WEC Race 2016 FIA WEC 6 Hours of Fuji - Race Thread

J Jay · 12 Oct 2016, 20:00 (Ref:3679617)

The end of the 2016 FIA WEC comes thick and fast with the first of the last three races commencing this weekend and the last only finishing four weeks later. The first race of this triple-header sees WEC field returning to Fuji Speedway, an ever-popular destination for drivers and crew alike. Welcoming and enthusiastic crowds make the event entertaining for fans and participants, whereas less welcoming weather makes the race interesting for all, if rather fraught for the competitors.

In LMP1 Porsche head the field, with the #2 topping the table and the #1 mounting a late charge, aiming for their fourth win on the bounce. Signatech are looking to extend their lead to champion-elect status with another good points haul in LMP2, while Aston Martin (AMR) and Ferrari (AF Corse) are set to resume their season-long fight for GT honours in manufacturer, team, and driver rankings.

Schedule

Countdown

Circuit Map

Entry List

Spotter Guide

Weather, Alternative

Radio Le Mans (Audio)

Live Timing

FIA WEC Streaming (PPV)*

FRC 2016 - WEC Round 7: Fuji

*As usual, free streams will be posted if and when they are made available.

justracing · 12 Oct 2016, 20:04 (Ref:3679618)

Excellent, well done posting all the details, can't wait!

TF110 · 12 Oct 2016, 20:21 (Ref:3679621)

Anyone else think this is Toyota's best chance since Le Mans? I think it is. They're always good here since it's their home track and it should suit their car. I think the Audi will be the car to beat, though. In lmp2 I think Signatech with Lapierre takes it and Aston Martin or Ford in GTE. Ford has been good in top speed so that might be a big factor.

chernaudi · 12 Oct 2016, 20:46 (Ref:3679625)

New shot of the Audi nose showing the diffuser flap notches and how far back it extends:

Click image for larger version

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J Jay · 12 Oct 2016, 20:48 (Ref:3679627)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

Anyone else think this is Toyota's best chance since Le Mans? I think it is. They're always good here since it's their home track and it should suit their car. I think the Audi will be the car to beat, though. In lmp2 I think Signatech with Lapierre takes it and Aston Martin or Ford in GTE. Ford has been good in top speed so that might be a big factor.

I do too, but I still don't think it's as good a chance as they had at Le Mans, even with the extra impetus to win at home. Audi should be setting the pace, they seem to have got a good enough handle on the speed in the R18. While they have been caught out by multiple inopportune cautions, they could do with also not taking anymore cues from Speedsource...

TF110 · 12 Oct 2016, 21:30 (Ref:3679636)

Thankfully Fuji isn't ALL about downforce so that may make the race closer. Audi definitely run the highest downforce of the three so sector 2 will favor them. But we'll see about the straight, T1 and Panasonic. That's where the acceleration and drag coefficient will show.

chernaudi · 13 Oct 2016, 00:38 (Ref:3679659)

Yet in spite of running the most downforce (and hence likely the most drag) Audi have been quick though the speed traps at every race since Nurburgring, yet they have a definite handling/grip/even tire wear advantage it seems, especially over Porsche, but also Toyota, certainly under certain conditions.

It seems that either Audi have plenty of combined hybrid/engine power to overcome the drag penalty, or the aero on the R18 is very efficient, when it works, that is.

chernaudi · 13 Oct 2016, 04:04 (Ref:3679682)

Nick Leventis will be a DNS at Fuji due to a lung infection. Strakka will race with the two remaining drivers.

TF110 · 13 Oct 2016, 06:41 (Ref:3679695)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Yet in spite of running the most downforce (and hence likely the most drag) Audi have been quick though the speed traps at every race since Nurburgring, yet they have a definite handling/grip/even tire wear advantage it seems, especially over Porsche, but also Toyota, certainly under certain conditions.

It seems that either Audi have plenty of combined hybrid/engine power to overcome the drag penalty, or the aero on the R18 is very efficient, when it works, that is.

I've said it before, but imo, it's obvious they have the most engine power. Even if it wasn't because of being a diesel, they run 6mj vs the other two at 8mj. On top of that, the post-LM adjustment gave them a little more leeway on how they use the fuel.

Matt · 13 Oct 2016, 11:13 (Ref:3679729)

I enjoy this track.

gert · 13 Oct 2016, 14:45 (Ref:3679770)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Nick Leventis will be a DNS at Fuji due to a lung infection. Strakka will race with the two remaining drivers.

Why don't they bring in Danny Watts? Has he been booted by Strakka?

Lasse · 13 Oct 2016, 17:27 (Ref:3679798)

Apparently Watts did not travel with the team, and can not get to Japan in time.

chernaudi · 14 Oct 2016, 01:29 (Ref:3679883)

Weather looks good for all three days. Supposed to be sunny and dry with temps close to 70 on all three days.

TF110 · 14 Oct 2016, 01:55 (Ref:3679887)

FP1 is live, only 10 minutes in and it's Audi from Toyota in the 1:25's and the Ford GT's leading GTE with mid 1:39's. I figured they'd be fast here.

chernaudi · 14 Oct 2016, 02:05 (Ref:3679889)

#2 Porsche only did an in and out lap and has been in the pits for a while.

TF110 · 14 Oct 2016, 02:34 (Ref:3679901)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chernaudi

#2 Porsche only did an in and out lap and has been in the pits for a while.

It's an oil leak, info taken from their twitter account... They have to change the front gearbox on the #2.

chernaudi · 14 Oct 2016, 04:04 (Ref:3679906)

Porsche must be getting some good hybrid boost, because they are by far the slowest of the LMP1 cars though the speed trap. They're slower than most of the LMP2 and even most of the GTE cars.

Either Porsche are running a ton of downforce, or where the speed trap is located is the issue.

TF110 · 14 Oct 2016, 04:46 (Ref:3679908)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Porsche must be getting some good hybrid boost, because they are by far the slowest of the LMP1 cars though the speed trap. They're slower than most of the LMP2 and even most of the GTE cars.

Either Porsche are running a ton of downforce, or where the speed trap is located is the issue.

Both probably. They're the quickest in Sector 2 and 2nd and 3rd quickest in Sector 3. Rebellion's top speed is 315.8kmh while Porsche is 267kmh

The scoring line is right before the braking zone into T1, so I think these guys are coasting a ways before that.

GasperG · 14 Oct 2016, 05:23 (Ref:3679915)

From the on-boaard video, it seams Porsche was coasting/regenerating way before the turn.

chernaudi · 14 Oct 2016, 06:40 (Ref:3679919)

Lotterer has spun twice, once in FP1 and just now in FP2. I wonder if he's pushing too hard, or Audi are having an issue.

TF110 · 14 Oct 2016, 07:05 (Ref:3679922)

He hit something in fp1. Apparently it's not serious.

Japanese Samurai · 14 Oct 2016, 09:39 (Ref:3679945)

According to Kota Sera blog,
Toyota offers a boarding experience of TS050 at Fuji.
In a word, this TS050 is a real chassis, not just a mock-up.
http://serakota.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2016-10-14-1

Oracle · 14 Oct 2016, 21:38 (Ref:3680100)

Well, looks like Porsche have the legs again. But WEC always throws up surprises! Looking forward to it.

TF110 · 15 Oct 2016, 00:59 (Ref:3680116)

That 24.0 was a 1-lap run, so it might be indicative of their pace for qualifying. Let's see what happens in FP3, which starts in 2 minutes!

TF110 · 15 Oct 2016, 01:18 (Ref:3680120)

Well, looks like Toyota has dropped a 24.0 themselves in practice 3, both Toyota's in the 1:24's.

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