01/10/2008

The First University to Ever Compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Starting in 2001, Tokai University has been involved in the Le Mans Project, developing racing engines and a working race car. In that time, over 150 students have participated in the project - all of them passionate about the ultimate goal of entering a car in the Le Mans endurance race. In 2008, the dream finally came true. University has never entered a car in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Tokai University's participation is truly a world's-first. Tokai University will forever be etched in the history of Le Mans.
On June 15 (Sun) at 8:48 (local time), sudden misfortune struck the TOKAI UNIV. YGK POWER. When the vehicle was running its 186th lap and while passing through the "Virage de Mulsanne" (point 76) located at the east side of the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, the car stalled. Although the driver Haruki Kurosawa tried to restart the vehicle, the gear did not engage even though the engine worked perfectly. This made it impossible for our vehicle to continue the race, which lead to the team's official retirement from the race. It seems that the main cause was a breakdown of a transmission part. We will conduct a detailed research and take the vehicle apart later to find out the exact cause.

It is very disappointing that we finished our challenge 18 hours into the race as the first university team to participate in this "24 Heures du Mans." We felt so close to the finish line; however, this will be a great experience to all students who participated in this project and hopefully they will take and apply this experience to their futures.

Finally, thank you all very much for supporting "TOKAI UNIV.YGK POWER."

Comment by Yoshimasa Hayashi, "TOKAI UNIV.YGK POWER" Team Director:
"It is just so very disappointing that we had to retire. The condition of the engine was perfect; it seems that a combination of the engine and drive-line did not match well. Participation in this race has been a great experience and we hope to apply it into our future research projects.