[WEC] WEC 2024

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by pach233

I like that there's 8 events and that's about it. I'll consider making it to COTA but flying there for a 6 hour race in 94 degrees without much support series is a much worse proposition than Sebring has been. That said, Indy RC in '25 is even worse IMO.

As boring as the Indy RC is, the venue overall has plenty to offer (and that often includes surprisingly better than expected races) and combined with the abundance of overnight facilities in the area and the prospect of a WEC-IMSA doubleheader, will make it more appealing than miserably hot and crowdy Texas. Nothing like Sebring or Rd. America though but those two are, or never were, solidly out of the window.

[v8supes]

Thing about the schedule is that the new additions might actually end up being quite good but the circuits we lose to add them already creates frustration in the mind.

Such a shame about Sebring though. Cant think of a much better event to attend. I mean you have Sebring 12 hours, WEC, Porsche Carrera Cup NA, Michelin Pilot Challenge all on the same bill.

I feel sad about the UK not getting a round again especially after it sounded like talks between the ACO and Silverstone were quite positive as reported in previous articles although that might be me being a little selfish. Still holding out hope that ELMS might make a visit alongside Le Mans Cup but honestly i wont hold my breath because i wouldn't be around to see it....

[Irie]

Run a combined race at Sebring now that we have class convergence!


If not enough space run prequalifying!

[broadrun96]

And those that have paid and transported the team, cars and bits overseas get ...???? You can't have entries in a series and then tell them well except this event, here you have to spend like you'll be here but only if you make it

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Irie

Run a combined race at Sebring now that we have class convergence!

And then we can have 6 hours du Podiums after the 12 hours of Sebring.

[Irie]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

And then we can have 6 hours du Podiums after the 12 hours of Sebring.

I would do away with separate podiums. There will be one Lmdh/hypercar winner
being awarded for 1st place in its championship, in the other series there would be no points given for 1st...

[Irie]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

And those that have paid and transported the team, cars and bits overseas get ...???? You can't have entries in a series and then tell them well except this event, here you have to spend like you'll be here but only if you make it

That's true but maybe there's enough space after all, just have to split them between the two pit lanes like done currently.

[joeb]

A lot of detail in this interview about the 2024 schedule:

https://racer.com/2023/06/16/wec-loo...agos-for-2024/

On the subject of COTA, WEC management don't see the weekend as clashing with the University of Texas football game because:

“It’s a difficult place to attract spectators because of other sports and (NCAA college) football games. We will not clash with a football game. The game that weekend (at the University of Texas) will be on Saturday evening, so we will take advantage of that and run the race on Sunday. We have plans in terms of promotion."

Having both events just hours apart from each other seems like a clash to me. And after one big event, are 100,000 people going to get up the next morning ready to stand in the sun for 6 hours?

They also aren't concerned about people showing up:

“If I told you we will sell 200,000 tickets for COTA I would be a liar, but we will do our best. You cannot have the same strategy for each country.”

So the strategy for the US isn't ticket sales, got it

[Simmi]

A true box-ticking exercise ahead of 2024.

[Coach Ep]

Neveu certainly did an excellent job teaching his successor Lequien to speak with a double tongue as there's a lot of spinning, twisting and contradicting going on.

All in all, nothing new. Carry on. Looking forward to Monza next month. Would love to go back to Imola next year (the ILMC race in '11 was a bit of a snooze fest with Peugeot clearly dominating Audi in the post-LM match up, but I had a blast nevertheless!).

[TF110]

At least there's a round in US. Cota might not be the first choice for diehard fans, but they're hosting a race here in the states and that's better than no race at all.

[Sodemo]

I'm sure like many fans they would rather see a different venue than Indy RC particularly when the US is awash with amazing road courses, Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta, Road America, Sebring etc. Even the Daytona RC would be better.

[chernaudi]

Doesn't go along with the ACO's/FIA's fetish for Grade 1 tracks, and COTA and Indy are Grade 1.

[broadrun96]

ACO doesn't care about Grade 1, LM isn't. They want the facilities on track to support the rich folks.

[chernaudi]

Uhm, what does Grade 1 tracks usually have by default?

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Doesn't go along with the ACO's/FIA's fetish for Grade 1 tracks, and COTA and Indy are Grade 1.

I don't think Indy in its currently used road course layout is Grade 1?

But I take the point almost everything else (apart from Sebring) has been. Le Mans is Le Mans.

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Uhm, what does Grade 1 tracks usually have by default?

5 acre tarmac run off at every corner?

[Mike E]

The Indianapolis Grand Prix circuit is currently grade 1 listed

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Uhm, what does Grade 1 tracks usually have by default?

Grade 1 has zero to do with rich guys watching it, that is track and safety concerns. There is zero to do with fancy boxes, stands or other materials around the track for the moneyed folks

Originally Posted by Mike E

The Indianapolis Grand Prix circuit is currently grade 1 listed

But that is no longer used in full, the currently used Indycar road course is Grade 2. The GP track layout is there but not maintained as such. I would guess WEC will use the current Indy "road course" layout as it appears IMSA will be using based on the schedule details. Turns 5, 6, 7 are there and used for SCCA but not sure if the 8, 9, 10 squiggle is still there as the current layout is a hard left for 7 and then a somewhat sweeping 8 and hard left 9.

[Mike E]

Right you are. Indy GP is grade 1, Indy Road Course is grade 2.

[Simmi]

N24 have reacted quickly and moved their date so it no longer clashes with Spa next year. Great news.

https://sportscar365.com/other-serie...wec-spa-clash/

[broadrun96]

Looks like Roger is trying for the WEC/IMSA doubleheader again

https://racer.com/2023/07/12/penske-...ace-portfolio/

Couldn't disagree more with everything said but I think anything on Indy other than the 500 is just dull, and looks terrible cause the place is too big and pushes everyone to a few areas to view

[joeb]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Looks like Roger is trying for the WEC/IMSA doubleheader again

https://racer.com/2023/07/12/penske-...ace-portfolio/

Couldn't disagree more with everything said but I think anything on Indy other than the 500 is just dull, and looks terrible cause the place is too big and pushes everyone to a few areas to view

They should make him an offer. Once your team wins a WEC race you can host a race at Indy

[Mike E]

I understand he owns the place, but man, it is a dreadful circuit. In fact, possibly the worst grade 1 circuit in the world.

[GT3_Fan]

With just 2 classes I think if Hypercar/GTP will have a red number plate still then., GT3 should go with green. No need to keep orange honestly at this point. Less distinctive from the red.