[WEC Race] WEC 6 HOURS SPA FRANCORCHAMPS

[J Jay]

Track temps going down, Porsches going quicker now then before, looks like they have a tyre deg issue to sort out before LM.

[justracing]

Is it just me or has the intrigue in sportscar racing been lost with the departure of Audi in P1 and the dominance of Oreca in P2? I can easily reminisce having attended many events over the past 50 years including many visits to Le Mans and Spa but watching the current race I'm resorting to concentrating once again on the frenetic battle in the GT categories which seems to be the only real racing these days. I can perhaps understand the commercial benefits in reducing the permissible number of manufacturers in P2 but I surely do miss the inter team rivalry of days gone by.

[AndreasDavour]

Just saw the Ford only changing left hand side tires. Anyone notice how the Ferrari and Porsche have done?

[AndreasDavour]

Originally Posted by justracing

Is it just me or has the intrigue in sportscar racing been lost with the departure of Audi in P1 and the dominance of Oreca in P2? I can easily reminisce having attended many events over the past 50 years including many visits to Le Mans and Spa but watching the current race I'm resorting to concentrating once again on the frenetic battle in the GT categories which seems to be the only real racing these days.

While I am just as sad about the lack of diversity in LMP2 as the next guy, it does not seem to be lacking frenetic battles!

[Adam43]

It's all good. Yes, I might want more P1, more engines and chassis in P2 and, for that matter, no contrived BoP in GT. However while the race is been on I've not given it a thought until you brought it up. I've considering the racing and the nuances of the race.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by justracing

Is it just me or has the intrigue in sportscar racing been lost with the departure of Audi in P1 and the dominance of Oreca in P2? I can easily reminisce having attended many events over the past 50 years including many visits to Le Mans and Spa but watching the current race I'm resorting to concentrating once again on the frenetic battle in the GT categories which seems to be the only real racing these days. I can perhaps understand the commercial benefits in reducing the permissible number of manufacturers in P2 but I surely do miss the inter team rivalry of days gone by.

It's not as good as last year no, but I wouldn't say the intrigue is lost. Remember that the "real" racing in the GT class is created by a BoP system too. That's even less real than the P2 class as they go out of their way to balance the cars at every opportunity.

I agree with your point, but I don't think the result is as bad as some people say. I do miss last year, with Audi, and different P2 chassis and stuff. But it's still a great series overall, and along with ELMS and IMSA, there isn't anything else I'd rather be watching.

[kvenom]

Wurz saying the #9 is suffering from high tire deg and pickup in traffic.

[Akrapovic]

So we've just learned that the Ford GT diffuser is just the right height to bunch a hole the grill of the old Porsche GTE car.

[airbusA346]

FCY

[Adam43]

GTs tripping themselves up in front of Toyota.

What will they do about that Gulf Porsche?

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by airbusA346

FCY

That'll be it!

[bentley speed 8]

Did the FCY screw the #7 as it finished its pit stop just before it was announced?

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by justracing

Is it just me or has the intrigue in sportscar racing been lost with the departure of Audi in P1 and the dominance of Oreca in P2? I can easily reminisce having attended many events over the past 50 years including many visits to Le Mans and Spa but watching the current race I'm resorting to concentrating once again on the frenetic battle in the GT categories which seems to be the only real racing these days. I can perhaps understand the commercial benefits in reducing the permissible number of manufacturers in P2 but I surely do miss the inter team rivalry of days gone by.

It may have been diminished, but I think it's too early to say that the magic has gone. It was only last race where both prototype classes had great races that went on for the duration of the race.

Would it be better with Audi and other manufacturers in LMP2? I'm confident it would. But there's enough good racing going on to keep me interested - it just doesn't quite compare to the last couple of years, which, by modern standards of prototype endurance racing, were excellent.

[kvenom]

Originally Posted by bentley speed 8

Did the FCY screw the #7 as it finished its pit stop just before it was announced?

Porsche came in right after so I don't think so.

[airbusA346]

Originally Posted by Adam43

GTs tripping themselves up in front of Toyota.

What will they do about that Gulf Porsche?

They are trying to get him through the gap in the pit wall.

[Akrapovic]

Again, I have to ask why that's a FCY and not a slow zone. It seemed perfect for a slow zone - car should easily be recovered, no medical assistance required. They have the slow zone boards up, but never use them.

Were Toyota marginal on fuel there? Why did they pit before the FCY? If they'd waited a lap they'd have been able to do the pit stop under yellow.

[airbusA346]

Green

[kvenom]

#8 benefitted tremendously from that FCY

[Oracle]

Did #8 jump #7?

[Akrapovic]

Lead change in LMP2. Rebellion were up to something during their pit stop and G-Drive popped through into the lead. Watch for Jota. They were nowhere earlier today and are now 3rd and 4th. Same as Silverstone, they seem to get stronger as the race goes on.

[kvenom]

Originally Posted by Oracle

Did #8 jump #7?

#8 Got the full service done while everyone else was puttering around at 80Kph

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Oracle

Did #8 jump #7?

Yeah. #7 pitted under green, #8 pitted under yellow. The time saved swapped them.

[Akrapovic]

Porsche went from 50 seconds off of the #7 Toyota to only 12 seconds.

[airbusA346]

Porsche #1 pit stop under investigation

[Oracle]

It looked like they had but live timing is very slow to update!