Prior to yesterday's official test day for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 2014 regulations required that one car from each of the LMGTE manufacturers had to be present at Michelin’s high-speed Ladoux test track at Clermont Ferrand in France for a Balance of Performance test.
This took place last week, and an Aston Martin Vantage V8, Corvette C7.R, Ferrari 458 Italia and 911 RSR and 911 GT3 RSR Porsches took part with FIA/ACO test driver Jean-Marc Gounon driving them all over a four-day period.
This was the first time that the Corvette has appeared in Europe so it was the first opportunity to measure it up against the regular FIA WEC competitors. A new Le Mans aerodynamic package from Ferrari was also evaluated – this latter being approved by the regulatory body and pressed into immediate use by the Ferrari teams for the Le Mans test day.
The Endurance Committee has now published its findings and the changes have been relatively few. The Aston Martin Vantages gain an additional 5 litres fuel capacity in both LMGTE Pro and Am, the change being applicable only to 2013 models in LMGTE Am.
The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR and 911 RSR remain at 90 litres capacity, while the Ferrari 458 Italia and Corvette C7.R are allowed to carry 85 litres. The Corvette C7.R has been given an increase of 1.3mm on each of its two restrictors, while its rear wing has been lowered by 25 mm, and the FIA and ACO are confident these all these published changes will allow all LMGTE challengers a fair chance to fight for class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 14/15 June and beyond.
Fiona Miller
