It’s the time of year, when the days are their longest and its too hot to go outside (and I mean hot, really hot, the kind of hot where birds burst into flames), meanwhile somewhere in France 55 cars and 165 drivers are getting ready to take on the world’s greatest endurance race, the 24 hours of Le Mans. For almost eighty years drivers have returned to France to get their shot at glory to become one of their worlds greatest drivers.
But their have been some worries about how safe the cars are. The have been six occasions this year in which a Le Mans prototype has spun and gotten airborne. Hedeki Noda was the latest victim as his Lola Mazda went through a series of barrel rolls late in Wednesday night’s qualifying session, thankfully Noda walked away unharmed. The series of accidents have gotten the attention of the ACO, the governing body of the 24 hours of Le Mans, who promises changes for next year, but will this promise come too little, too late?
Now here is what to look out for during the race:
Prototype Class 1: This race will be all about the Audis and the Peugeots as both manufactures have entered three cars in the event. Unlike last year we have been able to see the big two run against each other in other races and in 4 races, the Peugeots have come out the victor in three of them. The Peugeots were also superior in qualifying on Wednesday and Thursday, even though Audi has admitted that they weren‘t really trying in qualifying and focusing on race setup. But the true question will be is how reliable will the cars be in a 24 hour race? My Prediction: The Peugeots will push themselves too hard and that will let the Audi’s sneak by for the win.
Prototype Class 1 1/2: Because of the supremacy of the diesel engines, the P1 class can almost be considered two classes within itself between the diesel powered engines and the gasoline powered engines. Surprisingly, leading the best of the rest is the Aston Martin powered Lola of the Charouz Racing Team who qualified 6th for Saturday’s race ahead of one of the Audis. Other teams to look out for is of course the Pecarolos, the perpetual bridesmaids of the 24 hours of Le Mans. The other team to watch out for is the Dome Team from Japan. They have brought a new car and so far it has proven its worth and will start 8th on Saturday. My prediction: The Pescarolos will prevail in the battle for “best of the rest”.
Prototype Class 2: Last year this class was consider to be a disgrace, the winning team Binnie Motorsports finished over 50 laps down to the winner of the race, but that part. Not only did they get beaten by the GT1 class winner they gotten beaten by the GT2 class winner! This year the class is back to redeem itself. Leading the class this year is the Porsches Spyders of Team Essex and Van Merksteijn Motorsport. Both teams have grabbed all of the wins in the LMS series for P2 cars and look ready to show that this class is not the pushover that it has been in the past. My Prediction: Van Merksteijn Motorsport will be on top of the podium.
Grand Touring Class 1: As in years past, the GT1 class will come down to a battle between the Aston Martins and the Corvettes. But the Saleens and the Lamborghinis will want to change that. My prediction: No upset, Corvette will slay the GT1 field once again.
Grand Touring Class 2: The greatest of all sports car rivalry Ferrari and Porsche will battle it out again for small sportscar supremacy, Porsche has dominated this small class for years and look ready to do it again. My prediction: I think this is the year Ferrari will finally come out on top in this class.
The race will start at 9 am eastern on Saturday on Speed Channel, hopefully it will be one to remember.
The Toyota F1 team announced that they will team up with Warner Brothers to promote the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight, at the British Grand Prix. Both Toyota drivers and cars will be decked out with artwork from the movie. But to be honest folks, I don't think Batman would be caught dead behind the wheel of say, a Toyota Camry. He's too badass to be a Toyota driver. The Batmobile and Bat-Pod will also be at Silverstone for the race weekend.
