Rules Tighten Again After Diesel Le Mans Cars Prove To Be Untouchable

The performance of the Audi and Peugeot turbo-diesel prototypes will be pegged back for 2009, it was announced on Saturday.

The Automobile Club de l'Quest, which sets the rules for the 24 Hours and the series that take its name around the world, announced new engine rules for 2009 at the Silverstone Le Mans Series event.

The ACO revealed that it will cut the diameter of the engine air-restrictors for diesels by 10 percent at the same time as reducing turbo pressure.

The move is designed to restore what the ACO labeled 'sporting equity' between petrol and diesels at the same time as increasing lap times at Le Mans. It does not want LMP1 prototypes to lap under the 3:30 barrier during next year's 24 Hours, whereas this year the Peugeot 908s regularly lapped in the low 3:20s during the race.

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GTR35 - 9/17/2008 12:47:23 PM

+3 Boost

That's Bull5hit!

ThierryHenry14 - 9/17/2008 1:07:42 PM

0 Boost

This is dumb. They may as well make this into a spec series racing.

If they want advancement in technology, this is the only way to do it, by fostering competition...

MeanVulcan - 9/17/2008 10:27:23 PM

-1 Boost

if what you say is true (NOT)... I say the regulations applied to everyone including Audi. Then, it was Audi who first decided to innovate and use a diesel engine and take full advantage of the regulations which were there for anyone to take advantage of. The rest of the field decided to go with the old and inneficient technology of petrol engines. Audi moved ahead, the rest did not.

There is no such thing as "favorable" rules when they apply to everyone. I believe it is you who needs to open your eyes.

MeanVulcan - 9/17/2008 10:21:29 PM

-1 Boost

Henry I agree with you. By leveling the performance of the diesels all they are doing is maintaining the level of motivation (or lack of) for current gasoline engine manufacturers to keep making inefficient engines. Clearly, this slows down the development of more fuel efficient technologies.
I applaud Audi for moving forward year after year despite continuous setbacks from racing organizations whos intent is only profit rather than advancement.

As far as I know "regulation leveling" or outright ban on advanced technologies began for Audi with Rally racing in the 80's after Audi dominated the event, followed by Touring car racing in the late 80's again after Audi dominated Touring Car around the world by winning every Championship (I believe it was in 1986 or so), then we saw the unfair "leveling" at the World Challenge SCCA GT and Touring since about 2002, lastly the unfair "leveling" onve again at Le Mans just because no one else (other than Peugeot) is willing to develop technologies as awesome and efficient as Audi's.

Shame on ACO and shame on the old school OEMs.

ThierryHenry14 - 9/18/2008 12:30:33 AM

+1 Boost

yes... I agree... Audis been at the blunt end of the deal with regulations so many times in racing, because they think outside the box. Its ashame...