LeMans finishes ...

LoudMusic · Nov 5, 2001

I was just curious ... how long after the first car finishes at LeMans does the checkered flag fly? I assume that they don't just let everyone finish ... so what's the cut off?

I'm asking because of this statement on a WRCE info site:

From Rotors at LeMans

"The 1974 Sigma MC74 with Mazda 12A engine was the first Japanese team ever to finish with the chequered flag.

Mazda is the most reliable finisher: 67 % of the times it has entered (31 cars)), the highest reliability of any maker, except Honda, who entered only one year (3 cars) and all 3 finished. The next closest was D.B. (?) (France) at 55 %."

~LoudMusic

vat_man · Nov 10, 2001

Er, curiously phrased question...

Le Mans is of course a timed event (guess how long!) so the first car over the finish line at or after the completion of the allocated time wins - all other cars would complete the event as they cross the line after the winner.

If you're still running at 4 pm Sunday and you've done enough laps (not sure - think it's a percentage of the winner's laps) then you get a finish...

LoudMusic · Nov 10, 2001

Originally posted by vat_man
Er, curiously phrased question...

Le Mans is of course a timed event (guess how long!) so the first car over the finish line at or after the completion of the allocated time wins - all other cars would complete the event as they cross the line after the winner.

If you're still running at 4 pm Sunday and you've done enough laps (not sure - think it's a percentage of the winner's laps) then you get a finish...

The vat_man returns! Where have you been, mate?

Ah, well I don't know what I was thinking ... now this makes sense. Based on percentage would be more intelligent. I just couldn't image there being better than 50% DNF (did not finish). I mean, enter a damn Honda Accord and you could finish, but it wouldn't really be competing because it would probably get lapped 10 laps into the race.

~LoudMusic

vat_man · Nov 11, 2001

Originally posted by LoudMusic

The vat_man returns! Where have you been, mate?

Ah, well I don't know what I was thinking ... now this makes sense. Based on percentage would be more intelligent. I just couldn't image there being better than 50% DNF (did not finish). I mean, enter a damn Honda Accord and you could finish, but it wouldn't really be competing because it would probably get lapped 10 laps into the race.

~LoudMusic

Been on holidays mate!

At least someone missed me!

Took the significant other and bolted up to Queensland for a week or so, for some sun, sand and surf. Well, sun and sand, anyway.

I think the classifications for finishing are relative to the various class winners.

Try http://www.lemans.org/ - should be info there, I think the historical stuff there is reasonable. Check http://www.fia.com - they may the rules there (good reference site in any event)

Fogelhund · Nov 14, 2001

Sorry, no answer to your original question.

However, Honda cars have competed more than 3 times... 94 - 3 entries 95- 3 entries 96 -1 entry... perhaps more..

DB = Deutsch et Bonnet

"The 1974 Sigma MC74 with Mazda 12A engine was the first Japanese team ever to finish with the chequered flag. "...sorry the car only finished 155 laps, perhaps it crossed the line with the chequered flag, but it was clearly not classified as a finisher.

The first classified finishing Japanese team was not until 1980, when an RX-7 finished 21st.

91' is the only time a Japanese team won, with the Mazda 787 that is in the GT3 game.

If you want to see more info on LeMans checkHere

LoudMusic · Nov 14, 2001

Originally posted by Fogelhund
Sorry, no answer to your original question.

However, Honda cars have competed more than 3 times... 94 - 3 entries 95- 3 entries 96 -1 entry... perhaps more..

DB = Deutsch et Bonnet

"The 1974 Sigma MC74 with Mazda 12A engine was the first Japanese team ever to finish with the chequered flag. "...sorry the car only finished 155 laps, perhaps it crossed the line with the chequered flag, but it was clearly not classified as a finisher.

The first classified finishing Japanese team was not until 1980, when an RX-7 finished 21st.

91' is the only time a Japanese team won, with the Mazda 787 that is in the GT3 game.

If you want to see more info on LeMans checkHere

You contridict yourself. If it crossed the line with the chequered flag, is that not a finish? In my book that's what it means. The "NC" listed on this page I believe denotes "not classified". That doesn't mean that it didn't finish. It just means that there wasn't a classification for that type of car at that time. Woop-dee-doo, it can still finish a race. And it finished in 21st place.

Also, we're well aware of the 787B. I think everyone at GTPlanet knows how cool of a car it is. It was also the only rotary powered car to win LeMans. But not the only rotary to enter. It had a few pretesesors that did fairly well.

~LoudMusic

Fogelhund · Nov 14, 2001

Thanks for the sarcasm...

You can cross the finish line and take the checkered flag... however, this does not mean that you have completed enough laps to be classified as a finisher. NC means NOT CLASSIFIED AS A FINISHER.

I apologize if somehow I insulted your source, however it is clear that their info is flawed.

LoudMusic · Nov 14, 2001

Originally posted by Fogelhund
Thanks for the sarcasm...

You can cross the finish line and take the checkered flag... however, this does not mean that you have completed enough laps to be classified as a finisher. NC means NOT CLASSIFIED AS A FINISHER.

I apologize if somehow I insulted your source, however it is clear that their info is flawed.

Ah, this brings new light to my original question. How do you actually get qualified as a finisher? Someone pointed out that a certain percentage of the winner's laps was required. That makes sense.

~LoudMusic