The 2006 24 Hours of Le Mans

  • Thread starter Thread starter JohnBM01
  • 211 comments
  • 8,212 views
JohnBM01

JohnBM01

21 years!
In Memoriam
Messages
26,911
United States
Houston, Texas, USA
Messages
JMarine25
This edition of Sesame Street is brought to you by the letter "L," the letter "M," and the number "24." No, we're not talking about the hit TV series "24" on FOX, but the greatest race in the world- the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And for the third-straight year(?), I'll host this thread for discussion of this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. It's the June classic that every participating automaker wants to win, because winning this race puts you in immortality. You can be among the names of Derek Bell, Jacky Ickx, Allan McNish, Johnny Herbert, and names like that. But this is an event on the world stage at the greatest of all races. You win here, it changes your racing life forever. It also adds extra credence to the marque you represent. Manufacturers can be among Bentley, Audi, Porsche, Ford, McLaren, and names like that.

ONE YEAR AGO...
I have seen the Le Mans enduro since maybe 2001. But let me tell you something. The 2005 Le Mans event had to be one of the greatest races I've ever seen. Greater than the Indy 500, greater than the Daytona 500, greater than almost any other race out there. I have a new motorsports hero in Tom Kristensen. Kristensen did something that I don't think anyone in our lifetime will ever do- win Le Mans 7 times outright, and have a stellar winning percentage. He had about 9 Le Mans starts, he's won 7 times. If you don't have this guy in your Hall of Fame, you're an idiot. Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. may have won seven championships (not taking away from that).

The GT ranks seen Corvette win again after Aston Martin upset the Corvettes at Sebring 2005. I hear the French fans love the roar of the Corvettes from the Dunlop Chicane down to the Ford chicane. So French fans will likely be treated to beautiful music of the LS2 Pushrods. Equally, Porsche will remain the best in the LMGT2 ranks. Porsche have been world-renowned for their sportscar racing success, and they hope to fend off all the challengers yet again. This means against groups like Ferrari, TVR (sorry Live4speed), Spyker, or whatever else will be racing in this class this year.
-end

GTPlanet, this is your thread in talking about this year's race. You can be sure to discuss all the happenings leading up this year's June classic. I'm also letting you talk about other Le Mans events including the Le Mans Classic events with all the vintage cars. These questions and comments can be answered as well:

* Who will win outright?
* Who will stage a stellar campaign all race long?
* What team is liable to flounder or underacheive this year?
* What team may suffer the most heartbreak?
* Who will be the standout driver this year?
* What team or driver will be the ultimate dark horse?

Le Mans 2006... COME AND GET IT!!!
 
Sadly this race doesn't get any coverage in Australia, just a 5 minute update on a Motorsports news type program. But I will probably get the DVD. I'm betting this'll be an amazing race with the new R10 vs Pescarolo. I'll be looking forward to the GT1 battles between the Corvettes and DBR9s.
I'm actully betting this race could turn out better than last years, and that was amazing!... Got it on DVD. :sly:
 
Radicool02
Sadly this race doesn't get any coverage in Australia, just a 5 minute update on a Motorsports news type program. But I will probably get the DVD. I'm betting this'll be an amazing race with the new R10 vs Pescarolo. I'll be looking forward to the GT1 battles between the Corvettes and DBR9s.
I'm actully betting this race could turn out better than last years, and that was amazing!... Got it on DVD. :sly:
Click to expand...

I think they have a summary of about an hour on Fox Sports a couple of days after...not enough though! :(

I'd tip Audi to win...they're running the R10 this year right?
 
I thinbk the R10 will win the outright victory, and on the same lap in second place, an LMP2! I don´t know if Porsches LMP2 will participate this year, but I hope so! If they do, they will be a serious contender. Third spot (or second, if Poersche doesn´t compete) will go to Pescarolo and their C60 hybrid.
In GT1, I hope for a close race between the C6R´s and the Astons, but I wouldn´t mind a few more cars up there. I had my hopes for the Oreca Saleen S7R, but they seem to have pulled the plug on running Le Mans in that car. Who wins? My bet is the Astons!
For GT2, I think Ferrari will sweep the board clean this year, if they run the new F430.
 
well, Tom Kristensen is once again in the right car in the right place, so I expect a bigger battle then last year. now that he's in a faster car, traffic shouldn't be a problem. the Penske Porsches won't be at le mans so looks like the Radical SR9 will be that magic LMP2 the places well amongst the overall positions. GT1, we get to see Vette Vs. Aston. last year, vette beat them at there somewhat home track like the astons did the vettes at sebring. however this year, the vettes claimed victory at they're home track so will aston martin do the same? and GT, The Panoz is certainly ready for le mans. I look forward to seeing how that team fairs at Le mans against last year's winning porsche as well as the new Ferrari F430.
 
Shame to hear that guys. Here, we're getting 21 hours of coverage. Probably the best thing Speed Channel has done for road racing fans all year.

Really excited about this race. Probably the best field the ACO have invited in a few years. And with the exception of the WR, there are no "what are THEY doing there" weak links that have blighted previous year's entry lists. (Debora or Norma anyone?)

In LMP1, Audi all the way. I think they'll have all their issues fully sorted before the race and I expect a repeat of 2000-2002, when they dominated qualifying and the race and finished 1-2.
However, if they fail, Pescarolo will be right on their tails. Behind them will be the Zytek, Dome, Creation and Courage entries who will fight amongst themselves for maybe the last podium spot. I expect very few will finish the race without major problems.
Personally, I'll be cheering for Zytek, Creation, Racing for Holland, Lister - anyone but Audi. :)

In LMP2, it will again be RML vs. Belmondo. No Porsches until next year (customer cars only). The Radical will again be fast but will fail. If Binnie, Epsilon/Barazi, Intersport or Miracle can keep from having too many problems, they'll have a good shot. Will this be another battle of survival?
I'm rooting for the Yanks. Miracle or Intersport. Also Rollcentre and RML.

In GT1, it will again be Aston Martin vs. Corvette. The Astons won't have the trick noses they had last year, but they also won't make the same mistakes twice. Also, if they switch back to Michelins from the Pirellis they're on this year (that's the rumor anyway), they'll be more than a match for the Corvettes. Is this 2003 all over again? (I'm not happy that they'll be allowed to use #007 and #009. It's cute, but really rubs me the wrong way as a "purist.")
Behind them will be the ACEMCO Saleen, Cirtek/Russian Age cars (Aston and Ferrari), BMS Aston and Larbre, whichever car they run. This class to me will be the most interesting, with Corvettes, Astons and Ferraris.
I'll again be rooting for the Yanks. GO CORVETTE!!!

In GT2, what can you say? Porsche vs. Ferrari vs. Panoz vs. Spyker. Porsche has won every race in this class (GT, then GT2). But with the new 430, Ferrari has become more than a match for the 911. Scuderia Ecosse (with a new blue and white stripe livery) will be the main Ferrari contender. I don't expect too much from Spyker. Panoz may have an outside shot, but I don't think they'll last 24 hours. As for the Porsches, Petersen just took themselves out of contention by allowing Tracy Krohn in the car. Le Mans already has five chicanes, and they've just added a rolling one. I think Flying Lizard is the one to beat.
And they're the ones I'll be rooting for. I'd love to see that beautiful red and silver car win. Also, I'll be rooting for the LNT Panoz and the Scuderia Ecosse Ferrari.


BTW, I hope you won't mind my mentioning this here, but if you want to run a 24 Hours of Le Mans like the real thing, we're doing one in the Spot Races forum. Here's the thread:
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=81113
Please take a look at it. I know there's a few shortcomings in the game, but we've worked hard to try to create a realistic racing experience.
 
O.K here is a shorthand version;
R10 for over all.
R10 again for #2
Porche for the next two and I'm not sure on the rest.
 
This is the best time of the year. Every sports car racing website has news, driver lineups, testing results, and everything that is Le Mans all over the front page. Puts a smile on my face.

JohnBM01
* Who will win outright?
* Who will stage a stellar campaign all race long?
* What team is liable to flounder or underacheive this year?
* What team may suffer the most heartbreak?
* Who will be the standout driver this year?
* What team or driver will be the ultimate dark horse?
Click to expand...

-Lister. You laugh now, but... :)
-Corvette Racing will stage a stellar campaign all race long. I see flawless pitstops and brilliant driving throughout the race.
-Aston Martin will underchieve.
-Pescarolo and Swiss Spirit will suffer the most heartbreak
-Standout driver: ? I'll have to think about this one
-Look out for the Spykers (w/ roofs! I think:confused: )

Those are my predictions but these are who I am going for:

P1 - Zytek
P2 - no preference but either Miracle or Intersport
GT1 - ACEMCO (I hope JLOC does well also)
GT2 - Flying Lizard
 
dougiemeats
This is the best time of the year. Every sports car racing website has news, driver lineups, testing results, and everything that is Le Mans all over the front page. Puts a smile on my face.



-Lister. You laugh now, but... :)
-Corvette Racing will stage a stellar campaign all race long. I see flawless pitstops and brilliant driving throughout the race.
-Aston Martin will underchieve.
-Pescarolo and Swiss Spirit will suffer the most heartbreak
-Standout driver: ? I'll have to think about this one
-Look out for the Spykers (w/ roofs! I think:confused: )

Those are my predictions but these are who I am going for:

P1 - Zytek
P2 - no preference but either Miracle or Intersport
GT1 - ACEMCO (I hope JLOC does well also)
GT2 - Flying Lizard
Click to expand...
Hmm, so Lister is finally bringing their LMP out?
Been a long time since I've seen it.

John, if Risi is there, I'll be routin' for them all the way.
Thankfully though, I'll probably be able to make it this year for a full in-your (my)-face action.

Sad to see the Spyder RS's won't be there, but still I'll be pulling for the ACEMCO S7R as well.
 
Imagine what kind of campaign the Porsche RS Spyders would bring to Le Mans. Porsche is like Audi- go hard, or go home. You know what you're getting from Porsche and Audi. I normally joke that tuned Honda cars on the street are like Porsches in sportscar racing- almost ubiquitous. But what if Panoz does what their program couldn't (no disrespect to Panoz)- win in class? I haven't seen all the entries yet, but I surely hope some of our ALMS boys and girls get it done in northern France.

* McLaren, *, I think you and I agree that Tom Kristensen is probably one of the best drivers of this era in any form of racing. I almost wanted to cry when he won Le Mans for the seventh time. Kristensen is Hall of Fame material, and if you don't have him in an international motorsport hall of fame, you're an idiot and need to close your Hall of Fame. I do feel that Pescarolo would have pulled a complete come-from-behind victory and get France off their bottoms and up cheering. They came back from three laps down. Three laps around Le Mans is like 24 miles or 12-15 minutes at least. They returned to the lead lap and probably could have upset the Audis. I think this year, they will stage a greater campaign. But can they outlast the others? That's something I hope Pescarolo can do. I would love to see this upset happen this year.

And of course, if Risi's in the house at Le Mans, then I'm sure us Texas sportscar fans will support the Houston group all the way. And hell, if I get a driver's license this summer, I'd probably personally go to Ferrari of Houston and shake the man's hand (Giuseppe Risi) and congratulate him in person! This should be a great Le Mans. It would be tough to replicate the magical Le Mans of last year. And in fact, I may not tape over Le Mans 2005. I'd keep those two tapes as Le Mans archives. I may want to try DVD recording of the event. You know, get as much as possible.

I'll make that my other question- could Le Mans 2006 possibly be better than Le Mans 2005?
 
JohnBM01
I'll make that my other question- could Le Mans 2006 possibly be better than Le Mans 2005?
Click to expand...

It very well could be better. Although last year's Le Mans will be very tough to top. Watching the race last year was like watching a story unfold. The R8's last race at the 24 Hours, Tom Kristensen's historic drive to victory, hearing the French crowd cheer the Pescarolos as they complete the first lap... last year's race was just incredible. There was so much emotion involved.

Hopefully this year's race will be just as memorable. And no John, don't tape over Le Mans 2005. You'll want to watch the race years from now.
 
JohnBM01
I'll make that my other question- could Le Mans 2006 possibly be better than Le Mans 2005?
Click to expand...
it looks as if that could be a possibility. we could see sportscar racing change forever if the diesel-powered Audi R10 wins, radical's first year in sportscar racing has been a big splash and perhaps we could see a repeat of the performance the Penske Porsches pulled off at mid-ohio, for the first time, we see a Lamborghini at Le mans along with astons, corvettes, ferraris, and a saleen so that is set to be amazing, and the battle of Porsche vs. Ferrari vs. Panoz vs. Spyker should shake things up. so John, this could be yet another le mans that you can add to your archives.
 
And I'll tell you this. If the Audi R10 wins Le Mans, we may as well (1) consider Audi one of the greatest sportscar racing marques in history, and (2) discuss and praise the Audi R10. Only problem? Will an Audi R10 victory be bigger and more popular than NASCAR at Michigan (according to media types)? How can you NOT love the 24 Hours of Le Mans? Le Mans should be a motorsports holiday. You can have your other forms of racing, but Le Mans is the key race in the world during the weekend Le Mans is run. I tell my stepfather that every year's Le Mans race is my Father's Day gift to him. He doesn't really watch the races, but he knows I'm giving him a gift money can't buy... unless you are referring to paying for Dish Network. ^_^

And to give you an idea that Le Mans should be more of a motorsports holiday, let's look back at last year. Tom Kristensen wins Le Mans as well as his Champion Audi team. They become the first American-based team to win outright since 1967 when the "Ferrari-slayers" were winning. A day after a race that's hard to surpass or forget, the United States Grand Prix takes place. And many of you know what happened that weekend. Michelin's the winning tire of Le Mans and the losing tire of the USGP. All I came to see was Le Mans, and I CERTAINLY got my fill.

Le Mans discussion continues with your reply.
 
DODGE the VIPER
I think they have a summary of about an hour on Fox Sports a couple of days after...not enough though! :(

I'd tip Audi to win...they're running the R10 this year right?
Click to expand...
they have hourly updates on sbs (aus only) or they used to
 
I certainly agree with you John.
7 LeMans wins or not, Tom has proven his skill in GT racing.
(Plus, he's my co-driver for the R-GT in GTR. :D)

As for Risi, I'll have to buy a Ferrari flag from Ferrari Dallas here, and take it with me. Unless there's a Ferrari flag with Risi on it.:dopey:
 
Sorry John, but I have to disagree with you, the Le Mans 24 hours is not the greatest racine in the world, I'd have to give that title to the 24 hours of Green Hell(Nurburgring 24 hours). More than 200 cars, on the FULL Nurbugring.

Audi wll win the 24hr LM......AGAIN....:rolleyes:

Cheers,
Matt.
 
I'm delighted to see the Spykers Roofed rather then roofless. plus the JLOC Lamborghini looks way better the Krohn-Barbour cars of 04.
 
...With my limited knowlege of what has been going on, despite the minor following I have had with ALMS so far this season, I shall thow my picks into the ring...

My guess is that the A10s will dominate, probably without much competition overall. I not only would predict the Audi-backed team to take their class, but to place first overall as well. From there, I think the best part of the show is going to be the showdown between the Team Corvette C6-Rs and the Prodrive Aston Martin DBR-9s. I'm putting money on Team Corvette, as they have had a pretty easy time beating up on the Astons here in ALMS despite their bigger restictions as compared to what will be done under FIA rules. I would also predict to have Porsche take their respective classes as well, as I belive they are in P2 and GT3 classes, if I'm not mistaken...

Its too bad I don't have the SPEED Channel... Looks like I'm going to have to watch the wrap-up show on CBS Sports...
 
YSSMAN
I would also predict to have Porsche take their respective classes as well, as I belive they are in P2 and GT3 classes, if I'm not mistaken...
Click to expand...

GT2 class ;) And Penske/Porsche is not participating in this year's Le Mans. However, you should see a few Porsches in the P2 class at next year's Le Mans.👍

Also, I just read this on LMSR.net:
The pit lane exit for the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been lengthened after a decision by the FIA. The competitors will rejoin the track just before the Dunlop Bridge (as during the 24 Hour motorcycle race). The exit has therefore been lengthened by 450 metres, and a 60 km/h speed limit has been imposed, the same as in the pit lane.
Click to expand...

Probably not a big deal though right? Just longer pitstops for everyone since the speed limit is imposed for a longer distance. It will benefit the teams that have less pitstops planned.

Edit: Pescarolo is fastest overall during the test sessions.
 
I think I've been around long enough for y'all to know who I'm behind. :lol: Go Corvette Racing, for honor and justice! 👍
 
LE MANS News Sunday, 4th June 2006

Pescarolo upset Audi in first Le Mans test.






Although early predictions put Audi as the red-hot favourite to claim the first ever Le Mans 24 Hours victory in a diesel-powered vehicle, the first test session at the French circuit instead saw Pescarolo as the team to beat.

Already dominating their respective American and European Le Mans Series', Audi and Pescarolo were the class of the field in the first test session ahead of the legendary race at the end of the month, with the latter coming out on top with the last lap of an eight hour session.

Swapping fastest times throughout the day, it was Franck Montangy and Eric Helary who emerged at the top of the 50-car strong field in the Judd powered Pescarolo that will also feature World Rally Champion Sebastian Loeb, the Frenchman having been unable to attend due to his commitments on the Acropolis Rally.

Having led the way for the majority of the day, the #7 Audi R10 of Allan McNish, Rinaldo Capello and Tom Kristensen had to settle for second place in their diesel powered vehicle.
Click to expand...

Thanks to www.crash.net for the item.

m.piedgros
 
Everyone is talking about the legendary battle that is about to take place at Le Mans between Audi and Pescarolo...

...and no one will see the Lister coming.

(Everyone is going to laugh at me when that car breaks down in the first hour. Oh well.)
 
The Pescarolo and Audi both have the speed. Let's say they both have the reliability. The question is, how much advantage does the Audi have concerning the number of pitstops?

Remember that the pit lane exit has been lengthened. Every pitstop a car has to make more than its opponent could mean a win or a loss.
 
I really love the deapth that is growing in LM P (and tosee the development of IMSCA, the Indianapolis based association for prototype builders.) It's great to see the variety of manufacturers attempting to tackle one if not both classes. I think Audi are the clear favorites. I'm not an Audi fan, I'm a Dindo Cappello, and Allan McNish fan. (I suppose that still makes me biast.) I have reason to believe those who are picking Courage/Pescarolo, are trying to stay away from the group. I think you're wrong! Man-oh-man I was just reading about the Lister and I think I'm chearing for it for the same reasons you are YSSMAN!! Does anyone know about Pescarolo's efforts to get a diesel? What's all this about "no hybrids" the ACO is proposing?

m.piedgros
 
LMP1 - R10 - power and torque. those diesels ;)
LMP2 - Don't really matter
GT1 - C6R
GT2 - Porsche - Flying Lizards.

:) :cheers:
 

Latest Posts

Back