[WEC] Porsche Prototype Discussion

[JoestForEver]

They need to abandon the V4 concept for a inline 4. Even from the onboard camera, the vibration is just unacceptable. Cannot imagine how drivers bear with it for 22 hours.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by JoestForEver

They need to abandon the V4 concept for a inline 4. Even from the onboard camera, the vibration is just unacceptable. Cannot imagine how drivers bear with it for 22 hours.

I was quite shocked at the side-by-side with Audi and Toyota, that doesn't seem all too pleasant. Won't help with keeping critical components in place either.

[Articus]

Did they say the vibration was due to the engine? I thought it was a suspension issue. The 20 car didn't have the vibrations.

[500]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

I really hope they are working on next years car. They aren't going anywhere with this one.

Far too negative IMO. This has been a solid effort. There were in the mix for most of the 24 hours. Another year of development will make a big difference. Certainly some things will change for next year's car, but to say they aren't going anywhere with this car is wide of the mark.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Looks like they are readying the #14 Porsche for the finish.

[bjohnsonsmith]

#14 Porsche out on the track.

[jsTrecu]

We'll do it next year...

[bjohnsonsmith]

Commiserations to Porsche. A great effort and good to see them back at Le Mans.

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by 500

Far too negative IMO. This has been a solid effort. There were in the mix for most of the 24 hours. Another year of development will make a big difference. Certainly some things will change for next year's car, but to say they aren't going anywhere with this car is wide of the mark.

Well...let's see: The car was not fast enough over one lap to get pole. It's race pace was slower that Audi and Toyota . It had gearbox,boost, and suspension issues. It is unable to manage it's tires as well as its direct competitors.
I'm not a "rose colored glasses" type guy.
I feel for them, but I'd really like to see them truly competitive.
I would have preferred that they were the car to beat, and then not have the luck to go all the way (like Toyota), than to see them limp around for hours relying on other's mistakes and unfortunate incidents to make up positions.
It was an acceptable start. Not good. Just "acceptable". Next year needs to be much,much better.

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

Well...let's see: The car was not fast enough over one lap to get pole. It's race pace was slower that Audi and Toyota . It had gearbox,boost, and suspension issues. It is unable to manage it's tires as well as its direct competitors.
I'm not a "rose colored glasses" type guy.
I feel for them, but I'd really like to see them truly competitive.
I would have preferred that they were the car to beat, and then not have the luck to go all the way (like Toyota), than to see them limp around for hours relying on other's mistakes and unfortunate incidents to make up positions.
It was an acceptable start. Not good. Just "acceptable". Next year needs to be much,much better.

Sorry but as a PORSCHE fan "like you", i have to reply to tour post:

First of all, almost anyone believe that Porsche could go to the end, and they did. Second, after an absence of 16 years from the P1 ranks what they achieve (fighting for the win in the 21h of the race) was very good to watch. Third, the experience they gain in this year will be the basis for a brand new 919 much better prepared for 2015. The level of technology they bring is more advanced then Audi and Toyota and that bring risks (nº 20 car). Finnaly, i´m very proud of them, they show that racing is in their blood and for 2015 they will absolutely fight for he win, this year was a learning year.

CONGRATULATIONS to all Porsche members for their effort in this year @ Le Mans.

[Salamus]

Porsche should be very proud of what they accomplished. Lasting 22 hours in their first go is very impressive, better than what Toyota managed.

Next year is going to be so much fun!

[trahsub]

Originally Posted by Salamus

Porsche should be very proud of what they accomplished. Lasting 22 hours in their first go is very impressive, better than what Toyota managed.

Next year is going to be so much fun!

Toyota placed 3rd, behind Audi & Audi. How is that better than what Toyota managed?

[Salamus]

Originally Posted by trahsub

Toyota placed 3rd, behind Audi & Audi. How is that better than what Toyota managed?

In their first year, 2012.

[Spyderman]

Originally Posted by gustavobamba

Sorry but as a PORSCHE fan "like you", i have to reply to tour post:

First of all, almost anyone believe that Porsche could go to the end, and they did. Second, after an absence of 16 years from the P1 ranks what they achieve (fighting for the win in the 21h of the race) was very good to watch. Third, the experience they gain in this year will be the basis for a brand new 919 much better prepared for 2015. The level of technology they bring is more advanced then Audi and Toyota and that bring risks (nº 20 car). Finnaly, i´m very proud of them, they show that racing is in their blood and for 2015 they will absolutely fight for he win, this year was a learning year.

CONGRATULATIONS to all Porsche members for their effort in this year @ Le Mans.

I appreciate your " glass half full" take on their performance.

[trahsub]

Originally Posted by Salamus

In their first year, 2012.

Ahhh, got ya. Yes, true.

[J Jay]

I can see where Spyderman is coming from - the debuts of Peugeot and Toyota were more spectacular in comparison, albeit for slightly different reasons. The preceding WEC races showed what Porsche could do and from a snapshot/non-fans point of view they failed to deliver. Perhaps it would have looked better if the 919s retired before their pace dropped off so everyone remembers the speed and trots out the usual "You can make a fast car <x>" response.

I think all the talk of how long the 919 has been running has brought an extra weight of expectation to go along with the return of the prodigal son. It also makes the litany of little niggles more worrying (rather than one major issue), as those should have been sorted but the engine fix presumably took up most of the time and resources. If (and only if) Porsche aren't working on a new car by now I think it would be best to optimize the 919 for next year.

But this was an first-time effort to be rightly proud of.

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

I appreciate your " glass half full" take on their performance.

I´m "half full" you are "half empty"

Next year will be Porsche time to celebrate…

[carbon_titanium]

the toyota debut was great, the ts030 had the pace to catch and pass the leading audi! this year the 919 was the slowest work lmp1, #20 was able to be in first positions after the night just because of long stops of #1, #2, #8 and the #7 retirement.

[Salamus]

Originally Posted by carbon_titanium

the toyota debut was great, the ts030 had the pace to catch and pass the leading audi! this year the 919 was the slowest work lmp1, #20 was able to be in first positions after the night just because of long stops of #1, #2, #8 and the #7 retirement.

Le Mans isn't just about speed. Both Porsche did a much better job than either Toyota did in 2012.

[carbon_titanium]

sure, but reliability isn't porsche 919 best quality however!

[Salamus]

No, but it was the car's first 24 hour race. A lot needs to be improved, especially in terms of pace, but the overall performance was a solid A- in my books.

[Porsche917K]

Originally Posted by Salamus

No, but it was the car's first 24 hour race. A lot needs to be improved, especially in terms of pace, but the overall performance was a solid A- in my books.

Amen! I was more than happy with the effort and having them stay relevant for nearly the whole race. I found that much more enjoyable than what Toyota did in 2012 by having pace, but both being out relatively early (Completing 134 laps, and 82 laps respectively).

[Articus]

Remember how Porsche turned the first gen RS Spyder, a rather fast but fragile car, into the german tank that one the 12 hours of Sebring overall? They'll find a way even if the systems are more complicated .

[FIRE]

Give them some time.

If building an endurance prototype and win outright was so easy Le Mans had not the magical status it has now.

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Give them some time.

If building an endurance prototype and win outright was so easy Le Mans had not the magical status it has now.

You are absolutely right, Le Mans is pure magic.

But even with the most reliable car other thinks could happen… beware the mighty FERRARI menace

Toyota and Audi already sufer from that thread