24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary

[FLRacingFan]

Test day today with sessions from 4-7 AM ET and 9:30 AM-12:30 PM. It’ll be interesting to see who in Hypercar is willing to show some early pace, I have a good feeling about Ferrari and Cadillac, can Peugeot finally unlock some speed? Their concept was designed for this very track.

Also super interested to see how the Camaro holds up against the GTEs and what the straight line speed is like.

Entry list + TV/streaming for the week:

The 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours entry list in full

www.motorsport.com

Le Mans 24 Hours: How to watch on TV in the USA

www.motorsport.com

 

[Kiante]

My love for this event knows no bounds.

I hope to attend very soon in the future!

 

[Doc Austin]

Too early to tell if the hyper/LMDH BOP is right, but so far it looks pretty good.

MSN

 

[FLRacingFan]

Too early to tell if the hyper/LMDH BOP is right, but so far it looks pretty good.

MSN

Seven cars within a second at the top is definitely better than any other session this year, especially on such a long track. Of course, everyone is going get quicker as the week goes on.

 

[Doc Austin]

Second practice session shows we might be in for a really good race. I'm very encouraged by the Ferrari, Peugeot and Porsche's pace, and also Cadillac's seemingly bulletproof reliability. This is the big showdown we've been waiting for since 1972.

https://racer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/85/2023/06/05_ClassificationByCategory_Free-Practice-2-Test-Day.pdf

 

[FLRacingFan]

Ayyyoo?!

 

[Doc Austin]

All the more reason to watch!

 

[Doc Austin]

Le Mans Test Day Finish Order In Pictures | dailysportscar.com

www.dailysportscar.com

 

[Doc Austin]

Good preview of hypercar........... https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/06/05/le-mans-24-hours-preview-part-1-hypercar.html


Good preview of the P2 class............. https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/06/06/le-mans-24-hours-preview-part-2-lmp2-3.html

 

[FLRacingFan]

 

[rd45usa]

 

[rd45usa]

 

[Doc Austin]

NASCAR Garage 56 Entry Wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans... Pit Stop Competition

 

[West]

 

[Magnethead]

I didn't even think about the lack of air jacks on the car. Proves to not be a hinderance.

 

[Kiante]

Enjoy this effort, it's the last time you will see a factory Corvette team:

 

[FLRacingFan]

I didn't even think about the lack of air jacks on the car. Proves to not be a hinderance.

It’s pretty cool, the chief of staff was on Stacking Pennies last week and said they were initially looking at doing an air jack but the ACO wanted them to keep it as NASCAR as possible.

Enjoy this effort, it's the last time you will see a factory Corvette team:

🫡🫡🫡

 

[Doc Austin]

They have the best personnel in the paddock. I hope they can keep everyone together.

 

[Doc Austin]

​

 

[FLRacingFan]

Toyota went 1-2 in FP1, eight Hypercars within a second of each other at the top. The Corvette crashed at Tertre Rouge at the end of the session, hopefully it can be back out for qualifying next session. Top 8 in each class head to pole qualifying tomorrow.

 

[FLRacingFan]

Both drivers okay after this hard lick, both chassis need to be replaced.

 

[West]

Both drivers okay after this hard lick, both chassis need to be replaced.

Wow that flagman should have been running to corner entry waiving that flag.

 

[FLRacingFan]

Wow that flagman should have been running to corner entry waiving that flag.

I think there’s another marshal post on entry. The team got a stop and hold penalty for ignoring yellow flags I heard.

 

[Doc Austin]

Who will win the coveted Hyperpole?

MSN

 

[FLRacingFan]

Who will win the coveted Hyperpole?

MSN

Top 8 in Hypercar were actually closer than the top 8 in GTE Am, spread was .807 so it’s tight. I think it ultimately comes down to Toyota vs. Ferrari for pole again. Peugeot have to be a bit disappointed they were the only factory that didn’t make the cut.

 

[Doc Austin]

We might just have a race on our hands.

 

[FLRacingFan]

Porsche went quick in FP2.

 

[Magnethead]

Both drivers okay after this hard lick, both chassis need to be replaced.

Flaggers and driver did a really bad job of communicating there. Especially with the car sitting in the racing line.

 

[Doc Austin]

https://assets.lemans.org/explorer/pdf/courses/2023/24-heures-du-mans/spotter-guide-24-heures-du-mans-2023.pdf

 

[FLRacingFan]

Ferrari sweep front row for their first overall Le Mans pole since 1973. Ganassi Cadillac #3 was provisionally P3 but caught fire on the Mulsanne late in the session and lost its best lap. Corvette take the final GTE-Am pole.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

Since it's in a class of its own, where does the #24 start? Last?

 

[FLRacingFan]

Since it's in a class of its own, where does the #24 start? Last?

Yep, G56 starts last. Rocky is listed as the nominated starter, and it’s supposed to be a very wet start. Gonna be real interesting.

 

[Doc Austin]

Nice surprise to see Ferrari get the hyperpole. At least now Toyota has some legit competition.

I'm not sure it means anything though. It's good for headlines, but is the reward worth the risk? Running the car at 10/10ths two days before the race doesn't make sense. Why risk the car now? The worst you could do is 16th, and you've got 24 hours to make it up anyway. So, I think even the Ferrari's aren't showing their true hand just year.

Good to see the Caddy running so well, but I'm not thrilled about the gap to the other two. I hope it's a matter of them playing the long game and not a matter of getting outpaced so badly.

 

[Magnethead]

Yep, G56 starts last. Rocky is listed as the nominated starter, and it’s supposed to be a very wet start. Gonna be real interesting.

If the car shows the speed, it should make for an exciting opening 10 or 15 laps

 

[FLRacingFan]

Nice surprise to see Ferrari get the hyperpole. At least now Toyota has some legit competition.

I'm not sure it means anything though. It's good for headlines, but is the reward worth the risk? Running the car at 10/10ths two days before the race doesn't make sense. Why risk the car now? The worst you could do is 16th, and you've got 24 hours to make it up anyway. So, I think even the Ferrari's aren't showing their true hand just year.

Good to see the Caddy running so well, but I'm not thrilled about the gap to the other two. I hope it's a matter of them playing the long game and not a matter of getting outpaced so badly.

I think the race pace gap is smaller than the qualifying pace gap. The biggest questions will be if Ferrari and Porsche have improved their tire wear.

 

[FLRacingFan]

The Corvette and Camaro will start alongside each other

 

[Charlie Spencer]

No point in putting an obviously faster car behind a slower class it's not competing with.

And it's another small publicity win for NASCAR.

 

[DanicaFreak]

If they win, HMS will be god like in NASCAR's eyes. I know Rev likely feels that this is the NASCAR brass opinion now,

 

[Doc Austin]

I'm surprised the complaining didn't start earlier: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ot...p&cvid=4de4441c299a48759063cdc293c851f1&ei=14

 

[donthaveanickname]

I won't be able to watch a lot but hopefully I'll see the first few hours and the finish.
Looking good for the most exciting 24 Heures du Mans in many years.
Could do without LeBron being there though.