LE MANS: 2022 Postmortem Notes

    Although does Anybody remember last year’s race?

 

Whilst I Don’t Begrudge them any, since Toyota could have pulled out of the FIA World Endurance Championship, (WEC) or Weckity Wec’ as Racer’s Marshall Pruett enjoys calling it! For which we’d just have had three top tier LMH Hypercars remaining. With one of them being a Grandfathered LMP1 machine.

 

Nonetheless, I knew that Toyota would win again for the fifth year in-a-row, Yawn! Along with locking out the first two finishing places. Meaning I Didn’t bother getting up Uber’ early Sunday morning to watch the end of the race. Or even bother at All trying to catch any of the last hour’s action…

 

Former Scuderia Toro rosso Formula 1 driver Brendon Hartley stuck His NO. 8 Toyota GR010 Hybrid on Pole position ahead of the sister No. 7 Toyota. For which is exactly how the two Toyota’s finished the race. With Hartley and Co-drivers Sebastien Buemi and Ryo Hirakawa standing atop the Le Mans podium.

 

Interestingly, it seems like Thar was more Noise made during the race over the fact that the 2023 Garage 56 entry would be a NASCAR Camaro Chevrolet ZL1 adapted for 24 Hours race duration, partially honouring NASCAR’s 75th Anniversary.

 

As it seemed Odd to Mwah how much Hype was being made about this, especially with one year remaining.

 

For which we now know that 2009 F1 world Champion Jenson Button, Seven-times NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson and Two-times 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Mike Rocky’ Rockenfeller will be it’s three Pilotes. With IMSA Sports Car Ace Jordan Taylor as Reserve.

 

And reportedly, the Camaro ZL1 being utilized for the project overseen by Hendrick Motorsports is basically a current Next Gen NASCAR Camaro with modifications for running 24 Hours at Circuit de la Sarthe.

 

Meaning I guess that the drivers will still have to climb in and out of Thar Stock Car, which utilizes a current spec 358cid displacement 5.8-litre Chevrolet Small Block naturally aspirated V-8 lump’. Along with Headlights Braking upgrades and a larger 32 gallon fuel tank. For which if Y’all are curious, you can surf the Web for the #24 Camaro ZL1’s Full Specs…

 

Yet speaking of General Motors, Err Chevrolet. Things didn’t pan out quite so well for the two Corvette C8.R’s, with both entries failing to finish; both being classified as DNF. (Did Not Finish)

 

As the NO. 63 retired on lap-260 due to an Accident, whilst the #64 retired on lap-214 with Suspension failure…

 

Meanwhile Portland, Oregon’s Josh Pierson did indeed become the youngest ever driver to start the 24 Hours of Le Mans at Age 16 years and 118 Days. For which Racer had a good article upon the experience of previous record holder Matt McMurry’s experience also as a 16yr old teenager Wayback’ in 2014.

 

https://racer.com/2022/06/09/16-year-old-pierson-set-to-become-youngest-le-mans-racer-ever/

 

As I’ve previously scribbled Here upon No Fenders about the upcoming Oregonian, whose currently racing both Sports Cars and Indy NXT. Although it appears that Josh’s primary “Day Job” of contesting both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship’s (WEC) LMP2 category’s is limiting His success on the Open Wheel Racing side! With just two finishes of P17-16 to Date, (prior to Detroit) seeing Him classified 20th and last points-wise.

 

 Even though He’s been signed to a IndyCar Development Driver contract with Ed Carpenter Racing. (ECR)

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2022/12/piersons-nxt-2-moves.html

 

And since I didn’t bother tuning into the end of the race, naturally I missed the facts that the No. 91 Porsche 911 RSR-19 of “Jimmy” (Gianmaria) Bruni, Richard Lietz and Frederic Makowiekcki won the final LMGTE Pro Class category. Or that IMSA stalwart Gentleman Driver Texan Ben Keating was part of the winning #33 TF Sport Aston Martin Vantage with Marco Sorensen and Henrique Chaves as Co-drivers in the LMGTE Am category Finishing 34th Overall…

 

Whilst perusing the final results, I’d totally forgotten that Mega Bad-Arse Eight-times WRC Champion Sebastien Ogier had made His 24 Heurs du Mans debut in the LMP2 category. With the French Rallying legend finishing 13th Overall, driving aboard the No. 1 Richard Mille Racing entry. Finishing one place ahead of the #23 United Autosports entry that Josh Pierson was co-driving.

 

And that one of my sentimental favourites, the No. 85 Iron Dames Ferrari 488 GTE Evo with Femme Fatales Sarah bovy, Rahel Frey and Michele Gatting finished 40th Overall.

 

And now it’s onto this year’s 91st Edition, the Centenary running of this fabled endurance race. Which features a massive 16 Hypercar entries. Over three times last year’s entrants in the premiere Class!

 

LE MANS: Toyota Wins Again, during Another Dull Intra-team Scrum’

Where None of their Competitors weres saying “Oh What A Feeling!”

 

Yeah, I know we’re All still Ah-Wash, or is that Aglow following another fantastic Indianapolis 500. But as I’ve lamented many times Here upon No Fenders: Motor Racing Never Sleeps!

 

Especially since we’re now fast approaching the E91 Centenary running of le 24 Heurs du Mans…

 

Began “Watching,” Err listening to the 90^th edition of le 24 Heurs du Mans on Motor Trend TV early Saturday morning (June 9th) during Breakfast. Although I missed the first Half Hours-plus action, when Thar was some sort of incident at the start of the race. As one of the Talking Headz’ noted how Felipe Albuquerque was Mega’ Insensed over the first lap collision He was involved in, driving the No. 22 United Autosports LMP2 entry. For which I know that the #31 LMP2 entry was given a One minute Stop ‘N Go Penalty, so Arse-sumedly the #31 Hit the #22…

 

Ho Hum, the No. 7 Toyota was leading ahead of the No. 8, whilst the Alpine was the Meat in the Glickenhaus Sandwich, with the trio running 3-4-5 respectively.

 

Interesting note about how the top speed of the LMH Hypercars was 342.2kph vs. LMP2’s 328kph. Which as ‘Ol Professor (Steve) Matchett would say, in Old Money equals 212.056mph vs. 203.688mph.

 

Whilst I heard Sky Sports F1 lead Presenter Kroftie’, aka David Kroft say that the Formula 1 Cars were Hitting 347kph at Baku, i.e.; 215.487mph; Holy Terminal Velocity Batman!

 

Whilst the Formula 1 cars were routinely Hitting 208-209mph in Miami Gardens Hard Rock Stadium’s Parking lot! Where I thought I even heard somebody saying that Alfa Romeo’s Guanyu Zhou reached a staggering 217mph during this year’s 2023 Miami Grand Prix, Aye Karumba!

 

Ollie’ Gavin Dropped by the Commentary booth, whith the lead Announcer Joking How Everybody wanted some of Thar cool Air, (AC) since it was a Blistering Hot Day Trackside!

 

As this was Apropos, since the Corvettes were running 1-2 and hoping to not only give the C8.R it’s first Le Mans W’. But also Corvette’s first win since 2015, which it just seems impossible that Corvette’s gone winless at Circuit de la Sarthe that long…

 

As the 2021 24 Heurs du Mans was the debut of the first ever Mid-engine Corvette (C8.R) at Le Mans. Where the team’s #63 entry finished runner-up to AF Corse’s Ferrari 488 GTE.

 

Racer magazine had a good article about the various Corvette generations posted last year.

 

https://racer.com/2022/06/10/insight-the-corvette-generations/

 

Mentioned the #5 Penske was running third in Class briefly. As Penske was racing an LMP2 entry in preparations for their FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) IMSA LMDH Porsche 963 campaign in 2023. With Dane Cameron, Felipe Nasr and Emmanuel Collard at it’s controls.

 

And I believe the #23 LMP2 entry was having trouble with it’s tyres? Making an unscheduled Pit stop early, i.e.; inside 1^st Hour. As both United Autosports entries would have torrid races, whilst think the #5 Penske entry ran as High as second in Class before I lost track of it…

 

As the No. 5 Penske Boyz’ finished fifth in the LMP Class and ninth Overall. Twelve laps behind the winning Toy-Yoter’ Hypercar, and one lap behind the #38 Jota LMP2 Class winner.

 

Waited until 6PM Pacific to finally Hear John Hindhaugh for first time during Broadcast. Although I always enjoy Shea Adam and Johnnie Moler. While Bruce Jones Ain’t Bad and I like Pitlane Reporter Joe Bradley, but I could totally do without the raspy, Chalkboard like tones of Paul Truswell! Which makes sense that He’s currently the longest serving Radio Le Mans member…

 

As my year old notes say that I “watched,” Err listened to a combined low total of some ten-plus Hours. Having begun Saturday morning at 7:30AM on Motor Trend TV. Before switching off at 10:45AM to go listen to IndyCar Qualifying from Road America via IndyCar Radio. Then after lunch, I tuned into Radio Le Mans beginning around 1:30PM and kept it “On” until calling it a night at 9PM Pacific. 

LE MANS: No. 7 Toyota Finally Wins, Heartbreak in LMP2 Class

Since like many a racetrack, Futility is a Cruel Mistress at Circuit de la Sarthe!

 

Author’s Note

Once again, your Humble No Fenders Scribe is running way way Behind! Definitely more than “One Lap Down” over Le Mans Mega 8.467 mile layout! As Here’s last year’s report which was supposed to be posted prior to this year’s race…

Tomaso

 

E89 24 Heurs du Mans

Last year’s 89^th running of the 24 Heurs du Mans just didn’t feel right to Mwah, I suppose since it was in August, not to mention there being an IndyCar race on later that evening. As I’ll admit I was more intrigued over Romain Grosjean’s Oval track debut thenwhether Toyota would win again, Yawn!

 

Thus I began my 24 Hours of Le Mans casually by switching on Thy Telie’ during a leisurely breakfast by tuning into Motor Trend TV.

 

Alas, having missed Thar introductions, I was left ponderin’ who this “B Team” of Eurosport TV Pundits were? And cannot find their Identities on the All Knowing Intrawoods’, nee Internet. So I’ll just go with Thar first names instead. Firs Thar was some ‘Ol Codger named Chris Something-ruther, may be Parsons? Who proclaimed he’d been Thar in 1965. Y’all know, the last time that Ferrari won outright, Crikeys!

 

Hmm, No idea if this Chris, Charles or Chuck Dude was in any way related to Alan? Y’all know of the Alan Parsons Project, Righto, Hya!

 

As Chuck’, Err Chris Prattled on ‘bout how strange it was seeing Risi Competizione running a “rosso” LMP2 Oreca after their years of running Ferrari GT’s and speculating about may be running a Ferrari (Customer) Hypercar in the future? And then banged on ‘bout how la Scuderia still has “The Iceman’s” phone number, provided Kimi’s (Raikkonen) not busy having an Ice Cream, as that’s my own Joke Thar, Hya!

 

Also said there’s some Dude named Rossi who’s retiring and says he’s always wanted to race at a place called Le Mans. To which lead Announcer Jake “The shark” said if I remember right, “The Doctor,” nee Valentino Rossi was only some seven tenths Off of Michael Schumacher’s times when he tested a Ferrari back in 2006-07?

 

Whilst the Other booth Boy Charlie “Brown” said to Chris, it’s when, not if McLaren will have it’s own Hypercar, since Zak Brown’s a major Shareholder in United Autosport’s who are one of the top LMP2 teams…

 

But Zackery’s Not gonna be Happy! As inexplicably the #32 took out it’s Seester’ #23 United Autosport entry when a passing Shower occurred! With two separate incidents occurring during the sixth hour, as Sophia florsch in the No. 1 Richard Mille Racing entry went Off-track, was Hit by the #26 G Drive who wasn’t paying Attenzione, and then when trying to reverse out of the tyres was Clouted by the #74 who totally missed the waving Yellow Flags!

 

MAGS’, aka Jan Magnussen Quipped that it was a bottle of red wine that put into motion this year’s running with his son Kevin Bacon’ Magnussen, since Jan is racing the ELMS season for High Class Racing and they had a second LMP2 car available. And with Kevin becoming a Werds’ Peugeot Sports Car Driver next year, there probably wouldn’t be another opportunity for awhile.

 

The team elected to replace the No. 49’s Gibson V-8 lump during Thursday’s practice sessions, since even with the two High Class Racing teams running identical set-ups, Kevin claimed they were 6kph down to their Seester’ car on the Straightaways…

 

Hour 3 Me Thinks, ANT’, aka Anthony Davidson in the LMP2 Pole winner #38 JOTA entry, put on Pole by Antonio Felix da Costa,  spun into the “Kitty litter!”

Dropping way down the order, having to wait to be towed out of the gravel trap. As Davidson later said he was Gutted, but the incident had occurred during one of the many rain storms and he thought he’d do it All over again…

 

One of the Pundits Mentioned that Renger Van der Zande was being harried by “Mean Jean” Alesi, who I hadn’t noticed on the Entry list. Whale’ at least it sounded like they said Alesi to Mwah, albeit Don’t think he was racing there.

 

Since None of Us are perfect, especially Myself! Although I noticed that John Hindhaugh still continuously called Olivier Pla Oliver Clark, as I Don’t know what his fascination with Ollie clark is, other than he’s a British racing driver…

 

Also talked about Thee Krakow Kid’, aka Robert Kubica who was making his Le Mans debut for WRT, aboard it’s #41 entry. As the former Polish Formula 1 Driver was hoping to finally finish a 24 Hour event, having failed twice so far, including this year’s Rolex 24 with High Class Racing.

 

Guess I left just before Hour 10? Off to a fairly Chaotic  IndyCar race at Gateway! Then came back to Le Mans after Hour 13. With Racer.com’s Headline noting Yifea Overtakes WRT teammate for LMP2 lead.

 

And that’s as far as my Notes Jotted down during the race went, with the exception of the Magnussen’s LMP2 entry, which I’d Gleamed prior to the race. Whilst it’s a Good thingy’ Father and Son Had that experience, since little did they know then that Kevin would be recalled to the Haas F1 Team just prior to the 2022 Formula 1 season commencing after Rooskie’ Nikita Mazepin was Sacked after Mother Russia’s Invasion, Err Special Military Operation against Ukraine commenced…

 

And It’s Still as clear as Mud on a Rainy Day! But the No. 21 DragonSpeed team won the newly created LMP2 Pro Am category, which must include one Bronze rated Driver and get’s to stand atop the podium a la it’s LMP2 Class winners. So theoretically Juan Pablo Montoya has now become the second driver to win the mythical Triple Crown, Righto? Having previously won the Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500. Although I’m guessing he still needs to win Le Mans outright…

 

And from this meandering No Fenders story’s title, Y’all know that Toyota’s All Conquering GR010 Hypercar was victorious again. Although the No. 7 finally Cracked it’s Nut, Err Broke it’s Duck! With one of my favourite Sports Car Drivers K-Squared’, aka Kamui Kobayashi winning! Along with former IndyCar Ace Mike “Ice Ice, Baby!” Conway and Jose Maria Lopez.

 

But the Drama was in the lower tier LMP2 category, where it appeared that the No. 41 WRT entry was set to lead a Historic 1-2 victory sweep for the Belgian team, with it’s Seesster’ #31 tagging behind. Yet on the final lap of the race, Yifea Ye ground to a Halt at the Dunlop Curve and couldn’t fire the Oreca’s engine that He was sharing with Louis Delatraz and the aforementioned Robert Kubica. Meaning the Polish Driver would go 0-for-3 in 24 Hour races, Aye Karumba!

 

Therefore it was the #31 with Robin Frijns at it’s Keyboard holding off a hard charging Tom “The bomb” Blomquist in the No. 28 JOTA entry by a scant 0.07 seconds at the stripe! 

LE MANS: 2021 Postscript, AF Corse Completes Double in Saloons’ Categories

As it was just plain Weird running at Le Mans in August! Although Not as weird as in September with No Fans!

 

Although last year’s race was run less than a year ago, it now feels like forever, and like this year’s event, my Attenzione was focused elsewhere…

 

89^th 24 Heurs du Mans

Otay, I’ll start with the Tintop’ Boyz’ and Girls, since unfortunately the No. 98 Aston Martin with Marco Gomes at it’s controls was the first of a litany ‘O retirements from last year’s overly adventurous race…

 

As I must admit I called it an early night after having left Circuit de la Sarthe earlier in the evening in order to “Watch,” Err listen to the IndyCar race from Gateway on Nothing But Commercials! (NBC) As  I’m really not a Fan of that overly long Wide World Technology Raceway moniker, but I digress…

 

Thus I tuned into the race for another 45mins via Zed Internets before calling it a night with just over 10 Hours remaining. Whilst the few notes I took during the day’s action mostly centered upon the Prototypes instead. Since I only Jotted the following notes below whilst bouncing between Motor Trend TV and Radio Le Mans coverage.

 

Hour 4 the No. 98 Aston Martin Skitters Off-track at Indianapolis corner Slamming into the Tyre Barrier! Pretty sure it was Game Over then, as first lengthy Safety Car period to repair the Barrier!

 

Somebody mentioned that the Corvette, Arse-sumedly the #63? Was running in 4^th and was just starting to show it’s potential whilst chasing the class leading Ferrari, as indeed the #63 led for a considerable time during Hour 5.

 

As Tommy Milner in the No. 64 reported he’d been Hit in the Heiny’ by a Ferrari during one of the two prolonged Warm-up laps when the field was behind the Safety Car whilst trying to Dry the track, Crikeys!

 

As think it was the #52 AF Corse Ferrari? Since the driver of the offending Ferrari Apologized, saying he had Fog on his Windscreen and simply misjudged the distance, which I’d say sounds totally logical since the race’s starting conditions  were Atrocious!

 

Actually it was eventual class winner James Calado in the #51 Ferrari who was the culprit that accidently Punted Tommy Milner’s Corvette…

 

Know that the #72 Pole winning Hub Auto Racing’s Customer Porsche 911 RSR-19 dropped like a stone when the Safety Car finally pulled off down to eighth and last in class, while it soon became a game of Leapfrog between the No. 51 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo and the No. 63 Corvette C8.R for the class lead, with Corvette making it’s much anticipated Mid Engine C8.r debut at Le Mans.

 

But it’s All a Blur now, especially since we’ve just concluded the 90^th Edition of le 24 Heurs du Mans. As the No. 51 AF Corse was victorious with Alesandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Come Ledogar behind the Keyboard.

 

As the #63 Corvette C8.R finished second, with the Box Score saying it was behind by 41 seconds, but the Vette’ never really got that close due to the litany ‘O Slow Zones, Full Course Cautions and inclement weather.

 

Whilst the Seester’ #64 Vette’ was never in contention, with Calado’s “Love tap” the Beginning to it’s End. Suffering from Clutch, Transmission and Diffuser problems. While the No. 92 Porsche 911 finished third.

 

AF Corse, which becomes Scuderia Ferrari’s Factory LMH Hypercar team in 2023 scored a Double in the Saloons ranks, when it’s #83 Ferrari won the Hotly contested GTE Am category with Francois Perrodo, Nicklas Nielsen and Alessio Rovera at it’s controls.

 

Don’t think much of anything was mentioned about the #85 Iron “Dames” Ferrari entry of Sarah boby, Michelle Gatting and Rahel Frey, who finished 36^th Overall and 9^th in Class, some 39 laps behind the winning No. 7 Toyota GR010 Hypercar.

 

Some two-plus minutes behind and finishing runner-up was the #33 TF Sport Aston Martin Vantage AMR, which suffered a litany of problems. And after having clawed it’s way back to the Pointy end of the field, Ben Keating Had to pit early for a misfire while leading, which caused him to exceed His allowable Drive time. But the Aston fiished second.

 

Third Overall was the No. 80 Iron Links Ferrari 488 GT3, which featured former FIA Formula 2 Championship Runner-up and Ferrari Academy Driver Callam Ilot as one of it’s three Chauffeurs.

 

As perhaps Y’all have heard of Him? As Ilott’s now plying His trade in Indy Cars for Juncos Hollinger Racing, and I’ve taken a total “shine” to the 23yr Old Englishman for His tenacity behind the wheel of the Only single car IndyCar entry on the Grid! 

LE MANS: Toyota wins Third Straight in 2020 Parade of Pathetic 5 Car LMP1 Monty'

As can anybody Beat the Only Factory racing programme at Circuit de la Sarthe? And will the Hypercar formulae next year be any better?

 

Author’s Note

This is the second part of last year’s 24 Heurs du Mans tome that never got “Published” due to the aforementioned Hijinx of Blogger’com’s Bastardized redesign…

 

Yessiree Bob’, Bob's Your Uncle Mates, Oh Never Mind! Ho-Hum, cannot say this year's 88th running of le 24 Heurs du Mans was anymore riveting than last year's event, El Correctomundo?

 

For which if Y’all are interested? You can read No Fenders LE Mans: 2019 Post Mortem in the following link below.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2019/10/le-mans-2019-post-mortem.html

 

Yet as dually predicted, Toyota Thrashed it's Meager LMP1 competition once again at Le Mans, winning it's third consecutive 24 Heurs du Mans by five laps ahead of the leading Rebellion R13 Privateer entry, which will become Alpine next year, Yawn! But more 'bout that at a later date - whenever I'm able to Post riveting No Fenders Blog stories Solo once again, But I Digress…

 

And if you're a Sports Car Geek like Mwah, then you'll already know that the No. 8 Toyota with Kazuki Nakajima, Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley at it's controls won this year's 88th running of the 24 Heurs du Mans for it's and Toyota's third year in-a-row. Netting Nakajima and Buemi a Hat-trick 'O victories for themselves, with Hartly claiming his second Le Mans 24H win.

 

As I really Don't know how to look at or chronicle Toy-Yoters' Sports Car achievement, especially since they've basically had Le Mans All to themselves the past three years  with token opposition from under-powered normally aspirated Non-Hybrid Privateer efforts.

 

Although I suppose to Toyota's credit, they did stick around when the other manufacturers left under the Smoke Clouds 'O “Diesel Gate,” Cough Cough Porsche and Audi! Since how many would have "Tuned In" if this was solely a Privateer's Gong Show? And presumably the ACO was Desperate to have at least one Bonafied Auto Manufacture in its race…

 

Although I certainly didn't break my record viewing Duration for this year's event, i did begin a leisurely, enjoyable Day's outing of listening to the race in thou morning.

 

Taking Thy Green Flag, Err Viva la France Tri-colour Saturday (9/19) at 9AM Pacific with Thy Telie switched onto Motortrend TV as Background noise while eating Breakfast. And Nah, No Breakfast 'O Champions Jokes Here Mates, Hya!

 

Before I switched over to Radio Le Mans via Zed Internets' after nearly 3hr television viewing, and kept it on until round a Quarter to Eight PM Pacific when I finally grew tired of the inconsistent microphone volume levels, particularly lead Announcer Der Heindenmeier's, aka John Hindhaugh, who's my Numero Uno Racing Announcer.  

 

Yet I'd say this year's race will largely be remembered for the Ultra Narly accident TG' endured! Nope, Not that TG', aka Tony George, Psyche!

 

But French racing driver Tristan Gommendy, who unfortunately will forever be remembered by Mwah as 'Ol "Christian Comedy," an unflattering nickname bestowed upon the then Chump Carz' Driver by 'IndyCar's Curmudgeon 'Ol R', aka robin Miller.

 

Naturally I've got Zero Clue what inspired Robin's cruel choice 'O nicknames? As this moniker was anointed when Gommendy was a Champ Car World Series (CCWS) Rookie Pilote for the long Defunct PKV Racing concern Wayback in the series final year, 2007 alongside team-mate Neil Jani, who would later win the 2016 Le Mans 24 Hours race for Porsche.

 

Tristan surely Ain't No Slouch behind the wheel, having won the prestigious '02 Macau Grand Prix along with that year's French F3 title.

 

He also took his solitary Pole position at Circuit Mount Tremblant during his partial Champ Car season. Along with a best Champ Car finish of P4 in his final outing at Circuit TT Assen, before being replaced by Oriol "Suitcase" Servia for Chump Carz' final two races that year.

 

apparently Gommendy holds the current Circuit Mont Tremblant Road Course lap record at 1:16.776. While ironically the fabulous Quebec racing circuit is owned by Racing Point F1, soon to be Aston Martin Racing F1 Team Magnate Lawrence Stroll.

 

But back to this year's 24 Heurs du Mans, where Monseir Comedy' spun backwards violently into the barriers at high speed, part of a three car incident preceded by the byKolles LMP1 machine losing it's rear wing and also pirouetting Off-track!

 

As Gommendy's spectacular crash caused major repairs to be made to the barrier, seeing a team of welders merrily lighting up the night sky with their torches, which implies to Mwah  that Armco steel barriers were Damaged, meaning the Shunt was on part of the public roads…

 

Presumably "so it Goes," since in the race's eighth hour, another Safety Car period would be required to remove/install the new barrier section! Following an extended "Slow Zone" to this portion of Ash-fault. As I'll let Racer do the Heavy lifting and explain the Hour 7 Melee in Detail instead, noting how Hour 7 went Into the Dark.

 

https://racer.com/2020/09/19/lm24-hour-7-into-darkness/

 

As the LMP2 Class would be a battle of reliability, with many competitors enduring incidents or mechanical maladies, with another current F1 Individual's outfit winning Class Honours.

 

As McLaren CEO Zak Brown's United Autosports, which he Co-Owns with Richard Dean's No. 22 Oreca/Gibson V-8 with former Formula 1 Driver and current Sky Sports F1 Pundit Paul di Resta alongside Co-Drivers Phil Hansen and Filipe Albuquerque finished P1 in the LMP2 category… 

LE MANS: Aston Martins Sweep Supporting Classes

But They Won’t repeat in this year’s GTE Pro category…

 

Author’s Note

Thoust  “rivetin” No Fenders 2020 24 Heurs du Mans Postscript initially weighed in at a Hefty 5 pages, Hence I broke the Prototypes and Saloons categories into separate stories…

 

Although this year's 88th running of le 24 Heurs du Mans wasn’t anymore riveting Overall than last year's event, El Correctomundo? Nevertheless, 2020’s Tintops supporting Cast provided plenty of action…

 

And even though those Scarlet Tintops outnumbered Thar LMGTE Pro Competizione 2-1, with four Ferrari 488 GTE Evo's vs. two Aston Martin Vantage's and two Porsche 911 RSR-19's. It was the #97 Aston winning the Class.

 

Ironically the winning Aston had another ex-Ford GT Refugee on it's Drivers Roll, a one Harry Tincknell, who's Day Job is chauffeuring the Mazda RT24P Prototype in IMSA's Weathertech SportsCar Championship.

 

As Tincknell was joined by Maxime Martin and Alex Lynn, a former Team Willy', aka Williams F1 Development Driver, who like many, never quite made it into Formula 1.

 

And Monsieur (Tristan) Gommendy wasn't the only French Open Wheel Racing Driver having a Bad Day at the Office, since I tend to believe I heard reports of le Hamburgular', nee Sealmeister B', aka Sebastien Bourdais spinning his #82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 more than once!

 

Early on in the TV Broadcast, one of the Announcers emphasized the fact that the Porsche's were now carrying an extra 40 Kilos 'O Ballast from the nebulous BoP (Balance of Performance) regulations, with the Ferrari's now just seven Kilos lighter then the Porsches. While the Aston's not only were lighter, but had been given back more turbo boost!

 

Which if I've done my Ryth-Muh-tickin' correctly, the 911 RSR's were carrying an additional 88lbs of "Dead Weight," Yikes! Which makes sense that both the Ferrari's and Aston's were Faster overall. Whilst I had Zero Clue if this weight penalty carried over to the "Slower" LMGTE Am Porsche's too?

 

And even though Ferrari appeared to have a Stranglehold upon the "Slower" GTE Am category, with a Mega Dozen entries comprising more than 50% of the Class, vs. Porsche's eight Panzerwagons.

 

It was the Aston Martin of TF Sport's No. 90 "Sattelite" Aston Martin winning GTE Am Class Honours with Jonathan Adam, Charlie Eastwood and Salih Yoluç at it's controles.  

 

As somewhere i read, Err heard Lucy' My Trusty ‘Ol Arse-Steamed Screen Reader Coo to Mwah (before loosing Her to the nebulous world of winDOUGHS 10 and Zoomtext 2020) that TF Sport received "Assistance" from the Aston Martin Factory. As the UK Based Multi-championships winning Sports Car Operation is headed by Tom Ferrier, a former BTCC Competitor, ergo the TF of the racing team's nomenclature.

 

And lastly, as I wasn't aware of this until far, far afterwards thou Chequered Flag flew. This year's Le Mans event made history with the advent of two 100% Le Femmes Drivers line-ups, one LMP2 Prototypes entry, and one LM GTE Am Tintops' "Saloon."

 

As the Prototypes entry was the No. 50 Richard Mille Racing Team Alpine A470/Gibson (V-8) with Columbia's Tatiana Calderon, currently contesting Japan's Super Formula series being the only name I recognized. Due to her being an Alfa romeo Racing F1 Test and Development Driver.

 

Along with Co-Drivers Sophia Florsch, a German Teenager who's campaigning her Rookie season in the FIA Formula 3 championship. And Netherlands's Beitske Visser, who finished runner-up in the 2019 Women's W Series at it's controls. With the trio finishing 13th Overall, and seventh in Class.

 

While the Gran Torismo entry was the #85 Irox Lynx Ferrari 488 GTE Evo chariot in the "lower" tier GTE Am (Amateur) category driven by Rahel Frey,

Manuela Gostner and Michelle Gatting. They finished 34th Overall, and 55-laps behind the winner.

 

As Frey's name sounded vaguely familiar to Mwah, before learning that she was part of an All Swiss le Femme's Driving trio Wayback in 2010. Aboard one of Matech Competition's Ford GT1's that I've previously scribbled bout here on No Fenders in a story titled Swiss Misses invade Le Sarthe, ironically on Bastille Day…

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2010/06/swiss-misses-invade-le-sarthe.html

 

Italy's Gostner cut her teeth in regional Ferrari Challenge series and reportedly was a Professional volleyball player. While Gatting is another Dane' cutting her teeth in Sports Car racing - wishing to follow in the Footsteps of Christina Nielsen, a Two-times IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship GTD (Daytona) Class Champion. 

LE Mans: 2019 Post Mortem

The winning No. 8 Toyota TS050, with Drivers Sebastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Fernando Alonso being victorious for the second year in-a-row. (Image source: thecheckeredflag.co.uk)

As just cannot say I was very impressed with this year's Toy-Yoter' Whitewash!

As this year's 87th running of le 24 Heurs du Mans seems such a distant memory now, especially since I wasn't overly impressed by the lack of any true Competizione for outright victory this year. Which Sadly, reminded Mwah of last year's Toyota Beatdown!

LE MANS: Toyota Wins a fairly Mundane Procession

Not to mention the endless Noise from some Smarmy Spaniard I call Fredrico Suave Cock-A-Doo-little Du' about winning the mythical Triple Crown; BARF!

INDY 500: Alonso First I Take Indianapolis, then Dakar?

Began listening to Radio Le Mans at 8AM Pacific Saturday morning. Programme Dumped twice within 15mins. And naturally Dumped during Scott Atherton's interview about IMSA's take upon new Hypercar formula, which I'd enjoyed hearing, especially since I really didn't know nothin' about this new FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Formulae.

ACO confirms Hypercar regulations for 2020-21 World Endurance Championship

Then I noted that Andrew Marriott is a Super DUMB ARSE! Best part of entire race Broadcast I listened to was hearing Toyota Bad Arse Driver K-Squared', Y'all know Kamui Kobayashi who won this year's Rolex 24! Replying Dead-pan to Marriott: Why surprised? You're leading by 1min; why Surprised? Kobayashi re-iterated, sounding slightly annoyed, after climbing out of the leading #7 Toyota LMP1.

Keeping casual tabs upon the IMSA Brigade, I noted how the No. 64Corvette C7.R was out due to a Massive Shunt caused by a "gentleman Driver" in the Dempsey Proton No. 88 Porsche.

Along with scribbling the words Aston Martin's Nightmare. With its No's 97 & 95 both involved in accidents. After Corvette & Aston Martin were given BoP (Balance of Performance) Adjustments on race's eve seemingly added insult to injury.

Leaders @9:30PM Pacific, 8.5hrs remaining

GTE Am) #85-Porsche-Ferrari.

GTE Pro) #51-91-36

LMP2) #26-36-38

LMP1) #7-8 +1:18 over 3rd place #11. 248-laps completed.

On a trivial note, I jotted down that someone on the Broadcast? Had noted there were a total of 22 former Formula 1 Drivers with Over 1,000 F1 race starts competing at this year's Le Mans; CRIKEYS!

Ben Keating's No. 85 Ford GT led GTE Am class for several hours. since Keating jumped into the cockpit. With the lanky Texan joking they'd chosen the obnoxiously bright pink so they didn't need any lights in the cockpit to see at night; Cymbol Crash Puh-lease!

Andrew Marriot Good Morning. Yes, I've had a shave & put some moisturizer on ... Who bloody Freakin' Cares?

Other Pitlane Reporter Nick, Not Matt! Damon notes how uncomfortable sleeping in his rental car is; Yuck-Yuck-Yuck!

Yet I was so G-DAMN certain that Ho-Hum; YAWN! It'd be another 1-2 Toy-Yoter' Whitewash that I didn't even bother getting up early Sunday morning or tunin' in at All to listen to the final hour's procession. And only, finally, reluctantly decided to find out the results via my NFB Newsline for The Blind telephone service late Sunday evening.

Late Lopez Drama Hands sister Toyota 2019 Le Mans Win

Yet the euphoria of FoMoCo's first ever "Customer" Ford GT winning it's class at Circuit de la Sarthe was very short lived, as it was soon discovered that it, along with one of its Bigger Brother GTE Pro Brethren were both Disqualified (DSQ) for Fuel Tank violations.

AUTOS: Ford Licking its Wounds at Goodwood

And now, in what I just thought of calling The Lost Years', we'll have to endure one more year of Toyota Crushing All opposition in the LMP1 Prototypes class for the 2019-20 WEC season before hopefully more than just two "coveted" Hypercars show up on thoust grid for the 2021 24 Heurs du Mans...

New Hypercar Regs' will pit Toyota vs. Aston Martin Valkyrie at 2021 Le Mans