THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE 78th LE MANS EDITION
2010-06-01 21:31:49 Author: admin Source:
(Peugeot 908 HDI-FAP)
The 2010 Le Mans series is set for its 78th edition from 6 - 13 June, bringing the World's motorsports enthusiasts another premier endurance race fixture. This annual event has been the leading endurance race around the globe eversince since its birth in 1923.
Aside from its usual prestigious presentation, the Le Mans series' core sentiments include values of sportsmanship, of challenge and technologies which men and car manufacturers seek to make their own; whether by taking part in the race, standing out through their achievements. Through its expertise and its experience based on competence and the passion of men, the race has earned itself an exemplary image as regards organization skills, as much on a sports level as in the command of its logistics and its activities.
This renowned endurance event has witnessed many first accomplishments in automotive and racing technologies, such as; in 1953, appearance of disc brakes and first victory for the C-type Jaguar; halogen headlamps were introduced on Porsches and Ford machines in '63, turbo-charged engines were experimented by Porsche in '74 and Mazda's 787B flourishing victory with the first rotary powered engine in '91. In the 21st century, Audi won the 2006 Le Mans title using a Diesel-powered engine, and last year, Peugeot became a winner with its innovative 908 HDI-FAP machine fitted with a diesel engine.
The 2010 Le Mans, like previous editions, sees four major competitive categories; LMP1, LMP2, GT1 and GT2, featuring some of the World's most renowned marques.
We begin by introducing the LMP1 category: Open or closed cockpits, technologically ultra-sophisticated, the LMP1 cars battle for the overall race win. In this category, there are the powerful Audi R15s (above left), the high-performance Courage Orecas, and also the Lola Coupés with the Aston Martin engines, the Pescarolos, the Ginetta-Zyteks and the new Aston Martins (above right). As from 2010, LMP1 hybrid cars will be regularly classified. Since '08, these machines utilize fuel made up of 10% of ethanol, as well as Diesel BTL - second-generation biofuels, elaborated from the non-edible part of plants.
Next up, the LMP2 class features lighter and less powerful machines and very much resemble the LMP1s. The LMP2s can also have either open or closed cockpits and are essentially reserved for private teams. Among them, the Lolas with Mazda engines, the Pescarolo-Mazdas of the OAK Racing team, and also some Porsche RS Spyders and other Ginetta-Zyteks. Identifications on LMP2 cars include; white headlamp beams, race numbers sequence from 25 - 49 and blue category competition stickers.
In the LM GT1 category, the Saleens will represent the category. Considerably modified compared to their mass-produced counterparts, the LM GT1 cars have a power output that can reach 560bhp with a minimum weight of 1,200kg, or 600 bhp with a minimum weight of 1,250kg. For the 2010 edition, LM GT1 cars have yellow headlamp beams, race number sequence from 50 - 74 and green competition stickers.
Less modified than the LM GT1s are the LM GT2s, they are also less powerful usually with power output spanning 450 to 500bhp. The 2010 Le Mans LM GT2 race will see plenty of excitement and new entries, promising to delight motorsport lovers.
The category will witness a showdown between famous German and Italian marques; the Porsche 997s, the Ferrari F430s, the BMW M3s (above) to name a few. In addition, the LM GT2 has also confirmed entries from Dutch supercars marque Spyker and British sportcars makers Aston Martin. Fiery battles are expected in LM GT2 between the 997s, F430s, M3s, Spyker C8s and Vantage V8s which go with car sequence numbers 75-99 and orange competition stickers.
Schedule of the 2010 Le Mans
6 June
14:30 – 19.00 Scrutineering
7 June
09:30 - 17:30 Scrutineering
9 June
16:00 – 20 :00 Free practice sessions 24 Heures du Mans
20:30 – 21:30 Free practice sessions Porsche Carrera Cup
21:00 - 24:00 Concert
22:00 – 24:00 Qualifying practice sessions 24 Heures du Mans
10 June
16:00 – 17;00 Qualifying practice sessions Group C
17:30 – 18:30 Qualifying practice sessions Porsche Carrera Cup
19:00 – 21:00 Qualifying practice sessions 24 Heures du Mans
21:15 – 21:35 Qualifying Practice Sessions GP ELEC
22:00 – 24:00 Qualifying practice sessions 24 Heures du Mans
11 June
10:00 – 20:00 Pit Walk
18:00 – 19:00 Drivers' parade (City centre)
12 June
09.00 - 09:45 Warm-Up 24 Heures du Mans
10:00 – 10:40 Race Porsche Carrera Cup
11:05 – 11:50 Race GP ELEC
14:22 Beginning of starting procedure 24 Heures du Mans
15:00 Start of the 78th race of the 24 Heures du Mans
21 :00 – 00 :00 Concert
13 June
15:00 Finish
