[WEC Race] WEC 2017 Round 1: Silverstone

[Le Vieux]

The Met Office has published this long-range forecast:

UK Outlook for Tuesday 4 Apr 2017 to Tuesday 18 Apr 2017:
Early April looks likely to see high pressure remaining close to or over the UK for the most part. This will bring drier and somewhat warmer conditions than normal for the time of year. If this is the case it is likely that we will see a greater spread in temperatures from day to night, with the risk of overnight frosts continuing for some. However, there may be bouts of unsettled weather at times too, though these will probably be short-lived.

Updated: 03:01 on Tue 21 Mar 2017 GMT


Could it be true?

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[Sodemo]

It will still be blowing a storm force gale, just like always at Silverstone.

[GT6]

Well tickets already purchased so will be there come rain or shine but as said wind is guaranteed

[Badlands99]

And snow on Saturday morning!

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Le Vieux

The Met Office has published this long-range forecast:

UK Outlook for Tuesday 4 Apr 2017 to Tuesday 18 Apr 2017:
Early April looks likely to see high pressure remaining close to or over the UK for the most part. This will bring drier and somewhat warmer conditions than normal for the time of year. If this is the case it is likely that we will see a greater spread in temperatures from day to night, with the risk of overnight frosts continuing for some. However, there may be bouts of unsettled weather at times too, though these will probably be short-lived.

Updated: 03:01 on Tue 21 Mar 2017 GMT


Could it be true?

So basically all possible weather conditions. Sounds exactly right for Silverstone. Just bring all the clothing you own and something will be correct haha.

I'll be there Sat/Sun again this year.

[Le Vieux]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

It will still be blowing a storm force gale, just like always at Silverstone.

No, no, no!
A light, warm, gentle breeze, the merest zephyr........

It can't be any colder than last year. Can it?

[GT6]

As said expect all seasons over the three days, should be there soon after lunch on the Friday so plenty of time to see everything and everyone

[TF110]

Why do they race Silverstone first knowing the weather in early April? Should it be moved to a different date? They ran a summer race there in 2012, that was better conditions so why not now?

[GT6]

Well in order for it to be fore Spa and Le mans it has to be in April, OK the weather might not be predictable but what the heck, not much else happens motor racing wise in Europe and it gives me something to look forward to after winter

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by TF110

Why do they race Silverstone first knowing the weather in early April?

Well.....

[geordiecriag101]

Anything other than a repeat of Saturday last year and I'll be happy! Tho i seam to be a magnet for bad weather, every were i go the weather spoils the fun, anyhow I'll be there on the Friday. £10 on the gate, cant really complain at that.

[Alfaholic]

As long as there's no repeat of this or the downpour that ended the 2014(?) race early, I'll be happy.

Hotel booked & tickets long since delivered.

[fergus_r]

I'll be there either Friday or Saturday.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by GT6

Well in order for it to be fore Spa and Le mans it has to be in April, OK the weather might not be predictable but what the heck, not much else happens motor racing wise in Europe and it gives me something to look forward to after winter

Are they asking for the first round of the year or what? I don't know what venue would like to switch to April instead of their allotted spot but I didn't get why they were a summer race in 2012 then switched to April.

[Le Vieux]

Originally Posted by TF110

Are they asking for the first round of the year or what? I don't know what venue would like to switch to April instead of their allotted spot but I didn't get why they were a summer race in 2012 then switched to April.

I recall the race's predecessor at Brands Hatch in July in blazing hot weather in the Nineties. It also had a traditional date for many years in early/mid September and IIRC, mid-May was also a regular date at one time.

In those days, Spain (Jerez, near Gibraltar) used to be the early season race. It would be interesting to know if Silverstone requested the early date in order to generate some early-season revenue and to avoid a clash with F1....?

Common sense says don't put on a northern hemisphere race at such a northerly latitude so early in the season. The forecast for Mexico today is 27 degrees. Why not Mexico in April, Silverstone the first week in September?

[isynge]

Originally Posted by Le Vieux

I recall the race's predecessor at Brands Hatch in July in blazing hot weather in the Nineties. It also had a traditional date for many years in early/mid September and IIRC, mid-May was also a regular date at one time.

In those days, Spain (Jerez, near Gibraltar) used to be the early season race. It would be interesting to know if Silverstone requested the early date in order to generate some early-season revenue and to avoid a clash with F1....?

Common sense says don't put on a northern hemisphere race at such a northerly latitude so early in the season. The forecast for Mexico today is 27 degrees. Why not Mexico in April, Silverstone the first week in September?

A cold and wet endurance racing fan is a happy endurance racing fan.

Personally I preferred the September data - generally hung together weather wise and spread out the European sportscar racing experience with Spa, Le Mans, and Silverstone giving you a good mix of things, but equally April gives a nice early start to things, and when there's a number of new cars to see, means there's a certain spring in step when heading off to Siverstone, combined with the chance to see some friendly faces again and kick the season off.

Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Le Vieux

Common sense says don't put on a northern hemisphere race at such a northerly latitude so early in the season. The forecast for Mexico today is 27 degrees. Why not Mexico in April, Silverstone the first week in September?

With the pre-season test 2 weeks prior in Monza (and before that at Paul Ricard), and Spa only 2-3 weeks later, the simple answer is logistics. Far cheaper to get the cars a small-ish distance across Europe than airfreight them to North America and back within 5 weeks.

[claude2cv]

Unfortunately you will have to get by without me this year as I will be far away, expected temperature 30 degC. i will be home well before the important race :-)

As far as better weather if Silverstone was later in the year goes, how many were there in August 2005? To guarantee warm non wet weather it might be better to transfer the race to somewhere else, except that i have been to silverstone for 1000km and 6 hour races for so long I could not find my way anywhere else.

Sean

[Truckosaurus]

Originally Posted by claude2cv

...To guarantee warm non wet weather it might be better to transfer the race to somewhere else...

Indeed. Plenty of chance of poor weather at any time of year at Silverstone. At least it has multiple grandstands to shelter from the rain.

Also, I quite like having our 'local' round of the WEC at the start of the season, having cars making their début adds a little something to the event.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Le Vieux

Why not Mexico in April, Silverstone the first week in September?

I guess with the entire WEC grid being (I believe) run out of European premises it's infinitely easier to kick things off in Europe. In terms of logistics, deadlines, freight, parts availability etc. There's a reason all the long-haul stuff is chained together post-LM.

[claude2cv]

Originally Posted by Truckosaurus

Also, I quite like having our 'local' round of the WEC at the start of the season, having cars making their début adds a little something to the event.

I agree with that. I appreciate the chance to see the new cars and how they measure up before the trip to La Sarthe.

In Group C days I could see them race at Silverstone, then Le Mans and then again at Brands. Still, that's history and we have a new year of racing to lok forward to now.

Sean

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Le Vieux

It can't be any colder than last year. Can it?

I was there all weekend last year (as usual) and aside from Saturday morning, I can't say that I found it all that cold. I've had colder nights (much colder!) at Le Mans in June.....

And I'll be there bright and early for the whole shooting match this year too. Any talk of a Tenths meeting yet?

[YorkshireLad]

Tickets for the race day are just to much. I still end up travelling 3hours and attending


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[GT6]

i am sure we will meet up friday or saturday but perhaps we can all arrange to be in the usual stand for the start as we have for the last few years

[Aysedasi]

Yep, I'm sure we'll be there. My lad is coming on the Sunday as he can't make Le Mans now.