The first Officially Confirmed Entries for the 24 Hours of Le Mans

[entzik]

It looks like we're going to see at least three Audi's running Le Mans:

http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=47093

[Tom206wrc]

Official entrylist for the 2007 Le Mans race has been published by the ACO today :bounce:

See http://www.lemans.org

Absolutely SPLENDID entry !!! :eek:

Sixteen LMP1 protos, twelve LMP2 protos,...

[1LM1]

Yes great one :up: Very high level this year.
Good surprises in all categories.
4 (!!) Pescarolo expected (3 in LMP1 and 1 in LMP2).
3 Audi + 1 Lola Audi = 4
2 Peugeot, etc., etc.
4 Aston, 4 Corvette, 2 Official Saleen
Better than last year at every level.

[harvick#1]

should be a great Lemans this year :D

GT1 and GT2 will be great.

P1 will most likely be Audi vs. Peugeot. but don't count out Dome, Pescarolo, and Courage. plus it will be fun to see what Swiss Spirit can do with Audi Power

P2 will be a crap shoot. having Lola's, Courages, Pescarolo's, Dome's, Zyteks. it should be a dandy

[Sleeper]

Are we sure about the three Audi's, I know Dr. Ullrich has said he'll send a third if they can get outside sponsorship for it.

Dont count out the Creations Harvick, their fast, if a little fragile at times.

Does anyone know which team is tacking the Pescarolo into LMP2, and what happened to Lister as they were the second team (after Rollcentre) to buy one but I think both teams intend to race in LMP1.

[harvick#1]

Kruse Motorsport is driving a Pescarolo LMP2

and I think Audi should find a sponsor before July as everyone knows the car is a front runner and favorite to win Lemans.

and yeah Creation has been good when they are one :)

[harvick#1]

LMP1
# Team Car
1 Audi Sport North America Audi R10
2 Audi Sport North America Audi R10
3 Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R10
5 Swiss Spirit Lola B07/10 Audi
7 Peugeot Sport Peugeot 908
8 Peugeot Sport Peugeot 908
9 Creation Autosportif Creation CA-07 Judd
10 Arena International Motorsport Zytek 07S
12 Courage Competition Courage LC70 AER
13 Courage Competition Courage LC70 AER
14 Racing for Holland Dome 101.5 Judd
15 Charouz Racing Systems Lola B07/10 Judd
16 Pescarolo Sport Pescarolo Judd
17 Pescarolo Sport Pescarolo Judd
18 Rollcentre Racing Pescarolo Judd
19 Chamberlain/Synergy Motorsport Lola B06/10 AER

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

LMP2
20 Pierre Bruneau Pilbeam MP93-01PB
22 Rollcentre Racing Radical SR9 Judd
24 Binnie Motorsport Lola B05/40 Zytek
25 RML Lola B05/40 AER
28 Bruichladdich Radical Radical SR9 AER
29 T2M Motorsport Dome S101.5
31 Noel Del Bello Courage LC75 AER
32 Barazi Epsilon Zytek 07S
33 Barazi Epsilon Zytek 07S
35 Saulnier Racing Courage LC75 AER
40 ASM Team Racing for Portugal Lola B05/40 AER
44 Kruse Motorsport Pescarolo 01 Judd

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

GT1
006 Labre Competition Aston Martin DBR9
007 Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin DBR9
008 Labre Competition Aston Martin DBR9
009 Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin DBR9
53 Japan Lamborghini Owners Club Murchielage R GT
54 Oreca Saleen S-7R
55 Oreca Saleen S-7R
59 Team Modena Aston Martin DBR9
63 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C6R
64 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C6R
67 Convers MenX Team Ferrari 550
72 Luc Alphand Aventures Corvette C5R
73 Luc Alphand Aventures Corvette C6R
100 Aston Martin Racing BMS Aston Martin DBR9

GT1 Reserve Entries
R1 PSI-Motorsport Corvette C6-R

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

GT2
76 IMSA Performance Porsche 911 997 RSR
78 AF Corse Ferrari F430
80 Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 997 RSR
81 Team LNT Panoz Esparante GT LM
82 Team LNT Panoz Esparante GT LM
83 Siekel Motorsports Porsche 911 997 RSR
85 Spyker Squadron Spyker C8
86 Spyker Squadron Spyker C8
87 Scuderia Eccosse Ferrari F430
90 White Lightning Ferrari F430
93 Autorlando Sport Porsche 911 997 RSR
97 Risi Competizione Ferrari F430
98 Risi Competizione Ferrari F430

GT2 reserve entries
R2 GPC Sport Srl Ferrari F430 GT
R3 Ice Pol Racing Team Ferrari F430
R4 Felbermayr/Proton Porsche GT3 RSR
R5 Perspective Racing Porsche 911 997 RSR
R6 JMB Racing Ferrari F430
R7 Chad Peninsular Racing Panoz Esperante GTLM
R8 IMSA Performance Porsche 911 997 RSR

[1LM1]

I wonder if the Lola Audi can do better than the Pescarolo.

I really hope that Peugeot will achieve a great result but I am realistic. I know that reliability issues will hinder the 908 this year.
The question is: will the 908 be able to complete the race?
I know that both cars will spend a lot of time in the pits but I expect at least a finish in the top 10.
I know, It's not so easy but if they retire before the end, I admit I would be very disappointed.

[Sleeper]

Harvick, I forget to mention that that list is only those that have been invited to the Le Mans warm up two weeks before the race, not all of them are going to take it up. For instance, I dont think Rollcentre are going to be running the Radical again, I think they might have even sold it.

The final list of entries will be known after that when all the dropouts are gone and replaced by the reserves and its too late to do anything about any other dropouts.

[Erki]

Interesting that Lister isn't even in reserve. They should get the car ready by June.

[100%hondafan]

lister gone back to gt1 ??

[1LM1]

Are we sure about the three Audi's, I know Dr. Ullrich has said he'll send a third if they can get outside sponsorship for it.

Dont count out the Creations Harvick, their fast, if a little fragile at times.

Does anyone know which team is tacking the Pescarolo into LMP2, and what happened to Lister as they were the second team (after Rollcentre) to buy one but I think both teams intend to race in LMP1.

The Lister (the car will be homologated as a Lister Judd) is not ready yet.
It will make its debut after Le Mans. It's a Lister with a Pescarolo chassis. The Hewland gear box, the steering, the suspension, fuel system radiators are specific to Lister.
Peter Elleray did all the design.

First race: 1000 KM of Nürburgring (D)

Otherwise, Kruse is a German Team: http://www.krusemotorsport.com/

[100%hondafan]

how is an lmp1 converted to an lmp2 may i ask ??

[1LM1]

As for the chassis, same rules in LMP2 and LMP1 categories.
The only differences are the engine rule and the minimal weight rule.
So it's very easy to convert a LMP1 to a LMP2.

[100%hondafan]

ah so then the zytek could be a good lmp2 car then along with the pesacrlo should be intresting to see how they all go.

[1LM1]

ah so then the zytek could be a good lmp2 car then along with the pesacrlo should be intresting to see how they all go.

Exactly. The level in LMP2 is very high :
In the LMS series and at Le Mans, the Zytek should be very impressive.
So should be the LC 75, the Dome, the Pescarolo and the Lola.

Actually, the only unknown is the Pilbeam.

I think the Dome could surprise.

[harvick#1]

The Racing For Holland dome was great last year, after suffering a DNF late last year, they were right up in the top 3-5 for about 7 hours

[1LM1]

True.
Dome is always very strong at Le Mans.
Le Mans seems to be the track that suits the Dome the best.
It's due to the aerodynamic of the car.

I think that the Dome will be even faster this year with the new evolution. If reliable, it could even win in a 1991 scenario (not probable scenario though).

[100%hondafan]

no chance for dome with pug and audi there.

and then pesacrolo will be there to pick up pieces ;)

[harvick#1]

the Dome does have a similar shape towards the Audi R8, its a clean and very aerodynamic car.

It would be awesome if Dome did win Lemans, espcially if the soccer livery is still on the car

[1LM1]

As for the soccer livery, I don't know because it was related to the Soccer world cup last year.
The livery should be different this year. But it should be a cool one (as always with RFH).
And yes I wouldn't mind seeing the Dome achieving a great result this year. I would prefer to see a Peugeot win but I think Dome stand more chance this year because of their experience.

[Erki]

Dome is awesome. :D I especially like their über-cool headlights. :s mokin:

[Sleeper]

The Lister (the car will be homologated as a Lister Judd) is not ready yet.
It will make its debut after Le Mans. It's a Lister with a Pescarolo chassis. The Hewland gear box, the steering, the suspension, fuel system radiators are specific to Lister.
Peter Elleray did all the design.

First race: 1000 KM of Nürburgring (D)

Otherwise, Kruse is a German Team: http://www.krusemotorsport.com/
Cheers for that, I remember reading that they had bought a Pescarolo tub but were going to keep everything else of their LMP1 car. It had got a bit quiet on that front so I was wondering what had happened to them.

[Sleeper]

I've just noticed that the PTG Panoz team isnt on the list. Strange how the works squad isnt there.

[Erki]

Not only PTG, there's no Alex Job Racing either. And very few entries from USA. The lack of LMP1 and GT1 entries from them is understandable but there are no LMP2s even after the avalanche of them on the other side of the pond... And only four entries from by far the healthiest class in the ALMS. :\

ALMS teams:

LMP1
# Team Car
1 Audi Sport North America Audi R10
2 Audi Sport North America Audi R10
9 Creation Autosportif Creation CA-07 Judd

GT1
63 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C6R
64 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C6R

GT2
80 Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 997 RSR
90 White Lightning Ferrari F430
97 Risi Competizione Ferrari F430
98 Risi Competizione Ferrari F430

[Scuderia ferrari]

This year i'm fired up for le mans and i am determined to watch or listen to as much as the race as i can!

Nice line up the audi .v. pug battle is certanly much antisipated and should be good entertainment

[harvick#1]

Not only PTG, there's no Alex Job Racing either. And very few entries from USA. The lack of LMP1 and GT1 entries from them is understandable but there are no LMP2s even after the avalanche of them on the other side of the pond... And only four entries from by far the healthiest class in the ALMS. :\


theres no P2 teams from the ALMS, why?

because Roger is a baby and doesn't want to pay. Remember. The Porsche took nearly all the auto-selections for Lemans.

Dyson never goes. and Acura/Andretti-Green/Fernandaz Racing is too new and is only worried about ALMS and creating their own car in the future.

I was surprised to see Intersport not getting invited, but maybe since they went to P1, that could've been something to do with it.

[Erki]

Fernandez is actually at Le Mans this year, but as a spectator. It's quite possible to see him racing there next year. Intersport probably has much to do with the new car and can't waste any resources. Pity though, I'm sure they would have given the euro teams run for their money. :D

[Observer7]

Its a pity that there is nobody running a Porsche RS Spyder at Le Mans.

Neither at Le Mans Series.


O7

[100%hondafan]

would be good an acuras doing lmp2 ?

[1LM1]

Acura is considering a come back at Le Mans with an LMP1 in 2008 or 2009 as far as I know.

[1LM1]

As for the Rs Spyder at Le Mans and in the LMS, this is highly probable from next year.

[1LM1]

Fortunately, the LMP2 class is already highly competitive in Europe. With notably Zytek, Radical, Courage, Pescarolo, Lola and Dome, the show should be great there.

[Sleeper]

I think either way it could be a very strong field this year, but we'll have to wait a few months before we get a difinitive entry list for the race.

[Tom206wrc]

As for the Rs Spyder at Le Mans and in the LMS, this is highly probable from next year.



And next year also Welter-Racing with a diesel powered LMP2 proto... ;)

[Observer7]

Its a pity that there is nobody running a Porsche RS Spyder at Le Mans.

Neither at Le Mans Series.


I stumbled on an article in a German motor sports site based on an interview with Porsche motor sports director Hartmut Kristen (http://mehr.motorsport-total.com/mehr/news/2007/03/Porsche_unzufrieden_mit_Le-Mans-Reglement_07030102.html), criticizing the Le Mans rules favoring Diesel cars at the detriment of petrol driven ones, and P1 against "LM"P2, making a victory of an LMP2 car impossible.

The article quoted Kristen:
Unsere Teams haben beschlossen, nicht teilzunehmen und wir selbst haben kein Interesse, als Werksteam mit einem LMP2 anzutreten, wenn wir nicht gewinnen können. Das haben wir bis auf wenige Ausnahmen auch in der Vergangenheit nicht gemacht, das gehört nicht zu unserer Strategie.

I try to translate this into english:
Outr teams have decided not to participate and we ourselves are not interested to participate with a factory team in LMP2, if we can't win. With few exceptions we have always acted like this, it is not part of our strategy


O7

[100%hondafan]

why build an lmp2 of you want to win common!

[Erki]

It's not too hard to convert an LMP 1 to 2 or 2 to 1.

I wonder now that Honda F1 goes eco, could we soon see an Acura diesel LMP? :)