Lights on side of Le Mans cars

[E31Shrew]

Not sure if its been asked, but wondered if there were any reason, besides cosmetic, for the lights on the side of some Le Mans cars?

[dougc]

Colour is for the class (LMP1, LMP2, GT1, GT2)

Number of lights illuminated indicates position in class e.g. 2 red lights = second place in LMP1

[E31Shrew]

Brill. Thanks for that. Last went in 1990. Wouldve been a godsend!

[nick francis]

I wondered if it signified the identity of the driver, eg 1 light for driver 1 etc..
I for one would never be quick enough to identify a driver from the helmet.

[Munter]

Much better than the system in use at the N24. We never did sus out the difference between a solid blue/flashing blue/blue and green/orange etc shown in the windscreen. Mind you it was hard to fucus for some reason....

[jimpritchard]

dougc said:

Colour is for the class (LMP1, LMP2, GT1, GT2)

Number of lights illuminated indicates position in class e.g. 2 red lights = second place in LMP1

In view of this, did 3 lights mean 3rd or 1st? ie: the more lights you have illuminated the better, or did it mean 3 lights if you are 1st?

[Tyre Smoke]

Munter said:

Much better than the system in use at the N24. We never did sus out the difference between a solid blue/flashing blue/blue and green/orange etc shown in the windscreen. Mind you it was hard to fucus for some reason....

I think you'll find that is so the pit can identify their car in the dark. Nothing to do with placings.

[dougc]

jimpritchard said:

dougc said:

Colour is for the class (LMP1, LMP2, GT1, GT2)

Number of lights illuminated indicates position in class e.g. 2 red lights = second place in LMP1

In view of this, did 3 lights mean 3rd or 1st? ie: the more lights you have illuminated the better, or did it mean 3 lights if you are 1st?

1=1st
2=2nd
3=3rd

[neilski]

Tyre Smoke said:

Munter said:

Much better than the system in use at the N24. We never did sus out the difference between a solid blue/flashing blue/blue and green/orange etc shown in the windscreen. Mind you it was hard to fucus for some reason....

I think you'll find that is so the pit can identify their car in the dark. Nothing to do with placings.

They're called position lights which are do with placings and the pit crew identify their car in the dark by the glow in the dark race numbers.

[jimpritchard]

dougc said:

jimpritchard said:

dougc said:

Colour is for the class (LMP1, LMP2, GT1, GT2)

Number of lights illuminated indicates position in class e.g. 2 red lights = second place in LMP1

In view of this, did 3 lights mean 3rd or 1st? ie: the more lights you have illuminated the better, or did it mean 3 lights if you are 1st?

1=1st
2=2nd
3=3rd

ta

[Ash 996 GT2]

dougc said:

jimpritchard said:

dougc said:

Colour is for the class (LMP1, LMP2, GT1, GT2)

Number of lights illuminated indicates position in class e.g. 2 red lights = second place in LMP1

In view of this, did 3 lights mean 3rd or 1st? ie: the more lights you have illuminated the better, or did it mean 3 lights if you are 1st?

1=1st
2=2nd
3=3rd

1=1st
2=1st loser
3rd=2nd loser

[Tyre Smoke]

neilski said:

Tyre Smoke said:

Munter said:

Much better than the system in use at the N24. We never did sus out the difference between a solid blue/flashing blue/blue and green/orange etc shown in the windscreen. Mind you it was hard to fucus for some reason....

I think you'll find that is so the pit can identify their car in the dark. Nothing to do with placings.

They're called position lights which are do with placings and the pit crew identify their car in the dark by the glow in the dark race numbers.

You're making that up as you go along aren't you?

The pit crew cannot see the illuminated numbers on the side of the car as it comes towards them from a distance. Also they can readily identify their car as it comes down the pitlane. If you were at LM this year you would have noticed the 3 AM Lolas had different flashing headlight sequences as they hit the pit lane limiter. One flashed the three headlights top, middle, bottom. Another went bottom, middle top and the third did only the middle light each side, or something.

[dan101smith]

According to Radio Le Mans, they are indeed position lights, as stated above.

[Tyre Smoke]

dan101smith said:

According to Radio Le Mans, they are indeed position lights, as stated above.

Lights on the sides, yes. Originally used in the ALMS. I was referring to the lights in the windscreens at various positions/colours.

Position lights (2 on indicating 2nd place):



Crew identification light (blue light under sunstrip):

Edited by Tyre Smoke on Wednesday 17th June 17:08

[Paul 8v]

Are the race numbers glow in the dark or illuminated? They seem to be very bright for glow in the dark but I'm sure it's possible

[Tyre Smoke]

Paul 8v said:

Are the race numbers glow in the dark or illuminated? They seem to be very bright for glow in the dark but I'm sure it's possible

Generally back lit (to varying degrees of success) but I think the regs just say they have to be illuminated. Hence the JLOC Lambo having four torches gaffa taped to the doors - I kid you not.

[Paul 8v]

That car didn't do too well in the end anyway :-(

[dan101smith]

Didn't notice those lights by the windscreen.

Talking of the JLOC Lambo, what was the deal with that? Why enter it when they obviously knew it had no chance of taking part?

[blueST]

Tyre Smoke said:

Paul 8v said:

Are the race numbers glow in the dark or illuminated? They seem to be very bright for glow in the dark but I'm sure it's possible

Generally back lit (to varying degrees of success) but I think the regs just say they have to be illuminated. Hence the JLOC Lambo having four torches gaffa taped to the doors - I kid you not.

The race numbers that glow are on an electro luminescent material that glows when supplied with electric.

[dougc]

dan101smith said:

Didn't notice those lights by the windscreen.

Talking of the JLOC Lambo, what was the deal with that? Why enter it when they obviously knew it had no chance of taking part?

Add a few quid to the vehicles value?

Waste of an entry,