Audi LMP1 Discussion

[chernaudi]

If so, it wouldn't be a surprise, then wouldn't it, as all the photogs that the track will likely have at least one photo of a R18.

If Audi are dead serious about this, they'll probably switch to painted body panels over night, or run some nasty black decal all over the cars. Of course, Audi, or who ever discovered this rumor, could be blowing smoke, just as the guy who told Pruett about the R15 running the R18's tire setup at the 12 Hour of Sebring appears to have been clearly blowing smoke.

Who knows, but why couldn't Audi just release studio shots like with the R8, R10 and R15 in the past? And what's so special about the liverly anyways to warrent this other than to just be different? It's just all pretty much a big decal or a series of them like on their DTM cars and most NASCAR stockcars.

Only reason I can figure is that the new paint scheme will reveal aspects of the body design that Peugeot or AMR could try to copy, or Audi may have a few bits for Spa that they want to keep hidden, again for knowing that Peugeot or AMR may try to copy them.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Only reason I can figure is that the new paint scheme will reveal aspects of the body design that Peugeot or AMR could try to copy, or Audi may have a few bits for Spa that they want to keep hidden, again for knowing that Peugeot or AMR may try to copy them.

Why would they want to copy if they have solutions of their own that will work just as well? Or if Audi's solutions do not fit their own concept of car? Take that into consideration as well when making this kind of speculation. Big teams always keep an eye on each other, but the decision about what parts to fit doesn't come just from copying the others, it comes from the wind tunnel, the chassis jig, the test track and the engineers' data. Oh, and the design office.

[MulsanneMike]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Why would they want to copy if they have solutions of their own that will work just as well? Or if Audi's solutions do not fit their own concept of car? Take that into consideration as well when making this kind of speculation. Big teams always keep an eye on each other, but the decision about what parts to fit doesn't come just from copying the others, it comes from the wind tunnel, the chassis jig, the test track and the engineers' data. Oh, and the design office.

The reason we're still seeing the car in carbon is because Audi hasn't frozen the car's design.

[pdxracefan]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

P&M did the livery swap in the Vettes to go to the white car for a race (think it was Mosport for Fellows), but I'm not sure how the ACO will feel with a bare carbon car on scrutineering day. Although if they actually cared what fans want, they might find a lot of people like the bare carbon look.

Sebring, '07 wasn't it?

[broadrun96]

I couldn't remember if it was unveiled at Sebring or at Mosport. That however was for the ALMS, what unwritten rule would the ACO drag out to say the car has to be presented in the race livery on Wednesday? Not saying that they would but would anyone here put something like that past them?

[gwyllion]

As a reminder. The Pescarolo 01 Evo debutted in the first LMS race of 2009 in bare carbon fibre. See http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/4...-Evo-Judd.html

[Birddog07]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

As a reminder. The Pescarolo 01 Evo debutted in the first LMS race of 2009 in bare carbon fibre. See http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/4...-Evo-Judd.html

That actually looks really good.

[chernaudi]

A little R18 note thanks to Aston Martin Racing (ironically!).

In his article about the R18 last year, Pruett said that the R18's front tires we're 14.5 inches wide exactly. In the AMR press release and images, it's clear that they're running the same wide front tires as the R18 and the 908.

The front tires' deminsions that AMR released are 36/71cmx18 inches.

Pruett's guess what that the tires might be about a half to 3/4 of an inch narrower than 14.5 inches. 37cm=roughly 14.5 inches. 36cm=roughly 14.1 inches.

Definently a sign that Audi and Peugeot just didn't pull an Acura and bolt rear tires on the front.

[gwyllion]

Do not jump to conclusion because the Peugeot Sport website (see here) states that the width of their front tyres is identical to rears, namely 37/71-18.

[chernaudi]

When he wrote about the R18, Pruett said his source told him that the "wide" front tires would be about 5.-.75 of an inch narrower than on the rear as far as tread width, but would be mounted on the same rim size (14.5 x18 inch).

36cm= about 14.1 inches.

37cm= about 14.5 inches.

Either the tires that Audi, Peugeot, and AMR will be racing are slightly different, or Peugeot or AMR typo'd.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

When he wrote about the R18, Pruett said his source told him that the "wide" front tires would be about 5.-.75 of an inch narrower than on the rear as far as tread width, but would be mounted on the same rim size (14.5 x18 inch).

In his article he wrote:

Unlike the 2009 Acura ARX-02a’s 37-71/18 rear tires that were also fitted to the front, Michelin 2011 ‘rear’ front tires not only have nothing in common with the rear tires, but they are also slightly narrower than the 2011 rear tire – by something in the region of 20mm (just under one inch) less per tire.

20 mm = 2 cm.

[Tim the Grey]

So, you REALLY think people give out dark commercial secrets in open interviews.

With your other analy retentive postings, I reckon you are 14.

Do I win the prize?

[chernaudi]

Read the post above.

20mm= .8 of an inch. And, of course, "in the region of" means estimate or about.

And of course, even if the tires are the same tread width, the construction is different due to differing load requirements. And the .5-.75 of an inch, as well as the .4 of an inch that 10mm equals is within the +/- 20mm range.

Of course, it's surprising that AMR would even state their tire width, when it's wheel width that most teams/manufactures bandy about, and tire width is only established by one who gets close enough to read what Michelin (and others) print on the tire sidewalls.

Or we can take the sensible path and say that "there are two stories", and the truth probably lies in between the two extremes. Which makes sense because I don't think that Michelin would make two tires that are within 1cm of width, and that the AMR and Pug mesurements are intentionally imprecise.

[chernaudi]

We have no idea on the paint scheme for the R18, or if the R15s at Sebring will give us any clues, but Audi have announced that Castrol and Alpinestars will join 2010 new partner Tag Heuer as sponsors:

http://www.oneighturbo.com/audi/audi...ll-at-sebring/

[CTD]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

We have no idea on the paint scheme for the R18, or if the R15s at Sebring will give us any clues, but Audi have announced that Castrol and Alpinestars will join 2010 new partner Tag Heuer as sponsors:

http://www.oneighturbo.com/audi/audi...ll-at-sebring/

Castrol!?
Does that mean no more Shell?

[chernaudi]

Shell hasn't been on the cars since the end of 2009--I think that Shell would rather spend their money on Penske's NASCAR and Indy Car teams. That, or BP--which owns Castrol--want to allign with Audi, as Audi are stumping the "clean diesel" stuff and want some positive publicity.

However, I still think that Audi and Peugeot still have to use the same diesel fuel, which is produced, like the gasoline for the LMS/ILMC events, by Shell.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Shell hasn't been on the cars since the end of 2009.

Shell has been on every works car since Audi started its prototype program, i.e., from 1999 to 2009. So the change to Castrol is a bit of a surprise.

[chernaudi]

There was no Shell sponsorship on R15s last year at Le Mans or elsewhere. Possibly some spat over money or something or maybe over the lack of an Audi ALMS program. And Audi usually place their sponsor decals on their test cars about where they'll be on the actual cars. So the R15's might show some preview for what the R18 will look like, but we probably won't get an exact idea of what sponsor's where until the R18 tests following Sebring.

The Audi team, namely Joest, have also had Sparco as their main uniform supplier since 1999. And then there was the Addias deal last year. Since Alpinestars also makes athletic wear, I wonder if they've replaced Addias too.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

And then there was the Addias deal last year. Since Alpinestars also makes athletic wear, I wonder if they've replaced Addias too.

http://www.fourtitude.com/gallery/al...p/2011/002.jpg

[CTD]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

http://www.fourtitude.com/gallery/al...p/2011/002.jpg

Haha, even the socks are Adidas

[fiend540]

mmm a green/red/white castrol liveried r18 sounds good to mee

[gwyllion]

Audi has a slightly updated race outfit: http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...JS1303_016.jpg

[joeb]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

Audi has a slightly updated race outfit: http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...JS1303_016.jpg

I noticed TK isn't in the picture, he must be behind the camera

[CTD]

Originally Posted by joeb

I noticed TK isn't in the picture, he must be behind the camera

Yes he is - all the way in the back, in the right side of the picture (I think he talks to a mechanic)

[joeb]

Originally Posted by CTD

Yes he is - all the way in the back, in the right side of the picture (I think he talks to a mechanic)

ahh, I didn't look at the background, thanks!