Rolex 24 Q's about the cars and headlights
 

Why do some of the Porsche and others have Xenon/HID lights and others have the Yellow halogen, is it owner/driver preference? I know that the yellow reflects the oil or water better but wouldn't the Xenon perform better? And it looks like the Xenon lights are on the newer 911 GT3 RS/Cup cars with the new style headlights.

The question about the Cars, Porsche has the
911 GT3 R - Old style Headlight, Racers Group? Or no longer used?
911 GT3 RS - Old style headlights but newer model?
911 GT3 RSR - Not out yet?
911 GT3 Cup - New Style headlights and GT3 bumper?

Just stuff I should know but I don't so any help would be great.

Pictures

Litronics Old Style:
http://www.daytona24hr.com/24hr2004/...s/3BDE0024.jpg

Litronics New Style: (Notice the Headlight washers)
http://www.daytona24hr.com/24hr2004/...s/3BDE0042.jpg

Halogen Yellow:
http://www.daytona24hr.com/24hr2004/...s/3BDE0013.jpg

I looked in the rules and didn't see anything about it. I'm actually surprised that they allow litronics/xenons because of the glare in a drivers rear-view mirror. All the rules say is that standard production headlights must be used. Litronics/xenons are heavier so maybe that's why some teams like TRG choose to go with the lighter assembly combined with yellow lenses...?

FWIW I notice that cars that run LeMans have yellow headlight covers. The French used to insist that road cars had yellow headlights. A connection perhaps?

It is my understanding (I'm no expert) that all Cup cars are delivered the same way. Some are updated to the RS specs and run in the GT class; the first car in your photos is #72, Jack Lewis's car. It was a Cup car, he updated it and runs it in the GT class. RS cars are delivered in one of three specs, FIA, ACO or ALMS. I think (thinking may be a problem here:) that the yellow headlight cars are ACO spec cars. The Grand AM rules, section 5.10 say that "standard production headlights and taillights must be used..." so I guess whatever it came with from the factory is ok.


Roy

Thanks. It did clear things up a little bit, but the litronic are only about 1/2-1 pound heavier. so there is not a big difference.

The headlights have nothing to do with whether the engine has been upgraded or not.

GT3RS / RSR
These have the "older" headlight style.

GT3 Cup
Depending on the model year, they may have the older style or the newer style, just like the street cars.

The race cars generally do not run with Litronics because they are heavier and more fragile.

Really?

http://content2.us.porsche.com/prod/..._intro_615.jpg

I stand corrected. It looks like the 2004 GT3RSR will have the "new" headlights. Looking forward to seeing the new RSRs.

My point still stands that engine mods have nothing to do with the headlights.

No one said they did.

I think I remember hearing somewhere that at Le Mans and ALMS (both run under the ACO rules) the cars in different classes run different color headlights so that drivers know what class of car is behind them at night. The GT class, where the R/RS/RSR's run, uses yellow to distinguish them from the prototype cars.

Karl

Litronics are brighter. However standard lights are appreciably lighter. It is a judgement call. Do you want to see more, or be lighter?

It is my understanding the GT3 Supercup Car runs the clear lens. The Big boys in the GT3 R then RS run the Yellow lights. The three colored side lights are for class.

Best,

Don

Karl is correct.

Don, the 3 side lights in ALMS are to identify the position the car is running in it's class (if it is in the top 3). Those lights are there primarily so that fans can keep track of where the cars are running in multi-class endurance races.

Karl

Right Karl, I forgot that all important part. But they are a different color for each class. Last year at Sebring was the first time I had seen that. Something relatively new I think.

Best,

Don