MSV targeting pre-LM24 WEC round

[Mike E]

MSV are aiming for the pre-Le Mans WEC fixture in place of Spa. The event would take place at their new French track.


http://news.motorsportvision.co.uk/m...expansion.aspx
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/121925

[Akrapovic]

In place of Spa? Wouldn't mind it to be as well as Spa, but not replacing it!

[Deleted]

"Nuclear deterrent bomber activity" - Sounds good

But YES bring it on. As there is no intention of F1, you could expect moderately sensible layout and less asphalt parking zones. The return of Grade 2 (assuming Kyalami doesn't get it first).

Spa has the ELMS (back) now. It can go. Though I'd rather replace Silverstone...

[Spyderman]

Agree with Akrapovic.

[Mike E]

I would like to keep Spa as well. But this is highly speculative since the track doesn't actually exist yet. Nice to have a different option though, and MSV are a serious operation.

[Deleted]

Of course, it isn't written in stone that pre LM season can consist of only 2 races by law.

LMS 2008 had three 1000kms in Apr-May.

[Spyderman]

...and if I'm not mistaken, there were even more races before Le Mans in the late 60's and early 70's

[Deleted]

Yes most of the races - almost entire calendars - were pre LM back in the day, between January and June. And even still in 1992 at the time of collapse the number was at four.

But the old WSC is so far scretched from the current ACO mindset that the LMS example works bit better. Even though that too is nearing ancient nostalgic history now in relative terms

[Giba]

WEC does seem very optimistic especially with how important the ACO view calendar stability

[Deleted]

Maybe Palmer had contacted the ACO earlier already, and the Spa ELMS was formed as precursor replacement event to fully and solely to take current 6 hours place eventually. As it is baffling why they chose to have two separate events on same track (yeah I know Sepang ASLMS does that too, but it's because of money and market)

[TF110]

In two years time the wec might be able to have a 10race schedule.

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Though I'd rather replace Silverstone...

But not with a French round. GB needs sportscars, and I think sportscars need GB.

[Deleted]

Yeah but I would rather have any other circuit in UK but the butchered Silverstone. And if that is impossible then France is close to UK... second home?

Hiya ACO remember Donington Park? Yes the last "Nightmare on ELMS street" visit was disaster indeed, but that wasn't the circuit's fault, and the previous 2006 event was perfectly fine.

[TF110]

How about that wales circuit?

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by TF110

How about that wales circuit?

I'm not sure how, but I had either completely forgotten it after reading about it, or this is the first time I'm hearing about it! Guess I haven't played much attention lately...

But yeah that too, anything.

[Akrapovic]

Circuit of Wales is being designed for bikes. Given that one of the reasons for the Silverstone modifications was to incorporate bikes, I don't know why anyone would expect that circuit to be anything other than a giant green car park.

Given Doningtons state after it's rebuild, and Brands Hatch being too small, I don't see a circuit in the UK more fit than Silverstone. And whilst many may not like the new modifications, I still think it's a better circuit than Fuji, China and Bahrain. It'd be a sad day if we lost Silverstone before them.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by Woolley

But not with a French round. GB needs sportscars, and I think sportscars need GB.

I'm not too sure about that last part, how many British teams are there in the WEC? It seems it's much more about France and money markets (Russia, Middle East, Far East?, Mexico?) nowadays. Maybe the reborn and booming ELMS (or a rotation between the two) is a better fit?

Anyways, I hope it'll all become reality, location wise it's certainly easy to reach from a lot of corners in West-Europe (that should help) and it's been a while since a promising sounding lay-out (on paper at least) has been introduced to the racing series. As far as a 'possible future WEC round' goes: an ELMS or BES round seems much more likely to begin with.

[PorscheFanNo1]

I can see ELMS racing there, but not WEC. There is just no way france will get both rounds two and three in the championship, FIA will not allow one round to be "wasted", when they can go to a country that actually adds something to the appeal of the series (i.e where the manufacturers wants to go)

[seanyb505]

What about replacing Paul Ricard? French, non round, parking lot..

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by PorscheFanNo1

I can see ELMS racing there, but not WEC. There is just no way france will get both rounds two and three in the championship, FIA will not allow one round to be "wasted", when they can go to a country that actually adds something to the appeal of the series (i.e where the manufacturers wants to go)

Yes and I'm sure the likes of Audi were extremely pleased to see both Sebring and PLM, you know the primary key markets, gone in favor of such vital media magnets like 6 hours of Bahrain.

Anyway this would
- cut logistics costs
- even better prep teams for LM (and that is always more important than anything else)
- please ACO for having another French race

Of course, if they would turn LM standalone race again, no technicalities...

[Artur]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

I'm not too sure about that last part, how many British teams are there in the WEC? It seems it's much more about France and money markets (Russia, Middle East, Far East?, Mexico?) nowadays.

Eventhough I don't think sportscar desperately needs the UK, it must not be neglected that the Le Mans tv ratings on UK Eurosport has been on the 150k figures on the last 5 years and, this year, there was the additional Quest ones which brought a total rating over half million people.

We don't see big attendance in Silverstone but that might be due to the windy, chilly weather that WEC races in

Of the current WEC/F1 calendar, only Suzuka, Spa and Monaco are track layouts that I rate higher than Silverstone. I really wish this round remains in the calendar for a long time.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Yes and I'm sure the likes of Audi were extremely pleased to see both Sebring and PLM, you know the primary key markets, gone in favor of such vital media magnets like 6 hours of Bahrain.

Anyway this would
- cut logistics costs
- even better prep teams for LM (and that is always more important than anything else)
- please ACO for having another French race

Of course, if they would turn LM standalone race again, no technicalities...

I think we know the fia/aco isnt the sole party to blame for Sebring going away. If Peugeot return, I can see this track being a bigger deal. That means each lmp1 manufacturer has a 'home' race.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

I'm not too sure about that last part, how many British teams are there in the WEC? It seems it's much more about France and money markets (Russia, Middle East, Far East?, Mexico?) nowadays. Maybe the reborn and booming ELMS (or a rotation between the two) is a better fit

List of team HQs.

LMP1
Germany - 4 - Audi, Toyota, Porsche, ByKolles (1 Japanese, but based in Germany)
UK - 1 - Rebellion
United States - 1 - Nissan (If they return)

LMP2
UK - 2 - Strakka, Jota
France - 2 - Signature, Oak
Russia - 1 - G-Drive
Hong Kong - 1 - KCMG
Switzerland - Sard-Morand
US - 1 - ESM

Total -

Germany - 4
United Kingdom - 3
France - 2
United States - 2
Russia - 1
Hong Kong - 1
Switzerland - 1

Just a selection of teams HQs, and some of them may be wrong (I'm not sure where Sard-Morand and G-Drive actually operate from, and I think ESM are moving to a French base?). But either way, the most popular ones are Germany, France and the UK. If you include GTs then it's just adding more to the UK, Germany, France and some Italians, which further strengthens the European base and the need for a British race, and a good argument for an Italian one (Monza please!)

Edit: This doesn't include SMP yet. They seem to be all over the place.

[Rodger Davies]

Spa is one of two non-LM rounds I have any interest in watching (Fuji being the other), if they take that away then I guess it gives me another free weekend near the end of the football season (OK, more time for the Blancpain GT and IMSA rounds that it clashes with...).

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

Spa is one of two non-LM rounds I have any interest in watching (Fuji being the other), if they take that away then I guess it gives me another free weekend near the end of the football season (OK, more time for the Blancpain GT and IMSA rounds that it clashes with...).

May I ask why you did not watch any of the others? Silverstone was pretty incredible, and surely the Nurburgring is still old-school enough to have some interest to those who refuse to watch Tilke circuits?