LMS evening Races

[Johnny1lap]

I remember at the LMES silverstone 1000km in 2005, they had an evening race 1600-2200. it rained all the way through but should they bring some of the races on saturday 4-10?

I much prefer the idea, as long as the LMS can find some resonably good events for the sunday like F3. instead of the 207 Spyder cup.

[Speed-King]

If they can do it the way you describe it, with the race being on saturday evening, it is a great idea. Although only for a few and not for all races.

[johntt]

They should have some Saturday evening races, maybe in addition to the big four 1000km races (Spa, Silverstone, Monza, Nring) they could have some 2hr45 in support of bigger events. This could include the DTM, WTCC, BTCC.

[Koulle]

I would like saturday evening races whether it's some or all of them.

[minimangler]

Each year could alternate- so if Monza had a night race one year, it would have a day race the next, then night race again. I like the idea, but I also like day racing. And maybe 3-9 would be better- 10 is late, I like my sleep

[Adam43]

Yes, but they should be in the minority. Variety is good, but as a general rule during the day suits more people.

[zac510]

I think it would be good. Imagine instead of going down the pub to watch rugby on Saturday night you went down and watched LMES!

[Adam43]

It would have to be when there wasn't a football or rugby match on (ie a more popular sport). Would be great though.

[Hugewally]

IMO, endurance racing should race thru sunset.

[TheNewBob]

Originally Posted by johntt

they could have some 2hr45 in support of bigger events. This could include the DTM, WTCC, BTCC.

LMS in support of the BTCC? I certainly hope not! Should be the other way around if it were to happen!

I remember Silverstone '05, and despite the weather it was easily the most enjoyable race in the UK I've seen in a long time, because of the racing through the sunset and into the night. It adds a special atmosphere to the event that only Le Mans cars could ever give.

[johntt]

Originally Posted by TheNewBob

LMS in support of the BTCC? I certainly hope not! Should be the other way around if it were to happen!

I remember Silverstone '05, and despite the weather it was easily the most enjoyable race in the UK I've seen in a long time, because of the racing through the sunset and into the night. It adds a special atmosphere to the event that only Le Mans cars could ever give.

My mistake - i was thinking somewhere like Donington where you have the BTCC+support during the day and then a 2h45 race at the end, or have 2 BTCC races either side of a 2h45 LMS race like what they did when Champ Car ran at Brands.

[duke_toaster]

I think an evening race or two could promote the series better, I'd say two hours (please don't lynch me) - 7:30 to 9:30. And John, the BTCC now has three races per day, not two.

BTCC/LMS coheadlining could be done if it was the one before/after the Renault festival as FRenault and the Clios pick and choose which ones they bother going to.

[GT2-R]

Some evening races are always welcome for me. May be on a streetcourse? Monaco, Valencia,...??? That would be awesome !

[Justin Moran]

Just spare a thought for the Marshals!!!!! As I am one and I love to do the LMS event at Silverstone, it is a bloody long day! (Fortunately I was spectating at the 2005 event! I had a chance to get out of the rain unlike my fellow Marshals!)

And yes even I voted yes to evening or day/night races!

[Zytek_Fan]

It'd be nice to start in the late afternoon and race into the night for select events

I like the idea of alternating the events that hold night races.

[AstonGeoff]

If I remember correctly there was Brit GT race on the Sunday after the LMES (powerboat)race on the extremely wet Saturday evening back in 2005 at Silverstone. That seems a much better match than having banger (sorry, BTCC) racing with LMS....

I guess with Audi involved now there is no chance of this happening as Sat evening is primetime TV and Endurance racing is never gonna occupy that slot now is it!

[minimangler]

Silverstone 04 was genius- a huge weekend, and a great 3 days, and it worked well, same as FIAGT at the same venue in 2002 worked into the night. Two of my favourite events in the catergories, but it's not always practical. Variety would be better. Banger racing and the LMS? No thanks. But I guess the crowds BTCC attracts would be useful, as people would realise how **** BTCC is compared!

[AstonGeoff]

Silverstone has had a few evening races over recent years, BTCC, ELMS in 2000, but the issue for the series now must be TV so that precludes a Sat evening race, plus in Silverstones case they have the 24 hrs the following weekend so I doubt they would want to or be allowed to run the LMS into the night. Sadly. I've always felt that the Silverstone Sportscar race should be a 12 hour affair, right from the days when it was a six hour race before they went all metric on us!

[brielga]

excellent idea, night racing is part of the essence of endurance but it should be once a year max (next to LM of course) in order to enjoy it properly.