ACO Regulations for 2007

[AU N EGL]

New 2007 ACO regulations are avaible

http://www.lemans.org/sport/sport/re...4hauto_gb.html

[gwyllion]

Some interesting changes:

3.6.1 - With the exception of the rear wing defined in article 3.6.3, no bodywork or underbody element having a wing profile (*) is permitted :
(*) "Wing profile" : section generated by two arcs with different curves and/or centres joining a leading edge at the front to a trailing edge at the rear, the purpose being to exert an aerodynamic effect, lift or down force.
Are not considered as a wing profiles, the bodywork elements that:

• have a constant thickness,
• have an absolutely symmetrical profile,
• are vertical.

Does this solve the problems of

• Audi R10: see http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsaugust06.html
• new Porsche RS Spyder: see http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsoct06.html

6.5.1 - Whatever the outside ambient temperature and
atmospheric pressure:

• Petrol : 90 litres maximum on board
• Diesel : 81 litres maximum on board

The famous diesel vs petrol rule change.

14.1.9 – Temperature inside the cockpit (Closed cars):
The ambient temperature around the driver must be controlled:

1. Either with an efficient air conditioning system (strongly recommended) which must:
   • Comprise a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducer and an evaporator ;
   • Be described on the homologation form and approved by the ACO ;
   • Maintain the temperature around the driver at 32°C maximum whatever the temperature on the outside when the car is in motion ;
   • Go back down the temperature at 32°C in 8 minutes maximum after a stop of the car.
2. Or with an efficient cockpit ventilation system which must:
   • Maintain the temperature around the driver at a maximum of 12°C above the actual temperature when the car is in motion.
   • Be described on the homologation form and approved by the ACO as well as the thermal insulations to reduce the heat inside the cockpit. The homologated equipment must not be modified. The ventilation can be adjusted by the driver only if the temperature inside the cockpit is below 32°C. If the
     ambient temperature exceeds 32°C, additional effective driver cooling systems homologated by the ACO or by the FIA are mandatory.

A temperature sensor can be fitted inside the cockpit by the organiser at driver’s helmet height to the centreline of the car. The sensor must be shielded from direct draught (to the Scrutineers’ assessment).
A driver suit with improved breathability and complying with FIA 8856-2000 specifications is strongly recommended.
If the temperature around the driver exceed the maximum permitted above (case 1 and case 2), or if the sensor is disconnected, the car will be stopped until the problem is solved.
A driver, who shows at the end of a stint important signs of tiredness, can be examined by the doctor of the organisation. If it is due to the heat stress, the driver will not be allowed to participate again to the race.

This is why Serge Saulnier said Peugeot was not going to use A/C.

ART. 19 – ADJUSTMENT OF THE PERFORMANCE
The ACO wants to maintain the LMP1 on a performance level slightly higher than the one of the LMP2. Consequently adjustments will be carried out at the end of each race season if a variation of less 1.5% is observed on several races between the faster LMP1 and LMP2 (average of the 30 best lap times during the race).
These performance adjustments are exclusively the responsibility of the ACO.

As promised LMP2s should stay away for LMP1s.

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

This is why Serge Saulnier said Peugeot was not going to use A/C.

(The quote tool doesn't seem to like the multi-layered quotes, so I can't quote from the ACO text)

So, what happens at LM when the ambient temps go above 32-deg, does the new Pug have to stop and wait until the weather cools?

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Truckosaurus

So, what happens at LM when the ambient temps go above 32-deg, does the new Pug have to stop and wait until the weather cools?

If the cockpit is well ventallated and these new FIA 8856-2000 driving suits and if they add the COOL Suit or COOL Shirt under the suit the drives well stay very comforable.

If the Pug does not have these added fetures or excellent cockpit cooling and the temps get up above 32-deg, then YES I presume the Stewarts will call them in.

[JAG]

'ART. 19 – ADJUSTMENT OF THE PERFORMANCE
The ACO wants to maintain the LMP1 on a performance level slightly higher than the one of the LMP2. Consequently adjustments will be carried out at the end of each race season if a variation of less 1.5% is observed on several races between the faster LMP1 and LMP2 (average of the 30 best lap times during the race).
These performance adjustments are exclusively the responsibility of the ACO.'

At least we now know how the ACO will judge the pace of cars. They won't make a rash decision based on a single flying lap for example.

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

If the cockpit is well ventallated and these new FIA 8856-2000 driving suits and if they add the COOL Suit or COOL Shirt under the suit the drives well stay very comforable.

Originally Posted by The ACO

additional effective driver cooling systems homologated by the ACO or by the FIA are mandatory

Got you now... I was thinking that the above ACO quote was refering to the aircon system not cool-suits and the like....

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Truckosaurus

Got you now... I was thinking that the above ACO quote was refering to the aircon system not cool-suits and the like....

That is good. Man I would expire with out mine.

130* F in the cockpit sitting on the grid in July and Aug. The Cool suit just bings the body temp right down. Can think much clearer too.

[JAG]

Also noted on DSC, the fuel, petrol AND Diesel, has to be available for sale, i.e. pump fuel (I assume).

Whatever the case, Audi and Peugeot won't be allowed exclusive special brews which should go some way to reducing their performance advantage.

[Bentley03]

Three additional 'spots' from DSC:


1)

5.5.1 - Noise level : The sound emitted from each car must not exceed 113 dbA during the qualifying practices and the race. The measurement will be made at 15 meters from the edge of the track.

This was just monitored in 2006 without any penalties for those who exceeded the limit. It will be enforced in 2007.



2) Both GT classes have been given a reduction in fuel tank capacity from 100 litres to 90 litres.



3)

17.1 - Fuel:
The Organiser will supply only one type of fuel for the gasoline engines and one type of fuel for the diesel engines. They must be available for sale.

The last sentence is interesting. And as DSC point out, what exactly does this mean?

[JAG]

'This was just monitored in 2006 without any penalties for those who exceeded the limit. It will be enforced in 2007.'

I think only Aston had an issue.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

3)The last sentence is interesting. And as DSC point out, what exactly does this mean?

Means that you could go to any Shell "Racing" Fuel retailer and puchase the petrol or Desiel racing blends yourself.

No custom blends for particulat cars. All petrol cars run the same fuel. All desiel powered cars, Pug & Audi run the same desiel blend.

[Bentley03]

Will Peugeot have to use a smaller air restrictor since they're not installing aircon?

[gsmith2424]

With these new regs it really makes running an open top GT car sound not all that bad. The only thing is right now to my knowledge only two cars could easily(not a total redesign of the chassis) be made to open top versions, the Panoz and the Spyker.

[The Real DMN]

True in a sense, but the Spyker's used to be open-top. They re-designed them with closed-top's to try and improve their straight line speed.

[AU N EGL]

The ACO has released revisions to the 2007 LMP 1 & 2 chassis regulations. Perhaps the most interesting are the revisions to Article 3.6.1 governing the elusive "wing shaped bodywork elements". The ACO has been playing extraordinarily loose with this regulations this season in regards to certain silver cars. And it looks as though the stipulations tagged onto 3.6.1 are in direct response to the Porsche RS Spyder that has been presented to the ACO: Are not considered as a wing profiles, the bodywork elements that:
• have a constant thickness,
• have an absolutely symmetrical profile,
• are vertical.
So in one fell swoop the ACO has made legal a car which was certainly very questionable under the 2006 regulations. And sentiment regarding the illegality of the RS Spyder has been universal amongst the Porsche-competitors I've contacted. It would appear the ACO felt the same way...
Additional changes are minor but include a further clarification of the bizarre air condition regulation for closed top LMPs. A small note has been added to the fuel regulation that adds that the fuel (gas or diesel) must be available "for sale". I'm not sure what exactly that means, for sale to the public? Certainly the Audi diesel fuel bore little resemblance to anything you'd ever find on the road...
The 113 Db noise limit will now be enforced.
The 9 liter diesel fuel cell reduction is official (now to 81 liters).
Regarding the rear transverse plates (the rear side structures), if these become detached during the event the car will be stopped in the pits.
Furthermore the ACO has added an Article 19 that states that the intent is for LMP1 to always maintain at least a 1.5% performance advantage over LMP2 and if the case occurs where this isn't happening then they reserve the right to make appropriate adjustments at the end of each season.
The full regulations can be had here.

source: http://www.mulsannescorner.com/news.html

[The Badger]

How will they measure the of temp 32 degrees , since when does a car stop for 8 minutes ? Post race or trouble !!!

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by The Badger

How will they measure the of temp 32 degrees , since when does a car stop for 8 minutes ? Post race or trouble !!!

Telemetry. At any time the cockpit temp gets too 32* car will be pulled in.

[Bob Riebe]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Telemetry. At any time the cockpit temp gets too 32* car will be pulled in.

Boy that sure is going to make for exciting racing.

I wonder when they will send spys around checking on each driver to make sure his actions have been PC 72 hours before the race.
Lordy for the days when ornry pro drivers played bumper cars with rental vehicles or drove them into swimming pools, but that would be men acting like men, and nowadays it seems girly men are more acceptable.

[JAG]

Alphand's Corvette has run an A/C unit all season without issues.

Peugeot used then in their WRC cars.

Wishing to see drivers boil to death seems a little silly.

This is endurance racing, anything that helps drivers stay in tip top condition has to be welcomed.

[Bob Riebe]

Originally Posted by JAG

Alphand's Corvette has run an A/C unit all season without issues.

Peugeot used then in their WRC cars.

Wishing to see drivers boil to death seems a little silly.

This is endurance racing, anything that helps drivers stay in tip top condition has to be welcomed.

It is called freedom of choice; if a driver wants one and does not get it, go somewhere else; if the driver does care if it is there or not, his choice.

Forcing something on professionals, because you think they are little children, which need to be led by the hand and protected, is asinine.
It seems odd to have so little faith in race teams that they would kill their drivers.

Hmm, you muist use air conditioning at the proper setting or die; I never thought reality was so narrow.
Bob

[MulsanneMike]

Originally Posted by Bob Riebe

It is called freedom of choice; if a driver wants one and does not get it, go somewhere else; if the driver does care if it is there or not, his choice.

Forcing something on professionals, because you think they are little children, which need to be led by the hand and protected, is asinine.
It seems odd to have so little faith in race teams that they would kill their drivers.

Hmm, you muist use air conditioning at the proper setting or die; I never thought reality was so narrow.
Bob

Funny, this is about the only area where I'll agree with Bob. I also think it funny how the ACO somehow thinks mid-engined LMPs have cooling issues. Never seem to recall that in the Group C days, certainly nothing like we've seen in the front engined GTs. And naturally they responded as the need arose, Corvette has been running an AC system for some time now, without the ACO telling them to do so...to blanket enforce this seems to only go back to Peugeot running a closed top LMP and all that funny business about diesels coming in way over weight (recall the catergory used to be 900 kgs and the AC regulation was also behind the all up increase across the board of 25 kgs).

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Bob Riebe

It is called freedom of choice; if a driver wants one and does not get it, go somewhere else; if the driver does care if it is there or not, his choice.

Forcing something on professionals, because you think they are little children, which need to be led by the hand and protected, is asinine.
It seems odd to have so little faith in race teams that they would kill their drivers.

Hmm, you muist use air conditioning at the proper setting or die; I never thought reality was so narrow.
Bob

Sorry I disagree! ACO= LeMans=Circuit de le Sarthe= lots of close fan/ public proximity. When the chance for interaction between fans and cars at high speed is possible it is prudent to minimize All Possible contributing factors. Very Very expensive not to. Forcing things on professionals is how safety items are usually introduced into the mix. Most safety items are deemed unnessecary by the participants at the time. Yet they save lives all the time!! If they are going to mandate the use why not make said use productive.
I will grant that there are some other issues in the mix, but that is another kettle of fish!!

L.P.

[The Badger]

Has anyone thought of the wild idea of making it mandatory to race with the window's open , and installing a safety net instead ?

It would certainly help somehow .

[canam]

Originally Posted by Bob Riebe

It is called freedom of choice; if a driver wants one and does not get it, go somewhere else; if the driver does care if it is there or not, his choice.

Forcing something on professionals, because you think they are little children, which need to be led by the hand and protected, is asinine.
It seems odd to have so little faith in race teams that they would kill their drivers.

Hmm, you muist use air conditioning at the proper setting or die; I never thought reality was so narrow.
Bob

Bob, are you going to cover the additional insurance premiums or litigation costs arising out of spectator injury--particularly in the US where rampant lawyerism is an integral part of life (sadly).

The question "why did not the circuit owner, team owner, sanctioning body or driver take action that would have reduced the chances of this accident happening as it is a fact that blah blah blah."

When it is acknowledged that having air con can improve concentration and reduce the chances of exhaustion, any insurer or court of law would require that best practice be followed. It has got very little to do with the driver being comfortable (although in my book that it a real benefit) and more to do with keeping the insurance companies happy.

If may be your right to not have to have air-con, just underwrite the bill and, as I presume you won't, air-con is required.

[The Badger]

Did Keen race for Taurus Motorsports before , in their B2K-10 ?