FIA WEC '14 ~ Speculation Thread

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by TF110

Don't think you get what I mean. Theres a huge gap between LeMans and the next round sure. That deteriorates interest imo. But the biggest thing is there's 3 manufacturers with factories in Germany. Why they neglected that country is odd. Keeping them in Europe wouldn't cost much either.

You underestimate just how close Spa is to the Ring - and very much in daytrip distance to Germany's biggest metropolitan area... sure, it's a different country, but that's no big deal anymore, thanks to the Schengen accord.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by nasdriv87

why does interlagos is in TBC ????

Probably relates to the upcoming track constructions.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by TF110

Why they neglected that country is odd.

Assuming that the rumors were even true.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by deggis

Probably relates to the upcoming track constructions.

Press release says that it's to do with WMSC approval, but considering the fact that they were the first to announce their 2014 race date (apart from Le Mans) and the promoter behind the race... probably nothing more than a formality.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

You underestimate just how close Spa is to the Ring - and very much in daytrip distance to Germany's biggest metropolitan area... sure, it's a different country, but that's no big deal anymore, thanks to the Schengen accord.

No. I don't underestimate anything of the sort. I know the geography. My point is Spa is not in Germany, nor is it a "German" round. It's Spa! Which is great its there.

Originally Posted by jc_nl

Keeping them in Europe in the post LM gap would cost much, because if they did that they could not use the same (relatively) cheap transport they are using now.

As for a German round, I have some very good memories of the rounds at the Nurburgring so I would love it if they went their. But of course their are lots of issues with that place......

Transport is not a huge issue. Sure everything would go up in terms of cost, because its an additional venue. But they make the trip to Japan from Texas in less than 20 days! Going to Brazil from Germany in 30 days is not even a problem logistically.

Originally Posted by deggis

Assuming that the rumors were even true.

Not even going by rumors, its a mystery because the WEC spoke about a German round before. Porsche arrives and has no "home race". Maybe 2015 they'll think again.

[Simmi]

Is a US two-car 991 works programme for Porsche going to mean the end of the similar programme in the WEC?

USCC confirmed. WEC isn't as of now.

[TF110]

Well we know another Porsche team in the U.S. doesn't get to run them.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by TF110

Not even going by rumors, its a mystery because the WEC spoke about a German round before. Porsche arrives and has no "home race". Maybe 2015 they'll think again.

Neveu mentioned it here in April: http://www.motorsport-total.com/wec/..._13040401.html

Which sounds like "what we would like to have". Which doesn't mean there were real negotiations in the first place.

[Acid09]

I wouldn't put the WEC at fault here, everything concerning the Nürburgring is complicated to deal with right now.

The ownership situation is such a mess, even the 24h race organizers had to work hard to sign a new contract, nothing's happening easily over there right now.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by deggis

Neveu mentioned it here in April: http://www.motorsport-total.com/wec/..._13040401.html

Which sounds like "what we would like to have". Which doesn't mean there were real negotiations in the first place.

Don't get what you're saying here... I would have liked another round. But I am not the WEC. Im just putting out there its not hard from a scheduling standpoint. The ongoings with the track and organizers no one knows about fully. Imo its a shame because its the exact same as this year.

[deggis]

You wondered why they "neglected" a German round based on the rumors. That wording sort of assumes there was an offer on the table? I'm not so sure there was.

[TF110]

No one is sure of anything. And no one knows the reasoning behind there not being another race added. Its not just the Nurburgring that was discussed. There was India and Russia as well.

[Alfaholic]

Originally Posted by deggis

Stability-induced yawn.

Silverstone in April induced shiver

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by TF110

No one is sure of anything. And no one knows the reasoning behind there not being another race added. Its not just the Nurburgring that was discussed. There was India and Russia as well.

It's probably down to the fact that no team actually wanted to increase their budget for an extra round.

I'm sure the German manufacturers wanted to race in Germany - but only at the expense of an existing round. Surely that would have to have been a European one.

Not wise to throw away your two most established non-LM rounds --> the manufacturers probably understood that --> holding pattern until 2015.

[TF110]

There was talk of additional rounds from previous interviews. Not races in place of the current ones. Its done with now so no reason to contemplate it, unless something changes before next season.

[isynge]

Originally Posted by Alfaholic

Silverstone in April induced shiver

It's not going to be warm, but dress for all weathers (i.e. lots of layers, at least one of them involving goretex) and it's fine. I even managed to enjoy the ELMS Saturday this year, even if a cup of Silverstone brown (not going to dignify it as coffee) was required as a heat source latterly...

If I'm honest I'd much prefer the early autumn Silverstone date, but there is a certain thrill to it opening the season.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Alfaholic

Silverstone in April induced shiver

It wasn't that cold this year........

[isynge]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

It wasn't that cold this year........

And where pray tell were you when the ELMS race was finally red flagged Andrew?

[Alfaholic]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

It wasn't that cold this year........

Just a little pessimism on my part - it makes the actual weather seem much better.

I was at the WEC all 3 days this year and I know it wasn't that bad on Sunday - just a little chilly in the breeze.

I I remember correctly Friday was damp and cold and the Saturday was very damp! I did stay outside for the whole of the day and my gloves, shoes and waterproofs had just about dried out by the Sunday morning despite turning up the heating in my hotel room.

[Simmi]

I actually got a little bit sunburnt on the Sunday watching the F3 early on along the front row of the main grandstand.

Or was I just wind-blasted...

[FstrthnU]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Is a US two-car 991 works programme for Porsche going to mean the end of the similar programme in the WEC?

USCC confirmed. WEC isn't as of now.

I think Porsche will build two new 991 RSRs for the USCC and let Manthey keep running two in the WEC

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

I think Porsche will build two new 991 RSRs for the USCC and let Manthey keep running two in the WEC

I hope this is the case. Very happy to see the USCC get two works cars but don't want it to be to the detriment of the WEC.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I hope this is the case. Very happy to see the USCC get two works cars but don't want it to be to the detriment of the WEC.

Both series have very promising futures. The USCC speaks for itself, and the future WEC may have a combined GTE/GT3 class which will bring out a huge grid, as well as many teams looking to beef up the LMP1 grid nicely. The question is: which basket do you put your eggs in?

It's a draw for me - both have their advantages and disadvantages.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by isynge

And where pray tell were you when the ELMS race was finally red flagged Andrew?

Ah, selective memory Ian - guilty as charged. That was cold - and wet.....

[Acid09]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

I think Porsche will build two new 991 RSRs for the USCC and let Manthey keep running two in the WEC

That's likely. Where else would Manthey go? They're not involved in LMP1 and not racing in the US, I don't think they want to go back to only doing VLN after being in the WEC.