The 24 hour starts in minutes! I look forward to this every year, just hope I get the chance to attend one of these years.
Well, so far the Peugeots are showing the Audis the back seat. Clearly slower, the Audis of Dr Ullrich will have to rely on the same strategy as last year. Time will tell...
Plenty of carnage among the big teams in the first hour. Audi off and in the box for repairs, Lola/Aston backed into the box for repairs, and did you see the Peugeot on Peugeot bump in the pits? I'm trying to figure out why the Speed announcers are blaming the incoming driver and expecting Pescarolo to apologize for taking out a factory car. Wasn't that a miscue from the factory team releasing their driver out when the way wasn't clear?
I primed myself last night by watching Truth in 24 and LeMans, the movie with Steve McQueen. The action this morning was awesome but I won't call the Audi's out until I catch the later coverage here in a bit. I love endurance races like this, there's so many variables that make them impossible to predict.
Mr Lemans (TK) is still in with a chance for #9...he's in second one lap down. I'm a long time Audi R-car nut, and a TK fan, so I'd like to see him win, but the odds are in the favor of Peugeot at the moment with 3 in the top 4.
Speed is only breaking away for other programming for a few hours total this year. In fact between now and the end of the race tomorrow morning there's only one more 2-hour break, so plenty to watch! I can't believe the Spyker is still running..... Anyone know why they changed the rules for tire changes this year? If you haven't noticed yet, they're only allowed to use one gun at a time so they have to take it around and do one wheel at a time.
My reading suggests the one-gun two-mechanic rule was introduced to lengthen the pit stops, to equalize across teams. The tires can't be changed until fueling is finished also. Notice that teams are doing double and triple stints on the tires to reduce the need for changes. I know that last year the Audis couldn't even run double stints without risks, so this new rule would hit cars that are harder on tires than other teams that are easy. Perhaps the 908s are easier on tires? The ACO is very chauvinistic... BTW, who makes those wheels? I presume they are magnesium and very light, but there seems to be a very "standard" design that many of the cars run. I know there are lots of copies available for street cars but are these made by special company or companies?
Peugeot is using magnesium wheels made by BBS. Front 13.5x18, Rear 14.5x18. Tires are 33/68-18 37/71-18 Audi is using the same sizes, wheels are also magnesium but made by OZ.
They just showed some old footage and now I'm again wishing for those great old starts where the race started with the drivers standing on the pavement and having to run to their cars.
I nearly did but pushed the record button when it was about an hour from the end and just watched the finish. I hate the contrived team formation finishes and I really don't like the Corvette guys pulling the car in to clean it up and make it pretty. I understand why they do it....just don't like it....but it was still a great LM23.5!!!
Free 2008 Le Mans movie on iTunes There is a professional video (movie) of the 2008 Le Mans available on iTunes for free. It is titled "Truth In 24" (1 hr 38 mins) and mainly focuses on the Audi Sport team. The regular format is 1.5 GB and the HD version is 2.9 GB, so allow enough download time. Well worth the wait. Rick
Sounds great, I didn't know about that. By the way, "Truth in 24" is also the title of a free game app.....gonna try that too.
Commissioned by Audi, produced by NFL films (they do a bang up job) it Truth in 24 is one great watch..