[LM24] Le Mans laps and lap times

[Garrett]

With the new rules and regulations coming in for the 2004 Le Mans 24 Hours with the current track set up, is it possiable to see a car cover 380 or more laps? and run a qualification time of a 3m21s and a 3m27s for the fastest race lap in the future?

[JAG]

The 3,21 lap is from 1992 when the track was about 3 seconds quicker than now so thats unlikely to be beat, set with a special qualifying car, unlike Audi and Bentley.

I think the best qualifying times in 2004 will be around 3,32 range, maybe a little more. With development as always the times will come down.

The ACOs said they don't want cars to be much quicker than 3,29, so if they get down to say 3,26 they are likely to be slowed. Luckily however the ACO seem to be listening to fans and drivers, and any slowing of the cars in the future will be through changes to aerodynamics rather than reducing power. Hence the 10% increase in power for 2004 with less downforce and more drag.

I think the total laps record will be broken as the current cars are able to lap closer to there qualiying time with each passing year. Although the Group C cars, particulaly the last generation 905 were very quick in qualifying, they were much, much slower in race trim.

I think the biggest gains in the coming years will be in the GTS class with the new generation of cars dipping well below 3,50 IMO.

I think most top level formulas have now reach there limit in terms of speed and the governing bodies just tweek the regs to keep the cars at there current speeds.
Even F1 is inline for a major regs overhall to reduce engine size/power, and cut downforce/grip significantly.

These changes are needed to enable the designers to keep pushing the performance envelope and making the cars ever more efficiant and quicker. Afterall who wants a spec series like NASCAR or DPs.