How we love the sound of diesel racers...

[oldtimer]

OK so we don't, but it may not be too long before we remember fondly the throaty roar of the oil-burners.

As I understand it Audi are developing for Le Mans a dual fuel racer - the R25 - that will run on algae biofuel and an electric motor.  I suppose there would be one benefit if everybody adopted such technology... we might be able to hear Radio Le Mans broadcasts whilst standing next to the track 

[Barry]

The Pugs are beating them to it, the hybrid Peugeot was at Silverstone for the LMS meet.
Might run at LM next year as an unclassified entry.
Presume as the pug was seen at scrutineers at Silverstone the project is fairly well advanced.

[mgmark]

The Pugs are beating them to it, the hybrid Peugeot was at Silverstone for the LMS meet.
Might run at LM next year as an unclassified entry.
Presume as the pug was seen at scrutineers at Silverstone the project is fairly well advanced.

Well advanced to the point of working properly and surprising everyone in the pitlane at Silverstone.  Whooshing down the pit lane on the electric motor to the point of near silence.....intersting stuff here http://www.peugeot-sport.com/908HY/en/, which basically points to a more flexible platform - more power when needed to overtake/accelerate, versus better fuel economy = a more flexible and responsive strategy.  The ACO regs apparently haven't been finalised yet, so yes it will probably run, but it is unlikely to be in the classification - "Invitations for Le Mans might be issued in 2009 to hybrid cars but they will not be classified/earn points".  But as the ACO and Peugoet are French.....

Also of interest, "In the words of A.C.O. President Mr. Jean-Claude Plassart the rules intend to preserve “sportive competitiveness”, “safety improvement through speed reduction” and “cost reductions to ensure the preservation on motorsport” with special accent on environment areas (including noise) and economy of resources consumption. Le Mans also wants to profile itself as the big laboratory of new automotive technologies: hybrids, alternative energies, etc." 

Lots of useful and interesting stuff on the 2009-2011 regs changes at http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/09/13/aco-2009-rules-silverstone-press-conference/. 

It's bound to happen so if you want to mix the best of both worlds, Le Mans = new technology and this for the aural delights of untramelled petrol engines http://www.silverstoneclassic.com/news/news.asp?nid=51.  I know I?'ll be aiming for both next year....
 
MG Mark

[garyfrogeye]

I can imagine it now, five years down the road. You're standing in the Grandstand at the start of the race. 4.00 pm (or whatever time they decide to start it that year). You quietly turn round to your mate and say "this is exciting" and the person in front of you leans back and says "SSSSHHHH, i'm trying to hear the race".
Dreadfull.