24 Hours of Le Mans 2012 Discussion

[Stalk3r*]

It's that time once again...

Feel free to post your prediction / views of the race !

Links:

Entry List


- The Official Spotters Guide Supplied by SpotterGuides.com

Schedule

Track Map #1 / Track Map #2 / Track Map #3

Live Timing #1 / Live Timing #2

RLM

Le Mans Website / WEC Website

Weather

Streaming Links:
Saturday 13th June
15:00 CET - 00:00 CET - Start of the 80th Le Mans 24 Hours 2012
- Stream Link #1
- Stream Link #2
- Stream Link #3
- Stream Link #4
- Stream Link #5
- Stream Link #6
- Stream Link #7
- Stream Link #8

- Corvette Onboard / Pit
- JRM Onboard / Pit

[wpsracing78]

I'd hate to degrade the thread to this already.... but... who's everyone going for!??!

P1 - I'll be cheering on Toyota up front, as well as the Dome and #15 Oak for the smaller honors.

P2 - a few to choose from! I'll be supporting fellow Aussie John Martin in the #25 - but I love the Lola B12/80's, so will give support to the #28/29 Gulf's and the #31 Lotus.

Pro - Aston and Luxury.

Am - IMSA & JWA Porsche's and the #83 JMB 458. I'll keep an eye on the Simonsen Aston and Lamy Vette as well.

Well.... Bring on the best race of the year!!

My final uni assignment of the semester is due Friday night - so my life enjoyment is going to go from 0 to 9 trillion over too-happy in the space of about 1 hour!!!!

[Paul_in_DC]

LMP -- Gotta pull for the underdog ... Go Toyota!

GTE -- No preference

Highcroft Delta Wing Nissan -- I like this one just for the "weird" factor. I'll be interested to see how this one holds up (and handles) compared to the more traditional LMP designs.

[Nectaria]

LMP1: The blue Peugeot...I mean Toyota

LMP2: Boutsen Ginion, love the painting, it's a belgian team...

GT Pro: Luxury racing, kinda like Mackowieki by now

GT Am: Larbre...no doubt. Just too bad they run Corvettes...

Eurosport player will play free practice and all quali LIVE, for 3,90euros you can subscripe, really worth it imo.

Audi TV will probably do a good live stream, but you'll need Radio le mans commentary no doubt, it's free so it's useful.

[wpsracing78]

Also use Radio Le Mans forum (listeners collective) for resources such as vid streams, better live timing, etc, etc. They have a thread dedicated to it

[FlyeThemoon]

As i know Corvette Racing had own stream.

You can watch any car onboard but that car must be Corvette

[moppenheimer]

LMP1: Audi #2

LMP2: Level 5 and Starworks

GT Pro: Lizard #80

GT Am: Lizard #79

[jgf]

My view of the race? I wish I had a view of it. Why does television give us twelve hours a day live coverage of Wimbledon for an entire week, yet LeMans is represented by a ninety minute highlight program a week after the event.

[Scalage]

That's exactly what happens here in Europe (at least this part) with the 24 hours of daytona. Motors TV is changing that luckily.

I'm very eager to see the difference in diesel and diesel hybrid in the Audi's at Le Mans. In Spa, the normal diesel had the advantage over the hybrid in the dry. The hybrid though, was significantly faster in the wet. As far as the Toyota's go, I'm not sure they will be a threat. I hope I'm wrong on that though

[Petty Andretti]

Originally Posted by jgf

My view of the race? I wish I had a view of it. Why does television give us twelve hours a day live coverage of Wimbledon for an entire week, yet LeMans is represented by a ninety minute highlight program a week after the event.

If your location is really in the U.S. then I have no idea what you're talking about. Speed will provide full coverage of the race, like they always do.

[Nectaria]

No matter what your location, there's always lives streams to be found on the internet, well unless you live in North Korea or Myanmar or something.

[Totenkopf]

http://www.firstrowsports.eu/

There's live streaming about everything related to sports......

[TheNewBob]

Can't wait for this one. P1 will be an Audi victory, that is 99% assured, but P2 and the GTE classes are so close, its impossible to say who will win.

P1 - As an Audi fan I'm spoilt for choice, but I want to see Toyota putting in some good lap times even if they can't hold the challenge for too long. I'd love to see the Pescarolo Dome finish well, too.

P2 - Dailysportscar.com did a great preview of this category, put simply at least half the P2 field can be considered as serious contenders. I'd like to see a Jota or a surprise Murphy class win (its not actually that much of a long shot if they stay out of the pits!), but I wouldn't be displeased if Greaves took a win.

GTE-Pro - I want to see Corvette triumph over the hoards of 458s, but failing that a Porsche win would satisfy me too. Part of me will also be following the Aston challenge, but I'd be surprised if they are still in with a shout by half distance.

GTE-Am - If the Aston can survive without too many issues then this is the class they could excel in, the driver lineup is solid and the car has proven to be quick. Failing that the #58 Luxury Racing Ferrari looks strong, that team deserves a good result.

My advice for following the race from home? TV or online streaming, sound turned down from that with Radio Le Mans commentary in its place, timing & scoring screen handy with plentiful beer supplies. Oh, and if all you focus on is the overall race lead, then you are missing the entire point of Le Mans...

[Maroti DK]

LMP1: Audi #2

LMP2: Oak Racing #35

GT Pro: Corvette Racing #73

GT Am: Aston Martin Racing #99

[jgf]

Originally Posted by Petty Andretti

If your location is really in the U.S. then I have no idea what you're talking about. Speed will provide full coverage of the race, like they always do.

That's assuming I get Speed, which I don't.

Originally Posted by Nectaria

No matter what your location, there's always lives streams to be found on the internet, well unless you live in North Korea or Myanmar or something.

Ever try watching live video on a DSL connection?

[LeSunTzu]

In LMP2 I'd bet on #46 if they can make it to the flag without major issues. Otherwise #42 and #49 look pretty solid.

In GTAM #50 or #67.

[MAD-MINI]

Originally Posted by jgf

Ever try watching live video on a DSL connection?

Yes, every F1 Grand prix all online works well

[Paul_in_DC]

Originally Posted by jgf

That's assuming I get Speed, which I don't.

Ever try watching live video on a DSL connection?

Do like I did last year -- Watch it delayed by downloading the torrents.

[Nectaria]

Originally Posted by jgf

That's assuming I get Speed, which I don't.



Ever try watching live video on a DSL connection?

Only trying to help out mate...

[jgf]

Originally Posted by Nectaria

Only trying to help out mate...

No offense intended.

To get Speed I must sign up for the special extended deluxe blahblah package ...almost doubling the cable bill to get thirty additional channels I've little interest in just to get one I am interested in.

And I've tried online feeds of F1 and ALMS but they stutter so badly I typically give up after 20-30 minutes.

I fear the only way the US would get full television coverage of Lemans is if NASCARE got involved ...and that would be heinous indeed.

[wpsracing78]

Originally Posted by Paul_in_DC

Do like I did last year -- Watch it delayed by downloading the torrents.

I'm sure you'll have to respond by PM... but... where, where, where!!?

[Scalage]

I know where, I'm a member as well
But watching live beats watching it delayed by lightyears. This year I have 2 choices: RTL 7 which has cr@p commentators only focussing on the front and the Dutch drivers a million laps behind and Eurosport which was awesome coverage last year (like the days when Motors TV covered it completely).

[LeSunTzu]

Over here Eurosport covers it from 0 to 24 in live streaming.

[Nectaria]

Originally Posted by jgf

No offense intended.

To get Speed I must sign up for the special extended deluxe blahblah package ...almost doubling the cable bill to get thirty additional channels I've little interest in just to get one I am interested in.

And I've tried online feeds of F1 and ALMS but they stutter so badly I typically give up after 20-30 minutes.

I fear the only way the US would get full television coverage of Lemans is if NASCARE got involved ...and that would be heinous indeed.

You might find some streams here as well:

http://www.vipbox.tv/

[kennyken]

Originally Posted by LeSunTzu

Over here Eurosport covers it from 0 to 24 in live streaming.

Is eurosport a free channel in France ? It comes up sometimes on my channel list but the reception is not there. Due to Tropospheric propagation sometimes French TV channels are a better signal than UK television is and the digital switchover is a joke in UK finally starts tomorrow where i live (only waited 9 years lol).... Maybe if i rotate my outdoor antenna 180 degrees i can watch it If not i'll have to be hunting down a good quality stream.

[Mildrew]

Obviously i think Audi will win,fair play to Toyota for fielding two cars when they are nowhere near ready to battle Audi,saying that it would be great for the director of Eurosport to focus on the Petrol class and the LMP2's which will be have some good close racing,i will soon get bored of watching the Audi's just racing eachother.It will be interesting to see Aston Martin get on,i'm hoping for two class wins for them but realistically a podium finish will be good

[maxpayne59]

http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/56240/1/l...am-online.html

[LeSunTzu]

Originally Posted by kennyken

Is eurosport a free channel in France ? It comes up sometimes on my channel list but the reception is not there. Due to Tropospheric propagation sometimes French TV channels are a better signal than UK television is and the digital switchover is a joke in UK finally starts tomorrow where i live (only waited 9 years lol).... Maybe if i rotate my outdoor antenna 180 degrees i can watch it If not i'll have to be hunting down a good quality stream.

The Eurosport web tv is 4 euro in June special price for LM. 6 euro is the standard monthly price.

[kennyken]

Oh okay i see now. Thanks for the info LeSun.

http://live.nissan.co.uk/uk/base/del...ntwrkppc3mrec7

Deltawing Live Stream Link.

[scottydog]

Toyota manage third which is good for them. Full grid:

Pos  Cl     Drivers                             Team/Car                     Time
 1.  P1     Fassler/Lotterer/Treluyer           Audi e-tron                  3m23.787s
 2.  P1     Dumas/Duval/Gene                    Audi Ultra                   3m24.078s
 3.  P1     Davidson/Buemi/Sarrazin             Toyota                       3m24.842s
 4.  P1     Capello/Kristensen/McNish           Audi e-tron                  3m25.433s
 5.  P1     Wurz/Lapierre/Nakajima              Toyota                       3m25.488s
 6.  P1     Bonanomi/Jarvis/Rockenfeller        Audi Ultra                   3m26.420s
 7.  P1     Leventis/Watts/Kane                 Strakka HPD                  3m29.622s
 8.  P1     Prost/Jani/Heidfeld                 Rebellion Lola-Toyota        3m29.837s
 9.  P1     Belicchi/Primat/Bleekemolen         Rebellion Lola-Toyota        3m31.866s
10.  P1     Ara/Minassian/Bourdais              Pescarolo Dome-Judd          3m33.066s
11.  P1     Brabham/Chandhok/Dumbreck           JRM HPD                      3m35.421s
12.  P1     Montagny/Baguette/Kraihamer         OAK Pescarolo-Judd           3m35.584s
13.  P1     Collard/Boullion/Hall               Pescarolo-Judd               3m37.485s
14.  P2     Martin/Charouz/Graves               ADR ORECA-Nissan             3m38.181s
15.  P2     Nicolet/Lahaye/Pla                  OAK Morgan-Judd              3m38.598s
16.  P2     Panciatici/Ragues/Rusinov           Signatech ORECA-Nissan       3m39.152s
17.  P2     Beche/Thiriet/Tinseau               TDS ORECA-Nissan             3m39.252s
18.  P2     Perez-Companc/Ayari/Kaffer          Pecom ORECA-Nissan           3m39.711s
19.  P2     Firth/Hughes/Hartley                Murphy ORECA-Nissan          3m39.877s
20.  P2     Heinemeier Hansson/Leinders/Martin  OAK Morgan-Nissan            3m39.899s
21.  P2     Sims/Buurman/Iannetta               Status Lola-Judd             3m40.280s
22.  P2     Potolicchio/Dalziel/Kimber-Smith    Starworks HPD-Honda          3m40.471s
23.  P2     Briere/Petersen/Nakano              Boutsen ORECA-Nissan         3m40.727s
24.  P2     Ordonez/Brundle/Brundle             Greaves Zytek-Nissan         3m40.738s
25.  P2     Dolan/Hancock/Kurosawa              Jota Zytek-Nissan            3m41.287s
26.  P2     Mailleux/Lombard/Tresson            Signatech ORECA-Nissan       3m41.982s
27.  P2     Tucker/Bouchut/Diaz                 Level 5 HPD-Honda            3m42.224s
28.  P2     Zugel/Gonzalez/Julian               Greaves Zytek-Nissan         3m42.292s
29.  CDNT   Franchitti/Krumm/Motoyama           Highcroft Delta Wing Nissan  3m42.612s
30.  P2     Frey/Hirschi/Meichtry               Race Performance ORECA-Judd  3m43.619s
31.  P2     Holzer/Schultis/Moro                Kodewa Lola-Lotus            3m45.664s
32.  P2     Giroix/Johansson/Badey              Gulf Lola-Nissan             3m47.244s
33.  P2     Haezebrouck/Thirion/Rosier          Extreme Limite Norma-Judd    3m48.025s
34.  GTE P  Makowiecki/Melo/Farnbacher          Luxury Ferrari               3m55.393s
35.  GTE P  Fernandez/Mucke/Turner              Aston Martin                 3m55.870s
36.  GTE P  Gavin/Milner/Westbrook              Corvette                     3m55.910s
37.  GTE P  Bertolini/Beretta/Cioci             AF Corse Ferrari             3m56.484s
38.  GTE P  Taylor/Garcia/Magnussen             Corvette                     3m57.181s
39.  GTE A  Neiman/Pilet/Pumpelly               Flying Lizard Porsche        3m57.594s
40.  GTE P  Lieb/Lietz/Henzler                  Felbermayr-Proton Porsche    3m57.606s
41.  GTE P  Alfaisal/Curtis/Edwards             IMSA Porsche                 3m58.035s
42.  GTE P  Bergmeister/Long/Holzer             Flying Lizard Porsche        3m58.717s
43.  GTE A  Simonsen/Nygaard/Poulsen            Aston Martin                 3m58.725s
44.  GTE A  Ehret/Montecalvo/Jeannette          Luxury Ferrari               3m58.800s
45.  P2     Rostan/Ihara/Deletraz               Gulf Lola-Nissan             3m58.895s
46.  GTE A  Ried/Roda/Ruberti                   Felbermayr-Proton Porsche    3m59.181s
47.  GTE A  Bornhauser/Canal/Lamy               Larbre Corvette              3m59.192s
48.  GTE P  Walker/Cocker/Wills                 JMW Ferrari                  3m59.638s
49.  GTE P  Fisichella/Bruni/Vilander           AF Corse Ferrari             4m00.025s
50.  GTE A  Perazzini/Cadei/Griffin             AF Corse Ferrari             4m00.288s
51.  GTE A  Armindo/Narac/Pons                  IMSA Porsche                 4m00.332s
52.  GTE A  Kauffman/Aguas/Vickers              AF-Waltrip Ferrari           4m00.691s
53.  GTE A  Krohn/Jonsson/Rugolo                Krohn Ferrari                4m02.323s
54.  GTE A  Rodrigues/Ferte/Illiano             JMB Ferrari                  4m02.461s
55.  GTE A  Bourret/Gibon/Belloc                Larbre Corvette              4m02.969s
56.  GTE A  Camathias/Daniels/Palttala          JWA Porsche                  4m03.661s

[Chandock]

MINHAS APOSTAS
LMP1 : Toyota TS030 #8 (ZEBRA)
LMP2 : Morgan Nissan #35
GTE P orsche 911 GT3 RSR #77
GTE A :Corvette C6 ZR1 #50

[GutZ]

I realy like toyota ts-030 performance very much, they did just great on qualify for little more than "out of the box" cars, 24h is long race, every thing can happends so i predict a good race and toyota will defenetly do everything on they power to have a good position at the checker flag, this is the result of a petrol engine developed by a factory team!

[HarunaAmami]

This year's Le Mans looks like it'll be a darned good fight. I'm gonna need a lot of popcorn and energy drinks. Good to see the Toyotas are competitive; I was afraid they were going to end up pulling an AMR-ONE on the competition.

[Scalage]

Mind you, good qualification is no guarantee for good race performance over 24 hours. This team has not done any kind of these long duration runs. Toyota's drivers admit as well that it's highly unlikely they will run problem-free.

[shadow explorer]

However that applies to all the teams.

[Petty Andretti]

Another stream.

[Scalage]

Originally Posted by shadow explorer

However that applies to all the teams.

I mean that you don't have to be surprised to see some serious reliability issues with the Toyota's. Not that I don't want them to run a good race, but I'm not expecting much at this stage. Next year will be much more realistic.

[Mahjik]

Originally Posted by Scalage

Mind you, good qualification is no guarantee for good race performance over 24 hours.

This.. If McNish starts the race, he'll be in front of the Toyota before the end of the first lap. My bet is the 4 Audi's will be 1-4 within the first 2-3 laps.

[LeSunTzu]

You are right, we will see the traditional the Audi train. The only hope for some action in LMP1 would be Audi allowing their cars to fight against each other. That will not happen. With 4 cars there is not even a chance of any reliability issues bringing some uncertainty.

Fortunately the LMP2 field is big and very open.

[brabham67]

Originally Posted by LeSunTzu

With 4 cars there is not even a chance of any reliability issues bringing some uncertainty.

Let's not forget human error.... it almost cost Audi the race last year!

[LeSunTzu]

Kristensen/McNish/Capello
Lotterer/Fässler/Tréluyer
Duval/Dumas/Gené

Even the possibilities of human errors are very limited with such high-level lineups. Bad luck struck twice last year and yet there remained a third car. This year it would need 3 crashes and still there would be Rockenfeller's car.

[brabham67]

Originally Posted by LeSunTzu

Kristensen/McNish/Capello
Lotterer/Fässler/Tréluyer
Duval/Dumas/Gené

Even the possibilities of human errors are very limited with such high-level lineups. Bad luck struck twice last year and yet there remained a third car. This year it would need 3 crashes and still there would be Rockenfeller's car.

Agree.

[LeSunTzu]

For those who can read French, here is an interesting paper where the French Audi drivers compare some aspects of the performance and driving of the ultra, e-tron and Toyota: http://endurance-info.com/version2/a...nce-11418.html

They anticipate that Toyota cars will be very quick at the start, but do not seem to be particularly worried as the Audi are faster in straights and seem to have a clear edge in braking distance.
Another interesting point is that the e-tron has an edge in safely managing traffic (using the hybrid system in corner exits rather than attempting to pass in the corners).

[zud the spud]

I'm supporting #7 Toyota, #42 Nissan and #97 AMR Vantage V8. I just hope it's a great race, sounds like there might be some weather about already. Watching Truth in 24 II now to kill time!

[eahueahueah]

if flying lizard or the aston wins in the gt category i'd be happy

[btcckid]

im pissed off..got to see the GF just before it starts...been wanting to see this all year..and im gonna miss it ill be back for nightime........thats boring

[Stalk3r*]

Streaming links up in Post #1

Enjoy the race all.

[Vinylshark]

Let's Go Pescarolo

[Scalage]

Tuned in from the start, just had to set up my laptop and stuff

[Skyle]

The GTE Pro AM - Corvette duel is gold.