Look here:
http://adac.24h-rennen.de/content/result_index.asp
Check out place 13, Alfa Romeo 147 ITD, probably a misspelled JTD? Click the start number link to see laptimes, reliability is the way... Place 42 is definetly a JTD, driven by 'Fred' and 'Barney' Wiiiilmaaaa!
All we need is a couple of spare box/de-Dion/hub asseblies and switch the whole thing, shouldnt take more then five minutes for a prepared crew. Front end is the same, very simple. I really don't dee the wheel bearings being the major problem though, plenty of standard stuff on the 24H I believe.
Sure we can't use Ron's
road kit but he would have immense knowledge about what is needed at the ring in a race car, as far as I know he has a very nice GTV6 he drives/race at the ring. You need way softer suspension on the NS compared to your average circuit, that old track in
bumpy.
And whoever talked about a 116 engine? Open your mind Barry, open your mind...
BTW, look at the 8th place, that is a Swedish team, took 8th place the first time they entered the race. It can be done.