[LM24] Le Mans 2006, who will come out on top?

[SALEEN S7R]

Okay, just been having a discussion with a good friend of mine about who will win Le Mans and decided to see who everyone else here thinks will win Le Mans in 2006. Audi have a new car on the way and will obviously be very quick right from the off, but now Zytek have confirmed that budget is now in place for a new car and will be on the grid for 2006 (see this weeks Autosport magazine) and testing of the new car starts in March. Here is a list of who I feel are the top 10 potential winners, the poll options only allow 10 im afraid so if the car you think will win isnt in the list please tick "other". Personally im going for Zytek to take the win.

[Splendid Cat]

A little premature, given that nobody knows which teams and cars will be on the grid for definite, despite what is reported.

In addition, who knows how new cars will perform?

Perhaps a poll post-Sebring would be more suitable.

[SALEEN S7R]

Why more suitable? That is just a list of potential candiadates. Another poll can be created after the LM test days if someone wants to, im just asking who people think will win at this moment in time, its the end of the 2005 season and now I feel it is appropriate to start speculating on 2006. It will be interesting to see if opinions change post Sebring. IMO, which is why I used the poll, to see who thinks will win now, and how things change in the run up to LM.

[Splendid Cat]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

Why more suitable? .

The definitive entry list is produced after Sebring and I would hate for any forum members to risk RSI induced by over use of a keyboard caused by:

a) Having to re-post when entry list is out
b) Having to re-post after having more understanding of how cars are performing.

Although, I do admit, this response may induce RSI. Ah, the irony of it all

I've just noticed your edit. Great save 'keeper

[jhansen]

Good grief, this is a toss up.

BTW Chris, I doubt we'll see Champion at Le Mans, which is unfortunate considering that they are the defenders.

[SALEEN S7R]

Yeah I wasnt 100% about Champion, but im guessing they will represent Audi in the ALMS with the R10 if anyone does so thought id put their name up too.

[Bentley03]

I shall give Monsieur Pescarolo the nod. He has a years experience with the hybrid under his belt and knows exactly where and how the race was lost in 2005. The car appears to have been built solely to tackle Le Mans and I reckon he'll have a thoroughly sorted and reliable package come June.

[AllonFS]

Should Porsche be added to the poll? Might be interesting to see how many think they could have a real shot at a win.

[LC2guy]

Pescarolo for me. A years experience with the fastest car by far at Le Mans this year.

[tblincoe]

Well this certainly is the most arbitrary poll I've ever come across! I think the better poll would be "who will show up at Le Mans in 2006?"

[Graham Goodwin]

Originally Posted by AllonFS

Should Porsche be added to the poll? Might be interesting to see how many think they could have a real shot at a win.

They've already said they won't enter in 06

[Audi R8R]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

Yeah I wasnt 100% about Champion, but im guessing they will represent Audi in the ALMS with the R10 if anyone does so thought id put their name up too.

What, you mean like Joest did in the US in the first year with the R8...

I'd say Audi will do the same as last time and run only factory cars first, before knowing the R10 (or whatever it will be called) is fleeted out to what are effectively privateers.

[SALEEN S7R]

I was thinking Joest would run in the LMS, and would therefore not want to run another full factory programme in the ALMS as well, so who better to run a works programme than Champion? Saves Audi a big chunk of money and they will gain a lot both in terms of mileage on the car and publicity if the car wins in the ALMS as many expect it to.

[TheNewBob]

I gone for Audi Joest - simply because of previous form. At such an early stage anything could yet happen, the R10 could be an absolute farce, we never know! However, I'm going from past form and I'm going to say with a works Audi on the grid I don't think the rest of the field will have too much of an opportunity to shine. No offence to Audi or anything, but I really do hope I'm proved wrong...

[canam]

Creation had great pace in 2005. Probably led more laps than any other car while being overweight. Third fastest at Le Mans. Horrible luck and no victories. An outsider, I know, but their Hybrid should be pretty good. Just hope they get an entry.

[Foster]

Pescarolo are due for a big win here.

[Bentley03]

Of course the unknown quantity in all of this is the Wiet Huidekoper project which has yet to break cover. But until we know who it's for, the size of budget and the drivers it's hard to gauge how big a threat they could be at Le Mans (assuming an entry).

[Aysedasi]

I voted Pesca. Who knows.

Anyone but Audi would be nice.

[pink69]

You'd have to back the works team. Any team with manufacturer support will have more cash available and after the success of the R8, you can't really bet against Audi coming up with another super fast, reliable car.

[FIRE]

Audi, otherwise Pescarolo (but also another non-Audi winner would be great)

[Dani Filth]

Hope it's Pesca .

[jim69]

I hope it rains the whole 24 hrs. That way RML will have a chance, I might be biased, being a friend of Mike and Thommy. However after thier performance in the wet at Istanbul they have a chance.

[yamato]

Originally Posted by Foster

Pescarolo are due for a big win here.

I'm afraid that Pescarolo wasted his chance this past year. The new LMP1 cars are going to leave the hybrids scratching their heads. I'd think whatever wins, will be a full on new P1, could be Audi, could be a Lola, or even a Courage, or perhaps yet a new Zytec, but not a hybridized P900 or P675. It's just not going to happen.

[TWK]

I agree that any new-rules LMP1 will be decidedly faster. If there are enough of them to be sure that one or more finishes, the winner will likely come from that group.

[nobster]

For me there are too many questions right now, who will be entering what car.
If RFH can get hold of a good car for next year then who knows, they have shown that they're a good team who can get results with a small budget.

For GT2 I think Spyker will show next year that you can beat Porsche in 24 hour races as well. That car is getting better all the time, we really need two of those machines on the grid next year.