2008 Le Mans Series Paul Ricard HTTT Test

[Wouter Melissen]

This Sunday the European endurance racing season will kick off with the now traditional 'official' test on Bernie Ecclestone's highly advanced Paul Ricard track. Although showing up is not mandatory, many of the teams and manufacturers use the test to try and show their latest equipment to the public. With 36 entrants, this year's test is busier than ever and marks the debut of quite a few new teams and manufacturers. There is even the option to simulate a full 24-hour test run, although only a few teams have to opted to run through the night.

Having already tested at Paul Ricard throughout the winter, Peugeot have opted to stay clear of the official test. This means that the first Audi-Peugeot clash will be at the season opener in Barcelona in a month's time. The first thing for Audi to do is to better the time set by Peugeot last year and for the remainder they can size up the competition, which consists mostly of heavily upgraded or completely new machinery. There are high expectations of the Aston Martin engined Lola coupe, which reportedly set some very fast laps in testing already. The long 'Mistral' straight should certainly suit the freer breathing production based V12 engine. The French Oreca-Courage and Pescarolos have both been upgraded considerably over the winter and should be close behind. Less likely to be immediately on the pace is the Spanish / Basque Epsilon Euskadi, which only covered its first miles yesterday.

In LMP2 the big news is the arrival of the Porsche RS Spyder, which has been setting the class on fire in ALMS for the last two seasons. Both cars have stellar pilots, so they will be the cars to beat. The only all new car in this class is another Lola coupe, this time powered by an equally new Judd V8 engine.

GT racing in ACO sanctioned competition is gradually moving away from the GT1 class with GT2 gaining momentum quickly. All of the cars in GT1 are at least three years old now, so there will be few surprises. The highlight of the class must be the Aston Martin Racing DBR9, if it wears the Gulf livery.

There is little doubt that Aston Martin will be mentioned most in the reports from Paul Ricard as the manufacturer appears in every class but LMP2. GT2 will see the public debut of the V8 Vantage racing car, which will hopefully add more flavour to the battle between Ferrari and Porsche. The arch rivals will both field new versions of their racing cars, which Porsche clearly needed more than Ferrari. Although the entry list suggests that Spyker will field their new coupe racer, we have been told that the test will be carried through with the old car fitted with some new parts. The Laviolette will be debuted the day after the test in Geneva.

[Wouter Melissen]

The entry list:

N° "LM" P1
1 AUDI SPORT TEAM JOEST GER M Audi R10 TDI
2 AUDI SPORT TEAM JOEST GER M Audi R10 TDI
4 SAULNIER RACING FRA M Pescarolo - Judd
5 TEAM ORECA MATMUT FRA M Courage-Oreca LC70 - Judd
6 TEAM ORECA MATMUT FRA M Courage-Oreca LC70 - Judd
10 CHAROUZ RACING SYSTEM CZE M Lola Aston Martin
12 CHAROUZ RACING SYSTEM CZE M Lola B07/17 - Judd
14 CREATION AUTOSPORTIF GBR D Creation CA07- Aim
16 PESCAROLO SPORT FRA M Pescarolo - Judd
18 ROLLCENTRE RACING GBR D Pescarolo - Judd
19 CHAMBERLAIN-SYNERGY GBR M Lola B06/10 - AER
20 EPSILON-EUSKADI ESP M Epsilon Euskadi - Judd

N° "LM" P2
25 RML GBR M MG Lola EX 265 - MG
26 TEAM BRUICHLADDICH RADICAL GBR D Radical SR9 - AER
30 RACING BOX ITA D Lucchini - Judd
31 TEAM ESSEX DEN D Porsche RS-Spider
33 SPEEDY RACING TEAM SEBAH SUI M Lola B08/80 Coupé - Judd
34 VAN MERKSTEIJN MOTORSPORT HOL M Porsche RS-Spider
40 QUIFEL - ASM TEAM POR D Lola B05/40 - AER
41 TRADING PERFORMANCE SUI M Zytek 07S - Zytek

N° "LM" GT1
007 ASTON MARTIN RACING GBR Aston Martin DBR9
50 LARBRE COMPETITION FRA M Saleen S7R - Ford
51 LARBRE COMPETITION FRA M Saleen S7R - Ford
55 IPB SPARTAK RACING RUS M Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT
61 STRAKKA RACING GBR Aston Martin DBR9
72 LUC ALPHAND AVENTURES FRA M Corvette C6.R
73 LUC ALPHAND AVENTURES FRA M Corvette C6.R

N° "LM" GT2
75 IMSA PERFORMANCE MATMUT FRA M Porsche 997 GT3 RSR
76 IMSA PERFORMANCE MATMUT FRA M Porsche 997 GT3 RSR
77 TEAM FELBERMAYR PROTON GER M Porsche 997 GT3 RSR
88 TEAM FELBERMAYR PROTON GER M Porsche 997 GT3 RSR
93 ASTON MARTIN RACING GBR Aston Martin DBR9
94 SPEEDY RACING TEAM SUI Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R
95 JAMES WATT AUTOMOTIVE GBR Porsche 997 GT3 RSR
96 VIRGO MOTORSPORT GBR Ferrari F430 GT
98 JMB MON Ferrari F430 GT

[Wouter Melissen]

We will be there on Sunday and Monday and will base our season preview on our findings.

[togos452]

There will be another preview like from 2007?

Le Mans Series 2007 Season Preview - Ultimatecarpage.com - Images, Specifications and Information (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/feature/12/Le-Mans-Series-2007-Season-Preview.html)

[Wouter Melissen]

Yes we will create a preview based on our findings here.

For now we have updated our pages of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2 (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3539/Aston-Martin-V8-Vantage-GT2.html) and Lola B08/60 Aston Martin (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/3557/Lola-B08-60-Aston-Martin.html) with images from Paul Ricard.

[Zytek_Fan]

Creation, Charouz, and no doubt Audi are looking very strong.

[RacingManiac]

The news said Audi ran a 1:39.7, what's Peugeot's benchmark last year?

And any pic of the Epsilon Euskadi?

[Zytek_Fan]

Essais officiels au HTTT : L'Epsilon Euskadi a roulé ! - Endurance Info - Endurance Info WebSite (http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=5025&mode=&order=0)

[Kitdy]

The news said Audi ran a 1:39.7, what's Peugeot's benchmark last year?

According to this (http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/02/29/the-planetlemans-lms-paul-ricard-test-days-preview/) Peugeot ran a 1:43.705.

Can anyone verify this?

[Wouter Melissen]

According to this (http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/02/29/the-planetlemans-lms-paul-ricard-test-days-preview/) Peugeot ran a 1:43.705.

Can anyone verify this?

That was last year early in the Peugeot's development program. That time was bettered by many of the petrol engined LMP1 cars that were up to four seconds a lap slower than Peugeot towards the end of last season.

[Kitdy]

That was last year early in the Peugeot's development program. That time was bettered by many of the petrol engined LMP1 cars that were up to four seconds a lap slower than Peugeot towards the end of last season.

What other comparison criteria are available to compare the R10 and 908 other than Le Mans last year?

[henk4]

What other comparison criteria are available to compare the R10 and 908 other than Le Mans last year?

there is a rumour (and a denial) that Peugeot already did a 1.37 on Paul Ricard......

[Wouter Melissen]

What other comparison criteria are available to compare the R10 and 908 other than Le Mans last year?

The Sebring test, where Peugeot was over .5 of a second quicker.

[RacingManiac]

Was this test not the first time Audi ran their actual 2008 spec car?

[henk4]

Was this test not the first time Audi ran their actual 2008 spec car?

I think it is rather a continuous development so difficult to say. They only tested for one day.
and here is a sneaky preview....
ImageShack - Hosting :: audi2kv0.jpg (http://img108.imageshack.us/my.php?image=audi2kv0.jpg)

[Kitdy]

there is a rumour (and a denial) that Peugeot already did a 1.37 on Paul Ricard......


The Sebring test, where Peugeot was over .5 of a second quicker.

As I recall, Peugeot was faster at the Le Mans test last year as well and didn't have the race pace when push came to shove.

Is it different this time? Does Audi have a chance?

[Turbo.Jenkens]

As I recall, Peugeot was faster at the Le Mans test last year as well and didn't have the race pace when push came to shove.

Is it different this time? Does Audi have a chance?

I was under the impression Audi sandbagged during qualifying and practice last year. Remember its ENDURANCE racing.... Audi still has a very very good chance.

[Zytek_Fan]

Was this test not the first time Audi ran their actual 2008 spec car?

They had lots of cooling updates at the end of last year ;)

[RacingManiac]

Reading this press release tells me that it was the new car they ran....mind you it is a press release....

Motorsport.com: News channel (http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=281299&FS=LMS)

[Kitdy]

I was under the impression Audi sandbagged during qualifying and practice last year. Remember its ENDURANCE racing.... Audi still has a very very good chance.

To be honest, I hope that they each win some races and keep it close - especially at Le Mans.

The thing I enjoy most about racing is close competition as it is this that leads to exciting situations.

[Wouter Melissen]

As I recall, Peugeot was faster at the Le Mans test last year as well and didn't have the race pace when push came to shove.

Is it different this time? Does Audi have a chance?

The Peugeot was quick from the get go, but not very reliable. The target for Le Mans was to get a finish. That's why they were so much slower than Audi in the race. Throughout the season various parts failed and all of them have been upgraded. Now they plan on going full throttle at Le Mans much like the car with Nishy, Capello and Kristensen last year.

[Wouter Melissen]

1 1 Audi Sport Team Joest LMP1 01:39.705 02/03/2008 17:40:40 67
2 2 Audi Sport Team Joest LMP1 01:40.777 02/03/2008 17:18:59 60
3 14 Creation Autosportif LMP1 01:41.797 03/03/2008 09:21:49 228
4 5 Team Oreca Matmut LMP1 01:41.805 03/03/2008 12:51:02 230
5 10 Charouz Racing System LMP1 01:42.311 03/03/2008 11:25:48 100
6 16 Pescarolo Sport LMP1 01:42.860 03/03/2008 11:39:20 208
7 6 Team Oreca Matmut LMP1 01:43.464 03/03/2008 08:34:35 569
8 34 Van Merksteijn Motorsport LMP2 01:43.997 03/03/2008 09:44:34 308
9 31 Team Essex LMP2 01:44.501 03/03/2008 10:52:48 127
10 12 Charouz Racing System - Cytosport LMP1 01:44.556 02/03/2008 13:37:34 112
11 19 Chamberlain-Synergy LMP1 01:45.108 02/03/2008 18:14:43 144
12 40 Quifel - ASM Team LMP2 01:45.465 03/03/2008 10:55:21 253
13 18 Rollcentre Racing LMP1 01:45.940 02/03/2008 19:56:02 163
14 33 Speedy Racing Team Sebah LMP2 01:46.321 03/03/2008 10:31:12 59
15 26 Team Bruichladdich Radical LMP2 01:46.862 03/03/2008 12:52:28 161
16 4 Saulnier Racing LMP1 01:47.427 02/03/2008 15:22:17 259
17 20 Epsilon-Euskadi LMP1 01:49.360 03/03/2008 12:58:09 39
18 25 RML LMP2 01:50.750 02/03/2008 17:56:58 11
19 72 Luc Alphand Aventures LM GT1 01:52.326 03/03/2008 11:14:25 176
20 50 Larbre Competition LM GT1 01:52.444 03/03/2008 10:36:20 125
21 007 Aston Martin Racing GT1 LM GT1 01:53.340 03/03/2008 09:37:57 146
22 73 Luc Alphand Aventures LM GT1 01:53.861 03/03/2008 10:15:49 132
23 55 IPB Spartak Racing LM GT1 01:54.219 03/03/2008 09:49:31 290
24 61 Strakka Racing LM GT1 01:55.344 03/03/2008 11:02:56 133
25 76 IMSA Performance Matmut LM GT2 01:58.249 02/03/2008 14:30:11 189
26 96 Virgo Motorsport LM GT2 01:58.383 03/03/2008 09:22:07 131
27 77 Team Felbermayr Proton LM GT2 01:58.521 03/03/2008 10:17:49 105
28 93 Aston Martin Racing GT2 LM GT2 02:00.349 03/03/2008 09:50:35 90
29 75 IMSA Performance Matmut LM GT2 02:00.697 03/03/2008 09:50:00 183
30 99 JMB LM GT2 02:00.777 03/03/2008 12:18:58 206
31 94 Speedy Racing Team LM GT2 02:01.696 03/03/2008 12:16:42 138
32 98 JMB LM GT2 02:08.552 03/03/2008 12:19:28 59

These are the times as of 1 pm on monday. Some times were bettered, most notably a 1.43.9 for Essex.