Le Mans against closed cars?

Closed cars, which stood out this year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the double Peugeot and fourth placeAston Martin, could become rarer in the peloton due to the new ACO regulations.

Based on studies confirming that the aerodynamic advantages of a closed prototype compensate for maintaining a constant temperature in the passenger compartment, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest has removed the advantage of flanges for closed cars.

Contacted this Thursday, Olivier Quesnel, director of Peugeot Sport, which runs closed 908 LMP1s, is not satisfied with these regulations. “ Let everyone have the same bridle, why not, confides Olivier Quesnel to AUTOhebdo.fr. But for the sake of fairness, everyone must have the same temperature in the cabin. Currently, we are asked to maintain the temperature in the cabin at 32°C, which is not the same thing depending on whether it is 20°C or 40°C outside. I therefore see no objection to the different cars having the same flange, as long as we ask that there be the same temperature in the passenger compartments of all the cars. »

Indeed, in the columns of AUTOhebdo, the director of Peugeot Sport affirms this week that he can do “ up to 50°C up to the sternum of drivers driving open LMPs ". At the same time, manufacturers of closed prototypes are required to maintain the temperature of the passenger compartment at 32°C, whatever the outside temperature. To compensate for the loss of the advantage at the flange level, Olivier Quesnel asks that the maximum temperature in the passenger compartment of closed prototypes be adapted to the external conditions, “ 8°C higher than ambient temperature for example ».

For his part, George Howard-Chappell confirms “ that there is no incentive to make a closed car ". The main team of Aston Martin Racing confides to Autosport that there is “ a small aerodynamic advantage in racing for closed cars " But " so many disadvantages. Among these, Howard-Chappell cites door engineers, added weight and keeping the windshield clean. “ It?s a much more complex car »concludes the main team.

Thus, after the problem of equivalence between gasoline and diesel engines, not really resolved, the ACO must face a new challenge. The final regulations for the 2011 season will be eagerly awaited.