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Jun 16, 2015 3:03:16 PM
- Spyderidol
- Rennteam Master
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- Loc: Mozambique
- Posts: 5742, Gallery
- Registered on: Apr 25, 2007
- Reply to: apias
Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
apias:Spyderidol:This is one of THE major reasons for the victory. Porsche could do 14 lap stints, but chose to do 13. This meant that there was more fuel left in the tank when they came in for a refuel; thus the shorter time needed to top-up. A very clever strategy and beautifully executed. Hopefully the drivers took the pit crew to dinner.
Wouldn't they just run with less fuel if they were doing shorter stints? Less fuel equals less weight equals the car being faster and still less time to refuel. I would think you'd still want the tank down to nearly empty when you come in, otherwise you are just hauling dead weight around the track for no reason.
You need to be able to do the 14 laps if you need to and one more lap of fuel is not that much weight. You still only refueling the difference, so its the same as just inserting 13 laps of fuel into an empty tank. the difference is you have the strategic flexibility if you want it.
Also- Remember that Porsche did not know for sure what Audi's pace was. They quickly worked out that they would save more time short fueling, than on track.once they discovered Audi's race pace.
Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
fritz:Futch:Personally, I'm happy, I've improved since last year, I was the second fastest gentleman of the race behind Paul (and the Aston is quicker) and compared to my direct competitors I drove almost double what they drove. Dempsey and Basov drove 4 hours, Paul 6 and me 7. It's exhausting, the stress, the tension, the heat, I lost four kg in my first stint, then subsequently it was better.
Wow!
Maybe you could get Weightwatchers to sponsor you for next year's entry.
Hmmm. To avoid misunderstandings, maybe I should have explained that I wasn't suggesting that I think you are overweight. 
I was just thinking in terms of the advertising campaign that Weightwatchers could put on.
They could show you on the podium holding up a cup, with the text under the ad:
"This is Fanch. Thanks to Weightwatchers he managed to lose 4kg in 24 hours".
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fritz
Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
Whoopsy:It's actually pretty amazing that the 919 only uses around 4.5L of fuel per lap, 64 litre tank. That's around 33L/100km. About what I get in my F12, 240km from 80L. It's amazing what the hybrid system can do help the fuel economy part.
#98 Aston crashed right in front of us, it was unreal as we know it was the lead car and by a lot. It was so close for them yet the finish line is so far away. Paul has to be gutted. A slight mental mistake is all it takes.
I have noticed those GTE cars almost always go straight 'behind' the apex for the second last chicane before the front straight, most don't even bother trying to turn and follow the track, they only brake and turn for the last one to get on the front straight. Could be the curbing that threw him off?
Joost, Bjoern, sorry didn't have time to come around and meet up, Porsche has stuff arranged for us pretty much through out the whole 24hrs, they got us pit tours, helicopter rides and brought the drivers and other personal to the hospitality for meet and greet and interviews through out the race. The best part is that Porsche let the execs to drink with us, didn't ask them to stay sober!!
They hosted us at Le Taverne des Arts for the parade so we had a very good view.
One think I regret was that I didn't win a hot lap on board a GT3RS before the race.
I feel terrible for Paul too, he is a top man and quite possible the best gentleman driver in the world today, the man laps the car as quick as some pros and goes to the office on Monday, immense respect.
I still don't know what happened and I'm surprised AM hasn't released anything official yet, Paul is not the kind of driver that makes that sort of mistake, the car just went straight after the first turn!
Worried about Goethe too, had a bif shunt at the ultra fast chicane before the Ford, The P1s were diving on the inside there withough even thinking about us being pushed away in the dirty part of the exit, fuckers.
Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
As I was attached to the PCNA convoy, the +1 if you may, I started the journey with them at the airport Sheraton on Friday.
A quick trip via TGV and we are almost there
As it turned out, traffic was really bad when we arrived and our shuttle to the hotel was no where to be found, as if they forgot about us. There were Porsche media shuttles waiting for media pickup but those were not for us. Being the trouble making Canuck that I am, I insisted on hijacking the media shuttles and all of us made it to the hotel and on time for our next stop for the itinerary. Some poor reporter from who knows where had to wait a while at the train station, didn't care, they didn't pay Porsche a million for a car.
Not taken when we arrived, but much later at night, it is still a impressive effort for a 'temporary' hotel.
The goodies were waiting for us inside our rooms
There was also another black Porsche polo shirt and even Porsche neoprene slippers that wasn't in the frame.
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Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
fritz:fritz:Futch:Personally, I'm happy, I've improved since last year, I was the second fastest gentleman of the race behind Paul (and the Aston is quicker) and compared to my direct competitors I drove almost double what they drove. Dempsey and Basov drove 4 hours, Paul 6 and me 7. It's exhausting, the stress, the tension, the heat, I lost four kg in my first stint, then subsequently it was better.
Wow!
Hmmm. To avoid misunderstandings, maybe I should have explained that I wasn't suggesting that I think you are overweight.
I was just thinking in terms of the advertising campaign that Weightwatchers could put on.
They could show you on the podium holding up a cup, with the text under the ad:
"This is Fanch. Thanks to Weightwatchers he managed to lose 4kg in 24 hours".
Hahaha don't worry I got it Fritz, I'm overweight for racing anyway, you looks at the pros and they're all midgets, or they're tall and they look sick because they're so thin, they must average 6 or 7% bodyweight.
In GTs, they are a couple of bigger guys like Toni Vilander but they are not the norm.
Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
A quick turn around at the hotel and we made it to La Taverne des Arts for the parade. They knew the white car is going to win from the start haha
Sorry I didn't take much pictures from the balcony as my eyes were focused on this thing:
And while Porsche had the booze going upstairs, I did spend some time with these drunks downstairs on the street
The shirt says Gulp The Le Mans Incident 2015
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Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
Didn't eat much at the restaurant, was chatting and drinking, when the time comes to return to the hotel, and once I found out there was no alcohol there, I quickly sneaked a couple bottles of champagne to continue.
Someone else had the same idea and we sat up front and drank till I think 12am or 1am or whatever. Just knew that we were pretty loud and quite a few came out to ask us to keep it down. Sorry Bjoern, it was me that prevent all of you from getting some rest. Another bloke who was drinking with us decided to take a cab and go out for more. More on him later. I woke up the next morning in my bathrobe but naked underneath, I remember taking a shower but don't remember anything else. 
The brave soul that went out, I didn't run into him until late Saturday, he told me he lost his wallet, his jacket that night somewhere. Poor guy.
Anyway, Le Mans 2015, I am here
But first, my fellow 918 owners from the UK made it to the Hotel. There were 2 more on the other side, 6 918s there in total, Porsche and David Donohue was very pleased with the showing. The guys got held up in traffic and missed the start, reason is quite unbelievable, Francois Hollande decided to watch the start at the very last minute and they shut down the motorway.
But the Porsche people weren't too impressed with this setup
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Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
The main Porsche hospitality location, called the Porsche Experience Centre, is a very impressive building
I had to imagine Porsche spent a pretty penny building it, they actually moved the ferris wheel to take over that spot. That kind of spending means Porsche is in it for the long term. Good sign.
Porsche got Chris Tate to be the commentator for the in house broadcast
Many guests come in to talk, here is the original Monsieur Le Mans
Porsche also had 3 driving simulator going in the centre. and yes those are real Porsche seats.
Something unexpected being branded Porsche Classic
At 3pm here we go
This was the order I was hoping they would finish, not quite but close enough
Ferrari is also on my mind too, #83, but Porsche #77 is also someone I cheer for.
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Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
Spent some time walking around the village and check out the scenery, here is a half Lego Porsche
There were other good stuff to look at, like the Nissan Delta Wing car, but my focus was only on Porsche stuff, so no pictures of those :)
Also did a Porsche pit walk,
That thing in the back caught my eye, perhaps it will be the next big thing from Porsche haha
Not suppose to take pictures here but being the rebel that I am, I did anyway. The black thing in the middle were tire ovens, they had 12 in this room and more on the other side of the pit box. They say these works better than the blankets for F1.
Then took a helicopter ride
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Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
Watched the race till very late, was drinking till very late too, didn't want to leave but needed some rest and a good shower.
When I came back to the centre the next morning around 5am, first thing that was given to me was this
Had a look around, plenty of people stayed though the night, same can't be said of the Audi place
Or Toyota, which was empty. those fans doesn't know what it takes to win Le Mans.
Some hardcore fans stayed the night on the cold grand stands that's for sure
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Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
More guests talking at the Porsche Arena, aka interview spot within the Experience Centre, don't think I need to introduce who they are
And this guy
Porsche has taken the lead for good after the Audi mishaps, we are all just waiting for the time to expire, hope nothing goes wrong, so we can celebrate, pretty boring actually until these 2 got lost and appeared. Needless to say they didn't last long in here. But being the good hosts that we are, we still offered them food and drinks.
Everyone is outside watching the finish, waiting for the moment, while inside the staff are getting busy preparing
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Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
I am deeply thankful for Porsche Canada, PCNA, Porsche Motorsports and Porsche AG for the invite and join them at Le Mans this year. (I know you guys are reading 
)
Their hospitality was beyond what I was expecting, they simply blew me away. Nothing else compares.
I sure hope I have the opportunity next year to go back and cheer for them again for a repeat.
@Porsche (See how hard I am trying to blow your horn?)
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Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
Futch,
Congratulations on finishing the race even though you didn't get the podium you wanted. That's why you'll have to go back and try again next year, right? Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. It brings another level to the race that most of us wouldn't have otherwise.
Whoopsy,
Thank you for sharing your pics and experience as well. That looked like a fantastic adventure.
Greg A
Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
Thank you for the pictures Whoopsy, reflects a lot of my experience there. I'll share some from the camping point of view.
Our starting point at Manthey Racing
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2003 BMW M3 CSL (sold) / 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RS / 2013 MINI John Cooper Works GP / 2014 BMW Alpina D3 biturbo Touring
Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
Camped op at the private campsite at Blue Nord, brilliant as ever with hospitality, beer and TV's.
In good annual tradition I provide the group with the best cote de boeuf I can find
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2003 BMW M3 CSL (sold) / 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RS / 2013 MINI John Cooper Works GP / 2014 BMW Alpina D3 biturbo Touring
Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
We then had a huuuuuge thunderstorm hitting us at 2AM on Thursday, sucked at the momeny but only adds to the cameraderie trying to keep the tents up together.
Some more campsite views
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2003 BMW M3 CSL (sold) / 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RS / 2013 MINI John Cooper Works GP / 2014 BMW Alpina D3 biturbo Touring
Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
We made it a point to get to the Hunaudières straight on Saturday night, which isn't easy, but we did and it is brilliant hearing them fly past.
The rest of my pictures unfortunately are entirely unsuitable and not car-related. 
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2003 BMW M3 CSL (sold) / 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RS / 2013 MINI John Cooper Works GP / 2014 BMW Alpina D3 biturbo Touring
Jun 16, 2015 7:37:56 PM
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Super Darius
- Rennteam Moderator
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- Loc: Italy-Como , Italy
- Posts: 4077, Gallery
- Registered on: Apr 7, 2002
- Reply to: Porker
Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
Our campsite:
The neighbours
Another neighbour lovingly polishing his DB5 Superleggera. Quite the car!
Neighbours outside our 'gated community' 
A strategically placed 991RS from Böblingen next to the Boulevard des Italiens
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M3 CSL / Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Touring / RS2 Avant / GT3RS Kermit
Re: 24h of Le Mans 2015
Futch:Thanks Whoopsy and Porker, two very different views of living LM but both awesome. It's great and unique seeing those campsites full of Astons, Ferraris, Porsches, etc!!!
And you provided the 'inside the rope' view first 
Where did you parked the F1? Didn't see it when I was walking around. Was hoping to get a glimpse of it.
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