[WEC] WEC 2023 Season - A new beginning!

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Mike E

This is better news. Glickenhaus still aiming to do 2023 season with one car.

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...turn-for-2023/

Let's hope so. With so little news, I was beginning to think fairly gloomily about the chances of the Glicks continuing.

[Mike E]

Serra, Huffaker and Kimura in the Car Guy Kessel Ferrari

https://en.endurance-info.com/auto/a...sel-racing-wec

[Mike E]

Fittipaldi, Rasmussen and DHH in #28 Jota LMP2

https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/...lmp2-trio.html

[Coach Ep]

When is the entry announcement, Monday?

[Mike E]

Doriane Pin steps up to LMP2 with Prema.

https://twitter.com/IronLynx_/status...aXYd81GKQ&s=19

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Doriane Pin steps up to LMP2 with Prema.

https://twitter.com/IronLynx_/status...aXYd81GKQ&s=19

And Prema double up to two cars

https://premapowerteam.com/en/news/1...effort-in-2023

[Mike E]

40 entries for 36 places. Announcement at 5pm today, UK time.

https://twitter.com/specutainment/st...YMj6P4NWg&s=19

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Mike E

40 entries for 36 places. Announcement at 5pm today, UK time.

https://twitter.com/specutainment/st...YMj6P4NWg&s=19

Tomorrow, not today

[Coach Ep]

Thanks.

[Simmi]

I can't quite believe I'm typing this but Vanwall got accepted!!

https://www.dailysportscar.com/wp-co...s_11_01_v1.pdf

That is quite a full season entry.

[Lutzvic]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I can't quite believe I'm typing this but Vanwall got accepted!!

https://www.dailysportscar.com/wp-co...s_11_01_v1.pdf

That is quite a full season entry.

Great news!
13 Hypercar! which means at least 16 in LM, possibly one or two more.....

[rdjones]

A very strong entry list there just a shame they are not coming to Silverstone.....

[Coach Ep]

Pleasantly surprised by the number of full season cars (which means 36 for Sebring as the privateer Porsches will be late to the party) but especially the inclusion of the ByKolles!

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Pleasantly surprised by the number of full season cars (which means 36 for Sebring as the privateer Porsches will be late to the party) but especially the inclusion of the ByKolles!

That was quite the surprise to me, I hope things have gotten sorted and they actually have the resources get this car on the grid.

[veeten]

So they "kissed and made up" and Vanwall (ByKolles) is allowed to race. That's good.
They're also saving a spot for Isotta Faschini run when their entry is ready.
Alpine is staying in the action by back-stepping their present car to LMP-2 status while they are working on the '24 LMDh entry.

All this, and Lamborghini and BMW to come next year. Exciting times, indeed.

[veeten]

Then again, they probably got a good look at how Toto Wolff and FIA/FOM are presently acting about Andretti and decided, "we're not going to be like that" and decided to give ByKolles the "go-ahead".

[FIRE]

Strong entrylist.
Pleasantly surprised Kolles made it.

[Mike E]

So weird to see more cars in the top class than in LMP2!

A very strong entry list and so good to see ByKolles there.

[J Jay]

This might be the most positive reception Kolles has had since he ran customer Audis at the turn of the last decade.

I look forward to predicting which hour the Vanwall will catch fire next season.

[Tique]

Originally Posted by Mike E

So weird to see more cars in the top class than in LMP2!

A very strong entry list and so good to see ByKolles there.

An next year, 6 of those LMP2 have already committed to Hypercar

[Nick Woodbury]

Looking good, after 4 years WEC seems to be worth watching again!

However, looking at this WEC list, this fact is boggling my mind; How is Jacques Villeneuve still a Platinum rated driver? He's 51, last I understood, the moment you turn 50 you are automatically downgraded 1 rating level.

Furthermore, referencing his racing career a bit, his last "competitive" season was nascar Euro in 2021 with a win and a pole, which on it's own nascar euro is nothing reputable. Before that you then have to track back all the way to 2008 and a class win when he was with Peugeot sport to note any meaningful results.

So what gives, is this the millionth example of the FIA's driver rating system not making sense? Or is this a case of feeling the need to honor him with a generous rating because he was a one hit wonder in '97, 26 bleedin' years ago.

[Coach Ep]

His rating in class doesn't matter as long as he's at least a Silver (since bronze rated drivers are excluded from entering the Hypercar class per WEC regulations).

[Sodemo]

I’m confuzzled, I thought BMW were entering the frame this year?

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Nick Woodbury

However, looking at this WEC list, this fact is boggling my mind; How is Jacques Villeneuve still a Platinum rated driver? He's 51, last I understood, the moment you turn 50 you are automatically downgraded 1 rating level.

I think the automatic downgrade is 55, and Jacques meagre output is just enough to not qualify for downgrading due to lack of activity.

Originally Posted by Sodemo

I’m confuzzled, I thought BMW were entering the frame this year?

They're entering LMDH this year, with a view to entering the WEC (with WRT) next year.

[Akrapovic]

I think the auto downgrade got raised yeah.

I'm glad the ByKolles is included. We can sit and say it's crap and won't win etc. But Le Mans history is built on all these weird and random private cars.

Yes the Vanwall is going to catch fire. But it should be given the right to. And not cast aside just because Peugeot, Toyota and Porsche have decided to throw some money at the series for a while.