[WEC Race] 2013 FIA WEC - Round 5 - 6 Hours of COTA

[Ferrari333SP]

Rebellion had a higher top speed by 2.2 kph over the Toyota, but lap speed was slower by a little less than 3 seconds.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Ferrari333SP

Top DP did 2:00.179 in qualifying earlier this year, with top LMP2 car doing a 1:57.030, and GTE Aston doing a 2:04.727

LMP2 are doing 1:55's here with the ALMS Level 5 guys practicing now. They're much faster than DP especially here.

Originally Posted by Ferrari333SP

Rebellion had a higher top speed by 2.2 kph over the Toyota, but lap speed was slower by a little less than 3 seconds.

Like said above, Level 5 are doing 1:55's. There's plenty to come from Rebellion and Toyota (1:55 & 1:52 respectfully).

[Ferrari333SP]

Just as a benchmark, F1 qualifying times from last year

. Sebastian Vettel Germany Red Bull-Renault 1m 35.657s
2. Lewis Hamilton Britain McLaren-Mercedes 1m 35.766s
3. Mark Webber Australia Red Bull-Renault 1m 36.174s
4. Romain Grosjean France Lotus-Renault 1m 36.587s*
5. Kimi Raikkonen Finland Lotus-Renault 1m 36.708s
6. Michael Schumacher Germany Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 36.794s
7. Felipe Massa Brazil Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 36.937s
8. Nico Hulkenberg Germany Force India-Mercedes 1m 37.141s
9. Fernando Alonso Spain Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 37.300s
10. Pastor Maldonado Venezuela Williams-Renault 1m 37.842s

11. Bruno Senna Brazil Williams-Renault 1m 37.604s
12. Jenson Button Britain McLaren-Mercedes 1m 37.616s
13. Paul di Resta Britain Force India-Mercedes 1m 37.665s
14. Jean-Eric Vergne France Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m 37.879s
15. Sergio Perez Mexico Sauber-Ferrari 1m 38.206s
16. Kamui Kobayashi Japan Sauber-Ferrari 1m 38.437s
17. Nico Rosberg Germany Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 38.501s

18. Daniel Ricciardo Australia Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m 39.114s
19. Timo Glock Germany Marussia -Cosworth 1m 40.056s
20. Charles Pic France Marussia -Cosworth 1m 40.664s
21. Vitaly Petrov Russia Caterham-Renault 1m 40.809s
22. Heikki Kovalainen Finland Caterham-Renault 1m 41.166s
23. Pedro de la Rosa Spain HRT-Cosworth 1m 42.011s
24. Narain Karthikeyan India HRT-Cosworth 1m 42.740s

[TF110]

The gap is usually around 10-15 seconds. I think 1:47's may be the best lmp1 times we see.

[JAG_]

The difference reduces in race spec, F1 fastest lap is 1:39.347, while the slowest cars were in the 1.44 range.

Of course, the WEC cars fastest race laps are usually within a few tenths of their qualifying pace.

[Beetle]

Just thought I'd like to aware you guys that I haven't died in the rainstorm currently ravaging central TX at the moment. Listening to yellow submarine by the Beatles... Oddly appropriate...

Eager to take a stroll around COTA... shades of USGP I'd expect; getting around should be difficult because of the Austin city limits concert and the UT game.


Great place, Austin.

[gwyllion]

The times of the 2nd collective test are available on http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/

[chernaudi]

Checked out the timing for sector times--Toyota seem to do OK against Audi in sector 1, but sectors 2 & 3 they loose significant amounts of time.

Sector 2 isn't surprising given that Audi have had a higher top speed than Toyota, but Sectory 3 has some twisty bits.

It's only the first day and more speed is probably to be had (probably not tomorrow--90% chance of rain), but it's not looking that encouraging for Toyota.

Also, end of day, Audi and Toyota were separated by 1.6 seconds for fastest lap, ideal lap times were separated by 1.7 seconds. I was hoping that Toyota would be closer like in P&Q at Sao Paulo, but Audi kicked it up a notch during the race and were nearly a second a lap faster on average until the Toyota went out.

Any word on lap numbers for stints?

[TF110]

Its testing. These times probably mean nothing since race day temps will be quite different.

[TF110]

In test session 1 Audi did 20 laps on a stint. In session 2, Toyota did 26 laps.

[EricS]

Made it to campsite via rvnightly.com that overlooks turn 10/11. Can't believe there arent more ppl out here camping. Just my friend & i and 2 other groups so far. Great weather tonight, hope the rain stays mostly away tomorrow.

[Breitling24]

Originally Posted by Beetle

Just thought I'd like to aware you guys that I haven't died in the rainstorm currently ravaging central TX at the moment. Listening to yellow submarine by the Beatles... Oddly appropriate...

Eager to take a stroll around COTA... shades of USGP I'd expect; getting around should be difficult because of the Austin city limits concert and the UT game.


Great place, Austin.

Drove around Downtown tonight, really busy, your comments explain that. Something going on in the river, too. East side of Congress bridge was full of people looking over the side and along the walkway, seeming to be finding a good spot for something.

[canamman]

Only 4 P1's at COTA? Maybe that is the ultimate "all your eggs in
one basket" class, and that basket is Le Mans in June.

[BullMan]

Originally Posted by canamman

Only 4 P1's at COTA? Maybe that is the ultimate "all your eggs in
one basket" class, and that basket is Le Mans in June.

Everyone but Audi has shifted focus to the 2014 cars that will be different.

[EricS]

Originally Posted by Breitling24

Drove around Downtown tonight, really busy, your comments explain that. Something going on in the river, too. East side of Congress bridge was full of people looking over the side and along the walkway, seeming to be finding a good spot for something.

Thats the viewing area to see the 1million+ mexican free tail bats that come out from under the bridge each night to feed in the summer. If u can make it back there one sunset, its a unique site to see

[chernaudi]

Originally Posted by TF110

Its testing. These times probably mean nothing since race day temps will be quite different.

Not much different--temps for Sunday are still nearly 90 degrees F. Bigger issue will be the rain. From what I've read here, it's downpoured once already, so this might be a deal, with chances of rain forecasted up until Sunday, it might be a battle of who can handle a green track.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by EricS

Thats the viewing area to see the 1million+ mexican free tail bats that come out from under the bridge each night to feed in the summer. If u can make it back there one sunset, its a unique site to see

Yes, indeed it's a unique attraction if you're into that sort of thing. I might have to check it out tomorrow evening.

I also heard from a gentleman at Fogo do Chao that there's a fairly large realtor meeting (Keller-Williams I think?) happening in Downtown tonight. Can't imagine where all the people are coming from, surely not for some dull real estate conference.

Originally Posted by BullMan

Everyone but Audi has shifted focus to the 2014 cars that will be different.

You are correct - but four LMP1s in the WEC is slightly disappointing, one must admit. :/

[TF110]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Not much different--temps for Sunday are still nearly 90 degrees F. Bigger issue will be the rain. From what I've read here, it's downpoured once already, so this might be a deal, with chances of rain forecasted up until Sunday, it might be a battle of who can handle a green track.

Track temparature. Also should be less humidity if the weather passes.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by TF110

Track temparature. Also should be less humidity if the weather passes.

Colder (as in mid 80s for a high) and less humidity from a semi-strong North wind that should be pushing in sometime tomorrow, I've heard.

[TF110]

Listening to radiolemans for the testing sessions, that seems to be the consensus. Times expected to improve with it.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by TF110

Listening to radiolemans for the testing sessions, that seems to be the consensus. Times expected to improve with it.

Excellent... I don't think it's too big a stretch to say 1:47.xxx is possible tomorrow or on Saturday for LMP1.

[ATLFalconsFAN]

Went to the outdoor showing of Le Mans tonight at the Long Center. Had a great time. Got my picture taken with Bruno Senna (and had Darren Tuner take the picture). Hung out with Hindy, The Responsible Adult and Shea Adam. Had a great conversation with Martin Plowman too. The movie started and I was standing off to the side, I see Hindy standing several feet away and I slide over to him and tell him that if Le Mans is playing and I have an opportunity to stand there and watch it with him I'm going to take advantage. Ended up having a great chat with him as well.

I mentioned before that I am here as a guest of Michelin. I'm not trying to gloat or anything like that (well maybe just a little). I truly wish that every big racing fan could have an opportunity like I am getting this weekend. They paid for my hotel, hospitality at the track (including three meals a day in a suite over the pits), a backpack full of gifts; it doesn't get much better! So thank you to Michelin! A great company and the best tires out there! After this experience I am a customer for life (see how easy it is for a company to buy a person off?!)!

Looking forward to the first on track action tomorrow! Have fun out there everyone!

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Beetle

Excellent... I don't think it's too big a stretch to say 1:47.xxx is possible tomorrow or on Saturday for LMP1.

That was also my guess I said earlier in the thread! And the guys on radio lemans believe times can improve by 2 seconds. So we'll see if it turns out to be

[Maelochs]

ATLFalconsFAN: "I truly wish that every big racing fan could have an opportunity like I am getting this weekend."

Good thought. I will grant your wish most magnanimously. Next time you get a deal like this, send me a pm and mail me the tickets. I will even carry the backpack of swag myself---I will bear that burden for you.

[pach233]

Originally Posted by ATLFalconsFAN

Went to the outdoor showing of Le Mans tonight at the Long Center. Had a great time. Got my picture taken with Bruno Senna (and had Darren Tuner take the picture). Hung out with Hindy, The Responsible Adult and Shea Adam. Had a great conversation with Martin Plowman too. The movie started and I was standing off to the side, I see Hindy standing several feet away and I slide over to him and tell him that if Le Mans is playing and I have an opportunity to stand there and watch it with him I'm going to take advantage. Ended up having a great chat with him as well.

I mentioned before that I am here as a guest of Michelin. I'm not trying to gloat or anything like that (well maybe just a little). I truly wish that every big racing fan could have an opportunity like I am getting this weekend. They paid for my hotel, hospitality at the track (including three meals a day in a suite over the pits), a backpack full of gifts; it doesn't get much better! So thank you to Michelin! A great company and the best tires out there! After this experience I am a customer for life (see how easy it is for a company to buy a person off?!)!

Looking forward to the first on track action tomorrow! Have fun out there everyone!

Awesome deal man. How did you score that? Did you just pop in on Pelham Rd. and ask for the package? Figure there must be a Greenville connection in there somewhere. Enjoy the weekend!