2014 Le Mans 24 Hours

[ringa]

I am a massive motorsport fan, particularly of the World Endurance Championship where the endurance races go to amazing race circuits such as Spa, Silverstone and of course most famously Le Mans.

 

I am already looking forward to next years racing to start. Who do you think will win, the Audi, Toyota or the new Porsche?

 

For the uneducated there are several categories of cars with prototypes such as these hybrids below as well as GT cars such as the Aston Martins, Porsche 911's, Corvettes and many more. Racing in the class's is always fiercely competitive just as much as winning the race outright. The closest race in recent history was a couple of years ago when the Audi was only 13 seconds ahead of the now withdrawn Peugeot 908 HDi - just 13 seconds after 24 hours of racing and over 5000 km!

 

This year Porsche will no doubt challenge the Audi's dominance, Mark Webber has been drafted in from his Red Bull as one of the drivers.

 

All these endurance races are fantastic for spectators and if you can get down to Le Sarthe in mid June to watch some epic racing in cars capable of over 330 km/h with over 250,000 cheering fans. Plenty of beer, normally some excellent weather and a whole load of entertainment.

 

Spectacular crashes are not unusual - search for Alan McNish's amazing escape in the Audi in 2011, the flying Toyota Hybrid from 2012 with Anthony Davidson or the Mercedes that looked better suited to flying in the 90's.

 

 

Some Le Mans facts

 

Porsche have the most outright wins although Audi are closing fast with Ferrari 3rd, Jaguar 4th

 

A 1980's Peugeot clocked over 400kmh on the Mulsanne straight

 

The circuit is just under 14.5 km long now and takes the fastest cars around 3mins 20 seconds to do 1 lap

 

50+ cars take part from all over the world.

 

First run in 1923, French and British drivers are tied on the most wins

 

Audi hold the distance record of 5410km,

 

The 2007 Audi was a 6.0 TDi V12, the 2013 car a 3.7 V6 Tdi with an electric motor powering the front wheels at certain parts of the circuit

 

The 2013 Toyota was a petrol/electric hybrid as we think will be the 2014 Porsche

 

The Mulsanne straight was one 8km straight but is now split into 3 shorter straights

 

 

[TulsaGeoff]

Never knew they were using hybrid engine/motor setups. Go Porsche!

[Ch11m33y aka. ChiLLy<3]

it would be epic if they did a 24h race on nurburgring

Edited November 2, 2013 by Ch11m33y aka. ChiLLy<3