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2009 Peugeot Challenger @ Le Mans Success Review

June 2009
Filed under: PEUGEOT Car News | PEUGEOT Headlines

View this 2009 Peugeot Challenger @ Le Mans Success Wallpaper Picture

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Peugeot Sport embarks on the challenge of winning again, at the iconic Le Mans 24 hours race next weekend (13 / 14th June) having finished a close second in the two previous races with the accomplished 908 HDi FAP.

This year the team is running three 908 HDi FAP sports prototype in the French classic with an even stronger determination to succeed, due in part to the invaluable experience gained during its build-up to this year's competition. With the focus solely on the race, the team goes into the 2009 event feeling composed and confident, recognising of course that the unique appeal of the race is that surprises are always possible in such an unforgiving contest like Le Mans, an event with a unique blend of human emotion and technical prowess.

Peugeot Sport has used all the information from its test sessions and races to further develop a number of areas on the 908 - like the traction control system to harness the awesome torque delivered from the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP V12 diesel engine, which became an aspect that defined the order of last years race when the rain fell. Many other aspects have also been considered, like designing solutions to reduce the debris that can block the radiators and affect cooling. Also the tyres have been optimised, with the assistance of Michelin, to match the drive characteristics of the 908 HDi FAP and reduce the complexity and time taken for wheel-changing during pit-stops.

In parallel to this work, and from the experience the team has gained at the different circuits it has visited since last June, Peugeot Sport's technical team has also had to absorb the ongoing changes to the regulations introduced by the Automobile Club de lOuest.

This work has focused on five main areas, says Peugeot Sport's Technical Director Bruno Famin: "To begin with, the ACO's measures mean a reduction in engine power due to a smaller air restrictor, the diameter has come down from 39.9mm to 38.3mm. Meanwhile, the requirement for closed cars to have air conditioning to prevent the cockpit temperature from exceeding 32°C has called for the incorporation of a power take-off at the end of the gearbox to drive the compressor. We have also worked with our partner Bosch to optimise the V12 engines fuel injection and combustion.

"Special attention has been paid to aerodynamics, too. The regulations dictate a smaller rear wing, the width of which has come down from 2.0 to 1.6 metres, and this has meant that we have consequently had to revise the overall package in order to rebalance the car, by reducing front downforce. This explains the new front-end bodywork we will be running for the first time at Le Mans. Since April, the ACO enforced a requirement for us to carry 30kg of extra ballast, and this has a significant impact on the resilience of certain mechanical parts, notably suspension and brake components. Lastly, the fuel filler pipe is now narrower, and that will add some three seconds to fuel stops."

Olivier Quesnel, who took over as Director of Peugeot Sport on January 1, 2009, placed the emphasis on two priority objectives: "The first was to work on reliability by carrying out a high number of endurance simulation tests rather than give the team a busy race programme. I also wanted to make sure that the team mechanics were fully motivated on their arrival at Le Mans. It is also important to complete the line-up with experienced drivers, which is why we selected David Brabham and Sébastien Bourdais whose passion to win Le Mans is as strong as everyone to succeed at Peugeot."

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