24 Hours of Le Mans official test (June 1st)

[KFA-R]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

It's not an intake and at night the driver will appreciate the additional light to drive fast by
Novel light layout also helps a team see there car from a distance - especially coming in to the pits

if its not an intake then what exactly is it? both Lola's have it yet only the coupe aston martin powered cars seem to be using the lights down there

[Matra et Alpine]

Originally Posted by KFA-R

if its not an intake then what exactly is it? both Lola's have it yet only the coupe aston martin powered cars seem to be using the lights down there

The original prototype had mesh sides to the nose from there to back about 1m.
I suspect it allows them to use MORE of the wing for downforce which will be less important at Le Mans.
It's possible it bleeds cool air to the suspension dampers but the lights won't prevent that.
However, as said .... the lights help the driver AND the pit crew

[nurabu2me]

what does our people don't use to chat using thier webcam

[Dino Scuderia]

Friday Test Day pics.

Motorsport.com: Photos channel

[Matra et Alpine]

nice .. have to say I am LOVING that Henri is running the cars back in the Matra colours. Real class

[Kitdy]

Well, I was typing a nice summary but accidentally hit back and it cleared it all away, so I will do a quicker summary.

Peugeot 1 and 2, Audi 3. Big off by Gene in the #7 car, Gene is hurt but only mildly apparently. Rain on and off, but Peugeot set a 3:22.222 - 4 seconds faster than last years pole. Way behind were Saulnier, Epsilon Euskadi, Tokai University, and Autocon - some may struggle to qualify within 107% and not be eligible to race.

In LMP2, the Porsches were unsurprisingly fast, with Van Merksteijn taking 1st in class, followed by the Essex Porsche and Barazi-Epsilon Zytek. Well back was the Racing Box Lucchini which had an incident on the initial out lap and who's best time was 40 seconds off of the lead Porsche.

In GT1, the Larbre Saleen held fastest time for a while, until bettered by the 009 factory Aston Martin, over 2 seconds faster than the 2nd place Saleen, with the two Corvettes close behind. Well back was the IPB Lamborghini.

The top three in GT2 are a Ferrari sandwich with Porsche being the meat, Risi taking first, their enemies in the ALMS flying Lizards in 2nd, and BMS Scuderia third.

[Wouter Melissen]

The Peugeots were silly quick on a track that was never really dry or clean. The rain and several major accidents did not make for the best testing circumstances.

Here is a quick impression, more to come later in the week:

[Zytek_Fan]

What's the word on the #7? Is it a write-off or can it be rebuilt?

I wonder if Gene will be good to race...

[Chernaudi]

Gene will race, but the original #7 Pug is toast. Peugeot Sport will have to homologate a new car for race week.

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by Chernaudi

Gene will race, but the original #7 Pug is toast. Peugeot Sport will have to homologate a new car for race week.

That will be the third new car then in two weeks time.

[Wouter Melissen]

The times:

[Zytek_Fan]

What a lap by the #8

[Jack_Bauer]

Footage of the #7 Peugeot crash - YouTube - L'accident de la Peugeot n°7

Certainly looks pretty spectacular. Can't really see how the accident began, is there any word on what caused the off? Mechanical failure, driver error...?

[Wouter Melissen]

I think he ran wide in the left hander and then got on the grass.

[RacingManiac]

3:22?! Man Peugeot did a heck of a job sandbagging last year.....To gain 4 sec in a single season with same rule is a blatant slap on ACO's face....