A curious survey for Le Mans fans

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sier_Pinski
  • 42 comments
  • 7,479 views

If you were to drive an LMP race car, what style would you prefer?

  • Open-cockpit

    Votes: 15 21.7%

  • Closed-cockpit

    Votes: 54 78.3%
  • Total voters
    69
Open Cockpit is best for me. It saves on weight (but I think they have to have weight added to make it fair) and also gives better visibility.

Also, quick escape if need be. :p As soon as you stop there's no doors in the way. Get away before the car explodes. :p
 
All cars must weigh 900kg at current P1 regulations so saving weight isnt a talking point here....
 
Sier_Pinski
False. You should realize that:

1. The only reason why Audi beat Peugeot in the 2010 Le Mans was that all 4 Peugeot cars suffered technical difficulties, forcing them all to retire from the race.
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Not false Audi did win...just because you point out that stuff doesn't mean that Peugeot default to a win. In the end the car Audi brought was better for the 24h overall and that's why it won. Your explenation doesn't help dispell if open or closed is better. Also a qualification time doesn't justify the overall benefits of closed vs open cockpits in racing. Good try though, even if I like Closed better, your comment doesn't justify open cockpits being worse.
 
Stavelot
All cars must weigh 900kg at current P1 regulations so saving weight isnt a talking point here....
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So I did correct myself saying that in my post that they have to be the same weight anyway. ;)

There isn't really any difference between open and closed other than the aerodynamic properties. But wouldn't an open LMP have a lot less drag due to their being less for the wind to break open around? In the end it's just preference, each has their advantages and disadvantages so they end up even.
 
If the 908s had the reliability of the Audis, that 2010 race perhaps would've been an embarrassment to the entire VW group. Having the absolute fastest lap in the race, which was even faster than the qualifying time, is nothing to chuckle at.

It's amazing, people moan about the mulsanne straight being neutered, or that cars like the Porsche 917 will always be the fastest, yet we have diesel powered lmps that can shatter their lap times, even if they had two chicanes in their way.
 
Closed cockpits have more driver safety and protection from crashes and the elements. Also overall a closed cockpit is more aerodynamic.
 
I hate the closed cockpit. I never like driving the Peugeot 908 because I can't see worth a crap through the tiny portholes, which is a big part of why I've been an Audi fan, as the R8, R10, and R15 were all open. I hate that the R18 is closed like the 908.

Peugeot 908 closed cockpit:
2my14q1.jpg

e56fe1e41c09ac3848387449fd71e43b.jpg


For some reason I'm having trouble finding a cockpit view in the R10 or R15, but I guess just imagine the 908 shots but without all the dome blocking the bulk of your field of view.
 
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Furinkazen
Closed cockpits have more driver safety and protection from crashes and the elements. Also overall a closed cockpit is more aerodynamic.
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Yeah. After the Audi incidents of last year I think safety should be put forward above all else (within reason, after all it is LM).

I would think a driver would feel safer in a closed cockpit, encouraging him to push harder, providing more exiting driving. Just a thought.
 
TankAss95
Yeah. After the Audi incidents of last year I think safety should be put forward above all else (within reason, after all it is LM).

I would think a driver would feel safer in a closed cockpit, encouraging him to push harder, providing more exiting driving. Just a thought.
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Also Dr Ullrich at Audi I believe said that he preferred open-top cars but to be competitive he needed a closed-top car, hence the R18.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o6kKoNSrnI&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLF5DE06DAF23FF0E6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neUhL_-3l7g&feature=related

I love closed cockpit prototypes.

Also Dr Ullrich at Audi I believe said that he preferred open-top cars but to be competitive he needed a closed-top car, hence the R18.
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The main reason Audi went for the roadster style over coupe was that A.) open top cars are allowed to run wider tires than the closed top cars and B.) open top cars are quicker to change out drivers with.

But with the ACO making tires moot since coupes can run similar widths to the open top, and power being reduced as a whole, Audi was forced to take the coupe since the advantages of a roadster are mitigated.
 
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