LM24 Le Mans, the diesel era?

**Bentley03** · 2 Mar 2005, 21:56 (Ref:1240526)

Once again the diesel rumour is gathering momentum. Courtesy of Motorsport News two major manufacturers have been linked with possible diesel sportscar projects.

Following Peugeots withdrawal from the WRC at the end of this year, Motorsport News suggests the company will return to circuit racing and that a diesel powered Le Mans programme is presently the preferred option. However it isn't clear whether the car would be a prototype or based on the 907 concept car (presumably GT1).

A second article entitled 'Audi keen on diesel' suggests that Audi has refused to rule out running a diesel sportscar this year. Quote Dr.Ullrich "We are looking at all possibilities from the rules of the ACO. From Audi's point of view, it is important that any kind of fuel can be used."

Following Taurus's dabble with diesel, these companies have the financial clout to really explore the potential of diesel in endurance racing. Are we really this close to an 'oil burner' challenging for class honours or overall victory at Le Mans?

rdjones · 2 Mar 2005, 22:05 (Ref:1240532)

I saw that article as well, I think its only a matter of time before one the big name manufacturers turn's up at Le Mans with a diesel powered car. In fact I expect to see a diesel powered Audi or Peugoet on the grid next maybe as a second string effort at first.

kdr · 2 Mar 2005, 23:20 (Ref:1240595)

If one of the big manufacturers can build a Le Mans winning diesel powered car - they'll be able to write themselves a blank cheque. in fact i'd imagine that one of bmw and mercedes worst nightmares is them continuing to be trounced by ferrari in F1, as Audi take the flag in a diesel powered car at Le Mans. Imho of course.

Fogelhund · 3 Mar 2005, 04:18 (Ref:1240721)

The idea of cars racing with Diesel fuel is an interesting proposition. Yet, it really is an unambitious contribution to the automotive propulsion future. Let's face it, fossil fuels are a scarce resource, with increasing demand.

Nordic · 3 Mar 2005, 08:46 (Ref:1240861)

I did read that rotary engines fuelled by Hydrogen are a good conbination. Not to sure of the reason but I may have something to do with running temp and burn speed. Not sure that I like to idea of 50 pressurised gas tanks racing round a track.

**Aysedasi** · 3 Mar 2005, 09:07 (Ref:1240875)

Is the rumour true about a new engine fuelled by a distillation from champagne and merguez mash?

Fab · 3 Mar 2005, 09:33 (Ref:1240906)

Green fuel = legs !

Enjoy the Tour de France !

**Bentley03** · 3 Mar 2005, 10:04 (Ref:1240938)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Is the rumour true about a new engine fuelled by a distillation from champagne and merguez mash?

I believe the ACO considered granting entry at Le Mans for the MC12 if fuelled as you describe! Unfortunately, the Italians insisted on a distillation of Asti Spumante and Milano Salami mash which the ACO found quite unpalettable.

mmciau · 3 Mar 2005, 10:38 (Ref:1240978)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley03

I believe the ACO considered granting entry at Le Mans for the MC12 if fuelled as you describe! Unfortunately, the Italians insisted on a distillation of Asti Spumante and Milano Salami mash which the ACO found quite unpalettable.

bentley03,

that stuff is a substitute for sparkling kerosene with garlic impregnated backfires!!!!!

Mike

Fogelhund · 3 Mar 2005, 12:19 (Ref:1241091)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley03

I believe the ACO considered granting entry at Le Mans for the MC12 if fuelled as you describe! Unfortunately, the Italians insisted on a distillation of Asti Spumante and Milano Salami mash which the ACO found quite unpalettable.

Only partially true. The ACO found the Asti Spumante and Milano Salami acceptable, but this Spumante had too many bubbles and the ACO requested that four be removed.

**PascaLM** · 4 Mar 2005, 16:49 (Ref:1242467)

After this diesel period, we will have the bio-ethanol and electrical era, within 30 years ; and it's not science-fiction !
Imagine silent cars at 250km/h diffusing advertising with loud speakers mounted in the current place of radiators !

Nordic · 4 Mar 2005, 17:00 (Ref:1242477)

I hope not. Maybe they could play the sound effects of 917's, Matras, DFV's and panoz's. I think that would be better.

tblincoe · 4 Mar 2005, 17:49 (Ref:1242508)

the potential advantages of a diesel engine in sportscar racing definitely warrants its pursuit by a major manufacturer... i think its just a matter of who has more guts and engineering will-power to give it a go first. whoever masters the diesel first will definitely be hard to beat IMO

d-b · 4 Mar 2005, 23:21 (Ref:1242745)

hi there

Diesels have raced at Le Mans before

1949

5 Delettrez Jean & Jacques Delettrez 4395cc 6 cyl diesel
retired 20th hour (ran out of fuel)

1950

1 M.A.P. Le Mans Francois Lacour & Pierre Veyron 9984cc supercharged 4 cyl diesel
retired 7th hour (water leak)

10 Delettrez Jean & Jacques Delettrez 4395cc 6 cyl diesel
retired 24th hour (engine failure) (same car)

1951

12 Delettrez Jean & Jacques Delettrez 4454cc 6 cyl diesel
retired 3rd hour (unknown reason) (same car again)

so they have been there

d-b

pirenzo · 4 Mar 2005, 23:28 (Ref:1242749)

I'd like to see it happen. Audi may as well do it, they can't possibly tarnish their record much, no matter how badly it failed.
But I suspect it wouldn't fail, audi know how to build engines better than any other sportscar manufacturer at the moment, and Audi have built fast diesel road cars in the past IIRC.

I just hope whatever replaces petrol engines as the standard eventually it sounds at least as good as a petrol engine

John75 · 5 Mar 2005, 16:02 (Ref:1243394)

The Taurus Lola was powered by a Diesel last year.

Fab · 5 Mar 2005, 16:26 (Ref:1243403)

... and it was, unfortunately, quite pathetic to see... no offense for the team or the ingeneers, though.

**Bentley03** · 5 Mar 2005, 16:49 (Ref:1243415)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fab

... and it was, unfortunately, quite pathetic to see... no offense for the team or the ingeneers, though.

Can't disagree but it was a brave attempt. Big bucks needed though to produce a realistic diesel challenger. Only a manufacturer could afford the development programme.

Fab · 5 Mar 2005, 17:32 (Ref:1243433)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Can't disagree but it was a brave attempt.

Definitely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Big bucks needed though to produce a realistic diesel challenger.

As I understood it, the engine was decent, but the torque was to high for the clutch

**Bentley03** · 5 Mar 2005, 18:15 (Ref:1243459)

The car ran quite well at Silverstone LMES and kept my kids entertained for hours. Both of them understood that a black plume of smoke meant that an engine was about to expire and were trying to predict when the number 10 would explode! I chose not to explain until after the race...

Fab · 5 Mar 2005, 19:39 (Ref:1243514)

The sound was poor, tasteless... odd !

tblincoe · 5 Mar 2005, 21:21 (Ref:1243613)

at LM i thought that the engine sounded really great... it had a snarling, raspy sort of engine note... almost a louder and more aggressive Ferrari 550 sound.

lj79 · 5 Mar 2005, 21:41 (Ref:1243632)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tblincoe

at LM i thought that the engine sounded really great... it had a snarling, raspy sort of engine note... almost a louder and more aggressive Ferrari 550 sound.

I must have had ear muffs in at the time.

Just replayed it on my home movie, and yep, cant hear it.

spanner · 9 Mar 2005, 13:19 (Ref:1247673)

I was surprised to see on DSC that the Tauraus Lola is still going and has been developed. Did hear on here the team went into recievership, so maybe there trying to go it alone.

TerryC · 9 Mar 2005, 13:24 (Ref:1247682)

Quote:

Originally Posted by spanner

I was surprised to see on DSC that the Tauraus Lola is still going and has been developed. Did hear on here the team went into recievership, so maybe there trying to go it alone.

Same here, I thought the whole project was dead since Tauraus went into administration last Nov...

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