The Greatest Race [GTR2]

[Stephen Bailey]

Got any spare parts left?

 

[Kev]

1st Official Practice

Dont Panic Racing's Viper catches a pack of slower cars during first Practice

Don't Panic Racing posted the 29th best time in first practice (5th in Class). Driver Kev was said to be pleased with the time despite being 2 seconds slower than his fastest time on the test day. "With 54 cars on the track for the first time, traffic was a big factor. The speed differential between the classes certainly make for interesting racing." The inexperienced driver commented. "Almost every lap there is something to keep you on your toes, either its catching a group of GT2 cars or watching your back as the LMP1's stroll past."

As the session progressed the Viper looked to be getting more and more dialled into the track but the improvement in laptimes just didn't materialise. At one point the car was stopped on the Mulsanne Straight for some time, Don't Panic Racing refused to comment on what the problem was, but it was believed to have been caused by a loose wire in the cockpit and was resolved by driver Kev on track.

The Viper is passed by the much faster Peugeot on the Mulsanne Straight

When asked how he felt about his prospects Kev replied "The car feels good, we are extremely quick on the straights but are losing too much time in sections like the Porsche Curves. With such a big engine at the front of the car, understeer is inherent and we need to find a way to reduce it otherwise we will be sitting ducks in the final third of the lap, Lack of speed in this section could prove fatal for our race chances. The car is more on the pace of the GT2's in this section. The fastest cars, the Audi's and the Peugeot's aren't a problem, they just cruise up behind me and blast past before I know what has hit me, but other cars like the LMP2's and other GT1's are difficult to deal with, I can't compete with them but equally I can't just pull over and let them past either as any deviation from the ideal line through the section makes for a pretty hairy ride. Hopefully we'll find some improvement in this section, although it may have to come at the expense of some top end speed on the straights."

 

[treva]

Seems a pretty good first run out on track. Don't know a lot about Le Mans, although I have watched bits of it. Hopefully I'll learn a bit about it from this. Good stuff as always Kev!

 

[Kev]

Second Practice

Team Pasty Mucher driver Stevie was spotted leaving the Don't Panic Racing garage prior to the start of the second qualifying session. It is believed that the experience Touring Car driver was invited as a guest after a late sponsorship deal with the West Cornwall Pasty Company was announced by Don't Panic Racing. Rumours that the deal was announced just to supply Driver Kev with food for the weekend were strictly denied by the team.

Whatever Kev and Stevie talked about before the session certainly had an impact on the cars pace. Kev was straight away quicker and set a time of 3:52.119 before a collision with the much Faster Audi of Biela, Pirro and Werner ended any further participation in the session.

Kev was on an even faster lap but a minor mistake on entry into the Porsche Curves saw the Viper take the corner slightly slower and wider than usual. Kev had previously highlighted the pace of the Viper in this section as being problematic and although the car was faster this session the time was mainly being made up in the first third of the lap. Kev was taken to the medical centre after the crash and initial reports suggest a lucky escape for the driver. The mechanics were less lucky and face a long night as the team stuggles to rebuild the car in time for qualifying.

 

[Kev]

Qualifying 1

With driver Kev given the all clear and the car rebuilt Don't Panic Racing made it to the first qualifying session. Traffic was again a problem for the Viper driver and he was only able to manage 6th in class (31st overall). "We could have been quicker, several times I was on a faster lap only to run into traffic problems, but overall I'm happy with the performance of the car. Braking into Dunlop and Tetre Rouge was tricky, with the sun straight in your eyes it was difficult to find the apex but thats endurance racing for you."

Provisional Pole was set by the Number 3 Team Joest Audi, half a second faster than the Number 7 Peugeot with the Number 2 Audi completing the top 3.

 

[treva]

Why did I have to approve this post, Kev?

Anyway, not a bad run, although I guess you were looking for a better time than what you set. It must be very difficult driving with that amount of traffic! I find it hard enough with just me on the track

 

[Stephen Bailey]

Why did I have to approve this post, Kev?

YouTube video.

For those setup tips I demand a West Cornwall Pasty logo somewhere!!!

 

[Kev]

YouTube video.

For those setup tips I demand a West Cornwall Pasty logo somewhere!!!

Don't Panic Racing Defends Sponsorship Policy

Although being new to the pitlane, Don't Panic Racing pulls no punches. When it was suggested that they were not giving a fair deal to the cars sponsors. "The car has been carrying West Cornwall Pasty logos since the sponsorship was announced" a spokesperson for the team rebuked, "The amount of coverage they get is proportional to the Pasties they supply. If they supply more we will certainly consider larger logos. They are tasty pasties afterall!"

Don't Panic Racing's Viper pictured here before Quali 1.

 

[Kev]

Qualifying 2

As night fell at the Circuit de la Sarthe final qualifying began. Don't Panic Racing's Kev finished yet another pasty and set out to improve his time. He was unable to improve his time on his first run, despite being quicker in sectors 1 and 2. For his second run the team made a slight adjustment to the car and Kev was able to find some clear space on the track (something that has proved very tricky thus far). The viper dropped into the 3:50's for the first time in the weekend but was unable to improve after a collision immediately after setting the time.

Times at the sharp end of the grid remained the same with none of the leading LMP1's able to improve on their times in the first qualifying session. Giving Team Joest pride of place come 3pm on Saturday.

 

[Manly]

This story is kick-ass! Keep it going!

 

[Kev]

Race Background - The Classes

The 24h du Mans is essentially 4 races in one as 4 different classes line-up together on the grid. This 4 class structure allows for constant overtaking and on track battles throughout the entire grid. The 4 classes are LMP1, LMP2, GT1 and GT2

LMP1

This is the pinnacle class, mainly manufacturer driven. The race organisers encourage teams to compete with alternative and environmentally friendly concepts.

LMP1's produce between 600 and 700bhp, have a minimum weight of 925kilos, can accelerate from 0-100mph in three seconds and reach top speeds of over 200mph. Fuel tank size is 90 litres for Petrol engines and 81 litres for Diesel powered cars.

The Diesel Powered Audi R10 competes in LMP1

LMP2

These cars are smaller, mainly for the privateers, but nevertheless are still highly sophisticated.

With less horsepower than the LMP1's (between 500-550) however they are significantly lighter as the minimum weight for these cars is 775kilos, allowing them to reach top speeds of between 180-200mph.

The RML Lola competes in LMP2

LMGT1

Based on road cars, these are highly-modified two-wheel drive vehicles capable of producing 600-650bhp and hitting speeds of 180-195mph. The minimum weight is 1125kilos, max fuel tank size for LMGT1 is 100 litres.

Corvette C6R from LMGT1

LMGT2

Unlike their GT1 counterparts LMGT2 cars are only moderately modified. Minimum weight is the same as LMGT1, but LMGT2's have just 450-500bhp allowing top speeds of up to 180mph.

Seikel Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 RSR from LMGT2

 

[Highlander999]

I have a question Kev. In game, are you playing with the gear-box on automatic or manual?

Great stuff mate, really enjoyed that

 

[Kev]

I have a question Kev. In game, are you playing with the gear-box on automatic or manual?

Great stuff mate, really enjoyed that

Manual. Driving with a wheel and pedals.

 

[Kev]

Warm Up

Peugeot topped the times in the morning warm up with the Courage a surprise 3rd fastest. As the Audi's looked a little off the pace.

In LMGT1 Don't Panic Racing managed only 9th in class. "We were mainly concentrating on fine tuning the setup for the race and mostly ran out laps followed immediately by an in lap. We only crossed the line in anger twice" Driver Kev later commented "We also tried something different with the tyre compounds and the experiment didn't really pan out but I'm confident we can run closer to the pace of the class leaders come 4 o'clock".

Team Oreca topped the times for GT1 with the Panoz' of Team LNT again at the head of the field for GT2.

 

[Kev]

Race start - 3pm to 4pm

PS. It took me an entire day to make these videos so comments are most welcome