View Full Version : Audi R8 Crash and repair in Le Mans
JavierNuvolari
October 25th, 2008, 19:29
Ok guys, so I'm looking for this video where it shows an R8 entering severly damaged to the pits at Le Mans. They repaired it and amazingly I think they won the race. I would greatly appreciate if one of you can provide a me link. I've looked for it several times with no results whatsoever.
Cheers all.
JavierNuvolari
October 27th, 2008, 12:07
Come on people....80 views and no comments?
Mockenrue
October 27th, 2008, 13:26
I had a quick look around when you first posted, but I couldn't find anything. Do you know which year it was?
Le Mans DVDs are available here: http://www.dukevideo.com/Cars/DVD/Circuit-Racing/Le-Mans.aspx
JavierNuvolari
October 28th, 2008, 12:07
Can't remember the year. But it was quite a win...perhaps Mr. Balsen knows better. Thanks for the link though mate.
Benman
October 28th, 2008, 19:39
Are you talking about the one where the entire rear end (tranny and all) was swapped out?
Ben:addict:
JavierNuvolari
October 29th, 2008, 12:09
Are you talking about the one where the entire rear end (tranny and all) was swapped out?
Ben:addict:
Yes! precisely that one I believe.
Benman
October 29th, 2008, 18:42
Then I know exactly the video you're talking about...
Frick! I can not find it either...
I believe it is the 2000 (maybe 2001?) Le Mans race, and in fact, the FIA changed the rules immediately after that race preventing Audi from ever doing that again...
Frederic?
Ben:addict:
JavierNuvolari
October 29th, 2008, 19:05
Then I know exactly the video you're talking about...
Frick! I can not find it either...
I believe it is the 2000 (maybe 2001?) Le Mans race, and in fact, the FIA changed the rules immediately after that race preventing Audi from ever doing that again...
Frederic?
Ben:addict:
Muchas gracias Ben!!!!
I knew it was long time ago. As for FIA changing the rules...dunno about that one, that's is what makes Le Mans so interesting...I bet the car was designed to be tha easy to repair and win the race afterwards.
Thanks again Ben.
Frederic?? where are you??
Benman
October 29th, 2008, 19:13
As for FIA changing the rules...dunno about that one
Yes, they actually did. And yes, Audi had that design in mind from the beginning. That way, if it had a major tranny/engine failure, the whole damn thing could be swapped out in 3 minutes or so. FIA wanted to erase Audi's "design advantage" and hence changed the rules so this would not be allowed the following year.
Ever notice now that Audi does not "swap out" entire rear ends any more? ;)
Ben:addict:
ben916
October 29th, 2008, 20:58
The Audi R8's structure was designed from the very beginning to expedite parts changes during the race. The car has a chassis that has been likened to a Lego (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego) model — anything on the car can be changed and changed quickly. During its campaign, the Joest pit crew was able to change the entire rear transaxle of a damaged R8 — a process which usually takes between one and three hours — in three and a half minutes, a feat that was unprecedented in its efficiency and speed. The reason for this was that the transmission, rear suspension and rear subframe were built as one unit. The car had numerous quick-connect hoses and easily removable bolts. The whole rear section of the car could be removed as a whole and a new back half installed with the help of a crane. The Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), organizers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_Hours_of_Le_Mans) and the American Le Mans Series (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Le_Mans_Series) acted quickly to void this advantage by mandating the gearbox casing be the same item through the duration of the race, with only the internals being allowed to be changed. However, the R8 still had quicker access to the gearbox internals than any other car due to its quick-change construction . This was critical as the gearbox was the weak link in the car.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_R8_Race_Car
JavierNuvolari
October 30th, 2008, 13:04
Yes, they actually did. And yes, Audi had that design in mind from the beginning. That way, if it had a major tranny/engine failure, the whole damn thing could be swapped out in 3 minutes or so. FIA wanted to erase Audi's "design advantage" and hence changed the rules so this would not be allowed the following year.
Ever notice now that Audi does not "swap out" entire rear ends any more? ;)
Ben:addict:
Sorry Ben I did not meant you're were not accurate on the info about FIA changing the rules. When I meant "Dunno about that one" I meant it as a bad call on FIA's behalf. Sorry, should have been more precise.
Ben916. Thanks that very interesting info....now all we need is the video showing the swap hahha.
Saludos!
ben916
October 30th, 2008, 15:30
Ben916. Thanks that very interesting info....now all we need is the video showing the swap hahha.
Saludos!
It is out there somewhere, I remember seeing it live/tape delayed and thinking that that was incredible! I was waiting for something to fall off at the end of the pitlane....
Benman
October 30th, 2008, 20:38
No worries Javier, sorry for the misunderstanding on my part...
If anyone finds that video, I am just as interested in seeing it again. :cheers:
Frederic? Where art though Frederic?
Ben:addict:
JavierNuvolari
November 6th, 2008, 15:15
No worries Javier, sorry for the misunderstanding on my part...
If anyone finds that video, I am just as interested in seeing it again. :cheers:
Frederic? Where art though Frederic?
Ben:addict:
Found it mate. Not fully about the crash and the repair but...anyways. 7 minute to change the back end...and win, how cool is that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfWjf5CXX00
Saludos.
BTW, crappy quality.
Benman
November 7th, 2008, 18:56
I think that is about as good as it will get, can't find any others...
Ben:addict: