GT1 mixing it with LMP2?

[SpriteII]

Looking at the test times the GT1s will be about 10 seconds or less slower than the LMP2s.  Will the GTs be able to go longer than the LMPs between stops?  In which case is there a chance that the top GT1 could finish ahead of the top LMP2.  What about tyre wear?  

Discuss?

[Werner]

LMP2 was from my point of view quiete disappointing in the last years, just cruising around and finishing was sometimes even enough for a podium.

I think the battle between the Chevys, the Astons and the Ferraris will lead to a high overall pace in that class, I expect the quickest GT1 to finish ahead of the quickest LMP2. Even the big surprise is possible, remember 1995 when GT outran the prototypes, but, OK that's a remote chance this year.

It's also not only about cars, but about the drivers as well. Looking at the drivers roster of teams like Chevrolet and Aston Martin, I didn't find a match for that in whole LMP2.

Not sure, but I think GT1 has 10 litres more of fuel in the tank(100 compared to 90 in LMP2). But, of course, I guess the 1100 kg 600 hp Chevy will need a little more of that than a 3.4 litre Judd in a 750 kg car also...

[jpchenet]

Don't forget that the Aston nearly got on the overall podium at Sebring, only pipped into 4th in the last half hour by one of the Dysons!

IIRC, last year only one LMP2 car finished the race so the podium was a little bare!

[Ranger]

Well the Italian Luchini team have withdrawn their LMP2 car from the race so that's one less for the Aston's to get past!

Only 49 cars on the grid now

[chrisbeatty]

Autosport has an interview with Marco Werner & he said the R8 is no quicker down the straights than the leading GT1's this year (what with all the added restrictions on the old LMP900/675 models)
I expect there to be a significant difference in braking & round the curvy bits of the track, but it does seem a little odd that the fastest entries aren't "fastest"!!

Here's hoping for a DBR9 to hit the overall podium

I seem to recall LMP2/LMP675's being a bit crap in recent years anyway, looks like they've improved a lot in 12 months to get back to where they should be!!

[Ken Breadstick]

The LMP2 and variants before hand have ended up finishing behind the top GT cars anyway.

I still think the Top Ferraris/Chevy/Astons will do that again.

Yeah I agree with all of you, I think a GT1 car has a great chance for a top 5 and the added factor that with no real 'factory' effort in the LMP1 maybe relaibility could be a problem for some of the top cars.

[Robbo SPS]

I honestly thin kthat with the development of the RML car and Intersport car from the US, they will be very quick and hard to beat.

The RMl car is a better car and developed from the 2001/2 MG cars that were quicker on some laps than the LMP1 cars.

Could be a good one.

[Werner]

Just went the results of previous races, last time an LMP2 (675) managed to finish ahed of the quickest GT was 2001.
I remember the very strong MGs in 2001/2002, nice, quick cars with excellent drivers (Bailey, Bludell and others), sometimes they could even go the pace of the  LMP900 cars, but as far as I remember they never made it til sunday monrning sunrise

[Barry]

Could be a good one.

IMHO I think that this years race has the potential to be the most intresting for several years in all catagories. The new LMP1 Pescaralo's should give the privateer hybrid R8's ( which have 50 kg of ballast onboard, and a smaller restricter) a run for their money. LMP2 field looks very strong and competitive. GT1 will see a titannic clash of the green verses yellow. GT2 should be a Porsche benefit, but it will be very intresting to see how the Panoz run, they look competitive so far, but will they last. White Lightning might have a fight on their hands.

Put together a field as we have this year, add a dash of luck, a splash of bad luck, unexpected drama, shake well, and you get the wonderful cocktail that is the 24 Heures du Mans.

If Henri gets a win, the French will go wild, could be a good party Sunday night. It's 25 years since the Rondeau won the race for France, could a French car with French drivers do it again this year? We'll soon find out.

I'm so excited, I'll go and lie down for a little while.

[Steve Pyro]

If Henri gets a win, the French will go wild, could be a good party Sunday night. It's 25 years since the Rondeau won the race for France, could a French car with French drivers do it again this year? We'll soon find out.

Also Peugeot in '92 and '93.

[hgb]

If Henri gets a win, the French will go wild, could be a good party Sunday night. It's 25 years since the Rondeau won the race for France, could a French car with French drivers do it again this year? We'll soon find out.

Also Peugeot in '92 and '93.

In 1993 they even occupied all three steps on the podium.

[SpriteII]

Don't forget the Pug victorory/ies (can't remember if 1 or 2).

Still I shall be happy if Pesca wins, a true LM God.  I wonder if he was ever tempted to drive to join that exclusive club with Rondeau.

[Barry]

If Henri gets a win, the French will go wild, could be a good party Sunday night. It's 25 years since the Rondeau won the race for France, could a French car with French drivers do it again this year? We'll soon find out.

Also Peugeot in '92 and '93.

Ah, forgot about them, but the last French car to win with French drivers only was the Rondeau.

Have a good trip down Steve, see you there.

[Fax]

I've gotta think the real show, as at Sebring will be in GT1.  Pesca's cars look great but from everything I've read they were really trying to go for quick times at pre-qualifying while Champion Audi were working on evaluating various race set-ups.  I just don't see anyone beating an Audi over 24 hours.  No bad luck intended but I really hope Chevy puts one over the Aston's at the Sarthe, if for no other reason than that would even the score at one all and would make for a Petit Le Mans tie-breaker in October.  That would be sweet.
Fax

[Lorry]

I think with a little more effort from embarressed Chevrolet, the GTs will run very fast, and when was the last time a Judd engined car ran full distance without a stop.  So the Audis are 1 2 3 but they'll have the odd problem, so Aston should be on the podium.

If it were that simple, it wouldn't be worth watching.

Expect mayhem or a procession - no change there then