[WEC] FIA WEC calendar

[NaBUru38]

There's also a clash between WEC at Monza, IMSA at Mosport Park, and F1 at Silverstone. Likewise, moving Monza one week later would avoid any clashes.

[Anyopenroad]

WEC also needs to work alongside ELMS, which is at Barcelona and Imola either side of WEC’s Spa weekend and at Le Castellet the week after WEC is at Monza.

Edited to add: when F1 has 24 races, there’s no point even trying to avoid clashes, other than Le Mans. IMSA clashes are more of a shame, but the overlap in personnel and drivers with ELMS and even GTWC is probably greater.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

There's also a clash between WEC at Monza, IMSA at Mosport Park, and F1 at Silverstone. Likewise, moving Monza one week later would avoid any clashes.

Every single solution you've mentioned would lead to a clash with the Formula E calendar - which is the primary series they needed to avoid.

Trying to dodge clashes with F1 is utterly pointless and impossible. Getting a clear Le Mans next year was something the FIA could hang their hat on but I'm not convinced it matters. F1 is in a different stratosphere from even 5 years ago. Not the same sport at this point.

[Mike E]

I'm glad the calendar is filling up again and I get the appeal of another early round to help with BoP before Le Mans but I fear this will exaggerate the loss of momentum we have already.

Prologue and race in March, two races in April, a race in each of June and July and then a two month gap followed by another two month gap. They really need to fill at least of those.

[tux]

The good news from the latest DSC interview is that it sounds much more positive RE the return of Silverstone at some point in the future. https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/...lverstone.html

[Aysedasi]

We can but hope.....

[PhilipR]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

2023 FIA World Endurance Championship schedule:

• March 11-12: Prologue at Sebring
• March 17: Sebring
• April 16: Algarve
• April 29: Spa-Francorchamps
• June 10-11: Le Mans
• July 9: Monza
• September 10: Fuji
• November 4: Bahrain

I think this is quite good
Hopefully from next year when they add an 8th race they will fill the August slot.
I do not know what it takes to get a calendar slot on a track, however would be good if they can move Bahrain to October so there is a less gap between last 2 races, If there is a tight title fight the enthusiasm might die down over 2 months

[PhilipR]

Clashes are impossible to avoid unfortunately - and I am pretty sure is not that easy to change calendar slots for 1 or 2 weeks - there are many considerations coming into play - otherwise it would be an easy fix

Alternatively, WEC is a world championship so the regional sportscar championships should have their calendars planned around WEC and not the other way around(I am aware that WEC and ELMS calendars are made by same company)

[ArnageWRC]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Every single solution you've mentioned would lead to a clash with the Formula E calendar - which is the primary series they needed to avoid.

Trying to dodge clashes with F1 is utterly pointless and impossible. Getting a clear Le Mans next year was something the FIA could hang their hat on but I'm not convinced it matters. F1 is in a different stratosphere from even 5 years ago. Not the same sport at this point.

Yes, there was a time when trying to avoid clashing with F1 was the right solution, but as you say not anymore. However, the huge 24 race F1 calendar which overshadows the rest of the motorsport season is something the FiA could/should be dealing with....it's not healthy for one series to be so dominant.


Ideally, IMSA & ACO work together to come up with two calendars that can work - which is easier said than done.

As for people moaning on social media about Silverstone, well somebody has to pay for it.....

[Simmi]

Doesn't help that FE has gone from 8 rounds to 13 in the space of two seasons, while also binning off their original winter calendar concept.

I think there are quite a few more high profile driver clashes in FE and WEC vs IMSA, so I guess they had to prioritise.

[Anyopenroad]

One point alluded to in the article is that it’s not just about avoiding actual clashes of race day. ELMS wanted to be at Imola on 14 May but the San Marino F1 is the weekend after that and the circuit needs setup time, so ELMS went to 7 May. Add teardown time and each F1 GP takes up at least three weekends of that circuit’s calendar.

[Mike E]

They should run the whole championship in August when F1 is on holiday. Any track you like!

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Every single solution you've mentioned would lead to a clash with the Formula E calendar - which is the primary series they needed to avoid.

Is it? I would think that IMSA is a more significant clash.

[Anyopenroad]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Is it? I would think that IMSA is a more significant clash.

For us endurance fans yes, not for drivers or the sport as a whole.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Is it? I would think that IMSA is a more significant clash.

FE and WEC share a lot of drivers.

[Matador]

Originally Posted by Mike E

I'm glad the calendar is filling up again and I get the appeal of another early round to help with BoP before Le Mans but I fear this will exaggerate the loss of momentum we have already.

Prologue and race in March, two races in April, a race in each of June and July and then a two month gap followed by another two month gap. They really need to fill at least of those.

150% Agreed. Such long gaps should only be between the end of one season and start of another IMO

[Aysedasi]

Yep, agree totally as well.

[Anyopenroad]

Originally Posted by Matador

150% Agreed. Such long gaps should only be between the end of one season and start of another IMO

The Monza-Fuji gap is down to shipping, according to Graham Goodwin.

[Akrapovic]

I'm sure the reason is completely logical. But this championship has struggled with the idea of momentum for years. After Le Mans interest completely dies. This huge gap doesn't help.

It's the same reason nobody _really_ cares about IGTC being a "championship". We like the individual races (often more than WECs individual races), but it's too spread out to get invested in.

[marcosgt]

It's been a while since I posted here and my last sportscar race was Daytona 2019, so it's with some excitement that I've logged in to say that I've booked to go to a race next year.

The promise of a large Hypercar field has tempted me back to the WEC after being rather bored with it over the previous few years.

I did think about taking another trip to Daytona or Le Mans (Where I used to be a regular before becoming rather disenchanted with the organiser's decisions to favour corporate guests over people like me who'd kept coming in less popular times), but have decided to go to Monza instead, a circuit I've never visited but have always wanted to.

Looking forward to seeing a genuine multi-marque battle like the glory days of Group C (although maybe that's a bar a little too high to aim for) in 2023!

Any tips, meanwhile, for visiting Monza? I'm flying in Saturday morning and out Monday evening and staying close to the main station in Milan.

Cheers.

M

[NaBUru38]

The track museum is closed in Mondays, but you can rent a bicycle to make a full lap.

[Coach Ep]

Walk/climb/bike on the oval.

[Simmi]

Basically confirmation of 8 rounds in 2024.

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...ndar-for-2024/

Anyone want to take a guess where it will be?

[Coach Ep]

Indy is the safe bet. Or maybe Daytona?

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Indy is the safe bet. Or maybe Daytona?

I think it would make most sense logistically to add a race at a place where ground transport can be used after (or before) another round. Don't know if anywhere in America could be added around Sebring weather wise.