tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8101784122100352616.post6538205810549699341..comments2024-03-14T08:19:36.636+00:00Comments on Trussers (Paul Truswell's blog): Looking back, looking forward: a new era for long-distance racing?Paul Truswellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160575296019945600noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8101784122100352616.post-19180990423657340772011-04-05T14:48:33.648+01:002011-04-05T14:48:33.648+01:00Apropos of Peugeot's engine problems at Le Man...Apropos of Peugeot's engine problems at Le Mans last year, I have recently been told that the damage (to the titanium conrods) had been done by sunset on Saturday. Thereafter, it was simply a matter of hoping for the best, but fearing the worst.<br /><br />But you're right - the driver really only makes a difference these days when something unexpected happens - bad weather, traffic, unexpected mechanical issues, etc.Paul Truswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17160575296019945600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8101784122100352616.post-26683042515268719062011-04-04T13:04:52.480+01:002011-04-04T13:04:52.480+01:00It is impressive to see, across other categories o...It is impressive to see, across other categories of racing as well, how far the teams and constructors have managed to develop the reliability of the cars. It still is complex and difficult enough, though, and I think Le Mans last year with the problems at Peugeot showed very well that even that biggest endurance race is still about finding a compromise between how fast and how reliable you can make a car.<br /><br />I wonder if the drivers being matched closer together isn't a result of much more sophisticated preparation these days, too. Driver fitness programs have been developed to the (natural) extreme, the big manufacturer teams do 36-hour trial runs at testing where every driver spends hours of time in the car, setting up the car and finding out some information on how doing this and that affects balance and performance for everyone can be simulated far in advance with the kind of technology they have available to them now. All of that, I think, can make it easier for the driver to get closer to realising the car's full potential.<br /><br />On top of that, what happened, I think, is the same thing as in Grand Prix racing: The cars have more downforce at less drag than decades before, which should make it faster and more "comfortable" to drive at the same time.-A-noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8101784122100352616.post-18408474011052168992011-03-29T16:02:07.538+01:002011-03-29T16:02:07.538+01:00Thanks again for your thoughts. The restrictions b...Thanks again for your thoughts. The restrictions by ACO are working in a good way, I think. They should do ahead with the hybrid stuff and we need companys like Toyota in the race.Don Dahlmannhttp://www.racingblog.denoreply@blogger.com