Club Arnage

We appear to be at the beginning of a new era of racing where winning outright at Le Mans no longer depends upon what fuel is used but rather what hybrid technology approach is used.

It also looks like the race is wide open and that any of the three protagonists could take the prize.

The question is who will win and why. 

Will it be the Audi, who have a slick operation but who might have got a bit set in their ways and lost some of their hunger, Toyota who are obviously coming onto full form following their result at Spa or Porsche who have the budget and might think that the prize should be theirs just because of their history.

Views?

Aricus

It's too close to call IMO.  

Audi have their strengths - efficiency, knowledge, some speed but not the outright pace, reliability.

Toyota have really grown into the series - their car is extremely fast, and so far reliable - but 6 hours is different to 24 - if it stays together, I think they'll win.

Porsche were blindingly quick on certain corners at Silverstone and Spa - but reliability has to be their potential issue.  They're also not QUITE up to speed with the team side of pit stops etc - but I suspect this will be ironed out by the time we hit the big race.

Overall, I think any of the three manufacturers could win it - for me though, it's likely to be Toyota, Audi, Porsche based on previous races.

I love the fact that it's too close to call!

I will go for Toyota. Toyota and Porche are running the 6mj boost meaning they should have a 1.6 second a lap advantage over the Audi which is running the 2mj boost. Should also be able to go a lap longer.

Toyota!

I'm going to say Audi. I just have a feeling at least one of their cars will tramp round steadily for the 24hours and the race will come to them through faults and break downs with the other teams. That and I always get the impression they hold a little back in reserve before Le Mans and unleash it in quali.

My heart says Porsche
My head says Toyota
Dr Ullrich says Audi

I'm Hoping the 3 main teams run themselves into the ground and rebellion sneak up and win.

But in reality, Audi have turned up before with the slower car & triumphed so i suspect they will be a hard team to beat in the race, having three cars will prove decisive as well i think.

I expect a battle for pole, Porsche will want the bragging rights and Toyota know they have a have a fast package so will expect to claim pole. so assuming its dry for q then it could be mega laps!



 

I think the dreaded weather could have a big influence on the race too, A dry race will suit both Toyota and Porsche more but as we saw back in 08 when the pugs had nearly 3 seconds a lap over the Audi's but then the rains came and we all got soaked to the skin but the Audi triumphed. So watch out for Dr Ulrich doing his rain dance.

PS I also remember the peugeot's desperately changing noses and wing sections to try and cope with the rain.

Porsche will probably be on pole, they've got the speed to beat Toyota and Audi and will probably try everything to get pole position.
For the race, I'd put my money on Toyota this year.  They've won both WEC races so far and seem to have a good package; fast and reliable.  Off course, it won't be easy to beat Audi although they don't seem to have the fastest car, but on reliability they always have a chance of winning it.  

It should be a great one this year with Toyota coming to LM with a winning package, Audi counting on reliability, and Porsche wanting to have a comeback in style.

Nissan ZEOD  >:D

This all the way

Porsche.

Anyone see some of the facts from the test day, Looks like Toyota were sandbagging the car quite a lot see link (http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsmay14.html) that on the quickest lap they only did <300kmh thru the speed trap yet on an in lap they did 336kmh.
The Toyota looks 100% the car to beat if they have overcome their reliability issues of previous years !

Audi. Anyone who thinks Audi have lost their hunger have forgotten that Dr Ulrich would still chop his own kidneys out mid race if it resulted in a win. Never underestimate the Doc.

It is us the FANS who are the winners.

Can't argue with that. But the fact that Audi can run an extra car always gives them strength in depth the other teams lack. The LM steamroller factory teams have always dealt in numbers - Ford in the '60s, Porsche in 1970/1 etc etc so that when the accidents happen they still have another card in their deck.

Toyota would be popular with many. Porsche might seem a bit ominous for the future. But Audi will take some beating in a fair fight.

I note the latest weather forecast here suggests some rain both days, so bring yer wellies.....