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Thread: Audi R8 Crash and repair in Le Mans

  1. #1
    Registered User JavierNuvolari's Avatar
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    Arrow Audi R8 Crash and repair in Le Mans

    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.

  2. #2
    Registered User JavierNuvolari's Avatar
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    Come on people....80 views and no comments?

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    Registered User Mockenrue's Avatar
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    I had a quick look around when you first posted, but I couldn't find anything. Do you know which year it was?

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    Registered User JavierNuvolari's Avatar
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    Can't remember the year. But it was quite a win...perhaps Mr. Balsen knows better. Thanks for the link though mate.

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    Moderator Benman's Avatar
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    Are you talking about the one where the entire rear end (tranny and all) was swapped out?

    Ben
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  6. #6
    Registered User JavierNuvolari's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Benman View Post
    Are you talking about the one where the entire rear end (tranny and all) was swapped out?

    Ben
    Yes! precisely that one I believe.

  7. #7
    Moderator Benman's Avatar
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    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
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  8. #8
    Registered User JavierNuvolari's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Benman View Post
    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
    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??

  9. #9
    Moderator Benman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JavierNuvolari View Post
    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
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  10. #10
    Registered User ben916's Avatar
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    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 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 and the 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
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  11. #11
    Registered User JavierNuvolari's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Benman View Post
    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
    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!

  12. #12
    Registered User ben916's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JavierNuvolari View Post
    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....
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    Moderator Benman's Avatar
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    No worries Javier, sorry for the misunderstanding on my part...

    If anyone finds that video, I am just as interested in seeing it again.

    Frederic? Where art though Frederic?

    Ben
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  14. #14
    Registered User JavierNuvolari's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Benman View Post
    No worries Javier, sorry for the misunderstanding on my part...

    If anyone finds that video, I am just as interested in seeing it again.

    Frederic? Where art though Frederic?

    Ben
    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.

  15. #15
    Moderator Benman's Avatar
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    I think that is about as good as it will get, can't find any others...

    Ben
    Einstein once said, "I want to know God's thoughts, the rest are details."
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