• Categories
    • Car Racing
    • Featured Articles
    • Motor Shows & Car Events
    • History of Cars
    • Automotive Photography
    • Behind the Scenes
    • #MiniSeries
    • Travel
    • Review Books
    • Review Cars
    • Review Products
  • Porsche Only
    • Engine downsizing at Porsche racing
    • PORSCHE 911 RSR – MARCH OF PROGRESS
    • Porsche 919 Hybrid – Technological Advantage
    • Déjà Vu of Porsche 911 2.4 S – Part 2
  • Book Shop
    • AC-Shelby Cobra
    • Ferrari 250 GTO: Owners’ Workshop Manual
    • Ferrari Design: The Definitive Study
    • Jaguar E-type: Portrait of a Design Icon
    • Porsche 956 962: A Photographic History
    • Porsche 911 Carrera RS interactive eBook
    • Porsche 911 Scrapbook: The Air-Cooled Cars
    • Porsche 917: The Complete Photographic History
    • Porsche 924/928/944/968
    • Porsche at Le Mans
    • Porsche: The Carrera Dynasty
  • About
  • Contributors
    • Alisdair Cusick
    • Annie Proffit
    • Elke Smale
    • Glen Smale
    • John Mountney
    • Pim van der Veer
    • Roland Harrison
    • Zoltan Papp
  • Contact

Virtual Motorpix

Blog site for Virtual Motorpix with interesting articles on racing, motor sports and cars

Le Mans expectations

June 10, 2016 by: Virtual Motorpix | 1 Comment

24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 04/06/2016,
The genaral public get the chance to walk down the pit lane and see the cars and teams close up

It doesn’t seem more than five minutes since we here last year for the test weekend, but looking back, so much has happened since then. So what are my Le Mans expectations this year? LMP1 is much closer with a big question hanging over reliability and the real, albeit remote, prospect of an LMP1 privateer team being on the top three podium on Sunday afternoon. Le Mans expectations indeed, the playing field has shifted.

#6, Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid, driven by, Stephane Sarrazin, Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi. Alex Wurz, 24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 05/06/2016,
#6, Toyota TS050 Hybrid LMP1 put mechanical worries behind them and pushed on

The LMP2 class is performing just as the endurance racing authorities had hoped, with good close street fighting and lots of daring do. The fight for victory could go to the line.

#23, Ligier JS P2 Nissan, Panis Barthez Competition, driven by Fabien Barthez, Paul Loup Chatin, Timothe Buret, Simon Gachet, 24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 05/06/2016,
#23,Ligier JS P2 Nissan, Trying just a little too hard

Last year saw the somewhat understated launch of the Ford GTE PRO Ford GT which has rejoined the fight to celebrate the famous Ford victory over Ferrari in 1966. Not only do Ford have a new car this year but Ferrari have countered with the stunning 488 GTE. Ford have made steady and solid progress this year but unless they have been sandbagging with an eye on the LM24 prize, the Ferraris are well placed for victory being extraordinarily fast straight out of the box at Paul Ricard. It might be a little presumptuous, but I fear the likes of Aston, Porsche (even with last year’s LMP1 winners driving) and Corvette, will just be there to make up the numbers.

#50, Chevrolet Corvette C7.Z06, Larbre Competition, driven by Yutaka Yamagishi, Paolo Ruberti, Pierre Ragues, followed by #95, Aston Martin Vantage, Aston Martin Racing, driven by Darren Turner, Marco Sorensen, Nicki Thiim, 24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 05/06/2016,
Fast GTE AM cars caused a few headaches for the PRO’s

The GTE AM looks fairly evenly matched with Aston Martin just having the edge on the competition, and barring any disaster, could be on the top step…as they should have been last year.

24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 05/06/2016,
As conditions improved so did the speeds of the slower cars

The battle continues to improve safety at Le Mans. New barriers have been installed which have more impact resistance absorption but crucially, if damaged, can be replaced quicker. This removes the need for long VSC periods that results in the tyres and brakes cooling down and making the cars more dangerous when they recommence racing at the end of the VSC period. There have been massive changes in the Indianapolis/Arnage area, removing the public road from the circuit and ‘improving’ spectator access and viewing. What impact this has on the competitor/spectator experience, only time will tell.

#48, Oreca 03R Nissan, Murphy Prototypes, driven by Ben Keating, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Marc Goossens, 24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 05/06/2016,
#48 ,Oreca 03R Nissan, ELMS cars don’t look out of place competing at La Sarthe

The entry list yet again shows that the 24 Hours of Le Mans is an English race hosted by the French. No matter what your allegiance to a particular marque, with perhaps the exception of Porsche LMP1 or the Corvettes, you will find a British driver somewhere in the team. So there is plenty for the Brits to cheer about even if the football lives up to expectation.

#66, Ford GT, Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK, driven by William Johnson, Stefan Mucke, Olivier Pla, #51, Ferrari 488 GTE, AF Corse, driven by Gianmaria Bruni, James Calado, Alessandro Pier Guidi, 24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 05/06/2016,
Old rivalries renewed between Ford and Ferrari

It wouldn’t be right for an article written from a British perspective to not to comment on the national pastime of weather watching. So far, this year in the WEC series, we have had everything from snow to scorching sunshine, and while I doubt we will have snow at Le Mans, it has been a few years since we have had significant rain during the race. We have had the odd shower to spice things up, but generally the last few years have been at least dry and at times very hot. This year, the long range forecast appears to point to a scorcher, but hey it’s Le Mans and it always rains at Le Mans!

#1, Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche Team, driven by Timo Bernhard, Mark Webber, Brendon Hartley, 24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 05/06/2016,
#1, Porsche 919 Hybrid, Initially leading the way, fast from the first moment

We left Portsmouth for the Test Weekend on a pleasant sunny early summer evening aboard one of Brittany Ferry’s finest vessels, arriving in Caen in late autumn, or at least that’s how the weather felt. It was dark dreary and damp, with patches of mist and fog en route, and as it happens, we did not see the sun again until late on Sunday as we made our way back to Caen.

24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 05/06/2016,
Damp conditions to start the day

Saturday was taken up with admin and all of the domestic chores that need to be addressed before venturing track side. Once these had been dealt with, it was time for a walk through the paddock and along the pit lane and although the cars and garages look similar from race to race, you can’t avoid that Le Mans tingle that goes down your spine. So much has changed over the years, and yet so much has stayed the same, so there is always that link to the past.

24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 04/06/2016,
New for 2016 a reduced area for Technical Scrutineering

The garages and paddocks were a hive of activity with last minute checks, while other teams were carrying out major surgery on their cars in readiness for the two track sessions on the Sunday. But first there was the beauty pageant and the year book photograph of all the cars assembled on the grid for the class of 2016 picture. This is a monumental task coordinated by Jeff Carter and his team of unsung heroes. It’s a bit like herding cats, but for some reason this year it seemed to go without a hitch, maybe due to the influence of Jeff’s glamorous assistants, who for modesty reasons cannot be named. The cars in all of their finery were on display for all to see, rival teams peering into vents and ducts to try and find out the latest innovations and tweaks, while others looked on with genuine enthusiasm and interest at these amazing pieces of equipment.

24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 04/06/2016,
24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 04/06/2016,Grid formation and a chance to see the competition up close

This is the first time that new Le Mans liveries are on display, this is usually due to sponsorships which clash with French advertising law. Also on display were some cars from the ELMS, as well as other invitees, bolstering the numbers to 60 cars on the grid. The spectacle of the grid formation certainly whets the appetite for what is to come over the next few short days, as well as that very long day which still lies ahead.

#31, Ligier JS P2 Nissan, Extreme Speed Motorsports, driven by Ryan Dalziel, Luis Felipe Derani, Chris Cumming, 24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 04/06/2016,
#31, Ligier JS P2 Nissan – New sponsorship livery for Le Mans 2016

Sunday was the day when the teams first experienced La Sarthe in 2016. For some, it was the first time ever, but for others it was just another chapter in a very long history. The first session started in very gloomy conditions, but instead of raining, the air was laden with moisture that was illuminated in an eerie glow around the cars as the modern lighting systems pierced the air. After the excitement of Spa where several LMP1 cars experienced mechanical issues, all the LMP1 cars were performing on cue. Other cars were taking time finding their way round, some appeared to be on a Sunday leisure drive but before long the session was in full swing with most cars posting respectable race times. But this is testing, and who knows who is doing what and what their agenda is?

24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 04/06/2016,
Grid formation, new kids on the block ElMS join the grid for Le Mans

The afternoon session carried on pretty much as the morning session had, as the track and atmosphere had dried somewhat and the drivers were getting down to business. Their aim was to find their limits, but in some cases these limits were exceeded so much so that the last session was red flagged with about 40 minutes still to run. As a result, a barrier was impacted so severely by one car that it could not be repaired in the remaining time which was a shame because the final time sheets could have been so different. The short term bragging rights will remain until the first timed runs during race week.

24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 04/06/2016,
2016 Le Mans 24 Hrs Entry, cherish every moment as an accredited photographer

This year, perhaps more so than in any other year in the recent past, all four classes could be won by almost anyone in that class. The outcome is simply too close to call, and will only be known at 15h00 on Sunday.

24 Heures Du Mans Test Day, 04/06/2016,
2016 Le Mans 24 Hrs Entry – The class of 2016

What are your Le Mans expectations? Virtual Motorpix will be at Le Mans again, from as early as scrutineering on Sunday 12 June, right through to the popping of champagne corks on Sunday 19 June. Be sure to drop by and see what we are getting up to.

Photos and words by: John Mountney

[more images can be found on the Virtual Motorpix Website]

Save article as PDF
Share this:

Categories: Automotive Photography, Car Racing, Featured Articles Tags: Aston Martin, Audi, Chevrolet, Corvette, Ferrari, Le Mans 24, Ligier, Porsche, Toyota

Comments

  1. Woody... says

    June 11, 2016 at 6:34 am

    The GT-PRO class is the show this year. This Ferrari-Ford rivalry will not be much of a rivalry this year, the Ferrari 488’s pace at Silverstone and Spa is such the lights will go out and the other cars will not see them again except when getting lapped. Risi with their LeMans winning experience and superior pit crew will be challenging for that top step, now for at least one race, out from under the insanely restrictive anti-Ferrari IMSA BoP. I just don’t want to be a repeat of last years so lucky Vette win, I was sick for 2 months. Vilander drove magnificiently to run down and pass the Vette with 90 minutes remaining. When at 55 minutes to go in the race Vilander ran over some debris on the track that ruined the Ferrari gearbox…sending Vilander in for a 36 minute garage fix. That allowed the #63 Vette by for the luckiest win I’ve seen in 25 years of going to and watching LeMans. Very strange, an American who hates Vettes…with the pace shown by Ferrari, they just might be a Ferrari lockout of the podium….sorry if it’s posted twice, I don’t know if the first one was posted…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Top quality commentary and photography on cars, motoring and motorsport across the ages.

Advertisement

Connect with us

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

E-mail Subscription

Please complete the form below if you would like to receive e-mail updates of new posts from Virtual Motorpix Blog.

Recent Articles

  • Toyota Gazoo Racing – 2017 WEC Plans
  • FCA (Fiat Chrysler Alfa) Driving Event Cardiff
  • Fiat 124 Sport Spider
  • Fiat 500
  • Jaguar E-type Restoration – Part 2
  • Cobra-Ferrari Wars 1963-1965
All Tags ››

Archives

Our other websites

Join us on Facebook

Please share our website

Follow us on Twitter

Tweets by Virtual Motorpix Blog

Contact us

We welcome your questions, comments and feedback. Please click here to contact us.

Connect with us

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 Virtual Motorpix. All Rights Reserved.

 

Loading Comments...