Diesel wins '24 hours of Le Mans'

[lowenbrau]

RMCLA member, Todd Seitz posted this to our mailing list...

Shell V-Power Diesel race fuel powered Audi Sport to victory in the 24 Hours
of Le Mans race – re-writing the history books to become the first ever
diesel-powered winner of the legendary endurance event.

In a gruelling 24 hours of hard-charging, heart-stopping action, drivers
Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner used the power and efficiency
offered by Shell V-Power Diesel race fuel to complete 380 laps of the
sweeping French circuit. Not only did this see them 4 laps ahead of the
competition, but safely into the history books as the only drivers to win
motor racing’s most punishing event - with diesel in the tank.

With both cars on the front row of the grid the performance advantage of
Shell V-Power Diesel race fuel was clear to see as the Audi R10 TDI were
over 2.5 seconds ahead of the field after the first lap.

With the help of Shell V-Power Diesel technology continuously cleaning the
fuel injection system, the winning Audi R10 TDI was able to sustain this
great performance right through to the end of the race, and after 27 pit
stops over 24 hours, the winning car completed 380 laps to secure an
unforgettable maiden victory.

Shell V-Power Diesel is a top performance diesel fuel designed to help
modern diesel engines deliver more power for longer. Already available at
about 5,000 service stations across Europe, Shell scientists have used the
same fuel technology behind V-Power Diesel to create this special racing
fuel for Le Mans.

This remarkable result was due in part to the inclusion of Shell GTL (Gas to
Liquids) Fuel in the race formulation. Shell V-Power Diesel is the first and
only premium diesel to use this special synthetic fuel technology which is
created from natural gas in Malaysia using a unique Shell synthesis process.
Shell GTL Fuel burns more cleanly and efficiently than conventional diesel
because of its outstanding purity and cetane quality.

Mike Copson, Shell Motorsport Technical Manager commented, “What we have
achieved today would have simply been unimaginable a few years ago. It’s a
landmark victory for Shell, and for diesel as a whole, and we’re very proud
to have created the first ever diesel fuel with the enduring power needed to
win at Le Mans.”


<EDIT lowenbrau>

I found some specs and a picture at wikipedia

"The main novelty of the R10 is its engine: a TDI Turbo Diesel engine. It is a 5.5 L (335.6 ci) all-aluminium bi-turbo 90° V12, with common rail direct injection of more than 1600 bar. Its output should be 650 hp (485 kW) (regulated) and 1100 N·m (811 ft·lbf) of torque, and its usable power band is between 3000 and 5000 rpm"

[Diescipel]

OK so does anybody make an adapter kit to put one of those in my BJ?

Since we're being a little chatty here in dieselland, have you seen some of the new diesel vehicles coming to the U.S. (and Canada?) soon?

http://autoblog.com/2006/01/08/detro...esels-for-the/
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/23/h...clean-diesels/

I really like the hybrid diesel engines coming soon. After all, why start with an inherently less efficient internal combustion engine (gas) when you're going for fuel efficiency?

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005...eils_opel.html
http://www.wired.com/news/autotech/0,2554,66949,00.html
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/co...ge_new+hybrids

[Technikev]

I think that's basically the same engine that VW uses. Though I doubt you would see it in the Toureg in that state of tune from the dealer lot. It sure would put a smile on some faces, though...

-Kevin

[Kalawang]

I don't think it's the first Deisel win. I seem to remember some racer winning 1-2-3 with turbo deisel some years ago in a different race but after, the organizers changed the rules. It was just too powerful and had no real competition.

Sadly, I can't remember more of this as I wasn't all that interested in cars back then.


Kalawang