LeMans1989

In the past, Nissan efforts at Le Mans have tended to be embarrassing to the Japanese giant, but this year should be
different. The new R89V, built by Lola, is an excellent all-composite car, and a vast improvemnet on the old Marches.
The new V8 similarly represents a huge leap forward, and is both meaty and relable. The three car driver line-up
includes Nissan's Le Mans veterans, as well as three young Brits, Donnelly, Blundell and Bailey, and IMSA stars Geoff
Brabham (a Le Mans debutant) and Chip Robinson. The car went very well at Dijon, but as anyone will tell you, Le
Mans is a different thing altogether. But the team is certainly better prepared than ever, and larger European input in
management and engineering will be a benefit. Le Mans veteran Keith Greene heads the backroom boys.

#23 - All-Japanese crew in the newest Nissan chassis. Qualified 19th after relatively uneventful practice, and soon
gained ground in the race. Excellent fifth at dusk, lapping quickly on softer Dunlops at night, until retirement came
with cracked head after water leak in 11th hour.

#24 - Lost most of the first day with electrical dramas. All-rookie crew not happy at first, but handling gradually
improved. Julian Bailey qualifying 12th in race trim. Third in warm-up, but fourth lap accident with John Nielsen in
Jaguar #3 ended the race with chassis/suspension damage. The team was not amused!

#25 - Geoff Brabham and Arie Luyendyk on Le Mans debut. Lost first day with broken water pipe, qualified 15th on
second day. managed by Keith Greene after early retirement of Nissan #24, and ran well in the early laps, particulalry
with Geoff Brabham aboard, but progress hit by brake disc changes. Excellent fifth place on Sunday morning after fast
night stints by Geoff Brabham with leaner fuel chip, but engine broke in 19th hour.