2012 24 Hours of Le Mans

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ourafilmes
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Re: 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans

Post by ourafilmes » 29 Jun 2012, 21:55

unbelievable!

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Ferrari92
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Re: 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans

Post by Ferrari92 » 30 Jun 2012, 16:24

TOYOTA AND BMW ANNOUNCE TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP

At a press conference in Munich, BMW's historic headquarters, the president of the German marque, Dr. Norbert Reithofer, announced the expansion of technology collaboration with Toyota, in the presence of Akio Toyoda, his Japanese counterpart. This new alliance comes after the Peugeot and General Motors announced their cooperation earlier this year.

After an initial agreement in December 2011, both companies had already entered into a partnership last March on research in the field of fuel cells and the supply of BMW diesel engines for the European market. Now the cooperation is extended to research on electric vehicles, reducing vehicle weight and the design of future vehicles, including a sports car.

Toyota, who has lost global leadership in 2011 in favour of General Motors, was a pioneer of hybrid cars with the Prius. The Japanese manufacturer has used knowledge and experience of hybridization to develop the new TS030 Hybrid, seen for the first time at the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours, the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, in ​​which Toyota is registered as a manufacturer. Neither of the two cars crossed the finish line, the first having retired due to an accident and the second with an engine problem, but they have shown a clear potential with the highest top speed on the grid.

Dr. Norbert Reithoher: "We aim to further strengthen our competitive position in sustainable future technologies. We signed a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect today... One thing is certain: We aim to shape this iconic change as pioneers and a driving force. And we will do so in a responsible and sustainable manner. Together, we have a great opportunity to continue leading our industry through this transformation. That is why we are pooling our expertise."
http://www.fiawec.com/en/news/toyota-an ... p_340.html

ourafilmes
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Re: 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans

Post by ourafilmes » 30 Jun 2012, 16:38

This will help a lot Toyota selling more cars in Europe and, to BMW, to get some information in hybrid technology where they are a little step behind, I think.

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donald29
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Re: 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans

Post by donald29 » 23 Jul 2012, 11:14

donald29 wrote:Rinaldo Capello, who drove with McNish and Kristensen.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100483

Here it only says very likely to have been his last Le Mans 24, on Eurosport they were speaking about it as a certainty.
Confirmed.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101459

Like I said before, Audi should get Heidfeld on the phone!

Alex knight
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Re: 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans

Post by Alex knight » 26 Jul 2012, 23:37

I made the trip to le mans for the first time this year. I went with some not-so-clued up on motor racing friends, and when I was asked why there were so few factory teams in the race, my only answer was because of the economy! It's a shame really, a true sign of the times...

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donald29
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Re: 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans

Post by donald29 » 28 Jul 2012, 21:41

Would love to go to Le Mans one day. How much of the race did you stay awake for? Where'd you stay? And where'd you watch the race from?

(Sorry for the questions, am interested :p)

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Re: 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans

Post by Alex knight » 28 Jul 2012, 23:56

donald29 wrote:Would love to go to Le Mans one day. How much of the race did you stay awake for? Where'd you stay? And where'd you watch the race from?

(Sorry for the questions, am interested :p)
Ha ha, it's no problem at all. We booked the whole thing through a company called travel destinations. We stayed awake until about 5 AM, after sneaking through the woods down at the mulsanne straight. We stayed at a campsite called Houx, and from what I understand it's the best one to book as I *think* it's the last one with numbered plots and free electricity.

We watched the race from loads of different places, but mostly near the Dunlop curve, the esses and mulsanne corners. I'll get some pics and videos up when I'm back home if you like?

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Ferrari92
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Re: 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans

Post by Ferrari92 » 29 Jul 2012, 14:55

Alex. It would be great if you share with us some of your videos and pics :O

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Re: 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans

Post by Alex knight » 29 Jul 2012, 19:33

Ok, I'll get some uploaded when I'm back!

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donald29
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Re: 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans

Post by donald29 » 31 Jul 2012, 09:24

Yeah that'd be great, cheers. :)

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