[WEC Race] 2016 FIA WEC 6 Hours of Bahrain - Race Thread

[J Jay]

So we arrive at the end of the 2016 season, as the WEC prepares to see off (amongst others) Audi as a factory team and LMP2 as an open category. But for a season that seems to have been dominated by off-track events, the last race of the year should still have plenty to offer.

Will Audi end their involvement in LMP1 with a victory? Will Toyota's #6 have one last hurrah and steal the driver's title from the expectant #2 Porsche? Will Signatech hold their nerve and make it over the line to formally take LMP2 honours? Which manufacturer will finally emerge victorious in the three-way fight for GTE-Pro? Will there be whining about BoP...

... I think we know the answer to this one already.

Schedule

Countdown

• Free Practice 1
• Free Practice 2
• Free Practice 3
• Qualifying
• Race

Circuit Map

Spotter's Guide

Weather Forecast

Radio Le Mans (Audio)[/COLOR]

Live Timing & Streaming (Paid)

Bahrain FRC

And finally,

Roses are red, violets are blue
Hopefully my ability to find a free stream is better than my poetry

[chernaudi]

Someone needs to pin this thread. BTW, this is one reason why I hate the fuel flow regs. All the fast cars in LMP1 have speed though the speed trap below like 275kmph. We know that LMP1Hs are easily capable of going faster than that if not for the lift and coast BS.

In 2013 they were running similar lap times to FP1, but were 15-25kmph faster though the speed traps.

[TF110]

Better acceleration nowadays. I think next year as the efficiency climbs, they'll get faster on the straights. Porsche #2 up front so far through practice.

[Articus]

Why are the GTE Pro Astons on another planet?

[Ephaeton]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

In 2013 they were running similar lap times to FP1, but were 15-25kmph faster though the speed traps.

And that's why I love the fuel (flow and limit) regs. Hope they keep maintaining pace even facing further reductions.

[Ephaeton]

Originally Posted by Articus

Why are the GTE Pro Astons on another planet?

Aren't they using a different car for 2017? Maybe they've decided to turn it up to 10/10s, not 8.88 or 9.11 or whatever the teams' statisticians have calculated it most likely all others will drive at. Who cares for BoP for an obsolete car?
Frankly though, I don't know.

[Ferrari333SP]

Impressive pole by Audi

[bentley speed 8]

Originally Posted by Articus

Why are the GTE Pro Astons on another planet?

Maybe they were sandbagging during the last race so that they didn't get hit with another BoP change.

Anyway nice final pole for the Audi

[TF110]

Too bad for the #6 Toyota having that 1:39.3 deleted. I think that lap by Conway would have put them third.

[canaglia]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Someone needs to pin this thread. BTW, this is one reason why I hate the fuel flow regs. All the fast cars in LMP1 have speed though the speed trap below like 275kmph. We know that LMP1Hs are easily capable of going faster than that if not for the lift and coast BS.

In 2013 they were running similar lap times to FP1, but were 15-25kmph faster though the speed traps.

because ST is at the end of main straight and LMP1H are in lift off; last year during an onboard mark webber hit over >310km/h across the finish line

[chernaudi]

I just wish that, among other things, that the speeds though the speed traps represent something close to their top speeds instead of how fast they go when they lift and coast. Otherwise, what's the point of the speed traps?

[J Jay]

To measure the top speeds of any non-hybrid car, of which there are quite a few in this race. The issue is further complicated by the three cars not using the same energy strategies round the lap, so common speed traps are basically pointless for them as they will all reach their top speeds at different points.

LMP1-H are the exception in the way they make the lap times, almost all other cars follow the general convention of hitting their top speeds where before the braking zone of the longest straight ... which is where the speeds traps have typically been set since whenever they started being used.

[chernaudi]

For LMP1H though why use trap speeds to determine top speeds for stats sake? Might as well try and get the onboard telemetry feeds from the ACO.

[J Jay]

I agree. Good luck convincing the ACO of the same though...

[Hiro]

I think Toyotas are as quick as at least Porsche considering how their lap deletion affected their qualifying.

[Lanky Turtle]

Is anyone in the U.S. watching this on cable? All year they have showed the entire 6 hour races between FS1 and FS2 but this race they are only showing one hour. Is it the first hour, the last hour, an hour in the middle? I don't know.

[Ferrari333SP]

I'll be waitin' for that VLC link in the mornin'

[TF110]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

For LMP1H though why use trap speeds to determine top speeds for stats sake? Might as well try and get the onboard telemetry feeds from the ACO.

Originally Posted by J Jay

I agree. Good luck convincing the ACO of the same though...

Funny seeing this, the wec posted this video on youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQVIYxmEnGk it's an onboard with the #6 Toyota. It's 'only' topping out at 285kmh on the straight.

[JoeW04]

Audi to be a given a special formation lap where they will both head the field and fall into position at the end of the lap

[J Jay]

Dr. Ullrich almost in tears as Toyota pass their signed banner along.

[Osella]

Anyone else experience picture dropping out while sound continues on motors tv?

[Akrapovic]

Another beautiful display of sporting class between the P1 teams. It's great to see.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by Osella

Anyone else experience picture dropping out while sound continues on motors tv?

Yes, I'm hoping it's the grid cameras. No it's not just the grid cameras, still breaking up.

[gert]

yes. back home just in time

hoping for a great race.

Nice gesture to put the Audi's at the front for a full lap.

[Akrapovic]

A goodbye from the race director. Never seen that coming.