[LM24] Le Mans top speeds?

[Garrett]

The other day I was comparing the highest trap speeds that LMP's were setting from 1997 to 2005. I noticed that in 97 and 98 the highest speeds were around 200/201mph (322kph) and then in 1999 there were speeds up to 212mph (341kph) to 218mph (351kph) and then from 2000 to 2005 the speeds have stayed around 205mph (329kph) for most cars, excluding the RfH Dome which recorded 211mph (340kph). Why was there a jump in top speeds for 1999??? Was it aero regulations, air restrictors, etc??

[MulsanneMike]

Originally Posted by Garrett

The other day I was comparing the highest trap speeds that LMP's were setting from 1997 to 2005. I noticed that in 97 and 98 the highest speeds were around 200/201mph (322kph) and then in 1999 there were speeds up to 212mph (341kph) to 218mph (351kph) and then from 2000 to 2005 the speeds have stayed around 205mph (329kph) for most cars, excluding the RfH Dome which recorded 211mph (340kph). Why was there a jump in top speeds for 1999??? Was it aero regulations, air restrictors, etc??

Regulations. Following the Mercedes CLR flips at Le Mans in '99, the ACO announced regulations changes for '00 that reduced engine power and curbed speeds. So that's why you see the drop after '99. Prior, in '97 and '98, LMP cars weren't allowed rear diffusers but were in '99 (to bring them in line with GT1 regulations), so that should explain some of the speed, the other comes down simply to the furious pace of development. Figure in '99 you had Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Toyota, Panoz, and Nissan all fielding manufacturer backed efforts. So the development curve got pretty steep in '99 and as a result the speeds went up.

[Garrett]

Since the introduction of diesels to Le Mans, will the diesels be able to run higher top speeds. Do the new aero rules allow for less drad, resulting in higher top end??

While I was at Sebring this year, I overheard some Audi guys talking about the speeds of the Audi and that the top speed of the R10 was higher than the R8. I wonder what the R10's top speeds will be at Le Mans???

[canam]

Originally Posted by Garrett

Since the introduction of diesels to Le Mans, will the diesels be able to run higher top speeds. Do the new aero rules allow for less drad, resulting in higher top end??

While I was at Sebring this year, I overheard some Audi guys talking about the speeds of the Audi and that the top speed of the R10 was higher than the R8. I wonder what the R10's top speeds will be at Le Mans???

LM top speeds are largely governed by outright power and frontal area. While the R10 may have a larger frontal area than the Dome, there is generally a view that the R10 has a lot more power than has been officially stated--although the statements are not truly defiinitive. Some people have even suggested the car could have as much as 750hp. This could suggest a top speed in excess of 340 kph this year--well up on last year's emasculated (but race winning) R8. With a diesel, more fuel generally equals more power. Audi will, therefore, have the flexibility to set their cars up for either fuel economy or pace or one car doing each..