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Test-drive ESA technology 
PlayStation users worldwide can now see for themselves what happens when Ariane launcher technology is applied to Le Mans racing. All they have to do is sit back and select which Pescarolo racing car they want to test-drive. Gran Turismo 4, a new PlayStation 2 game, features the two custom-built top-performance Pescarolo racing cars that took part in the Le Mans endurance race in 2003 and 2004. Both were constructed using technologies developed for European space programmes.
“In 2003, our victories in Portugal and France, second place in Spa and our great performance at the 24-hours race of Le Mans proved that the technological contributions from ESA were effective,” said Henri Pescarolo.
To play the game you choose which Pescarolo racing car to drive:
The 2004 version can deliver up to 591 hp at 7000 rpm. This car came fourth both at Monza in Italy and at the 2004 Le Mans. On both occasions it was only beaten by its Audi rivals. Space technology helps
In December 2002 ESA's Technology Transfer Programme formed a partnership with Pescarolo Sport to identify and provide innovative technologies first developed for space for use in endurance racing cars. The priorities were security, reliability and performance.
To improve safety, thermal shields similar to those used on Europe's Ariane launcher were placed between the engine and the fuel tank to protect it from fire hazards. The 800° C hot exhaust system was insulated by quartz-felt, used on the Ariane launchers to increase both safety and turbo-compression performance.
André de Cortanze, Technical Director of Pescarolo Sport team, says: “The near 30 kg reduction in the car’s weight enabled us to locate weight optimally for better overall handling. On a four km test circuit we gained one second with the 30 kg lighter car; as the Le Mans circuit is 13 km we gained 4.25 seconds per lap.”
In 2004, an additional eight kg were saved by using the composite materials designed for space for more body parts. In total, an amazing 38 kg weight reduction has been achieved and the heat protection shield designed for the Ariane launcher has also helped to improve performance. “Heat protection is essential,” explained André de Cortanze, "it not only improves safety but it also helps the car to run. The engine produces a lot of heat and as this affects performance we need to add lots of insulation. This is much easier to do with products developed for space."
New technology originating from earlier space development was also used for the car’s wheel bearings. A special hybrid construction of stainless steel rings and ceramic balls was made using spin-off technology from the gyroscopes developed for satellites.
"Endurance racing is like space: it's a harsh and hostile environment that requires reliable solutions using material that is both light and strong," says Pierre Brisson, Head of ESA's Technology Transfer and Promotion Office (TTP). "We decided to cooperate with Henri Pescarolo and use his racing cars as a test platform for the possible use of space technologies in cars." Le Mans has always been a test bed where new technologies can be tried before being introduced for mass-produced cars. For example, disk brakes were invented for, and first used, at the 1953 Le Mans race. "When they are proven in extreme races like Le Mans, car manufacturers see the opportunities and are more likely to use our innovative technologies, thus making the cars we all use safer, and more reliable and comfortable," emphasises Brisson.
"In the end, the use of spin-off technologies from space will contribute to greater safety on our roads."
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