[LM24 Race] The 80th 24 Hours of Le Mans - Talk Thread

[JasonM3]

Although this particular part of the forum this thread is on is dedicated to this topic entirely, I would like to start a more generalized thread about the 80th 24 Hours of Le Mans. There are prediction threads, camping threads, and behind the scenes threads, but wouldn't it be easier if we sort of bring all our ideas together and chat about what the race will be like. Let's please stick to the official practice, qualifying, and race subjects and not about other, unrelated things unless it is prudent to the conversation.

I am new at this forum (just joined today) and wanted to start talking more readily about racing. By going on this forum, I open up my access to talking to equally or more educated racing fans than myself. So I hope some people respond and let's have a good old time predicting, talking, and posting the latest bits of news for this thread.

A note to the moderators - if this is too general, don't hesitate to delete it. Just please email me and tell me why; was it too general or did it not comply with the rules, etc. Feel free to move it to a different place if this isn't the right one, as well, though I feel like this is the best place to put this thread.

Let's start out by posing the question: what do you think will happen in GTE throughout the weekend. Also, I feel like FIA has been way too strict about Amateur drivers. Christoffer Nygaard, Allan Simonsen, Gianluca Roda, Christian Ried, Paolo Ruberti, Abdulaziz al Faisal... amateur?! And Roger Wills and Jonny Cocker... pro?!

People have been saying that Aston Martin is just too unreliable. Yeah, last year was, no doubt, a complete and utter , but what about 2005-2008 in GT1 and some good performances in the Vantages. I think it is a bit of a stereotype nowadays, not helped by AMR's woes in 2011. And what about the damn near flawless performance in Sebring this year, putting them 3rd in class? Granted, they had a rough go of things at Spa, but what about that pole? I've usually been a big Corvette fan, but I'd really like to see Aston Martin win this year. I wouldn't discount #99 AMR for GTE-Am, either, but I say #88 Porsche will win on that one.

What do you see as far as the future of GTE? I see a couple of things that could be possible.

1. Prospeed Competition getting a car for GTE Pro, with Goossens and someone like Maxime Soulet, Rene Rast, or Marc Hennerici.
2. Mike Parisy getting a ride at IMSA Performance Matmut and maybe having the #76 in it next year.
3. The #98 AMR race in 2013 after resigning from the reserves this year. I see Rob Bell, Tomas Enge, and Sean-Paul Breslin for that one.
4. Two of the vicious Dodge SRT Viper GTS-R's in 2013: #91 and #93, driven by Ryan Hunter-Reay, Kuno Wittmer, Goossens (if Prospeed Pro entry doesn't work out), Boris Said, Peter Kox, and Burt Longin. A host of other drivers could fullfil this spot.
5. Another JMW car with the likes of Sean-Paul Breslin, Tim Sugden, Xavier Maassen, Rob Bell, etc.
6. BMW coming back to Le Mans
7. Spyker Squadron returning
8. Alex Job #23 ALMS Lotus with Townsend Bell and a couple others.

For this year, I think we've got a battle between these 8 GTE Pros: #51 Ferrari, #97 Aston Martin, #73 Corvette, #74 Corvette, #59 Ferrari, #77 Porsche, #80 Porsche, and the #71 Ferrari. That's all of them but the JMW Ferrari, also known as the "moving construction zone".

I'm interested to see the pace of Toyota, but Audi have basically been spoon-fed the win. I think the Dome #17 will be pretty fast, but not reliable at all.

Anyway, quote, respond, discuss, and banter. And don't forget to enjoy! I may be working on a spotter guide and a general guide like Stephen.