Audi LMP1 Discussion

[Articus]

Well that does not sound like a team that plans to leave the sport anytime soon!

[chernaudi]

Only issue is that with new rules coming in '13, it doesn't make much sense for Audi to develop a whole new system in only a few months time to replace one that they've worked on for a couple of years now, unless it's something to supplement the flywheel unit.

Also, such a system, if radically different than what they have now, would likely require Audi to redesign the tub of the R18, again, which means 3 new cars in as many years for Audi, and counting the R15 '09 and '10 models, that'd make 5 cars in 5 racing seasons for Audi, which is as bad as F1. I mean, the R10 lasted 3 years without major revisions, and the old R8 lasted 6.5 years before the R10 replaced it.

And I don't quite see the connection here--I know that Audi sell engines to KTM for the X-Bow, but we also have to remember on the motorcycle front that Audi, with Volkswagen Group, just bought Ducati. Also, I don't know if Ducati or KTM can really help Audi out with their hybrid stuff for the R18. Hopefully what they'll get is an improvement and won't require Audi to design a new car like they've by and large done the past 5 or so years. But it is obvious that on the hybrid tech front that Audi wants to keep their edge over TMG/Toyota.

[TF110]

Edge over Toyota's hybrid? I thought they conceded that Toyota's was better. If they're trying for a new hybrid system it's to better Toyota's. If their system is already superior, what would be the use in changing it? I think running their 'Quattro' system is another reason they're hybrid isn't giving them the boost in performance over the Ultra.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by CTD

Well Well.
With a little sister (who have been taught well from home) might have made a little scoop on her visit at both the KTM factory and Red Bull garage in Austria.
Unfortunalty my information is short, and a bit inaccurate (have asked her to clarify to me soon), but but but, she has been told that Audi is working together with one of the companies (most likely KTM) on next years Hybrid engine for Le Mans!
Again, i need her to clarify it for me, what exactly they said, and what company it was, but it seems that the Williams system was a one year try.

Well, she has finally returned home, and i got a clarification.
She had talked to one of KTM's engineers, who said that they do work together with Audi on their Le Mans car, in the Hybrid sector. How much, and how deep this is, she wasn't told. It was only mentioned as an example.
But to my knowledge, Audi hasn't partnered with KTM before!?

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by CTD

But to my knowledge, Audi hasn't partnered with KTM before!?

KTM's X-Bow uses an Audi 2.0 TFSI 4-cyl engine.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

KTM's X-Bow uses an Audi 2.0 TFSI 4-cyl engine.

Yes , What i meant was in Le Mans.

[nasdriv87]

huh????

Maybe Audi leaving endurance racing soon?!?!?!?

http://fourtitude.com/news/motorspor...oss-durheimer/

[gwyllion]

Not for now according to that article.

Regarding Audi at Le Mans, Ingolstadt’s new R&D Boss stated to EVO, “Audi have won Le Mans 11 times but Porsche have won it 16 times, so Audi will keep coming back until it has broken Porsche’s record.”

[gregtummer]

Also in the above article, they say Audi will have a Diesel and Porsche a petrol car in 2014, but I thought they just banned Diesels for LMP1 in 2014?

[Creep89]

No. Diesel still allowed.

[Salamus]

Well then, I guess Audi is gonna stay in sportscar racing for quite sometime. It will take at least 10 years for them to reach Porsche's record, and that is if Porsche doesn't grab anymore victories.

PS: Nothing will surpass Porsche at Le Mans

[gregtummer]

Oh okay. Must have just been one of the rumors then that kept getting repeated in the runup to the new rules being announced.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Salamus

Well then, I guess Audi is gonna stay in sportscar racing for quite sometime. It will take at least 10 years for them to reach Porsche's record, and that is if Porsche doesn't grab anymore victories.

PS: Nothing will surpass Porsche at Le Mans

So they said about the Jacky Ickx record

[Mal]

Originally Posted by Salamus

Well then, I guess Audi is gonna stay in sportscar racing for quite sometime. It will take at least 10 years for them to reach Porsche's record, and that is if Porsche doesn't grab anymore victories.

PS: Nothing will surpass Porsche at Le Mans

Never say never ..... but this can only be good news for the sport if two of VAG's heavyweights are going to slog it out for bragging rights for the next 10 years or so.

[chernaudi]

Most recent (but not very good quality) video of an R18 at EuroSpeedway that was uploaded a few days ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owc89LRk4Ik

[Articus]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Most recent (but not very good quality) video of an R18 at EuroSpeedway that was uploaded a few days ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owc89LRk4Ik

You know whats super interesting about this video. It seems as though they always needed to put the car in the air and then release it before it could start. The first time they wheeled the R18 out on its own wheels then put in the air hose raise the car. Then dropped it and the car started. Then it stalled. They went back and put the air hose back in and pulled it out. Car starts again and moves away little wheelspin. It reminds me of the rumoured system on the Penske RS Spyders where acceleromters detected the car dropping and automatically started the engine and launch control system to pit speed.

Plus the guy with the compressed air tank was practically following the car and immediately tried to put the hose back in once it stalled. You wouldn't need that to get a car going unless it was something more complex.

[Mad-Dog-mk2]

Most likely practice.
In a race you can save vital tenths by the drivers reaction time in firing up the engine and pulling away when dropped off the jacks, so why not practice it in testing?

If the air hose is needed to start the car or for get aways then why is it not used at a fuel only stop?

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Mad-Dog-mk2

Most likely practice.
In a race you can save vital tenths by the drivers reaction time in firing up the engine and pulling away when dropped off the jacks, so why not practice it in testing?

Indeed.
It's one of the main differences on the Tom K, Biela, Capello R8 car in 2000-2002, compared to the other Audi's. Tom's Audi where always faster in getting out of the pits, as they where running as soon as it touch the ground.
So it's something worth training

[Dead-Eye]

Originally Posted by Articus

It reminds me of the rumoured system on the Penske RS Spyders where acceleromters detected the car dropping and automatically started the engine and launch control system to pit speed.

That's not rumoured, that's pretty common. I know at least some GT Ferraris had it too.

[Articus]

*Funny Alert*

Audi are rumoured to be testing an all new diesel engine for Silverstone in preparation for the 2014 regs.

[vincegail]

Originally Posted by Salamus

Well then, I guess Audi is gonna stay in sportscar racing for quite sometime. It will take at least 10 years for them to reach Porsche's record, and that is if Porsche doesn't grab anymore victories.

PS: Nothing will surpass Porsche at Le Mans

Originally Posted by CTD

So they said about the Jacky Ickx record

A non-biased Dane speaking?

[CTD]

Originally Posted by vincegail

A non-biased Dane speaking?

In what possible way could i be biases .

But in general im in the opionion that records (contary rules) are there to be broken

[vincegail]

Records are to be broken and rules are to be stretched to the limit, not broken indeed!

[The Badger]

11th commandment , thou shalt not be found out !!!

[vincegail]

So cheating is ok as long as nobody knows?
Don't agree with that.