DanG Posted June 22, 2013 Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 Anyone watching or got any interest? I know it goes on a bit... Sad to see a fatality on lap 3. Hope there are no more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted June 22, 2013 Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 Keep dipping into the live timing at 24-lemans.com - Live timing After such a horrible crash and Allan Simonsen's death I'm feeling slightly less sad than usual that I'm not there and just sad for his family and friends and the team. I'm not really an AMR fan, in other circumstances I'd be cheering for a debut victory for the 991 RSR, but it would fitting if the Astons could hold on to a class 1-2 finish. As for the main race, it's Audi pace and reliability against the slightly more frugal Toyotas - 11 laps versus 12 laps per stint means the Audis will need to pit three more times for fuel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted June 22, 2013 Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 I used to love Le Mans - but it seems to have lost something these days - probably because you have Audi miles ahead of Toyota, who are miles ahead of those running 'customer' cars. Then you have the depleted GT field, because nobody can agree on unification of the GT3 / GTE rules. It would be fantastic to go back to the days where you could buy a Porsche from the factory and mix it with the big boys - but I suspect that's unlikely to ever happen again. It hasn't stopped me watching it for the last 4 or 5 hours, though! I don't think I've ever seen so many safety cars in the first few hours, either. The death is an odd one - it was a big smash, but it didn't look like a life threatening smash - so I wonder if other medical conditions kicked in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted June 22, 2013 Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 My thoughts are with Simonsen's family, and also with the marshals and medics who looked after him. Never forget the marshals. They are the guys who wait outside all day and then run towards anything dangerous. Most are unpaid volunteers (although probably not at LM). Top blokes, all of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted June 22, 2013 Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 The death is an odd one - it was a big smash, but it didn't look like a life threatening smash - so I wonder if other medical conditions kicked in? I think it's just one of those horrible things with motorsport crashes. So many G forces at work, so many variables, fatal crashes often seem no worse than many others. I guess we should just be grateful that they have become so rare. And, of course, examine the circumstances to find out what happened and whether any safety improvements are appropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted June 22, 2013 Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 Most are unpaid volunteers (although probably not at LM). As far as I know they're unpaid volunteers at LM too. In fact there'll be a fair few there who have helped keep you safe. Edited to add: That wasn't intended to suggest you've had more interaction with marshals than most. Honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted June 22, 2013 Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 Don't those hybrids sound strange? Nothing wrong with it - but it's just really odd hearing the engine cut and the whine of the regeneration system under braking. Looks like it could be an interesting race for positions 2-3-4. Wonder how close the No.1 Audi can get to the leading pack now it's back out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted June 22, 2013 Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 It didn't look that bad a crash but then he did go straight into un-protected Armco and that is never a good thing to do, the deceleration of his squash must have been significant to say the least. I remember standing at Knickerbrook at Oulton Park watching three formula Fords side by side racing up the hill for one to spear right and hit the barrier. On the way home I heard he had died on the way to the hospital, again no protection and the sudden deceleration killed him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted June 22, 2013 Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 Knickerbrook used to be a really bad accident hot spot - Paul Warwick lost his life there - I saw Ivan Muller have a big one there, too - and isn't that where a BTCC car landed in the crowd? (As a slight aside - Muller's a lucky git - Justine in the pits is apparently his other half) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted June 22, 2013 Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 The accident was after Knickerbrook it was on the way up the hill after the corner before the bridge. And I think that crash was along the back straight before deers leap if my memory servers be correctly... ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanG Posted June 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Q623g1mKpdE It doesn't even look that quick, but clearly he gets on a damp bit of curbing and the back end breaks free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Very 'snappy', those Astons - they've just lost their class leading car to a similar 'snap' - but fortunately the driver walked away from it. Gutted for them, as they really want this win - as does Allan Simonsen's family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Aston spun out. Team are looking quite understandably gutted. Such an emotional weekend for those guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 There's a bit of an echo in here. :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanG Posted June 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Hammering down now, cars off all over the place - safety car, again. Watch here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/interactive/2013/jun/20/le-mans-24-hours-live-stream Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 (edited) My day is complete - the Morgan-Nissan team have a Belgian driver called Bertrand Baguette. Edited June 23, 2013 by Twinspark Spelling muppetry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Looks like he rose to the challenge. Deserves a week or so of loafing around after the rigours of LM24. No more half baked puns, I promise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 I don't think I've ever watched it with so many safety cars, nearly every time I turned it on they were going round in a procession. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinspark Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Sadly, I think that, after the death of a driver, they were always going to play it very safe. Absolutely gutted for the Aston team. I really wanted them to take that class win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Anyone who went this year, what was it like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanG Posted June 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Bazza went i think... Next year is Classic Le Mans.... Like Le Mans, but with older cars and more beards - its the better one to go to IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Next year Dan? I'm looking forward for Porsche to return, it would be nice to see them challenging Audi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Bazza went i think...Next year is Classic Le Mans.... Like Le Mans, but with older cars and more beards - its the better one to go to IMO. Yup, got back yesterday evening - went with some of the Edinburgh gang, uni mates, Jimbo and Smudge from here. Pincher was also down but didn't manage to catch up with him. Tragic about Simonsen but some lovely words on the podium from TK and the other drivers at the end of the race. Will pop up a thread as had a very good time despite the weather - mainly thanks to Strakka Racing who came good with some pit/paddock passes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Yup, got back yesterday evening ... had a very good time ... pit/paddock passes [email protected]. Did you catch up with Rebecca? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 [email protected]. Did you catch up with Rebecca? yes, saw her a few times around the paddock and in the Nismo Live Lounge where we went in to see her presenting for Nismo.tv with Ed Leigh (from Ski Sunday) though I didn't recognise him at first with a smart haircut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.