The 24 Hours of Le Mans Preview
12 June 1999
By Dave TrefferThe Auto Channel
The 24 Hours of Le Mans has not even started and the cars are already starting to fly, literally. Not a good omen for the most famous endurance race in the world. In the final Le Mans qualifying session, Mercedes driver Mark Webber did a triple endo. Eerily reminiscent of the Porsche GT1 flying at the Petit Le Mans and then doing almost the same thing at Homestead one week later has to have some of the Mercedes aerodynamic engineers concerned. The status of the car for the race is questionable as this story went to press.
Two other incidents occurred during the final qualifying session. The pole-sitting Toyota driven by E. Collard was involved in a shunt that tore the front suspension off of the front right corner. As if those two incidents were not enough the Nissan R 391 being driven by Eric van der Poele was a total write-off and the car is not going to be ready to race.
None the less, 47 cars will take the green flag at 4:00PM (10:00am EST) for the 24 Hour classic. The field is broken into two technical regulation groups: Prototypes and Grand Touring. In those two groups the entry is fielded in either of two classes. LMP (Le Mans Prototype) or LM GTP (Le Mans Grand Touring Prototype) are differentiated by the following regulations. The rule books defines an LMP as a two seat cockpit, open body, with no minimum production requirements. LM GTP calls for a two seat cockpit, open or closed body and no minimum production requirements. The engine allowance in LMP is 6000cc for atmospheric engines with an allowance of 4000cc for turbo-equipped cars. In LM GTP an engine allowance of 8000cc for atmospheric engines and a 4000cc for turbo-equipped cars. The dimensions of the LMP car is a maximum length of 465cm and a maximum width of 200cm. The dimensions of the LM GTP is a maximum length of 490cm and a maximum width of 200cm. Last but not least the wheel width is 16" maximum for LMP cars and 14"maximum for LM GTP cars. The fuel allowance of 90 liters is the same and the use of carbon brakes is allowed.
In the LM GT (Le Mans Grand Touring) and LM GTS (Le Mans Grand Touring Sport) the definition of each class is basically the same as the car that is produced by the representative manufacturer. The manufacturer must produce at least 50 models and the car must be a road worthy vehicle. The rules allow for safety alterations but alterations to the car body are not allowed. The wheel width may be increased from 12" to 14" and the use of ferrous materials for brake rotors is allowed.
The big question going into the race. Will Toyota prevail at "The Sarthe?" Coming so close last year has only elevated the anticipation of this year's race. The problem for Toyota is that the competition this year is even tougher than last year. The greatest threat this year will be the assault from BMW. Not to mention Mercedes, Audi, Nissan and yes Panoz.
In past year's the race could start out on a slow pace... after all it was an endurance race. Now days, with the engineers creating ever-stronger powerplants, endurance races have turned into sprints.
In the Grand Touring and Grand Touring Sport class the duel will be a battle between Chrysler Viper and Porsche. With 8 Vipers and 12 Porsches in the 47 car field the Grand Touring duel will be just as much fun to watch as the Le Mans Prototype class.
So will Toyota prevail? Hard to say. Like everyone else, I can hardly wait for the green flag to drop.
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos
and racing art, please visit The Racing Image
Galleries and The
Visions of Speed Art Gallery .