2010 ADAC Zurich 24h (24h of Nürburgring)

[Wardy 944]

With just over two weeks to go (13 - 16 May) I thought I'd start this years thread

Current Start list http://adac.24h-rennen.de/uploads/m...nehmerliste_24h_Rennen_2010_27_04_2010_01.pdf

Also here's a story you may find interesting.

Legendary developer Kazunori Yamauchi behind the wheel (he'll be driving car No.72 a Lexus IS F)

More exciting news: Kazunori Yamauchi, vice president of SCE and president of Polyphony Digital, the software developer responsible for GT5™, won’t just be present at the 24-hour motorsport extravaganza; he’ll be taking part in the race too – for the first time ever. Even for Yamauchi, a self-confessed car-lover and developer of the world-famous Gran Turismo franchise, the “Nordschleife” is still a major challenge.

Full story here http://adac.24h-rennen.de/2010.4213.0.html?&L=1&cHash=f6a7d1bb2f

Just to get you in the mood a couple of vids from last years race.




Avatar size picture should you feel the need

Watch and listen here

http://adac.24h-rennen.de/Streaming.4101.0.html?&L=1&cHash=f6a7d1bb2f

http://www.radiolemans.com/

All the links can be found here
http://www.bsimracing.com/?p=10604
Thanks to m00ndancer​

 

[Stevisiov]

Really glad to see this thread pop up, I was checking the date of the race just yesterday. Last year was a really entertaining race, hopefully it will be again. 👍

 

[Clark]

It's amazingly looking better than more exciting than last year!

Among the frontrunners are the stalwarts Manthey in the new 911 GT3 R and the R8 LMS (one from Abt, two by Black Falcon and three by Phoenix) from last year, the GT3-spec 911 GT3 R is also being run by many people (including a Matnehy-run hybrid), a near stock factory-run 911 GT RS (with Walter Rohrl as one driver) and the two Schnitzer factory-backed M3 GT2. It looks like there should be a very big fight between the top teams as they all have good cars and the teams and drivers are very professional. Manthey will have their work cut out.

Good to see a 430 being run aswell (by Hankook) with two very good drivers aswell and the new Z4 GT3 being run by Schubert. Also noticed the Peugeot RCZ's, interesting.

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/group.php?groupid=100

 

[Ardius]

The Porsche Hybrids are using the Williams flywheel KERS system by the way.

 

[Clark]

Yup, Hulkenberg was testing it the other day.

EDIT: Just noticed there's a 190E Evo 2 on the entry list aswell! Awesome!

 

[Ibonibo]

Lets take a minute to remember Prinz Carl Friedrich zu Löwenstein ( and his family ) who died Sunday on the ring during the third trial for the VLN, when his car crashed.
One more on the list, let's hope it's the last one for a couple of years...

 

[Wardy 944]

Just noticed there's a 190E Evo 2 on the entry list aswell! Awesome!

There's another oldie on the list, they said '09 was going to be it's last year, but no the fox tailed Opel Manta is back 👍

Here's some great footage from last year

​

 

[freshseth83]

I wonder if there's a way to merge the thread i created about the VLN series with this, since it's the same thing but just 4 hour race tests. I gave a couple links of the LFA race car and some other stuff too.

 

[Wardy 944]

Here you go, there's some great info and links in there 👍

I haven't seen a thread about the Nurburgring races so i figured i would start one. I don't know if anyone has any additional information as to the info that I will state. Be warned if you have no interest in knowing results or have a way of watching these races before i place results then do not follow the link(s).

First race was a 4 hour endurance race required to be run for qualification into the 24Hour race at the Nurburgring. Of the entrants my favorite would have to be the Lexus LFA. Last year and in 2008 the LFA ran the enduros as a prototype car. This year marks the first time the production version ran. If anyone doesn't know about the VLN events their website is http://www.vln.de -it will explain the different classes and rules. I don't think the VLN races are run the same as the 24 Hour race or by the same organizers, but they mostly run the same rules.

To put it shortly the races have different classes of cars in a way like LeMans series races. There is no prototype class though, it's all sports cars. The SP9 class is the highest class with cars equal to FIA GT3 spec. Cars like the Porsche GT3 RSR and Audi R8 LMS. This year even has BMW competing in the class with the new Z4 GT3 and the M3 GT2. There are numerous other classes such as SP8 (in which the LFA competes) and SP7 (in which an F430 GTC competes). These classes aren't all open so it's best if you follow the first link in which I posted to figure out what vehicles run in what class, and the restrictions or engine size of said cars.

Onto the first race of the year. the 57. ADAC Westfalenfahrt- A 4 hour endurance event at the nurburgring north and 'south loop', the combined nordschleife and GP track (F1 track). Qualifying Results are here- http://www.vln.de/ergebnisse/2010-03-27t.html. Race Results are here- http://www.vln.de/ergebnisse/2010-03-27r.html

Anyone else interested lets being to post away!

Are these races going to be broadcasted anywhere? Not much info about that on the website.

(eurosport/motorstv/carchannel etc?)

*edits

Found the answer: In Netherlands/Holland its broadcasted on Carchannel, but no specifics on when though.

--

These series are always fun to watch, really get me into wanting to drive Gran Turismo

I'm not sure if they are broadcast over the net or not. But i know the website gives times they start once the event is close. It's hard to tell because it's in german too, you have to google translate it. But I'm glad you found out the channel it is shown on. I'm sure the events will be broadcasted live though. If they are endurance races there is no use in showing them later due to the time they take up. The LFA is sweet looking though- head to gazoo.com to check out the new LFA race car.

the second race will take place this weekend on the 10th of April. hope to see some more videos, here are some from the race-

Video of LFA race car testing-
Video of LFA race car pit stop-

more videos soon

The second race of the VLN series is this weekend with our GT creator Kazunori Yamauchi taking the wheel of a Lexus IS-F in class SP8. Team Gazoo Racing has prepared two Lexus LFA's for this weekend's 4 hour DMV 4 Stunden Rennen. I think Gazoo Racing is the same team that Kaz' is racing the IS-F with as well.

Details will be up soon, but for now here is the entry list in PDF file format-
http://vln.de/includes/download.php?file=../ergebnisse/2010-04-10s.pdf

I believe the Porsche GT3 RSR is actually a GT2 class car. I don't know how the SP class work but I believe it allows for a less rigid classification (compared to how FIA handles its GT race) especially because the 24h Nurburgring is still a largely grassroots event.

the SP9 class is GT3. Unless the Audi R8 LMS has suddenly gotten a power boost. Which i doubt because in Europe it's stated the R8 is a GT3 class car. Plus according to the rules the SP9 class in VLN is equivalent to GT3 (FIA) I would think the BMW GT2 cars and Porsche GT3 RSR cars are running an air restrictor or they R8 LMS are allowed to produce more power. I'll have to look it up further but according to the rules of VLN it states GT3 class race cars are SP9 in VLN.

On another note, Lexus LFA took another class win, for the 2nd race in a row over this past weekend. Story here http://vln.de/newsausgabe.gb.php?id=2180

http://www.f1today.nl/nieuws/2010/0...eist-leven-van-43jarige-oostenrijkse-coureur/

Saturday is a 43-year-old racing driver from Austria was killed during a race on the Nordschleife. Previously claimed the infamous circuit for many lives, but even today it remains a tricky circuit.

The 43 years old Leo Löwenstein did in his Aston Martin with a VLN endurance race when he was in the 22nd round hit on the head. On the part Bergwerk Löwenstein drove between two other participants in his Aston Marton and suddenly came loose from the asphalt. He snapped at another car and then hit on the head. Immediately after his car flew into a fire.

There was an immediate rescue operation began and the rescue workers and marshals were almost immediately on the spot. It was not for Löwenstein late. The Austrian died on the spot to smoke. Obviously the race was immediately stopped and it would no longer start.

Translated from above source (by google)

The story is on VLN's website, vln.de just go to the top and the english version is there. What happened was that he couldn't get free from his car while it was on fire... even though they tried to help, he died of smoke inhalation. Pretty sad. I'm not sure how many laps were left but there was probably another half an hour to the race, but it was stopped and didn't continue.

 

[Clark]

the SP9 class is GT3. Unless the Audi R8 LMS has suddenly gotten a power boost. Which i doubt because in Europe it's stated the R8 is a GT3 class car. Plus according to the rules the SP9 class in VLN is equivalent to GT3 (FIA) I would think the BMW GT2 cars and Porsche GT3 RSR cars are running an air restrictor or they R8 LMS are allowed to produce more power. I'll have to look it up further but according to the rules of VLN it states GT3 class race cars are SP9 in VLN.

They strangled the GT2 Manthey last year so it's more even, it was getting caught on the straights by the GT3 cars last year. So the BMW M3 GT2 this year will be faster on the corners but slower on the straights than the GT3's.

 

[freshseth83]

The M3 GTR's have set some pretty fast lap times, even though they are being restircted. They're not very far off the R8's and GT3 RSR's

 

[Tommi]

Really looking forward to this years race, im sure the racing will be even better now the R8 LMS's have got some experience under their belts and there are plenty of new entries who are bound to cause trouble throughout the field.👍

I'll be keeping my eye on the VW motorsport Scirocco's, Mr Yamauchi and Jari-Matti Latvala in particular in the other classes.
Great to see the Audi V8 participating again this year.

Lets take a minute to remember Prinz Carl Friedrich zu Löwenstein ( and his family ) who died Sunday on the ring during the third trial for the VLN, when his car crashed.
One more on the list, let's hope it's the last one for a couple of years...

I saw that too, always very sad when a racing driver is killed, but we have to remember that motorsport is dangerous and the Nurburgring is one of the most dangerous circuits in the world. I hope it will be the last life taken by the 'ring forever.

 

[boiltheocean]

Awesome I loved this thread last year, can't wait for the race this year!

 

[Clark]

Yeah this thread was great last year. GTP Grenade, Me and a fair few others are big followers of this race so if anybody wants know anything or is unsure of anything do hesitate do ask here.

 

[Wardy 944]

Talking of wanting to know anything. Does anyone know why the Lotus Evora Type 124 is missing from the line-up? When it was launched back in September '09 it was all Nurburgring this, and ADAC 24 that, but since then nothing.

It's a shame it's not there, it looks a cracking car.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/11/lotus-announces-first-evora-race-edition-type-124-endurance-car/

I've checked the list twice just in case

 

[Clark]

I wasn't aware they were planning to enter it.

 

[Wardy 944]

Taken from a Lotus press release.

The racecar is expected to compete in a number of endurance races in 2010/ 2011 forming part of a factory-supported race program. The races that are targeted are: The 2010 ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hours (Nürburgring Nordschleife, Germany) in May 2010, Merdeka Millennium 12 Hours (Sepang, Malaysia) in August 2010, BritCar 24 Hours (Silverstone, UK) in October 2010 and the Dubai 24 Hours (Dubai Autodrome, UAE) January 2011.

It could all be marketing guff to try and sex up the Evora's image, but the best way to do that is to take it racing, SO WHERE IS IT

It was also going to be one of my cars to follow during the race.

 

[Clark]

Well I just thought it would be like most all GT3-4 cars and be a customer car. Although come to think of it I don't really think they've finished development of it yet.

 

[freshseth83]

I haven't heard anything of the Evora myself, and I've followed every race in the VLN so far this year. Mr. Yamauchi will be driving the Lexus IS-F prepared by Gazoo racing in SP8 class. Also in that class and prepared by Gazoo Racing is the Lexus LFA Race car. I wonder if Kaz will have these two cars in GT5!? I can only hope. The IS-F seems to be a pretty formidable car in it's class, so a race version would be sweet. And also, the LFA is one of the most hyped cars around. Can't wait to see how it does in the 24Hour race. It's been much quicker than any of it's other SP8 competitors. Not quite as fast as the SP9 cars, but it weighs more.

 

[boiltheocean]

I'd love to see the Manthey Porsche win again but I have a feeling the R8's will win this year.

 

[Boffin]

I haz question regarding the streaming of the media this year.

Being stuck at uni while this shindig is run, I have to pay for byte by byte with my internet.

Any guesses on how much I'd use if I were to stream the video for....say....12-15 hrs?

 

[Tommi]

I haz question regarding the streaming of the media this year.

Being stuck at uni while this shindig is run, I have to pay for byte by byte with my internet.

Any guesses on how much I'd use if I were to stream the video for....say....12-15 hrs?

I can't say an exact figure, but I imagine well into the gigabytes. I had both the official video stream and Radiolemans commentary playing for just over that last year and by the end of the event I was 'very close' to my 20GB a month download limit. (However I did have live timings etc. up at the same time occasionally too)

 

[Clark]

I'd love to see the Manthey Porsche win again but I have a feeling the R8's will win this year.

Nah, for me it's either the #1 Manthey GT3 R or one of the Schnitzer M3's.

 

[boiltheocean]

I haz question regarding the streaming of the media this year.

Being stuck at uni while this shindig is run, I have to pay for byte by byte with my internet.

Any guesses on how much I'd use if I were to stream the video for....say....12-15 hrs?

If the free internet coverage is anything like last year you won't be streaming 12-15 hours. They only had full track coverage for the first and last 2 hours, I think they also had some at night too but I didn't watch the whole thing. The majority of the time though we got a static camera at the end of the Start/Finish straight.

Nah, for me it's either the #1 Manthey GT3 R or one of the Schnitzer M3's.

I fully support the #1 Manthey Porsche.

 

[Stevisiov]

R8 supporter here, hoping for a win, they were strong last year.

Also if the scirroco's are running again, they have my support.

 

[allent2]

Ill be there camping/partying with my friends! Thank you Air Force!!!

 

[Ardius]

Well I just thought it would be like most all GT3-4 cars and be a customer car. Although come to think of it I don't really think they've finished development of it yet.

The last I heard, they'd brought in Jarno Trulli to do a bit of testing work on it around the time of the Lotus F1 launch.
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=21501
And I also got the impression it was going to be a supply-only deal rather than any factory efforts, although I think it would be more sensible to run a factory team initially for a number of reasons:
1. Obviously the only kind of experienced personnel from the start are going to come from Lotus. Any customer team is going to be in the deep end.
2. For the first couple of years, a factory budget gives a new car the best chance of success.
3. Its far easier for Lotus to update and continue development of the car if they are running it themselves.
This format has already proven successful for Aston Martin, and Jaguar were doing it with the XKR GT3 until that tragic accident.

Although, Lotus run several Cup series, so I guess this an alternative way to develop the car. But I think its more enticing for potential buyers if they see an on-track comparison with its class rivals rather than against itself in spec Cup series.

 

[freshseth83]

I'm supporting team Gazoo Racing, with their Lexus LFA's and Lexus IS-F's, one of the latter being piloted by Kazunori Yamauchi himself.

 

[Wardy 944]

A few N24 news story's from Auto express

Auto Express's senior test driver will drive the same IS-F as Kaz
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/251368/auto_express_racing_in_n24.html

Rally veteren Per Eklund to race 310bhp SAAB 900 Turbo
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/251464/classic_saab_tackles_n24.html

Behind the scene's at Aston Martin (fantastic picture's of the Rapide)
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrev...7/aston_rapide_racecar_behind_the_scenes.html

Audi R8 GT
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/251398/audis_nurburgring_challenger.html

Peugeot RCZ
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrev.../peugeot_celebrates_200th_with_n24_entry.html



@Ardius, I agree with all three points related to the Evora no show.

Reading through some Lotus forums it would appear that the Exige Cup entered by Stratton motor co is a factory backed/approved car.

 

[Clark]

Getting close now, does anybody have a timetable or at least know when qualifying is?