Comments on: Diesel Engines to Race LeMans http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/03/18/diesel-engines-to-race-lemans/ Motorcycle News for Positive People Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:34:05 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Bruce http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/03/18/diesel-engines-to-race-lemans/comment-page-1/#comment-6908 Bruce Wed, 22 Mar 2006 22:41:51 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=921#comment-6908 The reason you're seeing diesels debuting in endurance races like Sebring & LM is that the ability to cut back on fuel stops makes for an incremental advantage that cannot be ignore. I remember a short-story written back in the 80s where all the worlds best auto designers were invited to an endurance race, part of the rules of which were setup to encourage submitting fuel-efficient designs. The winner was the team that fielded two vehicles, both fairly standard passenger/cargo vans [think good ol' front engine, rear drive, gets about 18mpg city/hwy any ol' way you drive it full size van.] They won because they held about 500 gals of fuel apiece, and while one was zipping around keeping up w/ the joneses, the other was just plugging away cruising at the 45mph [incidentally, the most fuel efficient speed you can generally travel in a car, the reasons are simple but I'm not taking the time to explain'em]; then, when *everyone* eventually had had to pit for fuel and the 1st van HAD to be running on fumes, it ducked in behind the 2nd van, refueled like a fighter jet behind a C135 tanker, and went on to win the race. Great yarn, but it really explains why you'll only be seeing diesels at endurance events, at least for the first half-dozen years or so... ;-) The reason you’re seeing diesels debuting in endurance races like Sebring & LM is that the ability to cut back on fuel stops makes for an incremental advantage that cannot be ignore. I remember a short-story written back in the 80s where all the worlds best auto designers were invited to an endurance race, part of the rules of which were setup to encourage submitting fuel-efficient designs.

The winner was the team that fielded two vehicles, both fairly standard passenger/cargo vans [think good ol' front engine, rear drive, gets about 18mpg city/hwy any ol' way you drive it full size van.] They won because they held about 500 gals of fuel apiece, and while one was zipping around keeping up w/ the joneses, the other was just plugging away cruising at the 45mph [incidentally, the most fuel efficient speed you can generally travel in a car, the reasons are simple but I'm not taking the time to explain'em]; then, when *everyone* eventually had had to pit for fuel and the 1st van HAD to be running on fumes, it ducked in behind the 2nd van, refueled like a fighter jet behind a C135 tanker, and went on to win the race.

Great yarn, but it really explains why you’ll only be seeing diesels at endurance events, at least for the first half-dozen years or so… ;-)

]]> By: aaron http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/03/18/diesel-engines-to-race-lemans/comment-page-1/#comment-6833 aaron Sun, 19 Mar 2006 07:11:51 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=921#comment-6833 and the marketing advantage is HUGE! and the marketing advantage is HUGE!

]]> By: kneeslider http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/03/18/diesel-engines-to-race-lemans/comment-page-1/#comment-6818 kneeslider Sat, 18 Mar 2006 19:40:10 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=921#comment-6818 They do get better mileage, that's another advantage of the diesels. I watched a bit of the race briefly and the cars were one and two at the time. They do get better mileage, that’s another advantage of the diesels. I watched a bit of the race briefly and the cars were one and two at the time.

]]> By: doug http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/03/18/diesel-engines-to-race-lemans/comment-page-1/#comment-6817 doug Sat, 18 Mar 2006 19:10:51 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=921#comment-6817 Really cool. Do you know if these diesels also have a fuel economy advantage? i.e. less pitstops. that torque is insane Really cool. Do you know if these diesels also have a fuel economy advantage? i.e. less pitstops.

that torque is insane

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