Le Mans race car on board video?

[woody]

Hi guy's,

Does anyone know where (or if) on the web there's any where that has onboard video of a flying/race lap etc. (showing speeds if poss). I recall that Cadillac did some web casts with video and telemetry a couple of years back - but can't find them.

Incidently does anyone know what the highest top speed was last year?, and what was the fastest top speed pre chicanes??

Cheers

Chris

[white_van_man]

there is a vid on the official le mans dvd of sebasian loeb doing a flying lap round the track

[heebeegeetee]

In the group C days the cars would regularly achieve 240mph in qualifying. It was great standing in the laurel hedge at the restaurant, about what, 10 yds from the cars?

I think the max achieved was by the french WM team. They'd always set quick times but I don't think they ever mounted a serious challenge over 24 hours. One year they decided to pull the car out after it spent hours in the pits, but they decided to go for a maximum on the straight. They set the car up for the purpose, including taping over body joints and gaps, and I believe even taped up cooling ducts. The car did 251 mph before the engine went pop, I believe.

In race trim the cars would regularly run at 220-230. I'm not sure about the speeds after the chicanes, but there is a little more to this: Prior to the chicanes the cars would be trimmed right out for maximum speed on the straight, then they'd tippy-toe round the rest of the track. After the chicanes were put in, the cars would be set up as normal race cars, with much higher cornering speeds, particularly with the high down force they used to have. What this meant was, as the cars were faster in the corners, they'd enter the following straight at a higher speed. Therefore when the cars came past the restaurant they'd be going quicker than ever before, even though the outright max was probably slower. (The restaurant isn't very far along the straight).

But I must say again - it used to be bloody brilliant watching from the restaurant on the straight. Its not as good now, I think the cars are "only" doing about 200...

[Trackside]

I know it's not on the web but if in-car stuff is your bag then get yourself a copy of 'In Car 956' on DVD. Simply awesome footage of Derek Bell at La Sarthe in the early '80s along with Brands Hatch, Silverstone (Woodcote chicane era), Spa, Kyalami and the 5th fastest ever lap of the 'Ring. Highly recommended

[heebeegeetee]

Trackside said:

I know it's not on the web but if in-car stuff is your bag then get yourself a copy of 'In Car 956' on DVD. Simply awesome footage of Derek Bell at La Sarthe in the early '80s along with Brands Hatch, Silverstone (Woodcote chicane era), Spa, Kyalami and the 5th fastest ever lap of the 'Ring. Highly recommended

This is true. I have a copy. The film Le Mans is bloody good too, for the same reason.

One problem with the 956 tape - Jeez, after watching Le Mans, Spa and a 6 minute lap of the Nordschleife, everything else is so micky. Brands hatch is a kart track, I don't think the Porker ever gets in top gear, never mind stretch its legs. I reckon it takes Bell about 5 laps just to get some heat in the tyres.