[WEC] Sebring 2012 - March 14-17 (entries/news/rumours)

[Bubak]

And options like non-hybrid 2012 type not exist? Audi do not improve their cars? That is only Peugeot does! :-)

[TF110]

Well, I guess they realized the R18H wouldn't be at Sebring, or they did some good guesswork.

[Simmi]

They could technically be first on the podium if they come third at Spa behind Audi and run out onto the gantry first!

[TF110]

I don't think Audi's Hybrids will be as good as Toyota's to be honest. Their regular R18's may be faster, but I feel the Toyota's Hybrid's will be the best of those types of P1's. I guess we'll see at Spa. I really wish they'd run Sebring, but at least the HPD is looking faster this year.

[gwyllion]

Audi believes that the hybrid version will be faster than the regular R18. Otherwise they would not enter 2 R18Hs in the full WEC season (minus Sebring). Actually Le Mans is the track where the advantage of a hybrid system is probably the smallest.

[Articus]

Considering all of the variables
1)Toyota building a custom Le Mans engine
2)Them specifically keeping power output levels out of the public.This engine is supposed to be a large jump in technology over the Rebellion V8.

I'd say they know more than they let on. Feels like we are just being lead on. Toyota knows they have something for Audi.

[TF110]

Regarding the Hybrid being better, Wurz drove the 908 Hybrid before the program was canceled, Peugeot said a second a lap faster than the regular 908; Wurz says it's not as strong as the Toyota's. Unless the Audi has found some huge returns from the Hybrid R18, I don't see it being that much faster than the regular R18. Especially since the engines have been cut back, again. So they'll have to make up for the engine reduction, and produce more from their Hybrid system.

I'd be amazed if Audi's hybrid system is better than Toyota's. Considering the system has been in development for at least 5 years now.

[seanyb505]

I'm not disagreeing that the Toyota system may be better as I think the hybrid aspect will be more beneficial as a whole to the TS than on the R18. But do you think Wurz would actually say, "Yeah the Peugeot was faster...sorry Toyota." I think most professionals would say their new team, project, or employment are better than the last, always.

[arakis]

will Audi be using Williams/Porsche developed flywheel system, or some battery/super capacitor system for energy storage

[DeathOrGlory]

Anyway you look at it, it'll be war.

[Félix]

Originally Posted by arakis

will Audi be using Williams/Porsche developed flywheel system, or some battery/super capacitor system for energy storage

Audi's system is electro-mechanical according to Racecar Engineering.

I remember Sebring testing lap times from the past that were faster on many occasions than the lap times the best cars actually managed to do in Sebring qualifying. Off the top of my head, there was the MG-Lola lapping in the low 1:47s 10 years ago, and Audi (and maybe Peugeot too) doing a rumoured 1:43-1:44 in private testing. I think the track gets worst during raceweek because of tire debris and traffic; and the low winter temperatures must be good for engine power. Direct comparison with last year's pole time doesn't hold that much value.

[chernaudi]

Audi and Pescarolo will run Sebring with 2011 spec cars. Because of lacking the fender holes (and in the case of the Pescarolo, running the Judd 5.0 V10 and maybe lacking the fin) they have to run with a 15kg BoP ballast.

[Articus]

15Kg ballast on the R18's. Boy is this just setting up to be a big fight between the diesel and petrols or what? All smiles here.

[Félix]

Rebellion also plans to use 2011 bodywork until Spa it seems.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

I'm not disagreeing that the Toyota system may be better as I think the hybrid aspect will be more beneficial as a whole to the TS than on the R18. But do you think Wurz would actually say, "Yeah the Peugeot was faster...sorry Toyota." I think most professionals would say their new team, project, or employment are better than the last, always.

He didn't say Toyota was faster, he said their Hybrid system was stronger. He stated the 908's Hybrid was light, but it didn't store as much energy as the Toyota system did. Therefor- stronger. As for the aero side he didn't really make a direct comparison, just that the downforce was already near or at the 908's.

[The Badger]

Can someone please tell me if its been shown live on TV ..... or will it be a live stream again . Thanks .

[FstrthnU]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Can someone please tell me if its been shown live on TV ..... or will it be a live stream again . Thanks .

Well, I know for a fact that it will be livestream this year, only the street races and a couple of others like Laguna Seca will be live TV. Last year it was all livestream with delayed TV highlights

[joeb]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Can someone please tell me if its been shown live on TV ..... or will it be a live stream again . Thanks .

I don't know what the ALMS' tv deal is for Europe, but from alms.com:

Watch the 12 Hours of Sebring on ABC on Sunday, March 18; and live on Saturday, March 17 (ESPN3)

[pdxracefan]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Can someone please tell me if its been shown live on TV ..... or will it be a live stream again . Thanks .

If their website is accurate, you will be watching a live stream from ALMS.

http://www.americanlemans.com/primary1.php?cat=tv

[The Badger]

thank you folks

[HJJ]

I started a thread in the Trackside section to find out who might be going to the race.

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...83#post3027283

[sacktrack]

I agree that the support races at Sebring are not that exciting. Gone are the days where there 75+ firehawk cars in an enduro. The support races at Lime Rock have been insignificant recently too.

And Im also disappointed that there are "testing" opportunites for ALMS cars on Mon-Tues but not Wed. Really limits the bang you get for your buck.

[joeb]

A few weeks ago ALMS/Sebring released a video recap of the 1950's at Sebring. I got the feeling that this would be a regular feature, one video per decade, in the run up to the race. But since then I haven't seen any updates to this.

Anybody seen any newer videos?

[FstrthnU]

Well speak of the devil, they just posted the 60s video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2jpFtWH2i0

[joeb]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

Well speak of the devil, they just posted the 60s video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2jpFtWH2i0

Maybe somebody at the ALMS read my post!