Le Mans - Amazing

[ChipBeck]

Thomas is leading ALL production cars (GT1&2) and many prototype cars (LMP1&2) as well! :banana :banana:banana

Watching the Ford GT kick ass at the 24 hours is sending chills up my spine. It's dark now and most people have left. I will be here all night. This is the coolest thing I have ever done and I've done some cool sh**! :biggrin

Chip

Oh yeah, FGT by 6 min.

 

[TEXAS GT]

Our boys are consistently running 3-4 seconds per lap faster than the other GT1 cars. If they can keep that up all night they'll be uncatchable when the sun comes up.

 

[TEXAS GT]

Speed finally had some good coverage and commentary on our guys plus they had some flashback footage of the GT 40's in the '60s. Cool.

 

[RALPHIE]

The Matech 60 car has switched from 2 to 3 hour stints for the drivers. Original plan was fuel each hour, driver & tire change every 2. Schedule now changed to fuel each hour, driver change every 3 - tires are lasting longer than predicted as the weather is a bit cooler than expected. Car is running fine, but everyone wishes they knew what broke on the 61 car (to check No. 60 for possible similar situation) - it will stay out on the circuit, as it poses no problem for the other race cars - Ralphie

 

[standj]

Where or where is the GT 1 or GT 2 coverage on the Speed channel???? It's just P1 & P2 over and over!!!!

 

[roketman]

That's awesome!!!

 

[RALPHIE]

The start of the race was slightly different this year, as they brought back the "running start" across the track, but only for historical purposes. Each team lined up across the track from the angled cars for pictures, then the initial drivers ran across and got in their cars. The cars were then sent off in single file order for one lap and then lined up on the 2-line placement grid. At about 7 minutes to go, they were green flagged to follow a pace car around the circuit, which was perfectly timed to have the first row arrive at the start line at exactly 3:00 pm. They were given the French flag to start, and they were off for the 78th running of the 24 Heures du Mans.

Prior the the start, a pitwalk was allowed to watch the cars (and cheesecake girls) bring out the cars to the track. These pictures are for Frank - sorry about the focus on the last one, my body was shaking too much.

 

[Blue Moose]

More LeMans Updates

http://www.lemans.org/en/update.html

 

[ChipBeck]

15 hours to go.

I've moved and am now sitting in the stands by the Dunlop bridge. Great view of 3 turns. #60 just pitted for fuel, Mutsch still behind the wheel and over a lap ahead. A whole different crowd out here. :willy Everybody is smashed.

Chip

 

[Fubar]

@#$%^!

 

[Fubar]

Go help them fix the car Chip.

 

[RALPHIE]

Moving the cars from the Pit to the Start -

and the traditional Le Mans Start.

 

[ChipBeck]

Oh no!!!

RATS

Matech #60 just crashed hard. A P1 car spun right in front of Thomas and he spun trying to avoid it and was then hit by another P1 car from behind. Dream over. :frown

Chip

 

[ChipBeck]

Go help them fix the car Chip.

Mark,

I would if I could. I'm so bummed.

Chip

 

[RALPHIE]

Then, the real start -

a few laps at the grandstand, then back to the Hospitality Suite to watch the full course on TV - sorry about the hostess in the way of the TV.

 

[Mullet]

shi*

Matech #60 just crashed hard. Dream over. :frown

Chip

update please

 

[Fubar]

Speed channel makes it look like they may be able to put it back together.

 

[Mullet]

and they are still listed in first place

 

[standj]

Don't be sorry about the hostess!!! What is the deal with the #60 car? Speed still has it as #1 in the GT 1 group..

John

 

[Blue Moose]

LeMans.org says:
http://www.lemans.org/en/update.html

"The #60 Matech Competition LMGT1 Ford GT and #24 Oak Racing LMP2 Pescarolo Judd collided near the Ford chicane, which brought out the safetycar. Both cars are being attended to in their respective garages.

#24 needed a new wheel and steering rack and the class leading #60 needed a new rear wing".

Fixable? The dream may be alive.