[WEC] WEC 2024

[Sodemo]

Forgive the question, but if F4 and Britcar can afford to run the full GP layout, why can’t WEC?

[broadrun96]

Betting you would find the pricing for tickets and usage are not the same for every weekend. WEC will want more from the track and expect the track knows it and can charge far more than F4 would be able to pay. Nevermind the crowd difference

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

Forgive the question, but if F4 and Britcar can afford to run the full GP layout, why can’t WEC?

Isn't it the other way around? WEC want Silverstone to pay to host the event? And it was too much money for Silverstone.

Are F1 and WEC not unique in that the circuits pay for the events?

[Mal]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

I really miss the Silverstone WEC race. It was always something to look forward to, either in preparation for Le Mans or afterwards, depending on the calendar. I know there are plenty of Silverstone haters, but on a good day it was great to walk around and spectate from all around the track. Plus we always made it a full weekend with a couple of nights at the local Travelodge with two evenings of curry..... Good times.

The Silverstone Classic is a worthy alternative at the moment - some good racing including a couple of Masters of Endurance races which usually include some cool cars including one or two Pug 908's

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Mal

The Silverstone Classic is a worthy alternative at the moment - some good racing including a couple of Masters of Endurance races which usually include some cool cars including one or two Pug 908's

I'm always disappointed in Classic events because most cars drive around at half throttle.

I'd rather watch a Citroen C1 get it's neck rung than a gorgeous Lola LMP driving in 4th gear at half revs.

[RL17]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

I'm always disappointed in Classic events because most cars drive around at half throttle.

I'd rather watch a Citroen C1 get it's neck rung than a gorgeous Lola LMP driving in 4th gear at half revs.

Goodwood members meetings have good racing and good drivers. Saw two 1930s cars I think in a good spat with one running the other off into the grass.

1960s cars at LM Classic good too - 2 GT40s both on trailers after a good race on a damp track. I’m fact even the parade laps I was on hit the rev limiter a few times in 4th.

Silverstone Classic ok - always windy but camping and barn/pub and pizza van at Woodlands and loads of double decker buses make it a good event - especially with the infield parking car club deals before 31 March

[RL17]

https://www.goodwood.com/grr/event-c...hy-highlights/

Edwardian cars (not 1930s) going for it including the Fiat S 76, Blitzen Benz and a spinning Bugatti

[Sodemo]

I went to the Classic a few years back and was really excited to hear that the 1991 Mansell Williams would be given a test run around the track. My hopes and dreams were sadly dashed somewhat when I saw it trundling into Maggotts on little more than tickover and doing about 60mph - and did so for the entire 2-3 laps it did.

[Simmi]

Unless I completely misunderstood the reference, on the new TWISC Graham seemed to imply his latest thinking is that we could be headed back to COTA next year to replace Sebring as the US round.

Not necessarily a long-term thing but one of the options on the table seemingly.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Unless I completely misunderstood the reference, on the new TWISC Graham seemed to imply his latest thinking is that we could be headed back to COTA next year to replace Sebring as the US round.

Not necessarily a long-term thing but one of the options on the table seemingly.

Yay. No wait, that other thing.

[veeten]

I was about to say that if they decide to move to another venue, COTA would be a good choice. The pit/paddock areas are more like what the WEC are used to, and it can take on a more normal Saturday/Sunday racing schedule. iMSA for Saturday, and WEC for Sunday. With Wednesday and Thursday for practice and testing, Friday for qualify.

[broadrun96]

It would be WEC alone, with whatever they want to bring along themselves

[seanyb505]

I used to think cota was Texas paul Ricard. Somehow, going to the track in person negates some of that for me. Grand stands are cool when you're used to Sebring, the tower is cool when you're used to Sebring tribunes, and the t1 climb is impressive in person when you're used to road Atlanta. Not our country's finest motorsports moment, but there are worse places. Places cut into a square oval.

[Coach Ep]

A rotating schedule for US tracks would certainly be interesting!

[ATLFalconsFAN]

How about since the middle of the country has had a go with WEC, and the East Coast has as well, let's give the West (Best) Coast a shot. I'm thinking Laguna Seca or Sonoma. Plenty of hotels close to both locations.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by ATLFalconsFAN

How about since the middle of the country has had a go with WEC, and the East Coast has as well, let's give the West (Best) Coast a shot. I'm thinking Laguna Seca or Sonoma. Plenty of hotels close to both locations.

Laguna Seca would be epic!

[Simmi]

Doesn't Laguna Seca struggle to attract crowds for IMSA? I'm sure I heard Marshall saying it's generally quite a poorly attended event.

Albeit I guess pure spectator numbers isn't going to be the prime driver for this move, otherwise you'd just keep it at Sebring...

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Doesn't Laguna Seca struggle to attract crowds for IMSA? I'm sure I heard Marshall saying it's generally quite a poorly attended event.

Shame since the track layout is truly special (although a bit small)

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Doesn't Laguna Seca struggle to attract crowds for IMSA? I'm sure I heard Marshall saying it's generally quite a poorly attended event.

Albeit I guess pure spectator numbers isn't going to be the prime driver for this move, otherwise you'd just keep it at Sebring...

From what I've gathered the Historics and Indy are the bigger draws than IMSA. Plus Laguna is in a California state park with very very limited run hours, I think they don't have any unused time. Indy isn't likely moving, IMSA probably not as well and well the Monterey Historics are the Monterey Historics. That's not going anywhere or moving for anyone, the entire area celebrates the event. And the entry list is usually fantastic

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Albeit I guess pure spectator numbers isn't going to be the prime driver for this move, otherwise you'd just keep it at Sebring...

...and Bahrain would be long gone.

[ATLFalconsFAN]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Doesn't Laguna Seca struggle to attract crowds for IMSA? I'm sure I heard Marshall saying it's generally quite a poorly attended event.

Albeit I guess pure spectator numbers isn't going to be the prime driver for this move, otherwise you'd just keep it at Sebring...

I wouldn't say that Laguna Seca struggles to attract crowds, camping is always full, you just don't usually see it on TV as it's further from the circuit than the fence line, and parking is usually pretty darn full. It seems Petit and Sebring are anomalies when it comes to spectator numbers, otherwise I'd put Laguna in the same attendance category with any other IMSA round.

[ATLFalconsFAN]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

From what I've gathered the Historics and Indy are the bigger draws than IMSA. Plus Laguna is in a California state park with very very limited run hours, I think they don't have any unused time. Indy isn't likely moving, IMSA probably not as well and well the Monterey Historics are the Monterey Historics. That's not going anywhere or moving for anyone, the entire area celebrates the event. And the entry list is usually fantastic

I don't think it's in a state park, but it used to be run by Monterey County, so that's where you may have gotten that impression. The problem with too many events at Laguna is that many high net worth individuals built multi-million dollar homes within earshot of the circuit (the track was there long before the houses, but you know how that goes), the NIMBYs have been vocal and likely add a lot to the county tax coffers, so that's the issue there.

[broadrun96]

It is still run by the county, believe it is technically a state park ceded to the county to manage. Or as they have done mismanage, they had multiple public investigations about money and corruption (handing contract to buddies and attempting coups within management). Believe they are back to the old management at a much higher markup and some extra money to spend. It costs the county money to run it and that was part of the problem, people in the county wanted it gone and many of the visitors don't actually stay within the county because of limited options. It's generally a giant shtshow of management and every time they don't vote to close it I'm amazed.

[ATLFalconsFAN]

It’s not a state park, and there are plenty of accommodations nearby. Other than that I agree with you completely.

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Isn't it the other way around? WEC want Silverstone to pay to host the event? And it was too much money for Silverstone.

Silverstone can't break even at the price the WEC wants.

WEC wants a similar fee to something like World Superbikes. But Silverstone will sell >150,000 tickets to that event.

The biggest WEC crowd to date is 42,000, and that was in a year when Peugeot bought 8,000 tickets for its staff and their families.