PROTOTYP.
Le Mans 2004
Le Mans 2004
New regulations are coming which means 2004 and 2005 are transitional years, phasing out the grid of first-generation, flat-bottom LMP cars over safety concerns about their tendency of blow-overs and back-flips. A "hybrid" set of rules allows existing cars to be adapted in the interim, while any all-new cars need to be on the new spec.
No manufacturer fields a factory team this year.
Cadillac and Chrysler are long gone. Panoz’ LMP1 roadster is done, but he enters a resurrected version of his original late-90’s closed-top GTP coupe before moving on to the GT class. Bentley is out as well, their program had achieved its ultimate goal of overall victory at Le Mans.
Audi leaves the racing to a brace of customer teams running the increasingly regulated but still adaptable R8. New "hybrid spec" rules slim the rear wings to cut downforce, and restrictors attempt to strangle the mighty twin-turbo V8. Minor revisions to the adapt the R8 to these challenges ensure it’s faster than ever. The race largely plays out as a scuffle amongst the Audis.
From the UK, Rollcentre bring the Dallara back to Le Mans after a year hiatus. The mighty Lister Storm LMP returns with Essex sponsorship. Team Kondo’s Advan-sponsored Dome S101 is essentially unchanged from last year.
Pescarolo continues to evolve his cars, now only loosely based on the Courage C60 chassis. He’s made the switch from Peugeot power to Judd.
Follow along as I retrace the important and interesting prototypes of the Le Mans "LMP" era and the story of Audi's legacy. #legolemans
Le Mans 2004
Le Mans 2004
New regulations are coming which means 2004 and 2005 are transitional years, phasing out the grid of first-generation, flat-bottom LMP cars over safety concerns about their tendency of blow-overs and back-flips. A "hybrid" set of rules allows existing cars to be adapted in the interim, while any all-new cars need to be on the new spec.
No manufacturer fields a factory team this year.
Cadillac and Chrysler are long gone. Panoz’ LMP1 roadster is done, but he enters a resurrected version of his original late-90’s closed-top GTP coupe before moving on to the GT class. Bentley is out as well, their program had achieved its ultimate goal of overall victory at Le Mans.
Audi leaves the racing to a brace of customer teams running the increasingly regulated but still adaptable R8. New "hybrid spec" rules slim the rear wings to cut downforce, and restrictors attempt to strangle the mighty twin-turbo V8. Minor revisions to the adapt the R8 to these challenges ensure it’s faster than ever. The race largely plays out as a scuffle amongst the Audis.
From the UK, Rollcentre bring the Dallara back to Le Mans after a year hiatus. The mighty Lister Storm LMP returns with Essex sponsorship. Team Kondo’s Advan-sponsored Dome S101 is essentially unchanged from last year.
Pescarolo continues to evolve his cars, now only loosely based on the Courage C60 chassis. He’s made the switch from Peugeot power to Judd.
Follow along as I retrace the important and interesting prototypes of the Le Mans "LMP" era and the story of Audi's legacy. #legolemans