For this year's edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the organizer has decided to amend the regulations, which prohibit teams, refueling in the pits. This means giving the ACO, the specification of the FIA, which has already come out for Formula 1, the same ban - with major consequences for the teams.
The Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) is actually known for his consistency in terms of the regulations. The prohibition of the fuel stops suggests a reason like a bomb. Whether these changes for the LMS, ALMS and Le Mans, the Intercontinental Cup are, would not confirm a spokesman.
Has justified the decisions of the ACO with the positive experience gained with the tank ban in Formula 1. "The tactical antics include gain of teams, with half-full and half empty tanks, an advantage of the past," said F1 boss Ernie Becclestone. "Race car belonging to the race track and not to the gas station", the F1-determiner cited.
The ACO had the team on 1 April 2010 to a secret special session invited and informed about the planned changes. This would give engineers plenty of time to adjust to the new regulations and to develop solutions to the demanding specifications. After all, do about 1000 liters of fuel to be moved over the entire race distance of 24 hours over the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Answers: Is down the Fuel Range Extender empty, he like a rocket stage to be rejected.
Audi has chosen the technical solution for the trailer version. A type of trailer is connected to the R18, of the 6-cylinder turbo diesel supplied by a complex system of pipes and safety valves of diesel fuel. "The advantage of this approach is obvious. If we have ridden the Fuel Range Extender after 22 hours empty and that we can simply drop a button and continue with the on-board fuel is what we have copied from the NASA, which in this way their discarded rocket stages. And with a little luck, we take the Peugeot in front of the bib so, "said Commission Tristensen development.
Peugeot dissolves completely different task. "It appears that the trailer solution are not very effective because the Fuel Range Extender in the tight corners tend to break," defended Jaques le Caque the construct of the French. To accommodate the enormous amounts of fuel can, the 908 was just renewed and more than 1,000 liters equipped with a comprehensive auxiliary tank. The enormous attention will be divided into 4 rear axles, the automatic steering in the corners to minimize tire wear. The total length of the vehicle increases so of 4.61 to 7.46 meters, making it difficult to overtake in addition.
For the coming year, the ACO has announced further changes. Must from 1 April 2012 all participants get the 24 hour race from France to finally regain a Frenchman at the Sarthe.