WEC Race WEC 2015 Round 1: Silverstone

**joeb** · 2 Apr 2015, 02:35 (Ref:3522923)

The 2015 season of the World Endurance Championship is almost ready to go. We start the season off at Silverstone again and will be treated to a tremendous battle between Porsche, Toyota, and Audi. Nissan is sitting the first two rounds out, but it will be an epic battle none the less for the top honors. Rebellion will also be sitting this one out, but Kolles will be there with an updated car. The LMP2 should be as close as usual and we finally get to see the debut of the Strakka Dome and the new Oreca 05! GT will also be close with Porsche, Ferrari, and Aston battling it out in the Pro category, while a Labre Corvette joins in for the AM action. I'm really getting excited for the season to kick off, and with the increased coverage in the US I hope to see the popularity of the WEC rise.

Schedule

Entry List

FRC

Weather

Hingo · 2 Apr 2015, 04:37 (Ref:3522931)

Any word on the official stream this year? The streams last year were fantastic.

Apparently Fox Sports is showing it on TV here in Aus but I'm not holding my breath considering it isn't in any TV guide at the moment.

Spyderman · 2 Apr 2015, 05:37 (Ref:3522938)

Based on what we have seen, I think Audi has this one in the bag. I think there will be a big fight for 3rd between Toyota and Porsche.

cokata · 2 Apr 2015, 05:47 (Ref:3522939)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyderman

Based on what we have seen, I think Audi has this one in the bag. I think there will be a big fight for 3rd between Toyota and Porsche.

If porsche can recover their energy allowance, they should win comfortably.

Spyderman · 2 Apr 2015, 06:18 (Ref:3522943)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cokata

If porsche can recover their energy allowance, they should win comfortably.

Not according to Bernhard. This track suites "others" (Audi in particular) better than it does Porsche.

Porsche is still no up to speed on the twisty bits.

claude2cv · 2 Apr 2015, 06:35 (Ref:3522948)

Looking forward to it a lot seeing how all the teams perform. Will there be a meeting place for Sunday morning?

GT6 · 2 Apr 2015, 07:09 (Ref:3522957)

Quote:

Originally Posted by claude2cv

Looking forward to it a lot seeing how all the teams perform. Will there be a meeting place for Sunday morning?

I hope so, last year we\ all meet up in the stand at club around 11.00 what does everyone else think?

gwyllion · 2 Apr 2015, 06:41 (Ref:3522950)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyderman

Not according to Bernhard. This track suites "others" (Audi in particular) better than it does Porsche.

Indeed, Porsche people (i.e., Timo Bernhard and Wolfgang Hatz) consider Audi the favorite for Silverstone.

http://www.motorsport-total.com/wec/...-15033001.html

GT6 · 2 Apr 2015, 06:15 (Ref:3522941)

A few cars missing with the withdrawls of Nissan and Rebellion but this will still be an amazing opener with no one knowing how the new cars are going to cope with actual race conditions, can't wait to get there in just over a week

Spyderman · 2 Apr 2015, 07:07 (Ref:3522956)

Thanks Mr G. I had just finished reading that too. Porsche still has issues with tire-wear. Until that is sorted out (or drastically improved) race pace will suffer greatly.

TF110 · 2 Apr 2015, 07:16 (Ref:3522959)

I think Toyota is the slight favorite here, not Audi. It will come down to tire wear and the stint pace. I think the test numbers at Paul Ricard are not much of a determining factor, but we'll see. I think lmp2 will be interesting to see with the Dome, Sard and new Oreca vs the established Ligier. In GTE, Aston Martin is my pick.

Gingers4Justice · 2 Apr 2015, 08:35 (Ref:3522972)

We've only had 10 replies and already all three manufacturers have been described as the favourite...

J Jay · 2 Apr 2015, 11:02 (Ref:3523010)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

We've only had 10 replies and already all three manufacturers have been described as the favourite...

As far as speculation goes it isn't too much of a stretch to back any of the three manufacturers. They've all shown (in various ways) big improvements on last year.

I think it's safe to say that Silverstone will suit Audi more than other WEC tracks. However that's no guarantee that they will do well. If I had to pick a winner then I would plump for the #1 but I think and hope it will be too close to call.

GT6 · 2 Apr 2015, 08:50 (Ref:3522977)

Well it is going to be an open race, and that is how i like it, we do not want a run away winner but close racing and plenty of excitement

champcarman · 2 Apr 2015, 09:09 (Ref:3522982)

Hope you are right HINGO about Aussie TV coverage of Silverstone (and hopefully the rest of the WEC inc Le Mans) . Perhaps todays announcement of Fox Sport US coverage points to something happening in Australian Fox Sports coverage.

Deleted · 2 Apr 2015, 11:24 (Ref:3523015)

I can't lie that I have interest in the post-LM season, but the first two dress rehearsal races prior the big one will be very exciting as ever. And since we are pretty much guessing here who will have the ultimate power on ancient spirits, I'm gonna say... Porsche. For Silverstone. But it will be close between the three. Maybe when Nissan ultimately joins not so anymore...

For the weekend as whole, looking forward to seeing loads of AF Corse cars with SMP Racing stickers in them and people that I'm not sure are all employed by AF Corse around them!

Deleted · 2 Apr 2015, 15:30 (Ref:3523103)

Updated participant figures tracker

Deleted · 3 Apr 2015, 00:25 (Ref:3523238)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

Updated participant figures tracker

---

Same for ELMS, made this today so completely new

FLGTFAN · 3 Apr 2015, 01:02 (Ref:3523244)

Chiana, that graph would be streamlined a great deal if the LM24 races were not included. After all, it's an invitational race (with maximum entries) that doesn't fit in any "trend". Just what I noticed anyway.

Deleted · 3 Apr 2015, 01:16 (Ref:3523245)

Of course the ELMS graph is free of Le Mans's influence, but in any case for the ILMC/WEC one, I'll upload one without LM in it a little bit later.

Anyway, at least with LM being there it tells how big gap there now is between that and "regular races", unlike before

Deleted · 3 Apr 2015, 13:09 (Ref:3523355)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLGTFAN

Chiana, that graph would be streamlined a great deal if the LM24 races were not included. After all, it's an invitational race (with maximum entries) that doesn't fit in any "trend". Just what I noticed anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

Of course the ELMS graph is free of Le Mans's influence, but in any case for the ILMC/WEC one, I'll upload one without LM in it a little bit later.

Anyway, at least with LM being there it tells how big gap there now is between that and "regular races", unlike before

Okay, here's the ILMC/WEC chart without Le Mans:

Brake dust · 4 Apr 2015, 13:50 (Ref:3523794)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

Okay, here's the ILMC/WEC chart without Le Mans:

Thanks for posting. Interesting to see the car count history plotted. Would like to see WEC increase it's counts via special invites.

**Adam43** · 2 Apr 2015, 18:11 (Ref:3523152)

A miracle has happened!

Bob Baldwin · 2 Apr 2015, 18:21 (Ref:3523157)

This Round Audi ALL the way . Not sure at LM though

Deleted · 2 Apr 2015, 19:11 (Ref:3523171)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam43

A miracle has happened!

What do you mean?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[WEC Race] WEC Round 1 Silverstone - Who is Going?	GT6	ACO Regulated Series	64	26 Jun 2015 20:35
FRC 2015 - WEC Round 1: Silverstone	joeb	Predictions Competitions	31	14 Apr 2015 16:17
FRC 2014 - WEC Round 1: Silverstone	joeb	Predictions Competitions	44	22 Apr 2014 16:49
[WEC Race] WEC 2013 Round 1: Silverstone	joeb	ACO Regulated Series	432	27 Apr 2013 23:49
FRC 2013 - WEC Round 1: Silverstone	joeb	Predictions Competitions	29	16 Apr 2013 20:34