Motoyama's heroic Le Mans effort

[Ghost]

Maybe you don't follow Le Mans, but Nissan developed and ran the uber-radical Delta Wing in the prototype class that runs out of "Garage 56". It's not really a competitor, but it's allowed to run. Its innovative design made it a fan favorite, and made it a personal "hero" of mine in that I love to see innovation overcome adversity.

Unfortunately, the $50 Million dollar effort by Toyota to highlight their Le Mans Hybrids meant that in their zeal to win, they punted the DW off the track.

Le Mans' rules state that the driver cannot leave the vincinity of the disabled car, nor can he get extra hands on it or he's DQ'd. It was up to the driver to get it back to the pits on his own. Motoyama tried for 2 hours, but couldn't get it to limp to the pits.

Still, his spirit is what racing is all about, and for that you have to salute him...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJylUpzQ-iQ

Crash:[/URL]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAiZVuC3YI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxZvMWlhQXw)

F-U Toyota, and F your hybrid.

[Slo]

Yup, I agree with the comment above, bad move on the toyota drivers part. Sad video to watch the guy trying so hard to get the car moving.

[Ghost]

Nissan's pre-race DW promo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlLZ3d-X8aY

Jalopnik's DW write-up:

www.jalopnik.com/5892845/this-is-not-a-rocket-ship

[sprtbkbabe]

I watched about 18 hours of this race this weekend. Sadly, I was hoping for Toyota to finally give Audi a run for their money this year. Then this happened

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVFEoxl99i0&feature=related

But, I was also pulling for the Nissan effort and hope they can get it together for next year. I don't think the "bump" onto the Nissan was on purpose. Many of the Toyota's were noted to not have much view through their tiny windshields