2026 Sportscar Thread (WEC, IMSA, NLS, GT World Challenge)

[marcosgt]

bergclimber34 said:

Sadly imsa is getting a bit WEC utterly dominated by one team routinely, loses me a bit sadly

I have to say the first two races (outliers though they are) haven't been thrill an hour events, unless you're a diehard Porsche fan.

Hopefully, things will get a bit more interesting when they get to some of the shorter races. Fingers crossed.

I'm off to the WEC opener (unless Iran develops missiles capable of hitting northern Italy) in a few weeks.

M

[G321]

marcosgt said:

I have to say the first two races (outliers though they are) haven't been thrill an hour events, unless you're a diehard Porsche fan.

Hopefully, things will get a bit more interesting when they get to some of the shorter races. Fingers crossed.

I'm off to the WEC opener (unless Iran develops missiles capable of hitting northern Italy) in a few weeks.

M

I'll also be at Imola for the opener next month. First time there, any viewing recommendations welcome! (we don't have a grandstand seat)

[df76]

G321 said:

marcosgt said:

I have to say the first two races (outliers though they are) haven't been thrill an hour events, unless you're a diehard Porsche fan.

Hopefully, things will get a bit more interesting when they get to some of the shorter races. Fingers crossed.

I'm off to the WEC opener (unless Iran develops missiles capable of hitting northern Italy) in a few weeks.

M

I'll also be at Imola for the opener next month. First time there, any viewing recommendations welcome! (we don't have a grandstand seat)

We went last year, and it's a great trip. Not sure where you're staying, but the train down for Bologna was so easy. The walk through Imola town centre is part of the experience. Loads of excellent viewing spots around the track, and there's enough time over the weekend to work out where's best. Some of the grandstands weren't open, but the stands along the pit straight were all open and no extra ticket required. Good food and drink available, including independent restaurants within the middle of the track. Hope you enjoy.

[G321]

df76 said:

G321 said:

marcosgt said:

I have to say the first two races (outliers though they are) haven't been thrill an hour events, unless you're a diehard Porsche fan.

Hopefully, things will get a bit more interesting when they get to some of the shorter races. Fingers crossed.

I'm off to the WEC opener (unless Iran develops missiles capable of hitting northern Italy) in a few weeks.

M

I'll also be at Imola for the opener next month. First time there, any viewing recommendations welcome! (we don't have a grandstand seat)

We went last year, and it's a great trip. Not sure where you're staying, but the train down for Bologna was so easy. The walk through Imola town centre is part of the experience. Loads of excellent viewing spots around the track, and there's enough time over the weekend to work out where's best. Some of the grandstands weren't open, but the stands along the pit straight were all open and no extra ticket required. Good food and drink available, including independent restaurants within the middle of the track. Hope you enjoy.

Also staying in Bologna and planning on getting the train to and from. Going to go to maranello on the Friday for a visit to the museum then at the track Saturday and Sunday. Looking forward to sampling the food and drink so great to hear about the restaurants within the track. Thanks for the response!

[FredericRobinson]

G321 said:

Also staying in Bologna and planning on getting the train to and from. Going to go to maranello on the Friday for a visit to the museum then at the track Saturday and Sunday. Looking forward to sampling the food and drink so great to hear about the restaurants within the track. Thanks for the response!

Hmm, that's got me googling and contemplating, not for this year though, do the tickets not include access to the grandstands?

[G321]

FredericRobinson said:

Hmm, that's got me googling and contemplating, not for this year though, do the tickets not include access to the grandstands?

I think they do early bird tickets around December time which include paddock access and grandstands. I missed these deals unfortunately but 100 euros for the standard 3 day ticket still seemed good value

[df76]

G321 said:

FredericRobinson said:

Hmm, that's got me googling and contemplating, not for this year though, do the tickets not include access to the grandstands?

I think they do early bird tickets around December time which include paddock access and grandstands. I missed these deals unfortunately but 100 euros for the standard 3 day ticket still seemed good value

I think when you get there, you'll find that most, if not all, of the grandstands will be free access. Tosa, Acque Minerali and all of those at Rivazza definitely will be open.

[FredericRobinson]

Flights and hotels seem ok even at this notice, so presumably there's deals to be had if booked well in advance, wait and see if Imola's on the calendar next year I suppose

[bergclimber34]

Typically pathetic decision by the ACO to put ELMS behind the WEC app instead of Youtube for this year.

Means far less people will watch it and far more will not sub to their shoddy app, I did it for a year, and it was utter garbage.

[MikeGTi]

Same, I remember last year where it didn't even work for the start of the opening race.

And the other options, such as subscribing to Discovery+ or whoever else is showing it are equally unattractive.

[FredericRobinson]

Poor decision to take the ELMS off YouTube, I believe it’ll at least be free on the app though

[Truckosaurus]

I admire anyone who is keen enough to pay £9 to watch a WEC race.

If it was in the region of a Tenner for the year I might stomach that, but otherwise it seems poor value.

(I'm not averse to paying for online content, and will be attending the Spa and LM rounds in person, plus ELMS at Silverstone).

[FredericRobinson]

I paid for the WEC app for the Covid years to get an ad free and Eurosport free stream, if TNT/HBO stopped the ad free streams I’d do it again for Le Mans, but not the other races

[timbob]

Truckosaurus said:

I admire anyone who is keen enough to pay £9 to watch a WEC race.

If it was in the region of a Tenner for the year I might stomach that, but otherwise it seems poor value.

(I'm not averse to paying for online content, and will be attending the Spa and LM rounds in person, plus ELMS at Silverstone).

Don’t think it’s that bad - €49 for the year is approx £42 for the seven races. Works out at 6 quid a race.

Certainly beats subscribing to sky sports at however may pounds a month it is for the full year for the F1…

[bergclimber34]

Would certainly be doing it instead of attending, the sound is pathetic, been watching a few clips from the Imola test, the McLaren is virtually silent, as is the 911, yet the LMP2s blast your ears every time they go past. I do feel there is some level of conspiracy of trying to make the GT cars too quiet to make Hypers seem louder, even they all sound pretty crap.

It can NOT just be overall sound as LMP2 are far louder than anything else, and they race all week at Le Mans which is allegedly why this 100db crap has been ushered in.

[John Kingham]

Hi all

I have two general admission tickets to this years Le Mans.

I’m also looking for arnage parking tickets too.

Please reply if you’re looking for any tickets.

[VladD]

John Kingham said:

Hi all

I have two general admission tickets to this years Le Mans.

I m also looking for arnage parking tickets too.

Please reply if you re looking for any tickets.

Try posting here

[bergclimber34]

Oh dear

Going to be a long year, all 3 Ferrari's half a second on the rest of the field at the Imola Prologue. Time to tune off I think

[richhead]

bergclimber34 said:

Oh dear

Going to be a long year, all 3 Ferrari's half a second on the rest of the field at the Imola Prologue. Time to tune off I think

Whilst it doesnt look good, its only a test day.
Spa will give a better clue as to the pace of all the cars.

[airbusA346]

During today's first race of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers, a serious accident involving seven participants occurred during the start. Following the collision of several vehicles, race control immediately stopped the race to allow for extensive recovery and rescue operations.

Despite the immediate arrival of emergency services, paramedics were unable to save driver Juha Miettinen (BMW 325i, #121) after he was extricated from his vehicle. The driver died at the Medical Center after all resuscitation attempts failed.

The other six drivers involved were taken to the Medical Center and nearby hospitals for precautionary examinations. None of the injured are in life-threatening condition.

The race will not be restarted on Saturday evening. The thoughts of everyone involved in the Nürburgring 24 Hours are with the family of Juha Miettinen.

During the starting grid announcement for Sunday's race at 1 p.m., there will be a minute of silence in memory of the deceased motorsport athlete.