LMP1 - in this class it's all about Toyota trying to get the overall win what happened last year. If you don't already know, here is a breakdown of the events:
"They ran a perfect race. Their two TS050s came to Le Mans with pace that surprised their competitors, their fuel mileage got them into the lead as the sun rose, and an incredible drive by all three of the pilots of the #5 gave them a 30 second lead that they maintained for the race's final four hours. Porsche put everything into their #2 919 Hybrid, and when they had to stop for fuel an extra time with ten minutes to go, they knew the race was over even if things went slightly wrong for the Toyota. What they didn't know is that things would go more than slightly wrong for Toyota.
With six minutes left, the #5 showed its first sign of weakness of the race. The car that had stayed steady all race long and didn't move into the lead over the #2 and its sister #6 until the last quarter of the race seemed bulletproof, not entering the garage once.
Then, it slowed on the Mulsanne. At first it seemed to be a minor malfunction, that the car could limp home over the last five minutes and its 70 second lead would be a big enough margin to secure a win.
With four minutes left, the car slowed further. The Porsche caught quickly, and a loss became inevitable. With three minutes left, the car simply stopped as it ran across the start-finish line, where it was immediately overwhelmed by the 919 Hybrid. The car's race ended on the last lap, just as the would-be leader crossed the start finish line, and a sure victory would instead be a heartbreaking defeat."
So far this year there have been just two races with the Porsche and Toyota battling. Porsche has been running their low downforce package for each race to prep for Le Mans, while Toyota had been running their high downforce package at the first two races as that's what was nessesary to win those races. Now that everyone is running low downforce for the LeSarth track, Toyota is still faster.
They just put in a lap time of 3:14.791 in Q2 today, which is QUICK.
As they learned last year though, you have to be ready to battle for the entire 24 hours. If you only make it 23.5 hours, it's not good enough anymore.
LMP2 - this class changed a lot over the last year, with everyone running the same Gibson engine's now, and only 4 chassis manufacturers to choose from. everyone running an Oreca based chassic has a big advantage, as they got the aero package designed much better than the others. The slowest Oreca is still quicker than all other LMP2 chassis.
GTPRO - Ford GT Vs Corvette Vs Porsche 911 Vs Aston Martin Vs Ferrari - it honestly doesn't get any better than this class when it comes to racing. Anyone can take it this year now that they pegged the Ford's back a little. Last year Ford sandbagged to avoid a BOP adjustment and then were 3 seconds faster come race time.
GTAM - There's too many good stories to start listing them all. The Proton racing No 93 with American factory Porsche driver Pat Long will be the one I am rooting for here.
and this year's art car is from the French team Larbre Competition, who have always ran ex GTPRO Corvette's:
Friends are on their way into town as we speak, and I will be up for the entire event again. Haven't missed any part of it for years now.
Cheers!