[WEC] 2013 WEC Schedule

[Maelochs]

Silverstone in April? Hard to decide whether to bring snowshoes, rubber waders, or cleated boots to climb through deep mud.

[NaBUru38]

Why is the April dat at Silverstone so bad? I guess that it's meant to be far from the F1 Grand Prix (July) and the MotoGP race (September).

[isynge]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Silverstone in April? Hard to decide whether to bring snowshoes, rubber waders, or cleated boots to climb through deep mud.

To be fair if it's anything like the last couple of years April might offer the best chance for something akin to summer in the UK - no guarantees obviously but remember this year in August what we might have had to put up with if the race had been 24 hours earlier...

My main issue with April isn't the weather, it's the squandering of the last 8 years of 'conditioning' that's started to build an awareness that late summer brings sports cars to the UK.

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Silverstone in April? Hard to decide whether to bring snowshoes, rubber waders, or cleated boots to climb through deep mud.

Agreed, far from ideal. I believe GP2 were there on the equivalent weekend this year, so it's not unprecedented.

[ArnageWRC]

Originally Posted by isynge

To be fair if it's anything like the last couple of years April might offer the best chance for something akin to summer in the UK - no guarantees obviously but remember this year in August what we might have had to put up with if the race had been 24 hours earlier...

My main issue with April isn't the weather, it's the squandering of the last 8 years of 'conditioning' that's started to build an awareness that late summer brings sports cars to the UK.

Unless it's F1, it's not a clever move. I though this year over the Bank Holiday weekend worked well - and could become a tradition. So they move it to April......look what happened to RallyGB the 3 times it ran in September.....

[Simmi]

At first glance the schedule is a bit 'meh' in terms of excitement. Still not sure about Silverstone in April, even if it makes it easier to attend.

On closer inspection I think they are right not to bite off more than they can chew. 10 rounds with more flyaway's might have been too much for a field which will be fairly similar to this year. A Silverstone start should ensure more entries, especially if it is joint (on track please) with the ELMS.

Sebring was never going to happen but teams can go if they want. Fair enough. Double-header in Austin is a decent compromise. I don't think 10 rounds are necessary at this stage.

Above all the calendar is out nice and early. Teams and partners can see what they need to prepare for. Flyaway issues should be reduced. I don't think we can complain really.

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by Simmi

A Silverstone start should ensure more entries, especially if it is joint (on track please) with the ELMS.

It's not, the ELMS race will be seperate, presumably to be held on the Saturday.

[Victor_RO]

EDIT: Never mind, same thing said earlier.

[fieldodreams79]

It is about what I expected. I am definitely counting on too many extra entries to Sebring, but I need to consider heading west to Austin come in Sept. Well, that may too close to PLM time...

[Livininthinair]

Austin double header ALMS/WEC in September - I will have to go to that one, looks like possibly my only chance. Glad it will be both series in the same weekend, makes it alot more worthwhile trip. This gives me a year to talk the wife into it...

[Flo aus N]

Silverstone in April ? Does an Americas Cup Yacht suit into the new regulations for 2014 ?

[gwyllion]

In http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102932 a reason is given why Sebring has lost its spot in the WEC schedule.

WEC chief Gerard Neveu said Sebring was dropped so that all the WEC's non-European rounds took place after the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2013, and because of fears a joint WEC/ALMS entry would be impossible to accommodate.

"Imagine if we had 32 or 34 WEC cars and 35 in the ALMS," Neveu said. "It would be difficult to tell people that there was not room for everyone."

[lms]

no joined events then, thats a relief. hope it stays that way. There is no point spoiling the quality grid of the wec.

[gwyllion]

Indeed. Sebring 2012 was a mess with its 9 classes: LMP1, LMP2, GTEPro, GTEAm, P1, P2, PC, GT, GTC.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by lms

no joined events then, thats a relief. hope it stays that way. There is no point spoiling the quality grid of the wec.

Although the WEC GT field could do with the ALMS GT cars doing both races on the joint weekend... the WEC GT field has quality, the ALMS GT field has both quality and quantity.

[TF110]

So there's still a possibility that bigger teams could go and do Sebring. Toyota and Audi would be wise to do this, double exposure in the US wouldn't hurt any. maybe Aston Martin and Rebellion will follow.

[trickyd]

I was looking at the 2008 ELMS schedule:

Catalunya, April 6
Monza, April 27
Spa, May 11
Nurburgring, August 17
Silverstone, September 14

Obviously Le Mans was in June. I'd like to see Bahrain or a better Middle East circuit to open, then those European races, minus Catalunya, with Nurburgring and Silverstone brought forward a month each, then the America's races, then China and Japan. 10 races, bases covered, sensible dates, everyones a winner.

[Creep89]

Originally Posted by TF110

So there's still a possibility that bigger teams could go and do Sebring. Toyota and Audi would be wise to do this, double exposure in the US wouldn't hurt any. maybe Aston Martin and Rebellion will follow.

Audi always run test sessions at Sebring so I think they will be there next year.

[TheMightyM]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

In http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102932 a reason is given why Sebring has lost its spot in the WEC schedule.

Field size certainly is a valid concern. Will be interesting to see how many teams still come over for Sebring though. There are four weeks between Sebring and Silverstone, which leaves time for shipping by sea, which certainly is a plus.

[fieldodreams79]

Haven't teams tested at Sebring and not actually run the 12 hours before? Not a lock by any means...

[gregtummer]

Audi did in 2010.

They tested the very next day (or Monday, can't remember), because Peugeot protested that their cars were illegal.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by gregtummer

Audi did in 2010.

They tested the very next day (or Monday, can't remember), because Peugeot protested that their cars were illegal.

I don't think that was the reason...

[KA]

Originally Posted by isynge

To be fair if it's anything like the last couple of years April might offer the best chance for something akin to summer in the UK - no guarantees obviously but remember this year in August what we might have had to put up with if the race had been 24 hours earlier...

My main issue with April isn't the weather, it's the squandering of the last 8 years of 'conditioning' that's started to build an awareness that late summer brings sports cars to the UK.

I see what you mean there, though I guess there is a reasonably long tradition of an early-season sportscar race at Silverstone- the Silverstone FIA GT round was normally May/June, and back in the 'old' WEC days with Group C, IIRC Silverstone always used to be in May- the 'last race before Le Mans' slot that Spa now has.

As you say though, the ACO race has been traditionally August/September over the last 8 years, and I'd guess these days more people are aware of Silverstone in late summer than remember a Silverstone as the Le Mans 'curtain-raiser' back in the 80's..

[Mr Pink]

So only F1-circuits accept for La Sarthe with the two worst ones (together with Hockenheim) ending the season. For spectator numbers, wouldn't it be better to go to places were they aren't spoiled with big motorsport events?

Also, from a personal standpoint, I'm not thrilled to watch endurance racing on bland Tilkedromes.

[isynge]

Originally Posted by KA

I see what you mean there, though I guess there is a reasonably long tradition of an early-season sportscar race at Silverstone- the Silverstone FIA GT round was normally May/June, and back in the 'old' WEC days with Group C, IIRC Silverstone always used to be in May- the 'last race before Le Mans' slot that Spa now has.

As you say though, the ACO race has been traditionally August/September over the last 8 years, and I'd guess these days more people are aware of Silverstone in late summer than remember a Silverstone as the Le Mans 'curtain-raiser' back in the 80's..

I'll allow the early season Silverstone tradition if the WEC will compromise and let there be a September race at Brands Hatch...