2009 24 Hours of Le Mans, LMS and ALMS news

[Wouter Melissen]

Yeah and another top GT1 team, Team Modena, will join GT2 with a Ferrari F430 in 2009.

[Zytek_Fan]

Originally Posted by Mariantic

Strakka Racing testing Ginetta Zytek LMP1 @ Valencia - EI - could do LMS P1 or P2 in 2009
The Mansells were testing the ex PLM Ginetta as well...

It's nice to see the P1 grid growing


And Simon Pagenaud has been confirmed in the De Ferran ARX-02a

[Zytek_Fan]

Oh look, the Dyson transporter outside B-K headquarters

[Wouter Melissen]

I guess we can add two Lola-Mazda coupes to the 2009 ALMS P2 grid.

[Kitdy]

Does HPD plan to contend at the Le Mans itself?

What of the Asian Le Mans Series or whatever?

[Zytek_Fan]

Originally Posted by Kitdy

Does HPD plan to contend at the Le Mans itself?

What of the Asian Le Mans Series or whatever?

I can imagine they will file an entry.


The Asian Le Mans Series is kind of barely holding on, so I don't know.
It is a novel idea, but it just cannot compete with Super GT.

[Wouter Melissen]

Audi will not defend their Le Mans Series title, but will race a new R15 at Sebring and Le Mans.

[Zytek_Fan]

From the tiny press release it seems to be an evolution of the R10...

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Zytek_Fan

From the tiny press release it seems to be an evolution of the R10...

open car, smaller, more efficient diesel engine, so most likely a V10, probably anticipating the 3.7 liter V8 required for 2011. It still remains to be seen whether ALMS will be done, the reasons for the current hesitation will not spelled out during this afternoon's press conference in Essen.

[togos452]

New liveries for 2009

(Penske's ugly daytona prototype shown though)

Translated version of http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=6819

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by Zytek_Fan

From the tiny press release it seems to be an evolution of the R10...

I don't think so. Dr Ulrich stated that the changes between the R10 and R15 are bigger than the differences between the R8 and R10.

[Rockefella]

What exactly is the Formula LeMans car?

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by Rockefella

What exactly is the Formula LeMans car?

It's basically the Courage LC75 LMP2 car with a Corvette V8 engine. The cars will be used in a spec series that supports the Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The season will be concluded with an endurance race.

[Wouter Melissen]

The Le Mans Test Day has been canceled!

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest always listens attentively to the manufacturers’ needs, and so in agreement with teams that may be invited to the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours, the Club, remaining faithful to its firmly-held objective to reduce costs, has taken the decision to cancel the test day scheduled for 31st May 2009, and to rethink the format of the Le Mans Series events.

The Le Mans 24-Hours race has always been in tune with the times and when motor racing shows signs of disquiet linked to the economic situation, it is the ACO’s duty to take preventive measures while respecting the sporting regulations.
Thus, in keeping with the cost reductions already begun with the 2009 ACO regulations, and the new orientations in 2011, the test day originally scheduled for 31st May 2009 has been cancelled.

On the other hand, all the entrants invited by the ACO will have to take part in free practice on Wednesday before Thursday’s qualifying session on 11th June to be allowed to start on Saturday 13th June at 15h00.

This decision represents considerable savings for all the entrants, who must be ready at the circuit on Monday 8th June (scrutineering).

Following the same train of thought the 2009 Le Mans Series races will be a day shorter so the entrants will be at the circuit 3 days instead of 4, scrutineering included.
These measures will favour the participation of entrants in the Le Mans Series and American Le Mans Series events from the start of the season to prepare for the Le Mans 24 Hours.

[LeonOfTheDead]

so now they need to send to Le Mans everything to be prepared for the race, but still the can be disqualified or not allowed to race just four days before of the event?