Le Mans

In a press confrence held today at the Musee automobile de la Sarthe, Mr. Jean-Cleade Plassart President of the Automobile club de l’Ouest (A.C.O) announced some of the changes we will see in the future of the 24 heures du mans.

Safety at the track for the drivers, continued addition of sand traps, and revamping of corners.

Further work on fuel consumption Diesel vs. petrol vs. hybrid technology. In 2008 Bio-fuels will be used for the first time. Further research into Hybrid and regenerative technology is also an ongoing plan.

Continuing of The Michelin Energy Challenge which rewards reward those teams that make the best use of the fuel they consume, expressed as an Energy Performance Index (EPI) calculated after each event.

Prizes will be awarded to the best-performing teams in all four categories (LM P1, LMP2, GT1, GT2).

The Energy Performance Index is based on the following parameters:
– The vehicle’s average speed over the total distance covered,
– The vehicles weight,
– The actual fuel consumption of each vehicle (litres/100km)

Reduction of costs in the sport for the GT2 and LM2 Categories, along with more manufactures, like Porsche offering turn key race cars.

Current cars are eligible only up to 2011

Closed roof LM1 and LM2 cars.

Things that Mr. Plassart would like to see, are more diversity in car designs, He stated that historically manufactures have used colors (Ferrari Red). As I see it he would like to see more “production looking” cars, so that someone car easily tell that was a Audi, Porsche, Panoz, Etc..

Continuation of an International strategy with more races all over the world.

Since 2001 the Automobile club de l’Ouest has been giving this award yearly to individuals who’s work has made a significant contribution to the 24 hours of Le Mans. This year two presentations were made, the first being to Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich Manager of Audisport Competition. Dr Ullrich was chosen this year for his success at Le Mans over the past 8 years, creating one of the most winning est teams in the history of the sport. A second an almost more important Spirit of Le Mans award was given to French journalist Jacques Issautier who is reporting on Le Mans this year for the 58th time, the first being in 1948, only taking a year off due to health conditions. Mr Issautier has spent more then a year, in weeks at his home away from home here at the Circuit De La Sarthe. Each Spirit of Le Mans award winner was presented with a Rolex watch.

Houston, TX — I was suppose to be able to enjoy the first sounds of Le Mans today — but with the help of a tropical depression that hit the New York City yesterday and the total ineptitude of Continental Airline management, I missed the flight out of Newark Liberty Airport.

It was not just me, but many, many, travellers and so I stood in line at the Continental Customer Service Center last night while a myriad of other travellers slept on the floor while waiting for server from what I will really call the no service center. That is really a story for another time — but you can see the results in this picture.

Had I remained in Newark, I would have had to wait until 10 pm Eastern time and then fly to Manchester in the UK, and then hop another flight to Paris. By taking the morning flight to Houston, I jump on a 5:50 flight and get into Paris only a day later.

But such is life in the world of international travel. I am a bit heart broken that I lost a day with Joe at Le Man — but I could not help but think of the masses that were corralled in a variety of places after Katrina — compared to them we had a picnic.

Tomorrow is a new day and I am looking forward to the roar of Le Mans.