[WEC] FIA World Endurance Championship

[Salamus]

It should also be noted that McNish/Kristensen finished on the podium in every race yet placed second in points because they had less wins than Lotterer/Treluyer/Fassler.

[The Badger]

Number 12 ....

17th at Sebring .
5th at Spa .
4th at Le mans .
6th at Silverstone .
4th at Sao Paulo .
4th at Bahrain .
4th at Fuji .
DNF at Shanghai .


1st:25 points

2nd:18 points

3rd:15 points

4th:12 points

5th:10 points

6th:8 points

7th:6 points

8th:4 points

9th:2 points

10th:1 point

And beyond:0.5 point

Perhaps a 7 point differance between 1st & 2nd is a bit much .

[Purist]

BJS, I think China will tolerate foreign brands that are seen as status symbols (like Buick). For much of the rest, however, I expect them to keep those around only for long enough to pick up the knowledge and skills from those companies. Once the Chinese can do it for themselves, the foreign companies will be shown the door.

Wooshy, I think the Norisring is going to be considered too small for a WEC event. Also, I don't know how the DTM would take having the series on the bill for that weekend. I'm not terribly keen on Lausitzring (though Nurburgring and Hockenheim don't have the appeal they once had either). The one way I might care to see that track in WEC is if they used the Car Grand Prix Circuit, but used Oval Turn 1, instead of that first infield section. I'd actually be kind of curious to see how the Sachsenring would handle a multi-class sportscar race, though I think that it would probably be too short for a full-blown, 6-hour race.

[Simmi]

As long as F1 continue to push their way out into new territories it sets the precedent for everyone else. If it's good enough for them it's good enough for the WEC.

That said, with Bernie Ecclestone admitting this weekend that the number of European rounds will be cut further in the future, the WEC could generate a fair bit of goodwill among drivers, teams and fans by running at a place like Monza if it did get scrubbed off the F1 calendar.

[Mike_Wooshy]

I did think the Sachsenring myself, but like you (Purist) said would there be too many complications ? Only reason I think of the Norrisring while DTM is on is you have the crowd already there (so good exposure etc). Also Norrisring was originally a sports car event (and to combat the shortness of the lap extend the run to the hairpin like this or something or use the old figure of 8 but that then presents other problems)..... I agree about the first section at Lausitzring .... Turn 1 might make things better ... Or use the Endurance circuit (going outside the oval onto the "test oval" where Michele Alboreto died, But this leads to other complications about using only 1 banked corner for road courses etc). Like you said Nurburgring & Hockenhiem have lost there appeal. I only think they are no goes because Nurburgring is only 70 miles (100 kilometres or so) from Spa, and with the way the ACO is doing logistics you know it would be put right next to Spa (on the calender), and as a punter you have to ask yourself, where would you spend your cash to see the greatest cars in the world race ? (I know i would be going to Spa every-time) Although I think Hockenhiem if it teamed up with DTM as the season opener might not be a bad idea, although the circuit is too clinical for my liking.

[The Badger]

Man , I wish they hadnt changed the old Hockenheim !!!

[CTD]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Man , I wish they hadnt changed the old Hockenheim !!!

That is something you probably won't find any motorsport fan who would disagree with!

[The Badger]

Why the hell did they do that anyway ?

[Salamus]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Why the hell did they do that anyway ?

F1.

[The Badger]

What happened to Jimmy Clarks grave ?

[broadrun96]

Nothing as he was buried back home in Scotland (Berwickshire). The memorial was moved closer to the track after the rebuild but apparently the crash site itself, while being in the woods now, is easily accessible and visited by fans.

[trickyd]

Interesting discussion on the Autosport forum re F1 potentially abandoning more European venues in future, the proliferation of identical sanitized circuits, plus other grumbles:

http://forums.autosport.com/index.ph...c=176370&st=80

There is a chance here for the WEC/Sportscar racing to fill a vacuum left by a lot of peoples dissatisfaction with F1. A few races in Europe for actual motorsport fans would be a decent start.

You know it won't happen though the ACO/FIA combo are just as likely to be blinded be eastern mega money as Bernard Ecclescake, and the manufacturers, particularly Audi, seem intent on turning the WEC into a sort of F1-lite/F1onthecheap and are all too pleased to trudge round these horrible expanses of tar in the smog in front of local party officials. The dull predictability of it all is depressing.

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by trickyd

Interesting discussion on the Autosport forum re F1 potentially abandoning more European venues in future, the proliferation of identical sanitized circuits, plus other grumbles:

http://forums.autosport.com/index.ph...c=176370&st=80

There is a chance here for the WEC/Sportscar racing to fill a vacuum left by a lot of peoples dissatisfaction with F1. A few races in Europe for actual motorsport fans would be a decent start.

You know it won't happen though the ACO/FIA combo are just as likely to be blinded be eastern mega money as Bernard Ecclescake, and the manufacturers, particularly Audi, seem intent on turning the WEC into a sort of F1-lite/F1onthecheap and are all too pleased to trudge round these horrible expanses of tar in the smog in front of local party officials. The dull predictability of it all is depressing.

Agreed on the last part! Sadly, racing in Europe would die in a slow and painful death. And it might spread across the Asia-Pacific and America.

[TF110]

Autosport web was reporting the French GP could be back as early as next year. Though at Paul Ricard.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by TF110

Autosport web was reporting the French GP could be back as early as next year. Though at Paul Ricard.

Danish F1 Commentators said that Bernie had said: "Give me a pen, and i'll sign that the French GP is back"

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by TF110

Autosport web was reporting the French GP could be back as early as next year. Though at Paul Ricard.

Ha , I wasnt even aware there wasnt a Gp in France , since how long is that ?

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Ha , I wasnt even aware there wasnt a Gp in France , since how long is that ?

Last French GP to date was in 2008.

[Tim the Grey]

Trickyd, that forum is LAUGHABLE.
Folks who think following F1 since Schumi started is LONG time support???
Sheesh. Ayse has been going to Le Mans longer than Schumi's been driving.
I don't WANT F1 cast off fans, thanks. I want Endurance Racing fans. Those good people lack the attention span to GET a 6 hour race, never mind a 24 hour one... Let them go to Drag Racing.

[Ultimo]

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

Trickyd, that forum is LAUGHABLE.
Folks who think following F1 sinc Those good people lack the attention span to GET a 6 hour race, never mind a 24 hour one... Let them go to Drag Racing.

This sort of fractious infighting within the racing/automotive enthusiast community is just what is required for increasing interest in cars/racing in the general public.

Bravo! Damn all the series and the fans of the series that I do not support!

Blehhh!

[trickyd]

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

Trickyd, that forum is LAUGHABLE.
Folks who think following F1 since Schumi started is LONG time support???
Sheesh. Ayse has been going to Le Mans longer than Schumi's been driving.
I don't WANT F1 cast off fans, thanks. I want Endurance Racing fans. Those good people lack the attention span to GET a 6 hour race, never mind a 24 hour one... Let them go to Drag Racing.

I was merely using the forum as a means of displaying that there is a lot of dissatisfaction with the way Formula 1/motorsport in general is heading/has headed. Whether these people are 12 or 82 is fairly irrelavant.

The WEC could use alternative circuits to F1, maybe in more attractive or less Tilked locations, and could fill the gap in Europe, left by the loss of events there. Or could at least just market itself in a way that people might notice.

PS, as a complete aside, does anyone know if when Red Bull bought the A1-ring they carried out the improvements they suggested, using some of the old Osterreichring layout, or if it is still just the rather point and squirt A1-ring?

[Tim the Grey]

Ultimo? I followed EVERYTHING in sight, from about 1965 through to 1995. Then F1 disppeared up it's own fundament, and I stuck with sportscars and rallying.
Now rallying is dying, and I have sportscars and GT left.
The thing is, most F1 fans these days wouldn't know what to do with themselves for 6 hours. Some don't seem to know that you can WALK around a track?
I like sportscars. I like people who go to sportscars. We can discuss a 2 lap lead with an hour to go, as exciting, because it can be. They can discuss 4 different classes in one race without having fits...

No, I don't like F1 today, and those who have recently turned up to 'support' it.

[Purist]

Red Bull simply refurbished and reopened the A1 Ring.

Unfortunately, it would be nigh impossible to reinstate any parts of the Osterreichring that would really matter (i.e. the corners), as the old corners had basically no run-off, with little if any provision to add it with the corners located where they were, and with most of the corners having some noticeable amount of camber to them.

I certainly think there is a decent pool of people who follow F1 who would be receptive to sportscar racing. The ACO hasn't exactly done the best job of promoting their racing outside of the marqee event, to try and capture this audience.

And yes, I watch F1, but I have also watched V8 Supercars, Super GT, TC2000, StockCar Brasil, F3 at Macau, MotoGP and WSBK, and a number of other series. It would be nice if rallying was actually broadcast over here in any kind of official capacity.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by trickyd

PS, as a complete aside, does anyone know if when Red Bull bought the A1-ring they carried out the improvements they suggested, using some of the old Osterreichring layout, or if it is still just the rather point and squirt A1-ring?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Bul...#Redevelopment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ-czd4BSrI

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

Folks who think following F1 since Schumi started is LONG time support???
Sheesh. Ayse has been going to Le Mans longer than Schumi's been driving.

Tim, isn't the term "Long time support" relevant?
I personally think i've followed Le Mans for a long time, (since 1999-2000'ish), but as I'm only 22, that's over half of my life time i've spend on Le Mans.

If the persons on the forum all are under 30, then following a sport since 1992, is a long time.
Not all can keep up with you old geezers

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by CTD

If the persons on the forum all are under 30, then following a sport since 1992, is a long time.
Not all can keep up with you old geezers

We will get the chance to lay the smack down on the younger generation in years to come Mathias