The never ending Toyota return to Le Mans (LMP1) Saga

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by DeathOrGlory

The fuel rigs are gravity fed?

Yes they are, each team gets a catch tank on the pit gantry and the hose has a gravity feed to the car (which is why teams also need a vent hose for refuelling, the fuel is not under pressure like in the fuel rigs that they used to use in F1).

[The Badger]

You can change the refueling nozzle side , by swopping the internals . Change the nozzle with the overfill valves .

[gwyllion]

The 2012 R18 can only be fueled from right side:


The 2011 monocoque did have a hole on left side:

source: http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsnov11.html

The Toyota TS030 can be fueled from both side.

Silverstone:

Sao Paulo:

[TF110]

Yes, you can see the hole is 'sealed' on the right side of the car in this picture-

and this one-

[chernaudi]

Is it me, or does the TS030 only run on electric power on pit road for very limited time periods? On an onboard from Le Mans, the Toyota went in to the pits while still running on the gasoline engine and it only shut off after the car got though the curves into pit in. Also, a few seconds after take off, the engine fired up again.

It seems that the electric power isn't controlled by the pit road speed limiter, but there's some other mechanism that trips it on and off. Could also explain why the #7 at LM was stuck at the end of pit road--hyrbrid system cut off, engine fired, and then the engine for whatever reason cut out near pit out.

Also interesting to note that TMG's current president was a mechanic on the TS010 that won at Monza in 1992, which was Toyota's last major WSC/WEC win until Brazil last weekend.

[aneesh99]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Also interesting to note that TMG's current president was a mechanic on the TS010 that won at Monza in 1992, which was Toyota's last major WSC/WEC win until Brazil last weekend.

Engineer (not mechanic) for that awesome V10

[TF110]

He's not just the President for TMG, he's also General manager of Toyota's motorsport division. He's come a long way. This is something Toyota 'family' is known for.

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

I just found pictures from Sao Paulo to confirm my theory.

Excellent, thanks for that!

So, in theory, the Toyota will again be at a disadvantage in Bahrain, assuming your theory is indeed correct (and I'm not doubting you for a moment). Something to look out for.

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by TF110

He's not just the President for TMG, he's also General manager of Toyota's motorsport division. He's come a long way. This is something Toyota 'family' is known for.

I met him very briefly at Le Mans. Charming man, all smiles and a great ambassador for Toyota. He clearly has HUGE enthusiasm for this programme and was loving every minute of his return to Le Mans.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

Excellent, thanks for that!

So, in theory, the Toyota will again be at a disadvantage in Bahrain, assuming your theory is indeed correct (and I'm not doubting you for a moment). Something to look out for.

I thought it was fairly simple to switch which side fueling takes place on. So maybe Toyota puts the fuel fill on the pit side for Bahrain as well.

[The Badger]

The R18 must have an overfill nozzle on the other side , so it could be used . I cant see why not , but it must have one .

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by The Badger

The R18 must have an overfill nozzle on the other side , so it could be used . I cant see why not , but it must have one .

Don't think so, they only use a single hose, so the fuel and vent hose are most likely one inside the other.

[RobGT81]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Don't think so, they only use a single hose, so the fuel and vent hose are most likely one inside the other.

The rules say..

"Cars must be fitted with fuel tank fillers and vents which may

be either combined or separate units on each side of the car."

[chernaudi]

Problem with the rule is the "combined" part, as in fuel intake and vent hoses can be combined. Toyota use a combined intake and vent system like Audi does. It seems that Toyota only did that to have ambidextrous refueling, something that the '12 R18s don't have.

[TF110]

Like I posted on the Audi thread, Davidson still holds out hope to race later this year; in a 2ND Toyota. This was during the Silverstone WEC round- http://www.lemanslive.com/Lemanslive...ecovering-well

“I hope to be back racing soon, and I might be ready for the WEC round at Fuji, Japan, in October, if Toyota chooses to enter two cars. We shall see..."

I certainly hope so, with their success at Brazil maybe it'll help with that decision. And if they win in Bahrain I think it strengthens that cause even further.

[kober]

It would definitely be great to see four hybrids on the grid in Japan. Audi crews would need to fight for the lowest step of the podium, though

[Bentley03]

DAILY SPORTSCAR just 2 days ago:

There is no prospect whatsoever though of a second Toyota TS030 for Fuji.....

[TF110]

I never say never. Who would've thought Audi uses 2 E-trons the rest of the year just a week ago? I realize though it's more wishful thinking than concrete evidence. I'll still hold out hope until the race comes.

[tyronnezx]

Originally Posted by TF110

I never say never. Who would've thought Audi uses 2 E-trons the rest of the year just a week ago? I realize though it's more wishful thinking than concrete evidence. I'll still hold out hope until the race comes.

im with you on this one. Japan is a big race for Toyota. Remember F1 in Suzuka for 2009? some serious bigshots from Toyota turned upto that race and Jarno rewarded that with a Podium. no doubt they wanna see that in their home race

[Asa]

The way the dispute between China and Japan is going, Toyota may not even be able to race in Shanghai.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaki...d_str=20120921

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12...aiSevens.shtml

[gwyllion]

Lap of Bahrain International Circuit in TMG Driving Simulator (including virtual spin)

[TF110]

Kinosh!ta reiterates the '300hp' remark in the Bahrain preview.

Following the impressive demonstration of its performance in Sao Paulo, the TOYOTA HYBRID System – Racing will have seven designated hybrid braking zones in Bahrain where energy can be recovered for a 300hp power boost later.

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by Asa

The way the dispute between China and Japan is going, Toyota may not even be able to race in Shanghai.

Toyota should replace their standard nationality flag on the car with THIS :

[CTD]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Toyota should replace their standard nationality flag on the car with THIS :

I hope you don't know how harmful accusation that is to some!

[gustavobamba]

Originally Posted by CTD

I hope you don't know how harmful accusation that is to some!

You are absolutly right... sometimes he better be carefull.