Le Mans 24 hours 2024

[weltweit]

The world famous sports car race is set to run on 15 - 16th June 2024 at the Le Mans circuit in France.

Race build up starting to get going

Last year was good:

It seems it is the 100th running of the Le Mans 24 hours

Wish I was there, following it on twitter at the moment. If anyone knows a TV feed I can see I would be grateful.

www.urban75.net

For some reason they were calling that the 100th running of the race but the internet is saying that this 2024 version is the 92 running of the race. They can't both be right.

I used to go to the race, and for a few years went every year, it is a grand spectacle the kind of which the French are very good at, think the Tour de France, Paris Dakar etc .. It used to be a busy weekend but well worth the effort of going there.

Anyhow, a shiny new thread for things Le Mans 24 hour ..

 

[weltweit]

https://www.motorsport.com/lemans/news/the-2024-le-mans-24-hours-entry-list-in-full/10577367/

Jenson Button is racing again, this year in the Hypercar class, 38 Hertz Team JOTA Porsche 963.

This year there is a Hypercar class (23 cars), an LMP2 (16 cars), LMGT3 (23 cars)

 

[tommers]

Are there any GT40s?

 

[weltweit]

Are there any GT40s?

I don't think so. But there are Corvettes and Ford Mustangs, and a couple of Aston Martin Vantage

 

[tommers]

I don't think so. But there are Corvettes and Ford Mustangs, and a couple of Aston Martin Vantage

Hahaha. Le Mans in a muscle car. Love it.

 

[weltweit]

I am trying to work out the schedule of the coming week, I know there will be scrutineering and various practice sessions and qualifying during which the whole circuit is closed for racing and I think there is a moment when the cars are presented with their drivers in the Le Mans town.

Microsoft Co Pilot tells me:

Copilot
The Le Mans 24 Hours 2024 schedule begins with free practice 1 on Wednesday, June 12 at 1pm. After that, there will be qualifying at 6pm on the same day. On Thursday, June 13, free practice 3 will take place at 2pm1. Enjoy the excitement of the race!

 

[weltweit]

Copilot

The Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) class features exciting sports prototype race cars that compete alongside LMDh entries in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Here are the key specifications for LMH cars:

• Powertrain: Manufacturers have design freedom for the powertrain, which can be hybrid or non-hybrid.
• Maximum Power: Up to 671 bhp (500 kW).
• Minimum Weight: 1030 kg.
• Aerodynamics: Teams enjoy design freedom within an “aerodynamic performance window.”
• Development Freeze: Once cars enter the WEC, further development is frozen.
• Close Racing: Balance of Performance changes ensure competitive racing.

Interestingly, LMH cars are more akin to pioneering Le Mans efforts of the past, allowing for creativity and innovation. For instance, Peugeot’s 9X8 Hypercar doesn’t even have a rear wing, relying on ground-effect for downforce12.

 

[tommers]

That looks genuinely interesting. I don't really watch F1 or anything but might tune in for this.

I mean, not the whole 24 hours.

 

[weltweit]

There is some detail on the emergence of the Hypercar class here:

Le Mans Hypercar - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[weltweit]

Looks like radio Le Mans will be there as usual .. their web looks quite busy, will have a dig ..

Radio Le Mans – The home of RadioLeMans

radiolemans.co

There are podcasts - countdown to Le Mans .. etc available on their homepage

 

[weltweit]

Apparently all the 2024 Le Mans Hypercar entries have hybrid petrol/electric powertrains.

 

[dessiato]

I'm going to brush up my French because, I'm told, they can struggle to get enough marshals for the event. I need more courses and attendances first though.

 

[weltweit]

Here is a famous named driver.

Valentino Rossi (he off two wheels!) is racing in the team 46 BMW M4 GT3 car

46

Team WRT

BMW M4 GT3

Valentino Rossi Ahmad Al Marthy Maxime Martin

 

[weltweit]

Also Mick Schumacher, son of Michael. in the Hypercar category

36

Alpine Endurance Team

Alpine A424

Nicolas Lapierre Matthieu Vaxiviere Mick Schumacher

 

[weltweit]

I can remember being at the circuit when Michael Schumacher was in a Mercedes, it was immediately apparent just how fast he was, the car absolutely flew round the track.

 

[weltweit]

Ferrari 499P hybrid powertrain: how ERS and 4WD work

If a racing car’s engine is what most excites enthusiasts, the hybrid powertrain of the Ferrari 499P, the Prancing Horse’s Le Mans Hypercar, is no exception.

www.ferrari.com

 

[weltweit]

This is BMW's stunning new Art Car: a V8 hybrid artwork that'll race at Le Mans​

 

[ska invita]

are they all on drugs? serious question

 

[weltweit]

are they all on drugs? serious question

Who, the drivers? or mechanics etc ??

The drivers typically do two hour stints in the car,
a driver can't do more than 14 hours in the race ..

 

[ska invita]

Who, the drivers? or mechanics etc ??

drivers

 

[weltweit]

drivers

Not really, three drivers per car, two hours on, four hours off ..

 

[ska invita]

Not really, three drivers per car, two hours on, four hours off ..

ah okay i didnt know that

 

[weltweit]

ah okay i didnt know that

What quite often happens in the race is that one driver proves much faster and they often double stint .. in the pro am class for example there are professional and amateur drivers on the same team. The pro drivers are typically much faster.

 

[weltweit]

I think this was the presentation of the cars Sunday before the race in Le Mans town centre.

 

[weltweit]

 

[weltweit]

 

[weltweit]

It was an amazing sound, it is an amazing sound and I was trackside when it won!!

 

[weltweit]

Just a note to say that my ancient 13 year old computer seems to to have finally given up the ghost.

So all I have is this phone and I don't think I'm going to be able to follow the race properly.

Shame because I had bean looking forward to it.

 

[weltweit]

 

[weltweit]

Live feed from BMW M4 might work