MICAD, JEC, Paris, April 5, 2005 – For over 20 years, Courage Compétition’s prototypes have been successfully competing against those of global OEMs in LMP1 and LMP2 races.  Yves Courage, founder of the Le Mans, Sarthe based manufacturer, set the goal of designing 100% of the vehicle content, except for the engine.  Software simulation tools are an integral part of the development process, allowing the manufacturer to reduce lead times and development costs and design better performing race cars.  PAM-CRASH allowed Courage Compétition to study the behavior of the nose of the new C60 car which will compete in the next edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This analysis was extremely complex, since this component is made out of composite materials, which, unlike metallic materials that deform under impact, explode in multiple tiny pieces. PAM-CRASH made it possible to meet the new more stringent frontal crash test regulations, while reducing the weight of the component by a factor of four.

« In order to get the best results in races, we have to optimize the few percents that will make the difference on the track”, says Yves Courage. « This is why we entered into technical partnerships with our software suppliers. As such, ESI Group developed a new material model for composite material in PAM-CRASH, which required to write and validate new algorithms.”

Simulation results were within 3% of the actual physical test results.

Following this first experience, Courage Compétition analyzed other components of the car, and in particular the Carbone-Nida-Carbone sandwich floor board, with SYSPLY, ESI Group’s software solution for design optimization of composite structures.  SYSPLY highlighted high stress areas as well as areas that were too thick for the low level of loading they were undergoing.  The optimization of the thickness distribution so that the stress levels were uniform in the floor board yielded a component 25% lighter and 40% stiffer.  Every single composite component of the new C60 were analyzed in a similar fashion, yielding a 15% weight reduction even though load requirements of the new regulation were actually much higher.

Courage Compétition is relying heavily on simulation software to meet the ever changing technical regulations of motor sports.  It would be impossible to physically test multiple prototypes because of the cost and time involved.  With its close relationship with ESI Group, Courage Compétition was the first manufacturer to run a car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2004 that met the specifications of the new regulations, when one had until 2007 to meet this new regulation.  This competitive advantage will allow Yves Courage to start designing his new C70 and C75 race cars with peace of mind for 2006.

About Courage Compétition
Yves Courage –though an independent manufacturer- has become in 20 years an established name in the world of endurance racing, competing with the greatest international automobile brands.
The team has already achieved great results: second overall in Le Mans 24 Hours (1995), third overall in 1987, two times fourth overall in this mythical race. 2004 was the year of the changes in the team’s History with the development of a C65 to compete in LMP2 races. This opportunity has already been successful as the team has achieved three victories in three races, and has become LMES champion in this category. Many European and American teams have thus decided to race a Courage C65: with 15 chassis already manufactured, Yves Courage will be the number one manufacturer in 2005 for the number of prototypes competing. The team will also return in the queen-category with its C60-H: it will participate both in LMES races and in Le Mans 24 Hours to fulfil its lifelong dream: to be victorious in Le Mans.

About ESI Group

ESI Group is a pioneer and world-leading provider of digital simulation software for prototyping and manufacturing processes that take into account the physics of materials. ESI Group has developed an entire suite of coherent, industry oriented applications to realistically simulate a product’s behavior during testing, to fine-tune the manufacturing processes in accordance with the desired product performance, and to evaluate the environment’s impact on product usage. ESI Group’s products, which have a proven track record in manufacturing and have been combined in multi-trade value chains, represent a unique collaborative, virtual engineering solution, known as the Virtual Try-Out Space (VTOS), enabling virtual prototypes to be improved in a continuous manner. By drastically reducing costs and development lead times, VTOS solutions offer major competitive advantages by progressively eliminating the need for physical prototypes. ESI Group is listed on the Nouveau Marché of Euronext Paris, and generated sales of €60m in 2004. The company employs almost 500 high-level specialists worldwide, and covers more than 30 countries. For further information, visit www.esi-group.com.

ESI Group – Press Relations
Nathalie David-Franc
Phone : 33(0)1 41 73 58 35
nathalie.david-franc@esi-group.com