Space tech to race at Le Mans this weekend


4 May 2003 - Le Mans qualification test day in France
 
The two Pescarolo Sport cars, no. 17 and no. 18, participating this year to the legendary 24-hours Le Mans race in France, are ‘boosted’ by space technologies. Space composite materials have cut 29 kg off body weight – crucial in a race where lower weight means faster laps. In addition, thermal shields based on the same technology used for Ariane launchers are used to insulate exhaust pipes and manifolds. An innovative cooling system to refresh helmets and suits, successfully used first time at this years Paris-Dakar race, will provide higher comfort to the driver. The image shows no. 18 during the test day at Le Mans, 4 May 2003.

Le Mans qualification test day
 
The two ‘Pescarolo Sport’ cars, no. 17 and no. 18, performed very well at the Le Mans test day on 4 May 2003. The image shows no. 17 in a curve during the test race in which 50 cars participated. Car no. 18 driven by Soheil Ayari, Éric Helary and Nicolas Minassian ended in 9th position with a time of 3 hours 46 minutes. Car no. 17 driven by Jean-Christophe Boullion, Franck Lagorce and Stéphane Sarrazin ended in 13th position with the time 3 hours 46 minutes.

Lighter and safer with space materials
 
Pescarolo at '2003 Dakar Rally' takes advantage of space tech
 
In the '2003 Dakar Rally' temperatures hit 25°C towards Ghat, Libya, but a special thermal screen on the exhaust system with technology from the European launch vehicle Ariane reduced the car cabin temperature.

The space-cooled undergarments - Le Mans
 
The space-cooled undergarments to be used at Le Mans. The system is based on a lightweight-cooling unit based on Peltier effect, the same cooling principle is utilized in space devices where weight reduction is important. The Italian company Grado Zero Espace has produced the garment. The importance is, however, for next year’s race when new rules will require closed (saloon) bodies which will introduce more challenges to ensure comfortable thermal regulation for drivers.

Space tech already a winner
 
Pescarolo Sport Team on the podium at Estoril, Portugal
 
Estoril, Portugal 13 April 2003: The winning drivers Jean-Christophe Boullion and Stephane Sarrazin flanking team owner Henri Pescarolo on the podium. Left: in second place John Nielsen and Hayanari Shimoda, team ‘RN Motorsports’. Right: In third place Jan Lammers and John Bosch, team ‘Racing for Holland’.



Release date: 25 September 2003