[LM24] Bentley at Le Mans testing?

[Garrett]

With Bentley setting the fatsest Le Mans test time at around a 3'34.00, some four seconds off the factory Audis pace test time of last year, is not as fast as everybody thought it would be. Is this bcause of the 10% horsepower reduction? And for my main question, what was Bentley's top speeds at the Le Mans test session? Any good guesses?

[JAG]

No team seems to have been pushing at the test day although the 10% cut will have affected others more than Bentley who have had lots of development.

I think the 2004 cars with power restored and 'low' downforce bodywork could be as quick as the cars in 2002. The venturies may mean the cars can run a much lower downforce package without the risk of flipping over and still create enough downforce for the rest of the circuit.

[LT4Z28]

I've also read that the new rule about crossing the white lines has affected the lap times too. The Corvette drivers were saying it was costing them 4 seconds a lap.
Matt

[karbon]

whoever made up that white lines rule must be inhaling some white lines. the aco needs to lay off the yae-yo.

[pirenzo]

White lines rule?

[Fab]

Originally posted by pirenzo
White lines rule?

Forbidden to put more than two wheels of the track...

Why this stupid rule ? I think that a lot of tyres problems came from the stones... this rule is done to dodge the 'enthousiastic' thing like 'flat out through the gravel traps'... or ?

[pirenzo]

I suppose it's like at Paddock Hill Bend at Brands. Not allowed to put more than two wheels off the track there. If you did you'd be able to go much quicker round there.
They must have places like Indianapolis and the Esses in mind.

[Mal]

Remember last year there were masses of Blow outs with the Michelin tyres in particular due to the gravel being spread over the circuit. This is presumably the reasoning behind this rule.

[Tim Northcutt]

The stones cutting tires was a huge problem last year...

But instead of putting in a "rule" that will make teams come in for penalties, etc., and screw up the racing, put short rumble strips from the edge of the white line to the inside edge of where each curb ends...

They had teams practically in the grass for years at Indy, tried the "Line Rule" to no avail, and finally put in the strips...cars don't drive on them anymore and if they do, they get off quick...like riding a washboard...