Audi or Bentley to win?

[willdew]

So who's going to take outright victory then?

I think if the Bentleys can run until the end they stand a good chance, but am sceptical they'll finish. The Audi reliability should see them mop up. I think my money's on the Champion Audi R8. What do you reckon?

[Mark B]

Bentley all the way to the end! But which one, German or British??

[andymadmak]

Same car isn't it? I fail to see how chopping the roof off and sticking some fablon Bentley badges makes much difference !
The winner will be whoever VAG wants to win.....

Andy 400se (abitcynicalbutcantwaittogetinthewedgeandgo!)

[willdew]

andymadmak said: Same car isn't it?

I had the same sort of thoughts, but there's a good article in the Autosport supplement detailing the main differences. It points out quite rightly, the rules for the two classes are too different to enter the same car for each race and expect them to be as fast as one another.

It's my understanding that their top speeds and cornering speeds will be different and fuel economies will also vary due to the audi being 10+ mph faster. Obviously the engines are very similar, but do they have the same size air restrictors?

[Tom1981]

Again, I thought the same "same car with a roof"

But as you say there is a good article in the Autosport supplement that I read on the train this morning.

I'm going to pop down the bookies and put a few £ on Bently I think

[willdew]

andymadmak said: The winner will be whoever VAG wants to win.....

Also, VAG has no say in the R8s this year as they are all entered by private teams. I wouldn't have thought they'd not be too disappointed if Goh, Champion or Audi UK win, but they obviously want Bentley on the top step of the podium.

>> Edited by willdew on Friday 6th June 13:03

[Digga]

To quote our 'team', "TVRCC Home Guard" shirts:

"Who do you think you are kidding Mr Audi?..
...b*ll**ks is it a Bentley!"

[Mark B]

As a bunch of Le Mans enthusiasts who usually become incredibly patriotic, it amazes me how negative so many are towards the Bentley.... It may be owned by VAG but it has been entirely designed and built in the UK. It may have the same base engine, but the gearbox, aero package, regulations, etc are all different. At least they aren't relying on 6 hour gearbox change like the Audi does.

To say 'Bo****ks is it a Bentley' what exactly is Audi about it then, apart from the engine block???????

I think we should get behind the Bentley it is a British built and designed car through and through.....

[willdew]

Good call Mark. In the prototype categories they are all racing cars and have nothing to do with the road cars these manufactures produce. It's a different principle to going into a showroom and buying a bentley that's based on an A6.

It's even 90% different people that work on the race cars rather than the road cars. The way I see it is they are all just branded racing teams, funded by a manufacturer with their name slapped on the side. I don't see the first car as really an Audi, nor this car really a Bentley. They're certainly not the same as each other though.

[Digga]

Mark B said: As a bunch of Le Mans enthusiasts who usually become incredibly patriotic, it amazes me how negative so many are towards the Bentley.... It may be owned by VAG but it has been entirely designed and built in the UK. It may have the same base engine, but the gearbox, aero package, regulations, etc are all different. At least they aren't relying on 6 hour gearbox change like the Audi does.

To say 'Bo****ks is it a Bentley' what exactly is Audi about it then, apart from the engine block???????

I think we should get behind the Bentley it is a British built and designed car through and through.....

I think more than a few of us lament the selling-off of the family silver that was the loss of the British ownership of most marques during the '90s.

It's just my opinion, but (for obvious reasons) I'll be far more excited if both TVRs finish, than if Bentdi win. Not that winning LM is any mean feat you understand.