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FIA WEC Round 1: 6h of Silverstone


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#1 Richard T

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Posted 17 April 2014 - 19:06

Round 1 of 8: 6h of Silverstone

 

silverstone-bg.png
 

 

We are finally here, at the start of the next chapter in the history of the World Endurance Championship. A season sports-car fans has been dreaming about since that week after Le Mans in June 2011 when THIS was officially announced!

 

PORSCHE are back at the top class of international sports car racing!

 

Porsche-919-Paul-Ricard-2.png

 

 

 

The Champions

 

audi_lightest-sportscar.jpg

 

Once again AUDI is the squad to beat. The pair of R18 Quattros is the main favorites for the titles which they have sealed for every single year this series has run in it's current format (2012,2013).

Sadly Allan McNish has left the No.1 car but in has come Lucas Di Grassi who impressed during last years 24h of Le Mans.

 

Allan-McNish.jpg

 

 

The Challenger

 

 

TOYOTA will not have been resting during the winter. To win in 2014 has been the objective from the start of the programme - with the new technical regulations allowing them to catch up on Audi which has had a bit of a head start for the last couple of years.

 

The car, Toyota TS040, sporting horsepower in the quadruples at 1000bhp from it's brutal sounding 3,7L V8 and hybrid system is definitely on everyone's lips when talking about the possible winner this season. Will they be victorious on Silverstone?

 

toyota_ts040_trackblurLF600x400.jpg

 

 

The Underdogs

 

Every year the factory teams take all of the glory, while the privateers say "pleeeaase" to the ACO and tell them they would like to challenge the might of Audi, Porsche and Toyota on a good day. Don't get me wrong, I do agree that they should.

For this season it might come true! By not having to run a complicated Hybrid system which may cause reliability issues and are allowed to use more fuel, we might see one of the two new Rebellion R-One or Kedowa Lotus T129 (none present at Silverstone) break the factory streak of podium positions from time to time. Here's to more success for the backbone of racing, the privateers!  :clap:

 

LMP2, GTE-Pro and GTE-Am

 

For Silverstone, only 4 LMP2 entries are confirmed for the 27 car strong field, and that is not going to make anyone happy with regards to the total 7 for the full season. What is going to make our heads turn though is the field of 15 GTE cars where 7 are from from the all Pro class and 8 from Pro-Am. 

New for this season is that the Pro-Am teams are allowed to use essentially the same spec cars as the factory Pro teams, which will make some stints in the races a real cracker with potentially 15 Pro drivers duking it out at the same time! Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin are represented but unfortunately no Corevette before the 24h of Le Mans.

 

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The race starts at 13:00 GMT on sunday, what are we waiting for? DISCUSS



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#2 Exb

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Posted 17 April 2014 - 19:12

Good to see a thread about this Richard T - I'm excited for the race :clap:

 http://www.dailymoti...ilverstone_auto

Entry list http://www.fiawec.co...list_040414.pdf
Timetable for the event: http://www.silversto...2014-170214.pdf
TV coverage - MotorsTV Sun 11.30-18.30 race live and British Eurosport2 have live coverage for an hour (13.00-14.00)
The WEC website should also show the race: http://www.fiawec.com/

Weather forecast - its not looking good for the race on Sunday but what do we expect, its Silverstone in April :p http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2637827
Friday - sunny 11°C :cool:
Saturday - Cloud with sunny intervals 12°C
Sunday - Rain 10°C and windy :(

Thursday Paddock news: http://www.fiawec.co...dock-_1853.html
News and latest photos via Twitter - https://twitter.com/fiawec

Edited by Exb, 17 April 2014 - 19:15.


#3 Richard T

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Posted 17 April 2014 - 19:19

Thank you Exb! Nice complementary information there as well!  :wave:



#4 Risil

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Posted 17 April 2014 - 19:19

Over 9000 horsepower you say? Super.

I've got my tickets for Sunday and, extraordinarily, convinced Mrs Risil to come along to some of the practice sessions tomorrow. The pound of flesh in return was a visit to the beautiful Stowe landscape garden 10 minutes down the road.

 

6292066755_238e5ce937_z.jpg

 

Happy Easter weekend everyone! :wave:



#5 Option1

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Posted 17 April 2014 - 22:18

That visit to the Stowe garden appears like a terrible penance to have paid, Risil.   If I had known such a punishment awaited you then I would have volunteered to go in your place.  Hey, it's just the type of guy I am.  ;)

 

Very much looking forward to this weekend's race, provided of course that I can remember it's on, and find a stream for it.

 

And thanks to Richard T and Exb for the opening posts.

 

Neil



#6 DanardiF1

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Posted 17 April 2014 - 23:13

Nice OP Richard! And thanks for the additional info Exb! 

 

Am really looking forward to Sunday... it should hopefully make up for the other more depressing event that is my 25th birthday!

 

Will be there cheering on the Toyota's and also Mr Webber.

 

Can't wait to see what these new LMP1 cars are like on track... I was pleasantly surprised by my first live experience of them last year so I'm expecting big things of these new ones. The videos I've seen so far give the impression that the cars are much more nimble and compact looking, just through being that little bit narrower, but also more powerful on corner exit.

 

Kinda disappointed there's no Corvette in the field this year... cheering on the Larbre boys last year with that epic sound was much fun, and the loss of any real LMP2 field is saddening as well... only 4 cars for Silverstone :(



#7 PhantomRaspberryBlower

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Posted 17 April 2014 - 23:36

Would love to be there, but will have to make do with the official stream, I think.

 

So, just to bring me up to speed we have;

 

Audi - 3.7l turbo diesel V6

Toyota - 3.7l normally aspirated petrol V8

Porsche - 2.0l V4 petrol turbo

 

Have I got those right? I'd rather there were some V12 Jags in there somewhere, but I suppose it ain't 1987 anymore.

 

Anyway, isn't it about time Toyota got the hang of this motorsport malarkey?



#8 DN5

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 05:59

The weather forecast looks a bit wet for Sunday - it might hide the dry underlying relative performance but it should still be a fun race.



#9 Victor_RO

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 06:08

Would love to be there, but will have to make do with the official stream, I think.

 

So, just to bring me up to speed we have;

 

Audi - 3.7l turbo diesel V6

Toyota - 3.7l normally aspirated petrol V8

Porsche - 2.0l V4 petrol turbo

 

Have I got those right? I'd rather there were some V12 Jags in there somewhere, but I suppose it ain't 1987 anymore.

 

Anyway, isn't it about time Toyota got the hang of this motorsport malarkey?

 

Audi's engine is now 4 liters, but still a V6 TDI. 



#10 S3baman

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 06:15

Over 9000 horsepower you say? Super.

I've got my tickets for Sunday and, extraordinarily, convinced Mrs Risil to come along to some of the practice sessions tomorrow. The pound of flesh in return was a visit to the beautiful Stowe landscape garden 10 minutes down the road.

 

6292066755_238e5ce937_z.jpg

 

Happy Easter weekend everyone! :wave:

 

Over 9000!!!!!!!!!!!????????????

 

I for one can't wait to see what Porsche has been cooking. We need someone that can take the fight to the diesel car and show that petrol is the better racing engine  :p



#11 chunder27

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 07:41

I did go to this last year

 

But I am afraid after watching for an hour or so I was utterly bored.

 

It's great seeing these cars and what they are capable of, and going to different places on track was interesting. But I lasted about 3 hours before going home.

 

But, once you have seen them the interest dies off. 

 

How on earth anyone can manage 6 hours amazes me

 

24!!  Dear God, that sounds like a jail term.



#12 D.M.N.

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 07:44

Note for anyone wanting to watch the stream on the FIA WEC website - it is now behind a pay wall...



#13 Puhoon

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 08:23

Note for anyone wanting to watch the stream on the FIA WEC website - it is now behind a pay wall...

Well that sucks.



#14 Richard T

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 09:20

Radio Le Mans now live with Euro F3 practice followed by ELMS and then WEC. Seems like they broadcasting the entire day  :up:



#15 Thomas99

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 09:56

Note for anyone wanting to watch the stream on the FIA WEC website - it is now behind a pay wall...

Is it? i dont see any info about that



#16 Thomas99

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 11:06

You cant even view the timing. There is a paywall. How shitty



#17 Risil

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 11:09

You cant even view the timing. There is a paywall. How shitty

 

No live timing? That is not good.



#18 LoudHoward

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 11:15

Well, 20 minutes in, and Porsche certainly aren't embarrassing themselves :) 3rd and 4th at the moment, Toyotas 1 and 2. I'm listening to http://radiolemans.0...org/nplayer.php - sorry if this spam for stuff everyone already knows, I'm popping my WEC cherry here  :blush:



#19 Thomas99

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 11:16

No live timing? That is not good.

 

The whole package is 20 pounds per year. Which is video/timing etc.



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#20 LoudHoward

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 11:47

You cant even view the timing. There is a paywall. How shitty

 

Someone mentioned you can sign up to the site, not pay anything, and still get the timing, haven't had that confirmed yet.



#21 Sheepmachine

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 11:47

There is an app for the wec which says it has live timing and video and highlights a week after the race. But in the in app purchases it says £2.99 for the silverstone pack which I presume includes the live timing etc. The rest of the app is good.

Edited by Sheepmachine, 18 April 2014 - 11:48.


#22 Richard T

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 12:40

That Porsche is bloody quick! Of course it's FP1 and all that, but it's a good start to the season  :clap: 



#23 Imateria

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 13:19

Looking very close at the front, hoping for a good weekend of racing.



#24 OvDrone

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 16:19

Thanks Rich for the OP and Exb for the zesty info. I am so effin' pumped for this season. Bring on that LMP1 threesome.

 

*sigh* I don't like that WEC paywall. A shame really. Oh well, I'm on the phone with the Nigerians as we speak.



#25 Nonesuch

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 16:33

Disappointing to see the excellent live coverage of last year disappear behind a paywall. Perhaps they figured they could cash in on the excitement surrounding this year's new entries, which I suppose is fair enough - they're running a business too - but I'm not sure how happy the sponsors will be with this reduced coverage. I don't know of any TV stations that broadcast these races in a non-highlights form.

 

Oh well, their choice. I'll look forward to seeing the highlights! It looks like it could be an interesting race.



#26 Richard T

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 17:38

Toyota has some serious race pace with Kaz Nakajima doing 27 laps on the trot today. The best Porsche managed 25 and Audi 17. Although the Audi probably had some more litres of diesel in it's tank.



#27 OvDrone

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 18:30

Yeah, Toyota really look like a threat, this year.



#28 Afterburner

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 21:28

Yay, sportscar racing!

...

Paywall, you say?

*censored gesture*

#29 Richard T

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 21:37

Im not going to complain about this paywall.

 

Stuff like this cost money to produce and I think €19 for the ENTIRE SEASON (42 hours of racing excluding qualifying sessions and Le Mans) is totally fair if you are a sportscar fan.

 

Le Mans will cost €9.99 extra for all the features in that race, but that is about the same price as Eurosport player for that weekend anyway, and the app features way more content!



#30 Afterburner

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 21:44

Im not going to complain about this paywall.
 
Stuff like this cost money to produce and I think €19 for the ENTIRE SEASON (42 hours of racing excluding qualifying sessions and Le Mans) is totally fair if you are a sportscar fan.
 
Le Mans will cost €9.99 extra for all the features in that race, but that is about the same price as Eurosport player for that weekend anyway, and the app features way more content!

Pfft, IMSA has all their recent races online/streaming for free. :down: FIA.

#31 Richard T

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 21:50

Pfft, IMSA has all their recent races online/streaming for free. :down: FIA.

Clearly it's much more expensive shipping this around the world than TUSC around the US.

And I don't think FIA/ACO would be aiming for IMSA levels of commercial breaks just to offer a free product.

Edited by Richard T, 18 April 2014 - 21:54.


#32 EvilPhil II

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 22:08

So Motors TV in the uk has just moved to Freeview - so if you are based in the UK you now have the whole race live.



#33 DanardiF1

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 22:32

Rebellion's Lolas showed well today on one lap pace, but as usual they'll get blasted away in the race, even if it's wet which is looking set on for Sunday.



#34 OvDrone

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Posted 18 April 2014 - 23:18

Motors TV it is then...



#35 Thomas99

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 00:03

I understand charging for the video but the timing should be free. Even F1 has timing for free.



#36 Afterburner

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 03:44

Clearly it's much more expensive shipping this around the world than TUSC around the US.

And I don't think FIA/ACO would be aiming for IMSA levels of commercial breaks just to offer a free product.

Because the FIA is clearly too good to provide advertising-laden coverage of its prestigious series to its elite paying membership fans. :stoned:

I don't buy it. Under Todt, the FIA has done next to squat to draw in new fans for any of its major series. Really am fed up with him at this point.

But this is a topic for another thread.

#37 LoudHoward

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 04:32

I understand charging for the video but the timing should be free. Even F1 has timing for free.

Kind of.



#38 TF110

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 06:03

Porsche is some 30kmh faster in the speed trap than Audi. Very low downforce.

#39 Peat

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 06:37

I did go to this last year

 

But I am afraid after watching for an hour or so I was utterly bored.


How on earth anyone can manage 6 hours amazes me

 

 

 

Did you have a radio? Without access to one, it is just cars going around and around.

 

Being plugged into RadioLeMans keeps you in the race, 6hrs flys by.

 

But, Endurance racing aint for everyone.



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#40 KingTiger

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 07:21

Rooting for Audi for the first time ever. Hopefully they were just sandbagging in practice. 



#41 LoudHoward

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 08:23

Impressive time from Webber straight up in final practice here, banged it straight out.  :clap:



#42 michal2009b

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 08:46

Where can I follow WEC for free?



#43 Richard T

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 08:54

Where can I follow WEC for free?

 

1. If you live in the UK, Motors TV is free.

 

2. Do a nigerian



#44 Richard T

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 08:56

I have now bought the season pass on my laptop and on my iPhone. It was hard for my student budget, but it will be worth it for the whole year :up:



#45 scg92

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 09:22

I have now bought the season pass on my laptop and on my iPhone. It was hard for my student budget, but it will be worth it for the whole year :up:

Yeah I did the same thing, looking forward to qualifying later  :up:



#46 OSX

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 11:05

Rooting for Audi for the first time ever. Hopefully they were just sandbagging in practice. 

Have been rooting for Audi for several years now but with McNish having retired and the legendary Porsche back in fold I'm going into this new season with an open mind.

 



#47 OSX

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 11:25

If looks could kill...

O6nuuPF.jpg

 

https://twitter.com/...471568994918400



#48 OvDrone

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 11:29

Nice. It looks like a pissed off white wasp.



#49 LoudHoward

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 11:31

Newey in the Porsche garage, interesting. 



#50 DracoN

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Posted 19 April 2014 - 11:34

Newey in the Porsche garage, interesting. 

Bye bye RB  ?  :drunk: