LM 2010 - the Official Poster

(or download here)

...excitement mounting........

Pug Wins easily at Sebring

After securing a 1-2 on the grid for the American Le Mans Series opener for the Sebring 12 Hours, the Team Peugeot Total 908 HDi claimed a straightforward 1-2 finish in the race as well, having taken command from the start of unofficial testing.

It was the number 7 car of Wurz, Davidson and Gene that claimed victory over the sister car of Lamy, Bourdais and Minassian which finished just under 14 seconds behind. The third position Aston Martin Racing car was over 3 laps behind.

Granted they won quite easily but there was no Audi in the race as they had failed to get agreement from Peugeot to race at Sebring with a modified version of their 2009 car that did not quite fit the 2010 rules. As a result the Pug was the only diesel entry car and therefore almost guaranteed victory barring mechnical failure or driver error.

So, a taste of things to come at La Sarthe ? or is the Audi "R15 plus" gonna whip it's ass ?

Audi is planning to test the "R15 plus" further in Europe and will contest the Le Mans Series Rounds at Paul Ricard and Spa (assuming no more of the track has fallen apart in the interim !!) and of course LM in June.

Mansells shakedown LMP1 Ginetta

Nigel Mansell and his sons Leo and Greg completed a successful shakedown of the Ginetta Zytek GZ09S LMP1 they will race in this season's Le Mans 24 Hours at the Autodromo do Algarve in Portugal this week.

The Mansells spent the first day shaking down the car and working with the Beechdean Mansell Motorsport engineers to find a set-up all three drivers could work with. Nigel spent the majority of the first day behind the wheel, before handing over to Leo. Greg completed the day's running in wet conditions.

Leo and Greg shared the majority of the driving duties on day two, before their 1992 Formula 1 world champion father completed a few laps of dry running in the afternoon. The majority of the test, during which Le Mans Series race-winning squad ORECA also appeared, was affected by torrential rain.

Nigel Mansell said: "It's truly brilliant when you can draw breath and say that the test has surpassed every expectation.

"The Zytek-powered car worked pretty flawlessly; I'm so proud of Leo and Greg, the times they got down to in a very short window were very competitive.

"To gel a team in just three and a half months is fantastic and while we know we have a huge challenge ahead, we are so pleased with what has been accomplished here."

Additional Le Mans extravagance?

This could be another year of pushing the boundaries?

..........and, Mr Chadders, Sir, you could see my Acrophobia reach a whole new level !!!!

From 18.00 on Saturday....flying 150ft above the track!

Taking off every 10 minutes, each flight carrying just 5 passengers.

Check-in and lift-off is from the ULM Hangar airfield gate, 100 metres from the Maison Blanche entrance to the circuit (entrée Annexe Souterrain Sud).

All flights must be reserved in advance (Missed flights are non-refundable)

Price: (including complimentary glass of wine or soft drink) £109 per person

Audi Name Line-Up for 2010

Nothing special - just Dindo Capello, Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish, who, in total, have scored twelve Le Mans victories !!

All three Audi R15 TDI cars will be entered by Audi Sport Team Joest and designated as cars number 7, 8 and 9.

The third sports-prototype will officially run as 'Audi Sport North America', the name under which it was nominated.

"Audi will begins its preparation for the Le Mans 24 Hours at the end of this month with a roll-out of the 'R15 plus' at Le Castellet. The team plans to complete in the Le Mans Series races at Paul Ricard and Spa-Francorchamps prior to June's 24 Hour classic."

Jaguar Proud to Return to Le Mans for 2010

Oh, yes............it's gonna be a good year !

"The RSR Jaguar made its racing debut at Leguna Seca at the end of last year, and will contest the full American Le Mans Series this season as well as running one car at Le Mans."

Mansell to race at Le Mans!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/7158799/Nigel-Mansell-to-compete-in-Le-Mans-series.html