Hi all,

just enjoy this video of the new Porsche LMP1 racecar - the 919 Hybrid:

 

I'm really looking forward to seeing how competitive this amazing car is at Le Mans. They evidently ran into some issues on the first day at the track. They reported they had to work on reliability. There's a video of it on the track on the link below. Hope that turns out to be just a blip. Thanks for posting Toldi.



ChuckJ
http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/cars/p...5#.UzYSP_ldVqU

 

Does it say "***" on the rear endplates?

 

It is a neat car but you may be surprised how raw/crude some of the finish details look in person. The F1 cars have some raw/crude details, but the 919 has a bit of a kit-car look/feel to it.

Generally there seems to be quite a bit of difference in the refinement of details of race cars and road cars.

The Pagani Zonda Revolución seemed crudely finished when compared side-by-side to the Huayra.

 

I'm going to Francorchamps beginning of next month to see it in person.

 

I read some summaries of the 1st and second races of the WEC season. But I'd like to know more about the cars development. Is there a forum or board for LMP1 cars?

Here's what I gathered to date:

1. In typical Porsche fashion, it has the smallest engine of its competitors- a 2.0 4 cyl. vs. a V6 diesel in the Audi and a gas V8 in the Toyota. All hybrids (but the toyota uses superconductors to store the energy for the hybrid system which is an advantage)
2.Apparently its fast and has good aero as it took pole at Spa (not sure of the conditions or any backstory).
3. Reliability is a problem (not a surprise in its first year). It negatively and significantly impacted both races. Apparently a driveshaft is too fragile? There is a redesigned part being tested before LeMans.

It would be epic to see Porsche win at LeMans in the first year of its return. I think its possible if the 4 cylinder is slightly more efficient than the Audi and Toyota AND the car has excellent reliability.

But I want the inside scoop. What the drivers are saying, new ideas teams are copying etc... Anyone know of a good source on the net?

Thanks,
DRP

 

Don't know if there is a LMP1 forum, sorry.

But I have been to the Francorchamps WEC races in person. Qually was electric for me and my misses, being Porsche afficionados. We had to endure the Spa weather, cold wind, rainy, but we had a pvc poncho to hide under :-) It was a constant battle winning and loosing a place, trading punches. At the end of qually track was drying out. After the clock said 0 and the checkered flag was dropped, Neel Jani was still out on a fast lap. You could just feel something was about to happen. Commentators were nervously and energetically speaking about fastest times, potential pole for Porsche on their second race outing in what is basically a brand new racecar. And then bang, final announcement, I was at the bottom of the Raidillon at the time. Neel Jani gets Pole Position ! Some Porschistas in the crowd sheering. Man, it was magical. We felt great and drove home on a high !

Problems in the race were twofold apparently. Heatsoak and suspension problems/damage due to aggressive curb driving !

Oh yes, salient detail. My wife and I were strolling through the paddock prior to qually. Upon passing the open door of the Porsche AG stand, Neel Jani just came to pick up his helmet just 3 meters from were we were.

What Le Mans is concerned. I HOPE the 919 can win it in LM. But realistically, after only 2 race outings, 24h without major technical hiccups would be voodoo magic.
But if anyone can do it, it sure is Porsche !

I also hope a 911 RSR can bring home the win in GTE Pro.

(only thing that sucked was the 919 sounding like a vacuum cleaner)