Ultimatecarpage.com update (06-12-06)

[Wouter Melissen]

Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,

At 5 pm this coming Saturday fifty cars will start in what looks set to be another epic 24 Hours of Le Mans. The big story is of course the advent of a diesel engined Audi. There have been attempts with alternative fuels before, but this is the first time a non-petrol fueled machine is among the pre-race favourites. Audi's main rival will again be the French Pescarolo team, which now has two cars as reliable as they are fast. In the other three classes, the competition should be equally close. The teams have been at the track for almost two weeks now and were able to test on the full circuit last week to set the cars up and to enable the 'rookies' to complete the mandatory 10 laps to qualify for the race. We sent Wouter Melissen down to the very sunny Le Mans track to catch a first glimpse of this year's action. His findings and predictions can be found in our exclusive 24 Hours of Le Mans Previews, which includes class by class predictions, a fully illustrated entry list and a 150 shot slideshow. Wouter will go back to the legendary track again later this week to cover the race in its entirety. The full coverage should be ready a day or two after the race, illustrated by our usual high quality and high resolution images. Until then you can get suitably warmed up with our preview.
For live timing and the latest news we would like to refer to the official Le Mans website.

24 Hours of Le Mans Preview
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...tem.php&fid=10

Regards,
Wouter Melissen

[adamfraser]

I am sure you will have a gret time. Just make sure you dont run out of batteries !!

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by adamfraser

I am sure you will have a gret time. Just make sure you dont run out of batteries !!

No worries there. I have never drained a 1D battery on a day of shooting, and I have two of them.

[adamfraser]

Nice one.

Daddy going with you ?

[henk4]

Originally Posted by adamfraser

Nice one.

Daddy going with you ?

fortunately not, I cannot stay awake for 24 hours

[Zytek_Fan]

I predict:
Audi for LMP1
RML for LMP2
Aston Martin for GT1
Scuderia Ecosse for GT2

[NuclearCrap]

So who are the Bonds of Le Mans?

It's so hard to guess the GT2 winner since there are so many Porsche teams, and let's just hope and pray for Aston, the C6-R's are pretty tough, but I don't think I've ever even imagined 007 losing.

Audi: definitely the winner of P1, it really comes down to who gets 3rd place, the Mugen powered cars aren't doing bad at all, but most likely the Pescarolo will beat it, but we'll see.

The Lola and Radical are looking pretty good for P2, looking forward to these two teams. (God I just wish the RS Spyder can participate )

[Zytek_Fan]

Originally Posted by NuclearCrap

So who are the Bonds of Le Mans?

It's so hard to guess the GT2 winner since there are so many Porsche teams, and let's just hope and pray for Aston, the C6-R's are pretty tough, but I don't think I've ever even imagined 007 losing.

Audi: definitely the winner of P1, it really comes down to who gets 3rd place, the Mugen powered cars aren't doing bad at all, but most likely the Pescarolo will beat it, but we'll see.

The Lola and Radical are looking pretty good for P2, looking forward to these two teams. (God I just wish the RS Spyder can participate )

The Flying Lizard Porsche could take the class victory also...the pace of all the drivers in it, especially Johannes Van Overbeek surely will frighten some of the GT2 runners.

The RS Spyder will be made available for customers at the end of this year, but it carries a hefty price tag estimated at $2 million

[Zytek_Fan]

The Panoz's might have the pace for a while, but the reliability might let them down...

[johnnynumfiv]

Amazing pics, can't wait for the race pics. I think I might use the save all images thing for the first time with these pics.

[Zytek_Fan]

Who's garage are you going to be in during the race?

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by Zytek_Fan

Who's garage are you going to be in during the race?

I am going to be all over the track.

[Pando]

Originally Posted by Wouter Melissen

I am going to be all over the track.

That's what Montoya said.

I'll get my coat.

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by Pando

That's what Montoya said.

I'll get my coat.

I'll try to stay out of the gravel traps (and bars).

[greg.harvey]

Hi Wouter,

I'll be there too! Or I will, car permitting... got to get the wheels balanced today, when it stops raining! Should be a great weekend!

G