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Le Mans / ALMS
LE MANS: WEC Silverstone Notebook
News and notes on the eve of the FIA WEC Six Hours of Silverstone...
Toyota rolled out its trick new aero package this weekend at Silverstone, featuring what's effectively a full-width rear wing, thanks to a clever interpretation of the rules. (Photo: John Dagys)
TOYOTA’S ‘WHEEL ARCH’— Toyota arrived at Silverstone this weekend with a radically different aero package than it ran at Le Mans in June, with the major difference coming in the rear of the TS030 Hybrid, in what appears to be a full-width rear wing.
Revised prototype regulations for 2009 saw LMP1 rear wings reduced from 200 to 160 cm in width. But the Japanese manufacturer has found a clever way around the rules to effectively restore the benefits of a full-sized wing (see picture above).
So how can this be done? We asked Toyota Racing technical director Pascal Vasselon for the answer.
"It's simple. It's not a rear wing. The rear wing is per the regulations,” Vasselon said. “What you see on the side is just the wheel arch. It's a clever understanding of the regulations."
Vasselon confirmed the “wheel arch” is connected to the wing endplate and is one complete structure. He says the addition of the "wheel arch" produces around 30 percent of more downforce compared to the car in Le Mans aero configuration.
This significant development is part of the car’s high downforce aero package, which also includes revised shorter front wheel arches and larger dive planes for it to adapt to the 18-turn, 3.667-mile circuit.
"When the regulations were written, their intention was probably not to have this kind of thing. But it's nothing exceptional. It's just what we can do,” Vasselon added. "As it's not something expensive, we expect to be copied. As soon as you understand it, and I don't think it's that difficult, it's easy to copy."
So the question quickly becomes: Will Audi show up at the next FIA WEC round in Brazil with a similar trick aero package?
PORSCHE RECEIVES BoP ADJUSTMENT— Following the lead of the American Le Mans Series, the FIA Endurance Committee has approved a series of Balance of Performance adjustments to the 2012-spec Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which competes in the GTE-Pro category.
Beginning at Silverstone, the wide-body Porsche can compete with a 0.7 mm larger air restrictor, a reduced weight of 1210 kg, a 75 mm larger front splitter and revised rear wing placement. The changes are similar to those instated on the ALMS Porsches from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in May.
The changes appeared to have an immediate effect in GTE-Pro, with the No. 77 Team Felbermayr-Proton Porsche of Richard Lietz and Marc Lieb scoring pole for tomorrow's six-hour race.
JEANNETTE SPEAKS OUT ON LUXURY WITHDRAWAL — Luxury Racing’s withdrawal from Silverstone has left some pretty talented drivers on the sidelines this weekend. In addition to Jaime Melo and Fred Makowiecki, who co-drive the team’s No. 59 Ferrari F458 Italia in GTE-Pro, the GTE-Am class No. 58 car of Pierre Ehret along with Americans Gunnar Jeannette and Frankie Montecalvo are also without a ride, and having only been notified last Saturday of the change of plans.
For Jeannette, who along with 21-year-old Montecalvo compete under the Bayshore Racing banner, their future is unclear at the moment, as Luxury has yet to commit for the remainder of the FIA WEC season.
“We are extremely disappointed not to be contesting the [this weekend’s] round,” Jeannette told SPEED.com. “We’re currently unsure of our teams next plans. We would obviously like to continue with the WEC but are not sure what is in the cards yet.”
2013 SCHEDULE UPDATE — SPEED.com has learned that FIA WEC organizers are aiming to release the 2013 calendar next month during the Six Hours of Sao Paulo round. Word in the paddock is that Brazil could kick off next year's schedule, which may see as many as 10 rounds, with the possible inclusions of Russia’s Moscow Raceway and Buddh International Circuit in India.
WATCH THE RACE LIVE — While you can catch highlights of every FIA WEC race on SPEED2, those wanting to follow the action live tomorrow can tune into: http://live.fiawec.com for video streaming and commentary from Radio Le Mans. Live Timing and Scoring and text updates are also available in the portal, making it a one-stop for everything you need in order to keep up with the action.
SPOTTERS GUIDE— Thanks to the support of EYECOON, Andy Blackmore’s popular Spotter’s Guide, a mainstay in the ALMS and 24 Hours of Le Mans, is now available for the FIA WEC. Featuring all 35 entries for Sunday’s Six Hours of Silverstone, Andy’s guide is a must-have, whether you’re headed to the circuit tomorrow or will be watching it from home.
Click Here to download Andy’s guide.
PHOTOS: FIA WEC Six Hours of Silverstone Gallery
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
Revised prototype regulations for 2009 saw LMP1 rear wings reduced from 200 to 160 cm in width. But the Japanese manufacturer has found a clever way around the rules to effectively restore the benefits of a full-sized wing (see picture above).
So how can this be done? We asked Toyota Racing technical director Pascal Vasselon for the answer.
"It's simple. It's not a rear wing. The rear wing is per the regulations,” Vasselon said. “What you see on the side is just the wheel arch. It's a clever understanding of the regulations."
Vasselon confirmed the “wheel arch” is connected to the wing endplate and is one complete structure. He says the addition of the "wheel arch" produces around 30 percent of more downforce compared to the car in Le Mans aero configuration.
This significant development is part of the car’s high downforce aero package, which also includes revised shorter front wheel arches and larger dive planes for it to adapt to the 18-turn, 3.667-mile circuit.
"When the regulations were written, their intention was probably not to have this kind of thing. But it's nothing exceptional. It's just what we can do,” Vasselon added. "As it's not something expensive, we expect to be copied. As soon as you understand it, and I don't think it's that difficult, it's easy to copy."
So the question quickly becomes: Will Audi show up at the next FIA WEC round in Brazil with a similar trick aero package?
PORSCHE RECEIVES BoP ADJUSTMENT— Following the lead of the American Le Mans Series, the FIA Endurance Committee has approved a series of Balance of Performance adjustments to the 2012-spec Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which competes in the GTE-Pro category.
Beginning at Silverstone, the wide-body Porsche can compete with a 0.7 mm larger air restrictor, a reduced weight of 1210 kg, a 75 mm larger front splitter and revised rear wing placement. The changes are similar to those instated on the ALMS Porsches from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in May.
The changes appeared to have an immediate effect in GTE-Pro, with the No. 77 Team Felbermayr-Proton Porsche of Richard Lietz and Marc Lieb scoring pole for tomorrow's six-hour race.
JEANNETTE SPEAKS OUT ON LUXURY WITHDRAWAL — Luxury Racing’s withdrawal from Silverstone has left some pretty talented drivers on the sidelines this weekend. In addition to Jaime Melo and Fred Makowiecki, who co-drive the team’s No. 59 Ferrari F458 Italia in GTE-Pro, the GTE-Am class No. 58 car of Pierre Ehret along with Americans Gunnar Jeannette and Frankie Montecalvo are also without a ride, and having only been notified last Saturday of the change of plans.
For Jeannette, who along with 21-year-old Montecalvo compete under the Bayshore Racing banner, their future is unclear at the moment, as Luxury has yet to commit for the remainder of the FIA WEC season.
“We are extremely disappointed not to be contesting the [this weekend’s] round,” Jeannette told SPEED.com. “We’re currently unsure of our teams next plans. We would obviously like to continue with the WEC but are not sure what is in the cards yet.”
2013 SCHEDULE UPDATE — SPEED.com has learned that FIA WEC organizers are aiming to release the 2013 calendar next month during the Six Hours of Sao Paulo round. Word in the paddock is that Brazil could kick off next year's schedule, which may see as many as 10 rounds, with the possible inclusions of Russia’s Moscow Raceway and Buddh International Circuit in India.
WATCH THE RACE LIVE — While you can catch highlights of every FIA WEC race on SPEED2, those wanting to follow the action live tomorrow can tune into: http://live.fiawec.com for video streaming and commentary from Radio Le Mans. Live Timing and Scoring and text updates are also available in the portal, making it a one-stop for everything you need in order to keep up with the action.
SPOTTERS GUIDE— Thanks to the support of EYECOON, Andy Blackmore’s popular Spotter’s Guide, a mainstay in the ALMS and 24 Hours of Le Mans, is now available for the FIA WEC. Featuring all 35 entries for Sunday’s Six Hours of Silverstone, Andy’s guide is a must-have, whether you’re headed to the circuit tomorrow or will be watching it from home.
Click Here to download Andy’s guide.
PHOTOS: FIA WEC Six Hours of Silverstone Gallery
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
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