'10 LMS Round 2 • Spa-Francorchamps • May 7th-9th

[Purist]

Duval has turned in a good time in the #4 Oreca Peugeot.

I'm a bit surprised that the #7 Audi isn't the one leading their charge.

[nasdriv87]

Vantage JMW is doign cool... also Young Driver AMR...

[MihokS5]

Originally Posted by Purist

Duval has turned in a good time in the #4 Oreca Peugeot.

I'm a bit surprised that the #7 Audi isn't the one leading their charge.

Me too

[Victor_RO]

Important announcement from the ACO in the press centre in a few minutes, mentioned by Hindhaugh right now at the end of the broadcast. Any clue as to what it could be?

[Holt]

So Aston Martin's lola is draggy at top speed...explains why they got to 32x kph quickly at Paul Ricard then just stopped. A bit pathetic since Im sure the goal is Le Mans...

A psychological vitory for Peugeot in the 2 practices, they want Audi to think they are still king of the hill I speculate, so they are determined to top the charts.

Originally Posted by chernaudi

have the Peugeot's improved much for cars that supposidly haven't had much R&D since before LM last year?

...to come in and get anywhere near close to this car is going to be difficult ? and Peugeot never stop working.?The 908 is so far ahead of all the others in terms of performance ? and it has been so for the last three years. We'll lose some power because of the new regulations to restrict us, but hopefully we can gain some back and Peugeot are doing a little bit of work aerodynamically. I'm sure they're not going to stop where they are and will carry on doing little bits of development; they are always going to improve.

- Nic Minassian March 2010

Who ran that time in the #7?

[Martin90]

Dindo Capello, I believe he was the only one driving the car in FP2

[Tom908V12]

Man !!! Can't wait for tomorrow last practice and qualifying

[GTfour]

Originally Posted by Tom908V12

Man !!! Can't wait for tomorrow last practice and qualifying

The pugs are gonna murder the Audi's.

[Holt]

OK so are the Audis just cruising around? Wh cant they get up to speed quicker? What is sandbagging? Using 95% of the throttle? New car can you really afford to sandbag?

The Practice times look eerily like 2008

2008 practice 1 times

1º. Nº7 - Team Peugeot Total / Peugeot 908 (LMP1) - 2:00.567
2º. Nº8 - Team Peugeot Total / Peugeot 908 (LMP1) - 2:01.877
3º. Nº1 - Audi Sport Team Joest / Audi R10 (LMP1) - 2:03.197
4º. Nº2 - Audi Sport Team Joest / Audi R10 (LMP1 - 2:04.456

New year new cars but the similarities are there. Yes Audi closed the gap over the '08 weekend and McNish split the Peugeots in qualifying but the race was all Peugeot ...

Qualifying will show true pace but it doesnt look good. ..

[The Badger]

Early days .

[GTfour]

The R15 was a flawed design to begin with and as we all know,if a car isn't right from the off,it's not gonna crack it against a car like the current 908.

[Acid09]

Originally Posted by GTfour

The pugs are gonna murder the Audi's.

Let's hope so, the hideous monstrosity they have going right now dosen't deserve to be in victory lane.

I´m happy Benoit Treluyer was the quickest of the Audi guys though, a very much underrated driver in my opinion.

Let's see what tomorrow's sessions will bring, it's obvious that beating the works squad is a whole different deal than racing against Oreca at Ricard and the Audi fanatics might have read way too much into that result...

[villamas]

Pagenaud flies for Peugeot at Spa

The factory Peugeot squad revealed its true pace in the second free practice session for the Spa 1000km after Simon Pagenaud lapped more than a second under last year's pole time to go fastest of all on the now-dry track.

The Frenchman's lap of 1m59.826s, set relatively early in the second hour, was 1.5s faster than that of his team-mate Anthony Davidson.

The works 908 HDi FAP's domination was completed with Franck Montagny in third in the #2 car.

Andre Lotterer was the fastest Audi driver in fourth position as Team Joest focussed on a set-up close to that it plans to run at Le Mans. Lotterer was more than 3s away from Pagenaud's pace.

Olivier Panis was fifth fastest for ORECA in the privateer Peugeot ahead of the other works Audis of Timo Bernhard and Rinaldo Capello.

All three R15 TDI Plus crews reported a lack of grip and Allan McNish completed virtually no running at all on Friday after his late stint was scuppered by a red flag near the end of the session.

Mike Newton was quickest LMP2 runner in the RML Lola Coupe ahead of the Quifel Ginetta and Oak Racing's Pescarolo.

Stefan Mucke set the pace in GT1 for the factory Aston Martin squad while Rob Bell was fastest, again in an Aston, in GT2.


Pos Driver Class/Car Time
1. Lamy/Bourdais/Pagenaud P1 Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP 1m59.826s
2. Gene/Wurz/Davidson P1 Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP 2m01.365s
3. Montagny/Sarrazin/Minassian P1 Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP 2m02.771s
4. Fassler/Lotterer/Treluyer P1 Audi R15 TDI 2m02.894s
5. Panis/Lapierre/Duval P1 Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP 2m03.313s
6. Bernhard/Dumas/Rockenfeller P1 Audi R15 TDI 2m03.394s
7. Capello/Kristensen/Mcnish P1 Audi R15 TDI 2m04.037s
8. Prost/Jani P1 Lola B10/60 - Rebellion 2m04.284s
9. Belicchi/Boullion P1 Lola B10/60 - Rebellion 2m04.875s
10. Erdos/Newton/Wallace P2 Lola HPD Coupe 2m06.858s
11. Amaral/Pla P2 Ginetta-Zytek 09S 2m08.488s
12. Moreau/Hein P2 Pescarolo - Judd 2m08.881s
13. Leventis/Watts/Kane P2 ARX-01c 2:27.882 20 2m08.950s
14. Ragues/Mailleux/Ickx P1 Lola - Aston Martin 2m08.952s
15. Lahaye/Nicolet P2 Pescarolo - Judd 2m09.503s
16. Geri/Piccini/Piccini P2 Lola Coupe B09 - Judd 2m11.346s
17. Francioni/Pirri P2 Lola Coupe B09 - Judd 2m12.196s
18. Ojjeh/Greaves/Ebbesvik P2 Ginetta-Zytek 09S 2m13.142s
19. Noda/De Pourtales/Kennard P2 Lola B08/47 - Judd 2m15.696s
20. Frey/Meichtry/Bruneau P2 Radical SR9 - Judd 2m17.574s
21. Pillon/Verdonck/Capillaire FLM Oreca 2m18.228s
22. Zacchia/Kaufmann/Moro FLM Oreca 2m19.413s
23. Enge/Nygaard/Mucke GT1 Aston Martin DBR9 2m20.044s
24. Kraihamer/De Crem/Delhez FLM Oreca 2m20.052s
25. Mutsch/Hirschi/Beche GT1 Ford GT 2m20.806s
26. Bell/Turner GT2 Aston Martin Vantage 2m21.318s
27. Lieb/Lietz GT2 Porsche 997 GT3 RSR 2m21.561s
28. Leinders/Palttala/De Doncker GT1 Ford GT 2m21.652s
29. Companc/Russo GT2 Ferrari F430 GT 2m22.021s
30. Bruni/Melo GT2 Ferrari F430 GT 2m22.128s
31. Schell/Da Rocha P2 Courage-Oreca LC75 2m22.193s
32. Barlesi/Cicognani/Chalandon FLM Oreca 2m22.217s
33. Farnbacher/Simonsen GT2 Ferrari F430 GT 2m22.587s
34. Alesi/Fisichella/Vilander GT2 Ferrari F430 GT 2m22.660s
35. Jousse/Gregoire/Hart GT1 Corvette C6.R 2m22.780s
36. Pilet/Narac GT2 Porsche 997 GT3 RSR 2m22.804s
37. Priaulx/Mullen/Farfus GT2 BMW M3 2m22.973s
38. Allemann/Frey/Zimmer GT1 Ford GT 2m23.355s
39. Ehret/Quaife/Kaffer GT2 Ferrari F430 GT 2m23.374s
40. Muller/Werner/Alzen GT2 BMW M3 2m23.428s
41. Gardel/Goueslard/Rees GT1 Saleen S7-R 2m23.675s
42. Kirkaldy/Mullen GT2 Ferrari F430 GT 2m23.731s
43. Dumbreck/Coronel GT2 Spyker C8 Laviolette 2m23.786s
44. Holzer/Westbrook GT2 Porsche 997 GT3 RSR 2m23.900s
45. Schroyen/Van Dam/Lacko GT1 Saleen S7R 2m23.926s
46. Ragginger/Ried/Long GT2 Porsche 997 GT3 RSR 2m24.034s
47. Von Splunteren/Hommerson/Machiels GT2 Porsche 997 GT3 RSR 2m26.917s
48. Kutemann/Basso/Hartshorne FLM Oreca 2m27.210s
49. Daniels/Slingerland/Lanik GT2 Porsche 997 GT3 RSR 2m32.390s

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83397

[isynge]

Of all the tracks in the LMS it's possible to argue that Spa hasn't been kind at all to Audi.

2004 you had the big off for Kaffer being memorable
2005 Oreca were soundly beaten by Zytek and Pescarolo
2006 absent
2007 absent
2008 more than anywhere else that season trounced by Peugeot
2009 Kolles still finding their feet, nowhere near the Peugeots

Okay there's nothing like enough data here to make this anything other than a finger in the wind qualitative judgement, and in every case there's generally a specific reason you can point to explaining the relative performance, but is it completely beyond the bounds of credibility to suggest that there's something about Audi that doesn't necessarily work around Spa Francorchamps?

Obviously I'm hoping Audi haven't shown their hand yet, because all in there's the scope for the race of the season here, but even if they do underwhelm and Peugeot run away with it I'd reserve judgement on the R15+ until June.

[MihokS5]

Originally Posted by GTfour

The R15 was a flawed design to begin with and as we all know,if a car isn't right from the off,it's not gonna crack it against a car like the current 908.

I don't see how you can call it a flawed design. The car won its debut race at Sebring and was very strong at Petit. It wasn't setup for Le Mans-which showed, but it was a revoltionary concept, and could have had much worse results it's first year.

[MihokS5]

Is it possible that Audi is running the Le Man aero setup, and the Pugs are not?

[Holt]

So all 3 Audis are struggling with grip.

One of the greatest assets to the 908s is that they have always been fast right off the trailer. Only time I can remember them struggling for grip is Le Mans '07 on race day when they ran flattened aero to make up for the detuned engines. Besides that every single session, practice qualifying and race they have been on it, and all 2 or 3 cars as well.

I think its time we start to face the facts, the 908 is superior to the R15, it was quicker at Sebring, quicker at Le Mans, quicker at Petit.

The R15+ is said to be an improvement, but will it remedy the grip problems the R15 had at Le Mans '09 and now at Spa? It does appear to be a flawed car. I remember Audi even saying the R10 was quicker then the R15 at tests last year. That is soimething.

[GTfour]

Originally Posted by MihokS5

I don't see how you can call it a flawed design. The car won its debut race at Sebring and was very strong at Petit. It wasn't setup for Le Mans-which showed, but it was a revoltionary concept, and could have had much worse results it's first year.

Last year's Le Mans was where we heard Audi team members say it themselves. They vented big dissapointment(in private quarters) about the speed and drivabillity of the car.
I mean,if the team knows it themselves...

[MihokS5]

Originally Posted by GTfour

Last year's Le Mans was where we heard Audi team members say it themselves. They vented big dissapointment(in private quarters) about the speed and drivabillity of the car.
I mean,if the team knows it themselves...

Yes we all know that already. Audi expected to walk in and beat Peugeot without racing the car that much-and they were very disappointed with the results. The aero did not give the expected results, but how can it be a "flawed" design if it is still competitive??
I'm sure you're gonna tell me I'm wrong but, Audi has dominated for so long that they are expected to come out and sweep the event in the first try. This proves that sometimes you have to work extra hard to top your competition...

[Martin90]

Originally Posted by MihokS5

Is it possible that Audi is running the Le Man aero setup, and the Pugs are not?

Graham Tyler reported Audi was not running their Le Mans spec (but instead they have a higher downforce front)

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by MihokS5

Is it possible that Audi is running the Le Man aero setup, and the Pugs are not?

No, the Audi will run a different nose at Le Mans (apparently), and nor are the Pugs in Le Mans trim.

[chernaudi]

Peugeot's are in high downforce(Sebring) trim, while in all the photos I've seen, the Audis are in basically an LM/Paul Ricard spec set up.

One would think that Audi would be trying a higher downforce set up, given Spa's nature, as well as the fact that it's been raing. Interestingly, during one of the practice sessions at Paul Ricard, the R15 did run a high downforce setup with the HD dive planes and tail gurney. Why they're not doing so here at a track that favors such a solution(and would be good training for the LMIC) is beyond me.

[Purist]

Hmm, this could bode well for Rebellion if it rains, either here or at La Sarthe, at least in a straight line.

Also, this does not bode well for Audi if it is dry, either here or at Le Mans, if they are slow down the straights, and the other guys aren't even in low-downforce trim.

In the dry at Spa, you're better off having low downforce in the 1st and 3rd sectors. Higher downforce can still get you good times, because of the 2nd sector; however, in the race, you'll want the speed on the "straights", where you can actually pass people.

[chernaudi]

An other thing that might be hindering the Audis' progress is the fact that today at Spa--like Silverstone last weekend--the track condtions are rapidly changing every session and above all else, it feels like hell froze over. Both can make a car feel inconsistant, especially if it's relativly new. Ironically. last year it rained and was cold at most of Audi's test, and this year, it's generally been dry and mild to warm(at Sebring). Maybe this time, the lack of rainy and cold testing might be causing Audi some issues. However, tomorrow's weather is slated to be dry and much warmer than today.

However, a chance of rain is in the forcast for Sunday and the temperatures will be slightly cooler than Saturday.

[Audi Racer]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83393
I would like to thank Anthony Davidson for saying in this article what i have been saying forever. if only a petrol manufacturer would stop being scared to race against a diesel. This is factory backed Peugeot Total Sport multi million dollar effort. (The cream of the crop drivers- Pagenaud, Montagny) This is the Audi Sport factory Audi Team.(McNish, Kristensen, Dumas, Bernhard) Both using the best technology they have in diesel prototypes. Quite frankly if a team like Rebellion is going even head to head with the Audi's in a LOLA then Audi and Peugeot would look like fools. Why would they even want to race in Sportscars anymore. If they can spend multimillions on a diesel prototype with technology that will be going into millions of their vehicles that will be sold all over the world. I understand that other teams want to compete, but this is unfair. There has not been any real petrol competition and that moron Richard Howard Chappel at Aston Martin, who let me remind you practically stole lola designs ans got away with it, and very shady character, does not want to cough of the money to go racing with the big boys. I wish that LMP1 could be filled with Factory efforts from teh like of Audi, BMW, Peugeot, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, Nissan,Bentley, Porsche, Ferrari, and renault.

if you ask me sports car racing should be the pinnacle racing series with beautiful, technical, intricate, cars designed by the likes of the manufacturers above. Can you imagine a bright yellow Renault prototype duking it out with a prancing horse and the silver arrows.