2025 Sportscar Thread (WEC, IMSA, NLS, GT World Challenge)

[bergclimber34]

It might come back, if crowds flock to the ELMS they might be able to repair the burned bridges.

But be very aware that the ONLY reason SIlverstone are even remotely interested is they have seen 80k people at Spa and Imola and think they might be able to make some money, (which is is why they both fell out with each other a few years ago) this track now only cares about F1 and clubbies, not a lot else.

[mattnoss]

bergclimber34 said:

It might come back, if crowds flock to the ELMS they might be able to repair the burned bridges.

But be very aware that the ONLY reason SIlverstone are even remotely interested is they have seen 80k people at Spa and Imola and think they might be able to make some money, (which is is why they both fell out with each other a few years ago) this track now only cares about F1 and clubbies, not a lot else.

As a clubbie I can tell you they don’t give a s**t about us.

[bergclimber34]

Sorry chap, I meant in terms of events they put on, they have dropped a lot of stuff in recent years and I think even Motogpbis on its last legs as it has dropped attendance a lot in recent years, the track and promoters are not happy.

[freedman]

AndyW86 said:

I miss the WEC 6hrs of Silverstone!

Might have to venture over to the continent, but the mrs doesnt fly.

Spa is an easy drive

[bergclimber34]

Don't fancy 90k people sorry.

[freedman]

bergclimber34 said:

Sorry chap, I meant in terms of events they put on, they have dropped a lot of stuff in recent years and I think even Motogpbis on its last legs as it has dropped attendance a lot in recent years, the track and promoters are not happy.

Moto GP should go back to Donington

[bergclimber34]

Tracks and layout wise yes, logistics utter nightmare would take about 4 hours each way to get in or out, it just does not have the infrastructure, I might be unpopular but am happy to see Silverstone lose MotoGP and perhaps gain WEC, I personally think that is the plan anyway

[df76]

Dubai 24h just about to start, and the weather is looking ideal.

https://www.youtube.com/live/mAcFvHzGUg0?si=hom85X...

[FredericRobinson]

Good to have endurance racing back

[freedman]

If you get the chance, have a look at the Audi crash on the qualifying out lap

Absolutely ridiculous way to be eliminated from the weekend

[df76]

freedman said:

If you get the chance, have a look at the Audi crash on the qualifying out lap

Absolutely ridiculous way to be eliminated from the weekend

Crazy (and expensive) accident.

But enjoying the race so far, and the lack of safety cars is quite refreshing.

[Heaveho]

freedman said:

If you get the chance, have a look at the Audi crash on the qualifying out lap

Absolutely ridiculous way to be eliminated from the weekend

I'm there now and saw that crash. As you say, just an absolute wtf moment.

Great weekend so far.

[IanUAE]

Heaveho said:

freedman said:

If you get the chance, have a look at the Audi crash on the qualifying out lap

Absolutely ridiculous way to be eliminated from the weekend

I'm there now and saw that crash. As you say, just an absolute wtf moment.

Great weekend so far.

100% Audi at fault but why didn't the Merc driver put his foot down and get passed the Audi given the way the Audi was "weaving"?

For the start of the race I sat in the seats on the outside of turn 1 (as normal) and then after 20 minutes security threw everybody out because" we have been told to". I then went back down at 19:30 and stayed for 3 hours and wondered around the infield watching at various locations.

It was quite nice to watch some racing rather then sitting on the pit wall doing the lap timing, strategy etc (which I have done for 1124hr car races).

[marcosgt]

freedman said:

Spa is an easy drive

It's a big circuit, 90K at Spa isn't like 40K at Silverstone.

I'm going to Spa this year, but the last two I've been to the Italian round (Monza and Imola) having refound my enthusiasm for sportscar racing with the new regulations and those are easy to do with Easyjet flights and cheap hotels.

Italy's trains are as good as ours bad and as cheap as ours are expensive, so you can easily stay in Milan or Bologna (I spent a few days in Rimini for Imola) and use public transport to get to the races.

M

[bergclimber34]

A lot of Spa you cannot really get to easily though. The areas past Frere and Blanchimont are not popular, most are Eau Rouge and the straight after. a lot of the other parts after Pouhon are not really accessible for fans either.

[FredericRobinson]

bergclimber34 said:

A lot of Spa you cannot really get to easily though. The areas past Frere and Blanchimont are not popular, most are Eau Rouge and the straight after. a lot of the other parts after Pouhon are not really accessible for fans either.

It involves plenty of walking and climbing, but everything except the inside of Paul Frere is accessible, and you can see most of that from the hillside just by the tunnel that runs under the track by the karting circuit. I believe anyone can access the roof of the karting building too, but I’ve not done that myself

[marcosgt]

FredericRobinson said:

bergclimber34 said:

A lot of Spa you cannot really get to easily though. The areas past Frere and Blanchimont are not popular, most are Eau Rouge and the straight after. a lot of the other parts after Pouhon are not really accessible for fans either.

It involves plenty of walking and climbing, but everything except the inside of Paul Frere is accessible, and you can see most of that from the hillside just by the tunnel that runs under the track by the karting circuit...

I certainly hope that's true as we enjoyed walking around the whole circuit on previous visits and plan to do the same again this year.

That's the beauty of endurance racing - For F1 you're pretty much stuck where you start. Over 6 hours, you can spectate from every corner (at least, I hope you still can!)

M

[airbusA346]

If I'm remembering correctly the Spa circuit owners announced last year that major renovation work is starting this year, especially around the old pits/paddock/Eau Rouge.

[bergclimber34]

This is possibly because if f1, which might be an issue, hopefully not, they built and possibly spent a fortune on the rallycross track that was barely used. Whether they paid for that though I am not sure.

[FredericRobinson]

Changes in the IMSA radio/ international tv coverage, Shea Adams and Jeremy Shaw have both left the team