Le Mans lap times: comparing now and then
In every vintage racing paddock, benchracing goes on to find out what lap times the champions of yesteryear would be doing today. We also got curious and tried to figure out what Hershel's 4 minutes 30 seconds 1976 qualifying lap would be on todays Le Mans track.
After computing the prototypes and GT top times of 1976, 1986, 1989, 1990, 2005 and 2006, which are all years before and after a bigger track design change (Tertre rouge bend, Mulsanne chicanes, Dunlop chicane), we found out that the prototypes slowed down by 7.9% and the GTs by 7.7%. It may be safe to assume that our HEMI Chargers original time should be a 4.30+7.8%=4.51 on todays track. Now, we do have to take into account that we have today a much more forgiving engine and better tyres than in 1976, so let's give Hershel at least 10 seconds of credit. Completing a lap in 4 minutes 41 seconds in the coming Le Mans Classic race would put us on the same performance level than Hershel McGriff in 1976! Will we be able to do that? Come and join us for Le Mans Classic 2008 to find out!
OK, the stage is set ! All we have to do is take 16 seconds off our time and we tie the record, 17 seconds and we own the record. I am on that like white on rice !!
You all better get to Le Mans this year, there is going to be a new track record recorded for a NASCAR racecar.
Dick Pierson
Posted by: Dick Pierson | March 02, 2008 at 04:49 AM