[WEC Race] WEC 2013 Round 1: Silverstone

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I was also wondering about Rolex at Le Mans given the F1 tie-up. Surely the famous clock isn't going to disappear?

I hope that isn't the case.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by FordCosworthPanoz

I hope that isn't the case.

There's Rolex branding on the 24 website and on the partners page. I'm sure there will still be a one-off deal in place for the big race.

http://www.24h-lemans.com/en/partners/tv-exposure.html

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Simmi

There's Rolex branding on the 24 website and on the partners page. I'm sure there will still be a one-off deal in place for the big race.

http://www.24h-lemans.com/en/partners/tv-exposure.html

Rolex is still the parent company that has done the deal, they are just pushing another watch brand under their control through the WEC.

[Flem]

Originally Posted by GT6

You don't go to an endurance race and sit in the same seat for 6 hours, this is not formula 1, get off your backside and walk the circuit during the race, watch a while from all the stands that our open, talk to people and see everything, once you do this you will just have time to sort out le mans tickets

That's exactly my plan with my other half, we both did the Half Marathon there so I'll take her round as much of that course that we can access, particularly the bit around around Woodcote as I saw a man dressed as Batman being consoled by a Man dressed as Robin on the side of the course, can't remember exactly where it was though

[joeb]

I would just like to remind any of you who may be interested that we have a fantasy racing competition for the WEC and there is still plenty of time to submit entries for this round. A direct link to the page can be found here.

[Fogelhund]

First session is showing on live timing.

http://live.fiawec.com/

G-Drive Racing's fastest time doesn't seem all that believable, compared to the others, they are some three seconds faster than the rest of the LMP2 field and only two seconds of the Toyotas. Strange.

Audis are out front right now.

AF Corse leads the Porsches.

[edit] Damp track explains wonky times.

[Maelochs]

Session 2 and Rebellion is running second.

[gwyllion]

Duval and Lotterer ignoring the instructions to sandbag

[NightStalk3r]

Was GTE qualifying wet last year as GTE Pro pole was a 2:09?

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by NightStalk3r

Was GTE qualifying wet last year as GTE Pro pole was a 2:09?

Yeah, it was wet but the GTs dried the track enough so that the LMPs could go out on inters and then slicks.

[gwyllion]

Just a reminder the reference lap time from 2012:

• pole: 1:43.663 (Audi R18 e-tron quattro)
• fastest race lap: 1:44.059 (Toyota TS030)

Both Audis and Toyota #7 are already in the 1:43s.

[Gingers4Justice]

Just got back from a little visit today, and I've got to say those Audis look absolutely mighty. They've really hooked those cars up well.

It's pretty depressing though to see the factory P1s gobble up the gap when chasing Rebellion and Strakka, particularly coming out of Club.

Ferraris are sounding pretty quiet as well, has the new regs on them taken something out of their sound?

Oh, and the Lotus' look like a drawing of an Audi drawn by someone who's never seen one before and had it described over the phone to them...but I think they look cute.

[gwyllion]

The BoP changes appear to be helping the LMP1 privateers a bit.

In 2012, the fastest qualifying time was 1:46.160 (Strakka) and fastest race lap was 1:46.686 (Strakka). Rebellion and Strakka are now into the 1:45s.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

The BoP changes appear to be helping the LMP1 privateers a bit.

In 2012, the fastest qualifying time was 1:46.160 (Strakka) and fastest race lap was 1:46.686 (Strakka). Rebellion and Strakka are now into the 1:45s.

Yes, that's good to see! But on the main pit straight you can see the speed difference.

[pdxracefan]

Originally Posted by TRuss

How are you going to watch it pdxracefan?

I'm planning on it.

[Fogelhund]

FIA WEC ‏@FIAWEC 3m
Now raining very heavily and many cars returning to pits #FIAWEC

[Dario911]

I know we'll see the real potential of cars tomorrow in qualy... but I fear Porsche is a bit slower than Ferrari and Aston. I think may be 'cause is the first race, and they're are prudent. I hope they are really ready to face their opponents. Be the last in a three challenge, against two others works team would be really bad for Porsche. Porsche has a lot of expectations on this new RSR, in the jubileum of the 911.
I hope they've did all in the right way!

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by Dario911

I know we'll see the real potential of cars tomorrow in qualy... but I fear Porsche is a bit slower than Ferrari and Aston. I think may be 'cause is the first race, and they're are prudent. I hope they are really ready to face their opponents. Be the last in a three challenge, against two others works team would be really bad for Porsche. Porsche has a lot of expectations on this new RSR, in the jubileum of the 911.
I hope they've did all in the right way!

Even if Porsche do come away lacking pace, it's nothing to worry about yet. They're racing in conditions and on a circuit which aren't representative for the rest of the season, and they're still learning about the new car.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Dario911

I know we'll see the real potential of cars tomorrow in qualy... but I fear Porsche is a bit slower than Ferrari and Aston. I think may be 'cause is the first race, and they're are prudent. I hope they are really ready to face their opponents. Be the last in a three challenge, against two others works team would be really bad for Porsche. Porsche has a lot of expectations on this new RSR, in the jubileum of the 911.
I hope they've did all in the right way!

My expectations are that they will be close on speed, but not the fastest for the first two races. I expect that for race three, it will be the same story until qualifying... and then you'll see what they are capable of. Silverstone and Spa are nice little races, but there is no reason to tip your hand until LM. The BoP fairies will be keeping an eye on them.

[TF110]

Good pace by the #71 ferrari of kobayashi. Not sure if he was the driver but theyre top of their class.

[Dario911]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

My expectations are that they will be close on speed, but not the fastest for the first two races. I expect that for race three, it will be the same story until qualifying... and then you'll see what they are capable of. Silverstone and Spa are nice little races, but there is no reason to tip your hand until LM. The BoP fairies will be keeping an eye on them.

I think you're right. But... sometimes passion is stronger than reason! I hope Porsche can finally prove all its credibility with this racing program!

[Dario911]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Even if Porsche do come away lacking pace, it's nothing to worry about yet. They're racing in conditions and on a circuit which aren't representative for the rest of the season, and they're still learning about the new car.

Right point. First race is first race. And Le Mans is far away!

[Fogelhund]

Rumour has it that the #71 Ferrari times have been disallowed for not respecting track limits.

[Dario911]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Rumour has it that the #71 Ferrari times have been disallowed for not respecting track limits.

Where did you read this?

[Starfish Primer]

A gallery I´ve found in Flickr with good pics from today:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/towcest...7633225266697/