The Le Mans 24 Heures

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John Clarke
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The Le Mans 24 Heures

#1 Post by John Clarke »

Hi all
It's that time of year again guys! The Le Mans 24 Hrs . Don't forget to listen in to Radio Le Mans or watch on the net, An amazing week/ weekend.
Sad I can't be there again, this is the second I've had to miss it! They are qualifying at the moment. Not to be missed. Porsche will be right up there.
Cheers Jay
 

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Neil Bardsley
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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#2 Post by Neil Bardsley »

I will be following but Porsche have their work cut out for them. Toyota are flying! The GT class looks very close

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John Hearn
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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#3 Post by John Hearn »

Currently sitting in the Porsche Paddock hospitality at Le Mans.
Toyota have qualified 1st and 2nd then Porsche Nr 1 with Porsche Nr 2 alongside.
The weather is in the 80's and promisses to be that in the race which starts 15.00 CET
Follow the race on Radio Le Mans.com and what ever TV station has a live feed.
This in my 37th consecutive Le Mans.... Sunday will see a "hatrick" Porsche win or the first for Toyota.
With Takuma Sato winning at Indy who know this cound be Japan's year. Either way history will be made.
And GTE pro will be a very hard race, 911RSR against Ferrari, Corvette, Aston Martin and last years winner Ford with the GT.
KTF
Now pass me another cold bier......
John

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John Clarke
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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#4 Post by John Clarke »

John, I hate You! Porsche hospitality.
I'm only a 'newbie' and have only been going each year since 2001.
I've never had access all areas, but it takes nothing away from the atmosphere of this amazing race, starting on the Sunday a week before the race! I think we met one year 'through the fence' I believe You had all access with your cameras. Have a fantastic time down there this weekend and a beer for me. Everyone remember, this is an endurance race so grid positions are less important,
It's the 'last man standing' Do remember last year!
Kind regards
Jay
 

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John Hearn
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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#5 Post by John Hearn »

It's 3.00Sunday morning half the race to go........
The Porsche 919 number 1 is in first place. And number 2 is 16th having stopped for just short of a hour to have the front axle/drive unit replaced.
Two of the Toyota's expired just after midnight.
The third Toyota is in 46th place after problems.
The GT class is very competitive with Aston,Ferrari,Porsche, Ford and Corvette changing places at the blink of an eye.
Lets see what happens before dawn....
KTF
John

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David Lawrence
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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#6 Post by David Lawrence »

Porsche Wins High Drama 24 Hours of Le Mans

When the No. 2 Porsche was pushed back into the garage a mere three and a half hours into the race, the assumption was an opportunity for victory was gone; that assumption, like most that happen at Le Mans, was dead wrong.
http://www.lemans.org/en/News/porsche-w ... mans/47023

Full results here: http://www.lemans.org/en/24-hours-of-le-mans
David Lawrence #1087
'64 C Cabriolet (Signal Red/Black Leather)

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John Hearn
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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#7 Post by John Hearn »

Sitting in the Porsche Paddock hospitality having a Radler (that's Bier and lemonade) after and unbelievable race.
If you thought last Year was Hollywood, this year was Bollywood!!!
Porsche number 2 earned a very hard fought win, coming from a virtual last place after 3.5 hours racing to take the lead with an hour to go. Porsche number 1 stopped with a healthy 8 lap lead three hours before the finish.
This was my 37th consecutive Le Mans, I have seen many things over the years including last years suprise victory, but this year could be described as a fairy tale end to the greatest race in the World.
What will happen in 2018..........
Put it on your "Bucket list" and next year there is Le Mans Classic in July........
KTF and pass me another Bier this can't be real!!!!! I must be dreaming............
John

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John Hearn
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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#8 Post by John Hearn »

I have just been sent the following image from California....
That's me on the right, I was not a dream.....
I am awake !!!
KTF
John
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That's me on the right
That's me on the right

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Jonathan Halpern
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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#9 Post by Jonathan Halpern »

I watched all 24 hours. Pretty amazing. The Vette vs the Aston on the final lap was incredible. Truly a not over till its over event. I was rooting for #91, I'm still wondering what went wrong with that fresh set of tires that had him right back in the pit for another set. The cockpit sound of the 911 RSR was awesome.

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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#10 Post by John Hearn »

Yes the Corvette, Aston battle was pretty amazing.
I was disappointed it went the "wrong" way. The crew chief on vette 63 is a 356 guy.
I bumped into him in the pitlane Monday morning and offered my condolences.
He just gave me a big smile and said that's racing, he would not have it any other way.
After 24 hours hard racing they ended up Aston 1st and the Corvette 3rd.
They will be back.....
KTF
John

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Jonathan Halpern
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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#11 Post by Jonathan Halpern »

The Aston's did so well overall besides that one tire blowout. The Vette's kept it more discreet, always not far behind and quite uneventful, a positive in Le Mans I suppose. Watching it live on TV, you got the feeling the Vette's and Ford GT's were just not going to be the ones, maybe that was in my mind. The whole race it just felt like Porsche vs. Aston, I'm not sure if it felt that way on the ground there.
The crew chief is a 356 guy! How awesome is that. His interview was great, confident, calm and with a feeling of wisdom. Somehow they miscalculated the fuel needs of the Aston, he was quite confident Aston would need a pit stop right near the end taking them out of it.
Looking forward to watching the 2018!

Jonathan

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John Hearn
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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#12 Post by John Hearn »

Jonathan
Just to make it clear each car has a crew cheif, car 63's is Dan Binks.
The person I believe you saw on TV is probably Doug Feahan, Program Manager for Corvette racing at GM
Here is a link to a book about Dan.

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7567967.Dan_Binks
KTF
John

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Jonathan Halpern
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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#13 Post by Jonathan Halpern »

Thanks for the clarification, John. Yes, you're correct. Thanks for the link!

Jonathan

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Jim Nelson
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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#14 Post by Jim Nelson »

The winning car, a week later, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. They don't clean the winners, so this is as it finished:
IMG_3328.JPG

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Re: The Le Mans 24 Heures

#15 Post by John Hearn »

Not only do they not clean the winners bodywork they actually preserve the dirt with a coat of varnish!
This photograph is of last years winner at the Porsche experiance centre at Le Mans circuit this year.
They have even preserved the blue celebration confetti that was stuck to the car with the sprayed Champagne!!
KTF
John
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