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Originally Posted by Salamus
This can be said about every single championship in the world so I'm not sure what your point is. Of course it remains to be seen how long the WEC will survive but there is no indication that anything detrimental will happen in the near future.
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There was no indication of Peugeot's immediate and complete withdrawal at the beginning of 2012 either...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Salamus
Most privateers won't enter WEC but for those who want to be in a world championship, the WEC is their only destination. This is especially true for people who have loads of money.
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The majority of the P2 and GTE-Am entrants are privateers who's bills are being paid by rich folks, correct. Their destination however is Le Mans - not the WEC - it only provides them the desired guaranteed entry for LM. They do like to do other iconic and major sportscar & GT events in the world though (Daytona 24H, Sebring 12H, Nurburgring 24H, Spa 24H, Petit, Bathurst 12H, etc.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Salamus
Creating a new big event isn't going to have that pull. Maybe bringing in an existing big event might. But Daytona and Sebring are for sure not going to happen if IMSA/NASCAR/USCC remain in control. And the WEC entry list isn't going to exceed 35ish entries anyway in order for non-WEC entries to enter Le Mans...unless they change that philosophy.
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As seen this year quite a number of WEC entries didn't show at LM or in the WEC at all, no need to cap the championship to low 30s.
One of the few existing events that could be used for creating another iconic sportscar race is the Mil Milhas at Interlagos (just set the race duration to 9,5 hours but keep the 'branding'). Creating an entire new one is more difficult but can be done as the Petit has shown us, a 12 hours race at Road America for instance could be really successful if the scheduling and the promotion of the race is done properly.