which would be a disaster).

[wildman0609]

Alex Langheck said:

I see you have highlighted ‘World Championship’.

I highlighted world championship because PH and others are promoting Le Mans, and we have a 6hr race at Silverstone in just a few weeks time with all the same cars, and there is no mention of that. It would be great to have a massive crowd there this year with all the increased interest from Porsche etc.

With all the interviews with Mark Webber I've heard recently you could assume he was just joining Porsche for one race. I'll start getting excited about le mans once with have seen silverstone and Spa.

[wildman0609]

Alex Langheck said:

No variety at all; a 10hr and/or 12hr and even 3Hr/500km race would mix things up.

I agree, its all the same formula. I know the Tudor series has its problems at the moment, but I do love the variety as no 2 races will be the same, with 24hr, 12hr, 6hr, 10hr/1000mile and some races with only 2 classes and some with 4, it really makes you think about each race as individual.

[loudlashadjuster]

Can't make Le Mans, but will be going to the WEC at Silverstone at Easter to see much the same line-up, as has been said.

Can't wait to see the 919 in action.

[zebedee]

wildman0609 said:

I agree, its all the same formula. I know the Tudor series has its problems at the moment, but I do love the variety as no 2 races will be the same, with 24hr, 12hr, 6hr, 10hr/1000mile and some races with only 2 classes and some with 4, it really makes you think about each race as individual.

even if the amount of racing will actually only be about 60% at best. Grrrrrr. Americans and their ridiculous yellow flags. 30 minutes of yellow after a car is moved from an escape road? Ludicrous.

[anonymous-user]

DevonPaul said:

The winner this year will be whatever category of car the rules favour. We've seen petrol, diesel, and now hybrids dominate.

Give me half a day with the rule book and I reckon I could win it next year with a steam engine.

I soooo wish I had the money to let you put it to the test.

[Cabal722]

I love Le Mans but wished more manufactures would get involved in the lower classes. Its Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin and Corvette again.
I think any manufacturer who makes £60k+ sportscars could/should compete. I understand that the current group of cars are the best a team could run with an equal chance of winning but it would be nice to see Lotus, BMW, Mercedes or imagine a Noble mixing it up with 458s. What would be the coolest car to power down the Mulsanne?

[zebedee]

Cabal722 said:

I love Le Mans but wished more manufactures would get involved in the lower classes. Its Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin and Corvette again.
I think any manufacturer who makes £60k+ sportscars could/should compete. I understand that the current group of cars are the best a team could run with an equal chance of winning but it would be nice to see Lotus, BMW, Mercedes or imagine a Noble mixing it up with 458s. What would be the coolest car to power down the Mulsanne?

The GT cars come and go, we've seen some interesting ones through the years, Morgan, TVR, Lotus (Evora), Spyker, Lamborghini.

I think the ACO welcomes it but the problem is that the factory cars are so good now that the barrier to entry and cost to have anything remotely competitive (or even capable of qualifying) is enormous. The Evora handled beautifully, better than the 458s according to some drivers) but was so down on power on the straights it had no chance.