[WEC Race] Bahrain 6 Hours 2012

[GT3.14]

After a season full of long breaks the WEC will finish the last three rounds with racing every fortnight.

Audi will be bringing two e-trons, their first time without an Ultra in 2012.
The 458s have been stripped of 5 litres of fuel capacity.
Tom Kimber Smith will be making an appearance.
Let us all hope the fighting in Bahrain is limited to battles for points in the WEC.

Entry list: http://media.fiawec.com/contenu/6-he...ibility%20.pdf

[Salamus]

An updated entry list has reverted back to the #2 being an ultra. There will most likely be only one e-tron at Bahrain.

[gwyllion]

The more recent provisional entry list is available here.

[TF110]

Whats this I hear Petrol cars to get a break for Bahrain?

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by TF110

Whats this I hear Petrol cars to get a break for Bahrain?

Privateer petrol cars, they're talking about either a restrictor size adjustment or a weight break to bring them closer to the factory cars.

[TF110]

Yes, that's what I'm getting at. I wouldn't expect Toyota to get a break after lapping Audi! Any specific details?

[gwyllion]

At the moment the FIA has only issued this BoP adjustment for GTE. Ferrari gets a smaller fuel tank (-5 liter), to take away their huge fuel consumption advantage.

Nothing official yet regarding LMP1.

[lms]

Originally Posted by GT3.14

The 458s have been stripped of 5 litres of fuel capacity.

finally. (but its a bit too late to adjust now I guess. After 5 rounds....)

[arakis]

they also removed the 15kg the ferrari was lugging around...I think this will bounce in the head of FIA, as now the ferrari can really strech it's legs and drive full force...(doesn;t have to drive lean anymore)

[MitchZ06]

Not sure their huge fuel advantage was driving lean, considering how fast they have been....

[arakis]

Originally Posted by MitchZ06

Not sure their huge fuel advantage was driving lean, considering how fast they have been....

They were driving lean, at least that's what the drivers stated a few times...stuff like we had to conserve our fuel etc...

[MitchZ06]

What drivers say on air or to press (hell any team member for that fact) is like wikipedia, probably true, probably bogus.

[chernaudi]

Joest Racing confirms that both R18s will be e-tron quattro hybrids per their Facebook page.

Also, only the GTE-Pro 458s have been confirmed to have the 5 liter smaller fuel tanks.

[carsten66]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Joest Racing confirms that both R18s will be e-tron quattro hybrids per their Facebook page.

Also, only the GTE-Pro 458s have been confirmed to have the 5 liter smaller fuel tanks.

Official quote Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich: "We decided to compete with two hybrid vehicles in Bahrain. Our analysis has shown that we’ve got an advantage in traffic with the R18 e-tron quattro. It makes it easier for our drivers to overtake other vehicles. This means that with two hybrid vehicles we’re in a better position in the battle with Toyota. At the same time, we’re giving both our driver teams identical material in the battle for the title. Bahrain will be a completely different race than the previous rounds. We’re expecting very high temperatures. Unlike the most recent round in Brazil, Bahrain also takes a high toll on the brakes, which require good cooling. Handling the tires will be crucial too."

[Gingers4Justice]

Which version of the track are they using? The smaller layout, or the longer one where Tilke sneezed on the drawing board?

[DeathOrGlory]

Anyone saw the teaser for it?

"See you there," Wurz said.

I wonder if it will draw a crowd.

[haribo]

I like Wurz's cheeky comment on Twitter. Paraphrased:

"It doesn't matter what car Audi bring - they look the same in my mirrors"

[The Badger]

Google English translation from French :

At the next meeting of the World Championship Endurance Bahrain, Ferrari F458 Italia GTE-Pro line will get a smaller tank than five liters, with a total capacity of 85 liters. GTE Italian are known to be greedy little face competition, including the Aston Martin Vantage GTE. Could be entitled to a redistribution of the cards in the next round. This adjustment for the two Ferrari F458 Italia / AF Corse Bruni / Fisichella / Vilander and Beretta / Bertolini.

LMFAO at the red bit !!! ............. Waiting for comment from Rich07 & Arakis about this .

[joeb]

Originally Posted by haribo

I like Wurz's cheeky comment on Twitter. Paraphrased:

"It doesn't matter what car Audi bring - they look the same in my mirrors"

That gave me a laugh too! But really Toyota doesn't need to worry about Audi, all they have to do is run their race. Learn what they can about their car and go for speed. They are out of the championship race, so this is all about scoring wins and learning the car and tactics.

[Rodger Davies]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Which version of the track are they using? The smaller layout, or the longer one where Tilke sneezed on the drawing board?

think it's the F1 layout.

But I shalln't be watching - I said I wouldn't watch a race if they held one in Bahrain and I'm sticking to that.

[The Badger]

Never count your chickens before their hatched , Wurz could still come outta this red faced !!!

[Victor_RO]

#51 Ferrari down to Fisichella/Vilander due to clashing commitments in GT Open for Bruni.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Never count your chickens before their hatched , Wurz could still come outta this red faced !!!

True, but there's no denying they're faster than Audi. They might lose out in the end if fuel efficiency is a big factor, but 5 of the 7 hybrid zones are under 120kph- that's serious Toyota advantage. Even more so than Interlagos.

[kober]

So, is the race at 16:00 local time? That'd be 09:00 EST - perfect

[Salamus]

Fantastic news that Audi are bringing two e-trons...I guess Toyota have made a very good impression with their hybrid.

BTW any news from Luxury and when/if they are returning this season?