24h Le Mans
Photo : Michel JAMIN - ACO / Nikon
After DeltaWing Nissan and "downsizing" (reduction of dimensions, aerodynamic drag and power requirement), the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2013 will host the GreenGT H2, Vincent Beaumesnil gives the latest news.
Firstly, what is your assessment of the participation of the DeltaWing Nissan in 2012?
Vincent Beaumesnil: I believe that the coming of the Nissan DeltaWing was a success. In the media, it is not a secret that it created an incredible enthusiasm. From a technical point of view, many people were sceptical three months before the 24 hours, but at the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, of course we studied things and we knew it would work. We set goals for the Nissan DeltaWing, which finally found it's performance exactly where we expected (at midfield LM P2 prototypes, ed.) I take my hat off to them, because there were no surprises. Its race was brought a premature end, but it showed that it perfectly integrated into the field of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which was one of the objectives.
What is the latest news from the GreenGT H2?
All components have successfully passed laboratory tests and on the test bed, so we know that its technology and hydrogen fuel cell work. The car has been assembled and will soon do its first laps. I hope to see very soon on the track. I am very surprised, because this team get results that we had no idea at the outset. The Automobile Club de l'Ouest and people GreenGT met several times to define all terms, because it is a very unique technology with hydrogen, which requires strict standards of Use . But everything is very well sorted, especially regarding safety.
What exactly are the standards and specific logistics required by the GreenGT H2?
This car uses hydrogen which it transforms into electricity, according to the principle of the fuel cell. The GreenGT H2 stores hydrogen at 350 bar pressure in extremely durable, cylinders, which will be refilled during the race. So we have to develop an area in which the refuelling process can happen. Safety teams of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest have already had several meetings on this subject, which were attended of course by all state services (prefecture, fire service, etc.).. Nothing is left to chance.
The 90th anniversary 24 Hours of Le Mans is on the 22nd and 23rd June. Click HERE for ticket information.
Entry List HERE.
Jean-Philippe Doret
Photo : EUROSITES GEORGES V (PARIS), PRESS CONFERENCE OF THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, 1ST FEB 2013. Vincent Beaumesnil (right) speaks briefly about the GreenGT H2 at the 24 Hours.
