2008 Le Mans Series Official Thread [Archive]

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Wouter Melissen

02-27-2008, 02:58 AM

Entering its fifth season, the Le Mans Series is rapidly growing in appeal and prestige and will for the first time see two major manufacturers go head to head. As the name suggests, the Series is a spin off of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and offers competitors the chance to win an automatic entry for the following year's 24 Hour race. In 2008 the Le Mans Series consists of one official test day and five 1000 km races throughout Europe.

The dates:

Paul Ricard Test (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/racing-forums/35774-2008-le-mans-series-paul-ricard-httt-test.html), March 2-3
Barcelona 1000 km, April 4-6
Monza 1000 km, April 25-27
Spa 1000 km, May 9-11
Nurburgring 1000 km, August 15-17
Silverstone 1000 km, September 12-14

Official site:: Le Mans Series (http://www.lemans-series.com)

Wouter Melissen

02-27-2008, 02:58 AM

For the second year running the Le Mans Series was oversubscribed and the organizers have selected 50 full season entrants. Missing from the list is Giovanni Lavaggi's team, but it has already been announced that he will be invited to at least two rounds of the season with his now AER engined machine.

LMP1
1 AUDI SPORT TEAM JOEST M Audi R10 TDI Rinaldo Capello (ITA) Allan McNish (SCO) -
2 AUDI SPORT TEAM JOEST M Audi R10 TDI Mike Rockenfeller (GER) Alexandre Prémat (FRA) -
4 SAULNIER RACING M Pescarolo 05 - Judd Jacques Nicolet (FRA) Marc Faggionato (MON) Richard Hein (MON)
5 TEAM ORECA-MATMUT M Courage-Oreca LC70 - Judd Stéphane Ortelli (MON) Soheil Ayari (FRA) -
6 TEAM ORECA-MATMUT M Courage-ORECA LC70 - Judd Olivier Panis (FRA) Nicolas Lapierre (FRA) -
7 TEAM PEUGEOT TOTAL M Peugeot 908 HDi FAP - - -
8 TEAM PEUGEOT TOTAL M Peugeot 908 HDi FAP - - -
10 CHAROUZ RACING SYSTEM M Lola B08/60 - Aston Martin Jan Charouz (CZE) Stefan Mücke (GER) -
14 CREATION AUTOSPORTIF D Creation CA07 - AIM Jamie Campbell-Walter (GBR) Felipe Ortiz (SUI) -
15 CREATION AUTOSPORTIF D Creation CA07 - AIM Stuart Hall (GBR) Simon Pagenaud (FRA) -
16 PESCAROLO SPORT M Pescarolo 01 - Judd Manu Collard (FRA) Jean-Christophe Boullion (FRA) -
17 PESCAROLO SPORT M Pescarolo 07 - Judd Harold Primat (SUI) Christophe Tinseau (FRA) -
18 ROLLCENTRE RACING WITHDEUTSCHE BANK X-MARKETS D Pescarolo - Judd Joao Barbosa (POR) Martin Short (GBR)
19 CHAMBERLAIN SYNERGY MOTORSPORT M Lola B06/10 - AER Gareth Evans (GBR) Bob Berridge (GBR) -
20 EPSILON EUSKADI M Epsilon Euskadi - - -
21 EPSILON EUSKADI M Epsilon Euskadi - - -

LMP2:
25 RML M MG Lola EX 265 Thomas Erdos (BRA) Mike Newton (GBR) -
26 TEAM BRUICHLADDICH RADICAL D Radical SR9 - AER Jacob Greaves (GBR) Stuart Moseley (GBR) -
27 HORAG RACING M Porsche RS Spyder Fredy Lienhard (SUI) Didier Theys (BEL) Jan Lammers (HOL)
30 RACING BOX D Lucchini - Judd Marco Didaio (ITA) Filippo Francioni (ITA) -
31 TEAM ESSEX D Porsche RS Spyder John Nielsen (DEN) Casper Elgaard (DEN) -
32 BARAZI - EPSILON M Zytek 07S - Zytek Juan Barazi (DEN) Michael Vergers (HOL) -
33 SPEEDY RACING TEAM SEBAH M Lola B08/80 - Judd Xavier Pompidou (FRA) Steve Zacchia (SUI) Andrea Belicchi (ITA)
34 VAN MERKSTEIJN MOTORSPORT M Porsche RS Spyder Peter van Merksteijn (HOL) Jos Verstappen (HOL) Jeroen Bleekemolen (HOL)
37 WR - SALINI WR - Zytek Stéphane Salini (FRA) Philippe Salini (FRA) Patrice Roussel (FR)
35 SAULNIER RACING M Pescarolo 06 - Judd Pierre Ragues (FRA) - -
40 QUIFEL - ASM TEAM D Lola B05/40 - AER Miguel Amaral (POR) Olivier Pla (FRA) -
41 TRADING PERFORMANCE M Zytek 07S Karim Ojjeh (KSA) Claude-Yves Gosselin (FRA) Julien Schroyen (BEL)
44 KRUSE SCHILLER MOTORSPORT D Lola - Mazda Jean de Pourtalès (FRA) Alex Muller (GER) Hideki Noda (JPN)
45 EMBASSY RACING M WF01 - Zytek Jonny Kane (GBR) Warren Hughes (GBR) -
46 EMBASSY RACING M WF01 - Zytek Mario Haberfield (BRA) Joey Foster (GBR) -

GT1:
50 LARBRE COMPETITION M Saleen S7R - Ford Frédéric Makowiecki (FRA) Dino Lunardi (FRA) David Halliday (FRA)
55 IPB SPARTAK RACING M Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT Roman Rusinov (RUS) Peter Kox (HOL)
59 TEAM MODENA M Aston Martin DBR9 Antonio Garcia (ESP) Tomas Enge (CZE)
72 LUC ALPHAND AVENTURES M Corvette C6.R-003 Luc Alphand (FRA) Guillaume Moreau (FRA)
73 LUC ALPHAND AVENTURES M Corvette C6.R-004 Sébastien Dumez (FRA) Jean-Luc Blanchemain (FRA) Roland Berville (FRA)

GT2:
75 IMSA PERFORMANCE MATMUT M Porsche 997 GT3 RSR Richard Balandras (FRA) Michel Lecourt (FRA) Jean-Philippe Belloc (FRA)
76 IMSA PERFORMANCE MATMUT M Porsche 997 GT3 RSR Raymond Narac (FRA) Richard Lietz (AUT)
77 TEAM FELBERMAYR PROTON M Porsche 997 GT3 RSR Marc Lieb (GER) Alex Davison (AUS)
85 SPYKER SQUADRON ?? Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R Tom Coronel (GER) Peter Dumbrek (SCO)
86 SPYKER SQUADRON ?? Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R Ralf Kelleners (GER) Alexei Vassiliev (RUS)
88 TEAM FELBERMAYR PROTON M Porsche 997 GT3 RSR Horst Felbermayr Jr (AUT) Christian Ried (GER)
90 FARNBACHER RACING M Porsche 997 GT3 RSR Lars Erik Nielsen (DEN) Allan Simonsen (AUS) Richard Westbrook (GBR)
91 FARNBACHER RACING M Ferrari F430 GT Pierre Ehret (GER) Pierre Kaffer (GER) Anthony Beltoise (FRA)
93 JAMES WATT AUTOMOTIVE ?? Porsche 997 GT3 RSR Joël Camathias (SUI) Tim Sugden (GBR) Paul Daniels (GBR)
94 SPEEDY RACING TEAM ?? Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R Andrea Chiesa (SUI) Philippe Camandona (SUI) Benjamin Leuenberger (SUI)
95 JAMES WATT AUTOMOTIVE ?? Aston Martin Vantage V8 TBA TBA
96 VIRGO MOTORSPORT D Ferrari F430 GT Robert Bell (GBR) Gianmaria Bruni (ITA)
98 JMB ?? Ferrari F430 GT TBA TBA
99 JMB ?? Ferrari F430 GT Stéphane Daoudi (FRA) Ben Aucott (GBR)

Homem de Gelo

02-27-2008, 06:01 AM

How fast are these cars compared to F1?

Wouter Melissen

02-27-2008, 06:07 AM

At Monza Alonso set a pole time of 1:21.356 and Minassian in the Peugeot 1:34.503. At Spa the Peugeot set a pole time of 2.00.105 and the Ferrari 1:45.070. So they are quite a bit quicker, which is not surprising as the Formula 1 cars have more power and are about 300 kg lighter. Also the tires of these cars are designed to last at least one hour and at Le Mans the Audis got away with triple stinting their tires.

Homem de Gelo

02-28-2008, 04:58 AM

Cool, thanks. They're not so shabby, though.
;)

Wouter Melissen

02-29-2008, 01:07 PM

Posted a thread for the Paul Ricard Test (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/racing-forums/35774-2008-le-mans-series-paul-ricard-httt-test.html).

Wouter Melissen

03-17-2008, 02:30 PM

One Spyker is out, replaced by the Lavaggi, which was one of the most notable absentees on the original list.

henk4

03-18-2008, 12:52 AM

One Spyker is out, replaced by the Lavaggi, which was one of the most notable absentees on the original list.

which Spyker?

Wouter Melissen

03-18-2008, 12:55 AM

which Spyker?

The third Spyker.

henk4

03-18-2008, 01:00 AM

The third Spyker.

was it going to be beyond their production capacity????

Wouter Melissen

03-26-2008, 06:16 AM

The P2 Lola B08/80 Coupe during testing at Magny Cours:

YouTube - Speedy Racing -Team Sebah Lola B08/80 Coupe LMP2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmbnGM7wC80&eurl=http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=5230&thold=0)

togos452

05-06-2008, 02:10 PM

Classic 1,000 km of Spa on May 11th

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/feature/19/2008-Le-Mans-Series.html

Site officiel du circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (http://www.spa-francorchamps.be)

1,000 km of Spa (http://www.race-rally.be/2008/1000km2008/default.asp?Lang=EN)

togos452

05-07-2008, 07:23 PM

Motors TV will likely upload videos from the race

YouTube - motorstelevision's Channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/motorstelevision)

faksta

05-08-2008, 08:07 AM

It's strange how the Spa 1000kms will be shown here - opening 2,5 hours and the closing 1,5, with the interruption from the part of WSB from Monza.

togos452

05-08-2008, 12:45 PM

Pescarolo preview

Motorsport.com: News channel (http://motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=288299)

Harold Primat preview

3rd place finish for co-driver Christophe Tinseau at Monza

(new aero for # 17 Pescarolo 01 Judd)

Harold Primat News Story - Harold Primat: Le Mans Series, Spa 1000kms preview (http://www.haroldprimat.com/pages/news/latest_news_detail.aspx?nid=1078)

Audi preview

Motorsport.com: News channel (http://motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=288296)

Peugeot preview

(Alexander Wurz and Jacques Villeneuve in third 908)

Motorsport.com: News channel (http://motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=288297)

Team Oreca Matmut preview

new parts for Spa

Le Mans Series (http://racing.oreca.fr/index.aspx?section=102&news=417)

http://orecacompetition.havassports.net/multimedia/medias/SPA%20preview%20la%206%20en%20long.jpg

Michelin preview

Planetlemans.com | Michelin looking for a hat-trick at Spa (http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/05/08/michelin-looking-for-a-hat-trick-at-spa/)

Charouz Racing System preview

http://www.jan-charouz.com/EN/latest/267/lms__charouz_team_go_with_lmp1_to_spa.html

faksta

05-08-2008, 02:02 PM

Peugeot preview

(Alexander Wurz and Jacques Villeneuve in third 908)

Motorsport.com: News channel (http://motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=288297)
[/url]

Is there an information about how many 908's are built at the moment? Together last and current seasons.

Matra et Alpine

05-08-2008, 02:26 PM

Is there an information about how many 908's are built at the moment? Together last and current seasons.
IIRC from the 2006 "launch" they planned two fully built chassis for racing plus one chassis for test and development.
Haven't heard anything different.

faksta

05-08-2008, 02:41 PM

So, it turns out someone will be driving a testing mule in Le Mans?

togos452

05-10-2008, 01:50 AM

I should have said Alexander Wurz and Jacques Villeneuve were the third drivers. The 5th 908 was recently built (Peugeot Sport doesn't build the 908's tub).

Translated version of http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=5552 (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=5552)

James Watt Automotive with all 2008 updates on Dunlop-shod 997

James Watt Automotive (http://www.jameswattautomotive.com/)

Translated version of http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=5544 (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=5544)

Pictures from Belgium

# 61 Strakka Racing DBR9 with Dunlop tires

1000km Spa : Les essais du premier jour en photos. - Endurance Info - Endurance Info WebSite (http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=5551)

faksta

05-10-2008, 06:41 AM

Then it sounds better. Generally...are testing cars allowed to take start in LMS races?

togos452

05-12-2008, 12:16 PM

2008 1,000 km of Spa

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/event/176/2008-Le-Mans-Series-Monza-1000-km.html

Victory by Ferrari…by 0.184s!

Virgo Motorsport and Dunlop win again

(Rob Bell and Gianmaria Bruni)

Le Mans Series (http://www.lemans-series.com/en/s03_actualites/s03p02_detail_actualite.php?news=510)

GIMMI BRUNI :: FERRARI 430 GT2 :: TEAM AF CORSE (http://www.gianmariabruni.it/)

The Italian Lavaggi LS1 Ford has dumped its 6.0 liter Ford V-8 (electrical problems from engine builder) for a new and enlarged 4.0 liter twin-turbo V-8 from Advanced Engine Research. The P32T motor might get direct fuel injection later this year.

The car has had little testing with its new engine, but the ACO allowed the # 3 machine to race yesterday in the 1,000 km of Spa.

2006 Lavaggi LS1 Ford - Images, Specifications and Information (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2845/Lavaggi-LS1-Ford.html)

Welcome to AER - Designers and Manufacturers of Racing Engines (http://www.aerltd.com/)

Giovanni Lavaggi ORG (http://www.lavaggi.org/)

faksta

05-12-2008, 01:00 PM

Is there any video of what happened to Wurz?

togos452

05-14-2008, 05:11 PM

Yes, Motors TV has it.

YouTube - Alexander Wurz faced fear in Spa LMS 2008 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6z7tycfgns)

Where is the ultimatecarpage report from the classic 1,000 km of Spa??

togos452

05-14-2008, 08:16 PM

Awesome pictures with caption from 1,000 km of Spa

Planetlemans.com | Spa 1000 km - The pitlane shots (http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/05/13/spa-1000-km-the-pitlane-shots/)

henk4

05-14-2008, 10:55 PM

Yes, Motors TV has it.

YouTube - Alexander Wurz faced fear in Spa LMS 2008 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6z7tycfgns)

Where is the ultimatecarpage report from the classic 1,000 km of Spa??
There will be none this time, we decided to concentrate on the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, which only happens once every two years. We did Monza in combination with Villa d'Este, but those events took place only 50 kms apart. This time commuting between two sites, even for two people was not possible. You will be served again with the reports on the Le Mans 24 Hours, both the qualification weekend and the actual race weekend.
Awkward timing will also prevent us to cover the Nuerburgring Race, as we will be in the USA for the Monterey/Laguna/Pebble Beach events.
Silverstone will be fully covered.
Thank you for understanding.

faksta

05-15-2008, 05:14 AM

Kitdy

05-15-2008, 12:37 PM

There will be none this time, we decided to concentrate on the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, which only happens once every two years. We did Monza in combination with Villa d'Este, but those events took place only 50 kms apart. This time commuting between two sites, even for two people was not possible. You will be served again with the reports on the Le Mans 24 Hours, both the qualification weekend and the actual race weekend.
Awkward timing will also prevent us to cover the Nuerburgring Race, as we will be in the USA for the Monterey/Laguna/Pebble Beach events.
Silverstone will be fully covered.
Thank you for understanding.

I don't know too many top class sites covering the LMS but UCP for sure covers the event very well. In terms of quality and quantity of pictures, I haven't seen another site that comes close.

It's a shame when UCP misses a round, but as it is summer and there a lot of other automotive events going on and only 2 of you to cover all of them, it's completely understandable.

Two questions, henk4, are a lot of your pictures featured on UCP and another, I'm no camera buff but some of my friends are and I'm wondering what are the cameras you use to take the shots?

Keep up the good work as usual.

henk4

05-15-2008, 12:57 PM

I don't know too many top class sites covering the LMS but UCP for sure covers the event very well. In terms of quality and quantity of pictures, I haven't seen another site that comes close.

It's a shame when UCP misses a round, but as it is summer and there a lot of other automotive events going on and only 2 of you to cover all of them, it's completely understandable.

Two questions, henk4, are a lot of your pictures featured on UCP and another, I'm no camera buff but some of my friends are and I'm wondering what are the cameras you use to take the shots?

Keep up the good work as usual.

thanks, Canon 20D most of the time, sometimes the Canon Mk1D. Most shots are Wouter's, I mostly contribute with detail shots and more general stuff.

Wouter Melissen

05-15-2008, 01:16 PM

We currently work with:

Canon 20D
Canon 1D MkIIn
Canon 1D MkIII

Canon 17-40 4.0L
Canon 24-70 2.8L
Canon 70-200 2.8L
Sigma 500 4.5

togos452

05-15-2008, 06:30 PM

henk4

05-15-2008, 11:46 PM

Thanks for your quick reply. The LMS coverage is fantastic.

Thank you, I do hope you took some time to go through the Monaco report as well;)

Kitdy

05-16-2008, 03:10 PM

Does anyone know that Villeneuve's lap times were like in comparison with the other Peugeot drivers?

togos452

05-18-2008, 09:53 PM

Thanks. But where is the exact moment? :confused: Who was guilty in this accident?

Pictures from sportscarpros.com

Living On The Fault Line - Gallery 1 (http://www.sportscarpros.com/notes-from-the-cellar-features-by-john-brooks/features/living-on-the-fault-line/living-on-the-fault-line-gallery-1/default.htm)

henk4

05-19-2008, 12:22 AM

I hope somebody took the opportunity to take engine shots of the Peugeot...
What exactly is the role of the Spijker, that seems to be going in the opposite direction?

Zytek_Fan

05-19-2008, 12:25 AM

I hope somebody took the opportunity to take engine shots of the Peugeot...
What exactly is the role of the Spijker, that seems to be going in the opposite direction?

I think the Spyker was already spun around and it clipped either the Audi or the Peugeot...

faksta

05-19-2008, 07:16 AM

Pictures from sportscarpros.com

Living On The Fault Line - Gallery 1 (http://www.sportscarpros.com/notes-from-the-cellar-features-by-john-brooks/features/living-on-the-fault-line/living-on-the-fault-line-gallery-1/default.htm)

Thank you so much. I have just figured out that Audi was involved, too. The problem is that I switched to Formula-1 Turkish GP from it, and then they had a break in streaming due to WSB translation, so I somehow missed this moment and have just heard about it later.

togos452

05-25-2008, 10:18 PM

2008 1,000 km of Spa pictures

1000Km of SPA Le Mans Series (http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/gfx/report2008/080511spa1000km/index.htm)

Le Mans Series - Spa 2008 (http://www.allsportauto.com/english/le-mans-series.php)

togos452

07-17-2008, 10:34 PM

Dunlop tire testing; plus with Leo and Nigel Mansell

Autosport talks of racing in the ALMS, but why not the LMS?

autosport.com - ALMS News: Mansell tests ALMS Lola with son Leo (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/69202)

1992 F1 World Champion - 1993 IndyCar World Series Champion

NigelMansell.co.uk (http://www.nigelmansell.co.uk/)

Leo is racing in the Atlantics open wheel series in North America.

Dunlop had a two day tire test at Estoril in Spain on July 15 and 16.

LMP1 teams: Creation AIM and Chamberlain-Synergy Motorsport

LMP2: Team Essex and Quifel-ASM Team

GT2: Virgo Motorsport (2007 GT2 Champions)

Translated version of http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=6031 (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=6031)

pictures from Nuno Pereira's website

Menu (http://www.freewebs.com/estoril-race-photos/)

more of Dunlop

DriversKnow (http://www.driversknow.co.uk/)

togos452

08-23-2008, 10:09 PM

Will there be a report on the 1,000 km of Nürburgring?

BOESEL

08-27-2008, 03:56 AM

henk4

08-27-2008, 07:57 AM

Hi all,
Connectingrod.it published an article and 164 photos about the 1000km of Nurburgring 2008. Take a look

ConnectingRod.it (http://www.connectingrod.it/Nurburgring08/nurburgring08_eng.html)

bye bye
Thank you, we could not cover it ourselves, due to obligations in the USA, but we will attend the grand final at Silverstone.

togos452

09-05-2008, 11:44 PM

Martin Short of Rollcentre Racing

September 6, 2008

Martin Short's overview : Le Mans Series, Le Mans... and the Mosler. - Endurance Info - Endurance Info WebSite (http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=6318)

Rollcentre Racing - Mosler Challenge - Pescarolo Le Mans Series & 24 Hours (http://www.rollcentre.co.uk/)

2007 Pescarolo 01 Judd

2007 Pescarolo 01 LMP1 Judd - Images, Specifications and Information (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3187/Pescarolo-01-LMP1-Judd.html)

4th overall in the 2007 24 Hours of Le Mans with Dunlop tires

Dunlop Tires | Latest News (http://www.dunloptires.com/news/2007/press06_26_07_leMans.html)