[WEC Race] 2014 FIA WEC - Round 1 - Silverstone

[Salamus]

Even if you include the test sessions, the WEC has one of the latest calendar starts. NASCAR, F1, MotoGP, USCC, etc have all started their seasons whereas WEC/ELMS began testing a few weeks ago. There should be no excuse for teams to miss mandatory events or test sessions.

[GT6]

If there are a few damaged cars at silverstone this weekend then the grid for spa is going to look very empty

[Deleted]

Silverstone 1000km / 6 Hours participants that arrived to the circuit since 2004 revival
2004 - 40x
2005 - 48x
2006 - no race
2007 - 46x
2008 - 46x
2009 - 40x
2010 - 45x
2011 - 49x
2012 - 35x
2013 - 31x
2014 - estimated 27-29x

Spa 1000km / 6 Hours participants that arrived to the circuit since 2004 revival
2004 - 41x
2005 - 47x
2006 - 40x
2007 - 50x
2008 - 44x
2009 - 51x
2010 - 50x
2011 - 54x
2012 - 42x
2013 - 35x
2014 - N/A but estimated 30-?

[isynge]

Originally Posted by GT6

If there are a few damaged cars at silverstone this weekend then the grid for spa is going to look very empty

Agree, can't help thinking a three week gap to Spa would make more sense (as the original calendar showed).

The sun's shining and I'm an optimist, so I'm hoping we get some additional pre Le Mans runners at Spa but you make a good point - could be a bit of a quiet weekend in the Ardennes this year.

[Aysedasi]

Of course we all know the real reason for dwindling numbers at Silverstone is that they know I won't be there..........

[GT6]

Those numbers look depressing numbers on big circuits it will be a long wait between cars

[GT6]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Of course we all know the real reason for dwindling numbers at Silverstone is that they know I won't be there..........

Lets hope that the Rain feels the same

Looks like my new ear defenders are not going to get full work out

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by GT6

Those numbers look depressing numbers on big circuits it will be a long wait between cars

Well I suppose at Silverstone, you're looking at half the amount of cars you'd get at Le Mans on a circuit half the size, so you won't be waiting any longer between cars than you would be in June.

[JoestForEver]

I think the engine allowance clause is specified in the 2014 sporting regulations as a P2 only rule.

[TzeiTzei]

So, no Strakka Dome. That's disappointing.

[GT6]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Well I suppose at Silverstone, you're looking at half the amount of cars you'd get at Le Mans on a circuit half the size, so you won't be waiting any longer between cars than you would be in June.

But Spa is a little bit larger that silverstone

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by GT6

But Spa is a little bit larger that silverstone

But the entry list will be a little bit larger

[Pandemonium]

The FIA WEC is all about quality and not so much about quantity. We are claerly on the best season and Le Mans since 1999. For Silverstone and Spa there will still be awesome track action. SMP is a powerfull team I hope they will race. Stop worrying guys it is going to be awesome. And don´t get me started on the following years. EXCITEMENT!!!

[Bandicoot17]

Really we need the new GT rules to be announced to bolster the field as I would say that's the weakest area of the grid (P2 is always going to be small because of it's nature)
Lots of manufacturers have cars but not so many have GTE cars and series like BES and PWC have strong and varied grids because of this, ACO and FIA need to sort this sooner rather than later.

On the whole I still reckon this weekend will be one to remember with an excellent ELMS grid and the new LMP1's. It's somewhat exciting knowing you will be the first to see a new era of LMP1's race! A small P2 grid is nothing to worry imo about as only the best teams should be entering anyway, and there's lots of them in series like ELMS.

[airbusA346]

@dsceditor

"@SMP_Racing confirm that despite extension of US and EC sanctions ELMS & WEC programmes will continue at Silverstone"

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by airbusA346

@dsceditor

"@SMP_Racing confirm that despite extension of US and EC sanctions ELMS & WEC programmes will continue at Silverstone"

Good. If both SMP and Strakka pulled out at once, we would only have FOUR LMP2 cars at Silverstone: 2x Millennium, 1x G-Drive, 1x KCMG.

[GT6]

confused but hopeful

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by GT6

confused but hopeful

That's me... all the time.

Just noticed we got a new vote in... for Lotus. Creep89, you are a troll!

[Aysedasi]

Well, someone has to be, otherwise the term would be completely redundant.......

[Simmi]

I'm still gee'd for the race. Porsche vs Audi vs Toyota for the first time.

You *have to be there for that. (*Unless you've got a doctor's note Ayse)

Everything else is just a bonus. ELMS race is the icing on the cake.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I'm still gee'd for the race. Porsche vs Audi vs Toyota for the first time.

You *have to be there for that. (*Unless you've got a doctor's note Ayse)

Everything else is just a bonus. ELMS race is the icing on the cake.

ELMS is looking really fantastic this year.

[GT6]

getting excited now, in 3 daya time will be packing

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Simmi

You *have to be there for that. (*Unless you've got a doctor's note Ayse)

Sadly........

Originally Posted by GT6

getting excited now, in 3 daya time will be packing

Who are you gonna shoot? Nick Leventis?

[GT6]

Probably Mr webber after his comments about F1 being the premier racing series,

[isynge]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Who are you gonna shoot? Nick Leventis?

No need to shoot Mr Leventis, think he's managed to take pretty accurate aim at his foot today...

That said, it doesn't diminish a pronounced level of excitement at this weekend, in particular thinking about the LMP1s on Sunday and what I fully expect to be an absorbing ELMS round on Saturday.