ALMS Changes The Rules Allowing Hybrid Technology
Aston Martin’s debut in the LMP1 class at Le Mans this year coincides with a number of rule changes – posing another challenge to the British team as it gears up for its campaign at the La Sarthe circuit on the 13-14 June.
Aston Martin Racing will enter three Gulf-liveried LMP1 prototypes, powered by the same production-derived V12 engine that has given the Aston Martin DBR9 victory in the GT1 class at the 24 Hours for the last two years.
Some even more far-reaching changes are set to be introduced for the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2010, allowing homologation of hybrid technology cars, encouraging further use of hybrid technology such as KERS and reducing carbon emissions.
KERS is the acronym for Kinetic Energy Recharging System. Best known in the Prius which uses the technology under braking to recharge the hybrid battery packs.
Aston Martin Racing Team Principal George Howard-Chappell commented: “The changes to the rules mean that the emphasis has switched to getting more out all aspect of the car. In the end these new rules just provide another set of numbers to compute: they don’t make a fundamental difference to the unique challenge of the race.”
1 Comment June 5, 2009
