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January
2008
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1.24.08
 Audi
was out in force today at Sebring with two cars circulating. As we
understand it, they will be running multiple 12-hour simulations on the
run up to the 12 Hour. |
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 About
the only change we notice is a drastically enlarged rear brake duct (though
Sean Miller informs us they've been on the car since last year's Laguna
Seca, so not new at all). |
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 Both
cars were wearing the No. 2 though could be differentiated by the Le Mans
2007 tech sticker on one and the ALMS stickers on the other. The
'07 Le Mans car had tire temperature monitors placed in the louvers above
each front wheel. |
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| 1.23.08
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 The
front wheel/diffuser exit has been opened up. Last year's gill-like
side shadow plate is still in place. |
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 The
trailing edge of the rear fenders has been modified as evidenced by the
parting line and the new flared shape. The fenders may even be longer.
The endplate area has increased rather significantly though the trailing
edge has a somewhat arbitrary shape though no doubt born out of the wind
tunnel. The sideways 'u' at the top of the endplate was a mid season
development and so far is carrying over. |
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| 1.18.08
But let's back track for a moment to catch up on multiple birds and one stone, last month the ACO released the 2008 LMP regulations. For the most part changes were relatively minor but for one exception, the ACO added a "homologated engine" note to the LMP1 engine column. Previously there was nothing stopping someone from racing a GT1 engine in the back of an LMP1 chassis (Lister Corvette engine for example), but the regulations didn't encourage it given the draw back of the higher weight and design constraints of a GT based engine vs. the unlimited nature of bespoke racing power plants from Judd, AER, etc. But that has now changed and engines homologated for GT1 (production of 1000 units a year) are now recognized within the LMP1 engine regulations and given larger inlet restrictor for comparable engine capacity. For comparison, a 6.0 liter, multi valve bespoke LMP1 engine is allowed a 45.5 mm restrictor where as a GT1 homologated engine can used a 47.2 mm restrictor (46.6 mm base + .6 mm for over 12 cylinders). So that will mean more power from the GT1 engine in LMP application to make up for its deficiencies. Le Mans is a power circuit and such that faced with the prospects of having to lug around less ballast because of greater engine weight, you'd always take that hit if it meant 30 more horsepower. Team Charouz will be using the 6.0 liter V12 out of the Aston Martin DBR9 GT1 in their Lola B08/60 this season. |
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| The
2008 LMP1 and 2 chassis
regulation highlights:
1.13 - Kinetic Energy Recovery
System (KERS): The ACO is currently studying specific rules for LMP1 which
will be equipped with a kinetic energy recovery system. This regulation
will meet the balance of performance between LMP1.
4.1 - Minimum weight : “LM”P1: 900 kg 925 kg last year “LM”P2: 825 kg 775 kg last year IMSA
announced under Bulletin 08-01 that they will keep LMP1 at 925 kgs and
move LMP2 to 800 kgs.
5.1- (1) Semi stressed engine, homologated in LMGT1 and used in a production car built in a quantity of at least 1000 units per year. (2) Semi stressed
engine complying with the “LM” GT2 technical rules and used in a production
car built in a quantity of at
(3) Engine using
head cylinders, valves, pistons, connecting rods of a production engine.
This engine must be used in a
(up to) 4400 cc
diesel engines allowed in LMP2
6.5 - Fuel Capacity : LMP2 :
One we missed from 2007 16.1 - Rollover structures : e.4 – For all the chassis homologated after July 1st, 2007, the main rollover structures and the secondary rollover structures must not obscure sight of any part of the engine (engine block and head cylinders), viewed from directly above the car. Would
seem to dissallow engines recessed into the rear bulkhead of the monocoque.
19.2 Reduction in performances LMP1 and LMP2 : The ACO is considering a reduction in
performances in LM P1 and LM P2 for safety reasons, given the fact that
the 3m 30s barrier was
"LE MANS" PROTOTYPE ("LM"P) Annexe 1 / Appendix 1 Inlet
restrictors for gasoline powered engines (turbo and normally aspirated)
have all been increased in diameter, see various tables
APPENDIX J - ARTICLE 258A - APPENDIX 2 2.2 Frontal absorbing structure Text
addition:
Text
addition:
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Acura
was out testing their updated ARX-01b spec LMP2 last week at Sebring (Jan
14-15). Many thanks to Martin Spetz for the use of these images.
>>Big
news out of the last week's Autosport show is the release of the first
image of the Lola B08/60 LMP1 coupe coupled with news that Team Charouz
will be fielding an Aston Martin powered version this season.