Latest from Le Mans Testing
(Posted on 07/06/2005
by Ralph Dodds)
"Peninsula’s first testing session went well with the drivers learning
the huge circuit and the rest of the team trying out various settings ready for
qualifying," writes Peninsula's Richard Mayoh
"The car ran well except for a rear suspension problem during the morning
testing when John was driving. Richard and Piers had very similar times in their
test sessions.
"The times were poorer than expected due to gearing and diff ratio issues
which will be changed for qualifying.
"On the straight the best speed
was 175mph and it seemed to stay similar whatever
rear splitter or trim of the wing was used until
we put on a gurney strip which cost 4 mph with no
particular settling in the corners. Gradually the
car was adjusted to be better for bumps and undulations
on the road".
Team Manager Dennis Leech said, "We
are trying something with the differential and that
caused a small oil leak. There is no rush today so
we did a ‘spanner check’ on the whole
car. We are concentrating on handling today. Due
to the high speed nature of the track it calls for
different aerodynamics than we would use anywhere
else and at the moment we are a couple of miles an
hour down on our top speed."
Richard added, "The team did not
use qualifying tyres or try any one off aerodynamic
tweaks to get a time". They finished the session
14th in class with a time of 4:25.304.
Last year’s TVR entry, Chamberlain
Synergy Motorsport headed by Gareth Evans and Bob
Berridge, are this year entered into the faster LM2
class with a Lola AER and finished the test session
17th overall (6th in class) with a time of 3:47.586
while former TVR racers Martin Short and Bobby Verdon-Roe
finished testing in 6th and 18th places respectively
with their LM1 Rollcentre Racing Dallaras. back
Clean Bill of Health for Racesports
Peninsula TVR
(Posted on 04/06/2005
by Ralph Dodds)
Friday and Saturday 4/5th June saw the teams preparing for the test sessions
due to take place on Sunday; last-minute adjustments to the cars, seat-fittings
for some drivers, and fitting out the pit garages. The teams also had to submit
to the rigours of technical inspections – for both cars and drivers
very car is checked with scrupulous efficiency, to ensure that it is safe to
take to the track and that it complies with the regulations. No teams are exempt – not
even those who went through the process less than two months ago, competing in
the Le Mans Endurance Series race at Spa-Francorchamps. So many had already undergone
scrutineering, involving many of the officials examining them today.
“We got a clean bill of health at Spa, and it was the same here today,” explained
Dennis Leech, team manager of Racesport Peninsula, whose TVR Tuscan 400R had
just been checked. “We get on well with the scrutineers – they are
very helpful. They measure just about every dimension, and they are very strict – the
length is checked to the nearest millimetre. They also measure the front and
rear overhangs, the wheelbase, the width, the rear wing size – everything.”
Passing such a meticulous examination
isn’t the end of it for the teams – the
officials will have their weigh scales and measures
out again in ten days’ time, rechecking the
cars with even greater thoroughness prior to the
actual race.
The drivers also have to go through
a technical inspection, the administrators using
part of the media centre for the purpose. “They
are very thorough – more so than for any other
series,” said Darren Turner, who will be racing
one of the two Aston Martin DBR9 entries tomorrow. “We
have to fill out a few forms and produce our racing
licence, which the officials take a copy of. They
check our helmets, and even that our racing overalls
have the right FIA serial numbers.”
As with the cars, the drivers will
go through it all again prior to the race – but
again, it will be taken to the next level. “For
practice, they just check a single helmet for each
driver; before the race, where a driver uses more
than one then each one will be looked at,” explained
Turner. “They will check everything – even
our boots and gloves.”
Scrutineering for the race takes place
on Monday and Tuesday 13/14th June, when the organisers
take over the town centre of Le Mans. For years the
Place des Jacobins has become the centre of activity,
and members of the public flock to take advantage
of the chance to get close to the teams and drivers.
We wish the team all the very best
for testing tomorrow.
With thanks
to the ACO for this report
Le Mans Practice This Weekend
(Posted on 03/06/2005
by Ralph Dodds)
Just two weeks to get your Team Racesport Peninsula TVR regalia!
The team are now at Le Mans in anticipation of this weekend's official practice
and we hope to bring you details of how they get on here. If you haven't ordered
your supporter's regalia it's not too late to do so for the big weekend itself
in just two weeks time and it can be ordered directly from Peninsula TVR by
viewing their website. Five separate items are available - a t-shirt, polo
shirt, fleece, jacket and baseball cap.
Join In The Lime Light.....
(Posted on 27/05/2005
by teampeninsula)
Do you want to be a part of the continual build-up for Le Mans in the South
West? The ITV cameras will be at the Aylesbeare Dealership on the afternoon
of 31st May. They will be there to meet and interview the team and of course
see the TVR race car. The team will then be departing from the Dealership to
head straight for Le Mans. If you would like to be a part of the “send
off” and maybe even contribute to the ITV coverage then do come down
to Peninsula. It is a great opportunity to get as many TVRs down to Sidmouth
Road as possible. If you need any more information feel free to call Peninsula
on 01395 232241
Be Part Of The Team!
(Posted on 25/05/2005 by teampeninsula)
The Peninsula TVR online shop has now been finished allowing all TVR Le Mans
fans to equip themselves with the latest "Team Gear". The high quality
Team shirts, fleeces, jackets and caps will be delivered in time for the great
event. Any questions feel free to call Fiona on 01395 232241 All support is
appreciated and the Team look forward to seeing as many supporters as possible
in Le Mans...do come and say hi!! www.peninsula-cars.co.uk
Final touches are being carried
on the Peninsula T400R race car as the team ready
themselves for this years Le Mans race.
(Posted
on 17/05/2005 by Paul Calland)
The car has continued to undergo a variety of modifications and tests to maximise
the team’s chances of a successful result in France. Meanwhile the drivers
have not been left out as they continue their rigorous training sessions to
increase their fitness for the race. On the 31st May the team will leave the
Aylesbeare dealership for the trip to Le Mans to prepare for testing and the
race. There is an open invite to those who wish to come along to Peninsula
and give them a TVR send off!
For all those TVRCC fans that are attending
the Le Mans event the team would appreciate any support
you can give them as they are the only TVR in the
race this year. A yell as they pass in the “parade
de pilote” or simply wearing black and/or yellow
as you watch the race would be much appreciated.
If you would like any 2005 Peninsula
Le Mans polo shirts, caps and fleeces you can order
from www.peninsula-cars.co.uk (from this weekend
21st!) or call 01395 232241 in time for the big race!
Peninsula hope to see as many TVR fans
in France as possible so do make yourself known to
the team. (They hope to be celebrating with you all
on Sunday night!)
Le Mans – the Final Countdown
(Posted on 14/06/2005
posted by Ralph Dodds)
More news will appear here as soon as we receive
it. Best wishes to drivers John Hartshorne, Richard
Stanton and Piers Johnson plus all of the support team
and back room boys for a fantastic result this weekend.
We’re all rooting for you.
Don’t forget, if you are driving down to La Sarthe for this weekend’s
race and it is your first Le Mans, there is a very good guide for Le Mans virgins
Charity Cyclists On Their Way
(Posted on 14/06/2005
posted by Ralph Dodds)
The Club's 17 cyclists with their four back
up staff have left UK and are on their way to Le Mans,
raising money for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
Le Mans - First Qualifying
(Posted on 16/06/2005
posted by Ralph Dodds)
The Racesports Peninsula TVR T400R acquiited
itslef well last night during first qualifying sessions.
At the end of day qualifying it was lying 41st overall
and 12th in class with a time of 5:20.267. During the
night time session it posted a best time of 4:48.379
leaving the team 44th overall and 11th in class
Le Mans - Final Qualifying
(Posted on 17/06/2005
posted by Ralph Dodds)
Well we now know the grid positions for tomorrow's
race. The Racesports Peninsula TVR T400R shaved nearly
30 seconds of its previous best time in practice and
qualifying to post a time of 4:22.310 for the 13km
circuit. Unfortunately, everyone else improved during
this final session as well so no real improvement on
grid position - the teams starts in 12th place in class
- 46th overall. But, as Henri Pescarolo, team owner
for the all-French Pescarolo Judds that occupy P1 and
P2 on the grid in their LM1 cars said last night, “It’s
the race that counts”.
First Report from Le Mans live from the pits
(Posted on 17/06/2005
posted by Paul Calland)
We have now got a link up to the TVRCC and Penninsula
website from the pit garage at Le Mans and will update
both sites as frequently as we can as the race progresses.
The team are all busy preparing the car for the race
tomorrow and we are all looking forward to the Parade
De Pilotes this evening in Le Mans town centre.
Second Report from the pits
(Posted on 18/06/2005
posted by Paul Calland)
The second report from the Peninsula pits. It
is very very warm! Temperatures are 30+ and it can
only be imagined how hot it must be inside the T400.
All the drivers have now had a stint in the car and
Piers is currently back out for his second drive now.
The car is running well and everyone is enthusiastic
(but very hot). After his first stint Piers was seen
sat with his feet in a bucket of cold water!
Technical update
(Posted on 18/06/2005
posted by Paul Calland)
So far there have been two delays; So far there
have been two delays;
The first was 20 minutes sorting out a broken clutch pedal. Apparently clutch
pedal travel is now what you would call minimal as it is now something nearer
to and on/off switch. The drivers are having to be really careful especially
when leaving the pits!
The second was an hours delay caused by a problem wheel nut and thread. John
sat waiting in the car in the extreme temperatures we are experiencing here
for a good while but ended up having to get out and wait.
Unfortunate maybe but it is a 24 hour race and there are still many many hours
to go and the car is out there working hard. The team are all in good spirits
and there are some interesting photos being taken inside the pits that are
not ideal for the website but may end up being printed out and passed around!
11 Hours Have Past And So Far So Good
(Posted on 19/06/2005
posted by Paul Calland)
With 11 hours now past the Peninsula T400R is
still lapping the Le Mans street circuit. At present
Piers is out on track and lapping at 4.24.349 The team
are relaxed as they continue to fuel and service the
Tuscan R through the night. Although it is just gone
3am the team are relaxed and readying themselves for
the next pit stop. At present there are no serious
issues with the car and the team are happy with the
current situation. The main problrm for all the drivers
is the heat they have to contend with in the cabin.
Night time at Le Mans
(Posted on 19/06/2005
posted by Paul Calland)
It got down as 'cool' as 20 degrees apparently?!!
12 Noon report
(Posted on 19/06/2005 posted by Paul Calland)
The TVR is still out and running. Temperatures are set to top 33-35 degrees
so it is even hotter than yesterday. Currently it is standing at 14th in class
and lapping at 4.32.247. Richard is at the wheel, Piers having handed over
a while ago.
Le Mans is over...for 2005
(Posted on 20/06/2005)
For the second consecutive year, as the famous Le Mans Rolex clock passed 4.00pm
on Sunday afternoon, the TVR supporters had something to cheer about. For again,
the TVR entry had proved that despite what the doubters might say, reliability
is proven by finishing the world’s most gruelling endurance race. For
that is exactly what the Racesports Peninsula TVR T400R had done.
Following the excellent result in 2004 when both Synergy Chamberlain Motorsport
T400s crossed the line in formation, this year the sole TVR entry, piloted
through this final session by Richard Stanton, crossed the finishing line after
completing 256 laps of the 13.650 km (8.476 miles) circuit. That’s 2170
miles in 24 hours at an average speed of 90.4mph. Of 49 starters, including
14 in the GT2 class, the T400R finished in 26th position overall and 8th in
class.
Other TVRCC favourites also entered in the race included former Tuscan drivers
Jamie Campbell-Walter (finished 15th overall, 8th in LM1 class) and Martin
Short (17th overall, 9th in LM1 class). The other former Tuscan pilot Bobby
Verdon-Roe, driving a Dallara Nissan in LM1, retired after 18 hours while last
year’s TVR entrants, Gareth Evans and Bob Berridge of Synergy Chamberlain
Motorsport, retired after just five hours following gearbox failure in their
LM2 Lola. The race was won again by an Audi. For full results see the Le Mans
website or for more photographs see the PlanetLeMans website.
Well done to John Hartshorne, Richard Stanton and Piers Johnson, together with
team manager Dennis Leech and all at Racesports Peninsula TVR. We wish them
continued success in this year’s LMES and hope to see them back at La
Sarthe in 2006.
If you know of any other news
or items you think would be worth adding to this website
please let us know.
