107 replies to this topic

[August]

World's best racing cars in one of the coolest cities in the World next weekend. No, not the Singapore GP but the 6h of COTA.

 

Le Mans this year was the first WEC race I've watched entirely (OK, 30min of sleep) and really enjoyed it and have been waiting for the next race since then. Hopefully Toyota has a good weekend after the Le Mans disappointment. I hope they win the WEC title this year so that the board won't run out of patience.

[Afterburner]

Most of my immediate family will be in Texas working this one plus the Tudor race (maybe make this a thread for the whole Lone Star Le Mans weekend?). I can't go because of prior commitments.

Edited by Afterburner, 14 September 2014 - 12:31.

[JHSingo]

I find it a bit of a shame that WEC has COTA as their American round. It's a decent track, but just lacks the character of a Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Watkins Glen, Laguna Seca etc...

 

Burt I guess bland tracks are really the calling card of FIA sanctioned series at the moment.

[August]

Most of my immediate family will be in Texas working this one plus the Tudor race (maybe make this a thread for the whole Lone Star Le Mans weekend?). I can't go because of prior commitments.

 

Discussing of all races is OK for me. Mod's may add TUSC Lone Star Le Mans to the title.

 

I find it a bit of a shame that WEC has COTA as their American round. It's a decent track, but just lacks the character of a Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Watkins Glen, Laguna Seca etc...

 

Burt I guess bland tracks are really the calling card of FIA sanctioned series at the moment.

 

Sebring 12h was a part of the WEC but the obvious reason for not including it after the first season must have been it having too much personality. If ACO weren't co-running the series with the FIA, I guess Le Mans would be a 6h race on the Bugatti circuit.

[Victor_RO]

Title modified as requested.

 

Personally, I'm looking forward to the speed comparison between WEC P2, TUSC P2 and TUSC DP. And see how a fully ACO-spec P2 with proper tires obliterates a DP in terms of laptime. Also, GO TOYOTA! 

[onewingedangel]

Have to believe that the Audis will be a little closer to the Toyotas pace wise now that Toyota's flexible rear-wings have been clamped down on.

It'll be interesting to see if anyone brings any major updates (porsche would be most likely) or if most of the focus is on next years packages.

Edited by onewingedangel, 14 September 2014 - 17:01.

[AustinF1]

I'll be out there all weekend. Glad to see some racing back at COTA....finally Looking forward very much to seeing the cars run at night!

[TF110]

Discussing of all races is OK for me. Mod's may add TUSC Lone Star Le Mans to the title.



Sebring 12h was a part of the WEC but the obvious reason for not including it after the first season must have been it having too much personality. If ACO weren't co-running the series with the FIA, I guess Le Mans would be a 6h race on the Bugatti circuit.

Or TUSC's new owners (which own Sebring) decided they didnt want the wec there. They had no trouble running it before 2013.

Added, the total hybrid electric power per lap is 3.76mj/lap for Toyota and Porsche vs. just 1.25mj/lap for Audi.

Edited by TF110, 15 September 2014 - 04:00.

[jonpollak]

TV times?

[TimRTC]

Anyone else going to this?

 

I was rather surprised to find that they are offering reserved seating in most of the grandstands, I like to sit in lots of different view points throughout the race.

 

I'm hoping that they open them all up once the actual FIA WEC race has started. Still, got a great view of the podium and starting grid from my seat.

[AustinF1]

Anyone else going to this?

 

I was rather surprised to find that they are offering reserved seating in most of the grandstands, I like to sit in lots of different view points throughout the race.

 

I'm hoping that they open them all up once the actual FIA WEC race has started. Still, got a great view of the podium and starting grid from my seat.

Last year it was pretty wide open the whole time. They weren't really checking tickets at all. There will be so few people there that they'll never fill any of the GSs.

[TimRTC]

Thanks for the heads up. I was joining to take a big Union Jack but since I'm flying before the vote, got a St George cross instead. Look for it on TV!

[AustinF1]

Thanks for the heads up. I was joining to take a big Union Jack but since I'm flying before the vote, got a St George cross instead. Look for it on TV!

I'll look for it when I'm out there!

[Imateria]

World's best racing cars in one of the coolest cities in the World next weekend. No, not the Singapore GP but the 6h of COTA.

 

Le Mans this year was the first WEC race I've watched entirely (OK, 30min of sleep) and really enjoyed it and have been waiting for the next race since then. Hopefully Toyota has a good weekend after the Le Mans disappointment. I hope they win the WEC title this year so that the board won't run out of patience.

To be fair it's already Toyota's most successful international sportscar program since I don't think any of the Group C cars won races and the GT-One definitely didn't.

 

Or TUSC's new owners (which own Sebring) decided they didnt want the wec there. They had no trouble running it before 2013.

Added, the total hybrid electric power per lap is 3.76mj/lap for Toyota and Porsche vs. just 1.25mj/lap for Audi.

I remember watching Sebring 2012, there was a lot of talk about the place being a bit too full with 64 cars and neither the ALMS or WEC wanted to be turning entries away, hence the WEC switch to COTA. 

[Victor_RO]

To be fair it's already Toyota's most successful international sportscar program since I don't think any of the Group C cars won races and the GT-One definitely didn't.

 

The 3.5 liter TS010 won a race I believe, but against depleted opposition and with the leading Peugeot 905 crashing with 2 laps to go.

[TF110]

The TS010 won at Monza in WSC 92. It also won the final two JSPC races the same year.

[Exb]

Finally there is another race , seems like a long time since Le Mans.

 

UK TV coverage:

Motors TV Saturday 22.30 - 05.35

(British)Eurosport Saturday 23.00 - 02.00 (also Sun 02.00-05.00)

(not sure why the Eurosport coverage is split into 2 programs but I am presuming both are covering (at least most of it) live?)

[wrcva]

TV times?

 

http://www.imsa.com/...ne-star-le-mans

[paulb]

http://www.imsa.com/...ne-star-le-mans

 

Those bastards, another SD FS2 broadcast. 

 

Now I gotta find a WEC race broadcast link.

Edited by paulb, 17 September 2014 - 01:42.

[Victor_RO]

Those bastards, another SD FS2 broadcast. 

 

Now I gotta find a WEC race broadcast link.

 

The WEC website/mobile app is not geoblocked, and it should have some Radio Le Mans personnel on the commentary.

[TF110]

Those bastards, another SD FS2 broadcast. 
 
Now I gotta find a WEC race broadcast link.

Reddit is your friend. I will find the link and you pm me in the coming days.

[Afterburner]

So two questions, one for each race:

1. Does anybody know if there's a way to see the WEC race on TV here in the US, or am I going to be doomed to fork out money to them if I want to watch it live?

2. How badly overpowered will the DP's be on that giant back straight compared to the LMP2's? Surely they've taken that into consideration when balancing for this race.

[Option1]

"Balancing" or as it's also known, making sure the LMP2's can't beat the Dinosaurs. 

 

Neil

[paulb]

So two questions, one for each race:

1. Does anybody know if there's a way to see the WEC race on TV here in the US, or am I going to be doomed to fork out money to them if I want to watch it live?

2. How badly overpowered will the DP's be on that giant back straight compared to the LMP2's? Surely they've taken that into consideration when balancing for this race.

 

1. It appears that Fox Sports 2 will be broadcasting the WEC race at 4pm Pacific (http://www.locatetv....-tv#20-Sep-2014).

 

Reddit is your friend. I will find the link and you pm me in the coming days.

 

Thank-you!

[TF110]

On reddit.com find /r/wec, they have the hook-up.

[Dolph]

World's best racing cars in one of the coolest cities in the World next weekend.

 

 

 

Must be one of the worlds best kept secrets as well then.

[AustinF1]

 

 

Must be one of the worlds best kept secrets as well then.

Not well enough, unfortunately. Growing way too fast.

[Richard T]

The Porsches seems off the pace this weekend

[paulb]

Yeah, looks like the Audis will be tough to beat.

[Exb]

Qualifying for the WEC has started (its another rain affected session)

Links Radio Le Mans: http://radiolemans.0...org/nplayer.php
WEC timing (free site) http://live.fiawec.com/

[Exb]

Quali result
(LMP1)
1 8 LMP1 TOYOTA RACING BUEMI S. TOYOTA TS 040 (D1L1 : 1:48.993D1L2 : 1:49.091D2L1 : 1:49.134D2L2 : 1:49.156)
2 14 LMP1 PORSCHE TEAM JANI N. PORSCHE (D1L1 : 1:49.567D1L2 : 1:49.839D2L1 : 1:50.823D2L2 : 1:50.905)
3 20 LMP1 PORSCHE TEAM WEBBER M. PORSCHE 919 (D1L1 : 1:49.763D1L2 : 1:50.329D2L1 : 1:50.353D2L2 : 1:50.763)
4 2 LMP1 AUDI SPORT TEAM JOEST FÄSSLER M. AUDI R18 (D1L1 : 1:50.296D1L2 : 1:50.445D2L1 : 1:50.177D2L2 : 1:50.443)
5 7 LMP1 TOYOTA RACING CONWAY M. TOYOTA (D1L1 : 1:50.238D1L2 : 1:50.297D2L1 : 1:50.436D2L2 : 1:50.484)
6 1 LMP1 AUDI SPORT TEAM JOEST DI GRASSI L. AUDI R18 (D1L1 : 1:51.217D1L2 : 1:53.630D2L1 : 1:50.097D2L2 : 1:50.881)
7 13 LMP1 REBELLION RACING KRAIHAMER D. REBELLION R-One - Toyota (D1L1 : 1:54.173D1L2 : 1:54.184D2L1 : 1:54.225D2L2 : 1:56.081)

LMP2:
8 26 LMP2 G-DRIVE RACING PLA O. LIGIER JS P2 - Nissan (D1L1 : 1:56.277D1L2 : 1:56.780D2L1 : 1:55.494D2L2 : 1:55.752)
9 47 LMP2 KCMG BRADLEY R. ORECA 03R - Nissan (D1L1 : 1:56.240D1L2 : 1:56.426D2L1 : 1:56.163D2L2 : 1:56.655)
10 30 LMP2 EXTREME SPEED MOTORSPORTS DALZIEL R. HPD ARX 03b - Honda (D1L1 : 1:57.828D1L2 : 1:58.238D2L1 : 1:56.388D2L2 : 1:56.596)
11 27 LMP2 SMP RACING MEDIANI M. ORECA 03R - Nissan M (D1L1 : 1:57.581D1L2 : 1:57.681D2L1 : 1:59.400D2L2 : 2:00.502)

GTE
12 51 LM GTE Pro AF CORSE BRUNI G. FERRARI 458 (D1L1 : 2:05.245D1L2 : 2:05.822D2L1 : 2:06.611D2L2 : 2:08.149)
13 97 LM GTE Pro ASTON MARTIN RACING MÜCKE S. ASTON MARTIN (D1L1 : 2:06.385D1L2 : 2:09.295D2L1 : 2:05.956D2L2 : 2:06.743)
14 92 LM GTE Pro PORSCHE TEAM MANTHEY MAKOWIECKI F. PORSCHE 911
15 91 LM GTE Pro PORSCHE TEAM MANTHEY TANDY N. PORSCHE 911
16 99 LM GTE Pro ASTON MARTIN RACING MACDOWALL A. ASTON MARTIN
17 71 LM GTE Pro AF CORSE CALADO J. FERRARI F458
18 75 LM GTE Am PROSPEED COMPETITION COLLARD E. PORSCHE 911 GT3
19 95 LM GTE Am ASTON MARTIN RACING STANAWAY R. ASTON MARTIN Vantage
20 65 LM GTE Pro CORVETTE RACING TAYLOR J. CHEVROLET Corvette
21 61 LM GTE Am AF CORSE VENTURI M. FERRARI F458
22 90 LM GTE Am 8 STAR MOTORSPORTS SEGAL J. FERRARI F458
23 81 LM GTE Am AF CORSE BERTOLINI A. FERRARI F458
24 88 LM GTE Am PROTON COMPETITION RIED C. PORSCHE 911
25 98 LM GTE Am ASTON MARTIN RACING NYGAARD C. ASTON MARTIN
26 57 LM GTE Am KROHN RACING KROHN T. FERRARI F458

27 12 LM P1 REBELLION RACING HEIDFELD N. REBELLION R-One (only 3 lap times set)
28 37 LM P2 SMP RACING SHAITAR V. ORECA 03R (only 3 lap times set)
29 9 LM P1 LOTUS BOUCHUT C. LOTUS CLM P1/01 (no lap time set)

I'm very happy to see a Toyota at the top of the times (and the right one for that matter ;) )

Edit - sorry this whole post looks a mess/busy but I'm way to tired to sort it out (I may try in the morning)

Edited by Exb, 20 September 2014 - 00:52.

[917k]

Is there some reason they are 13 seconds off an F1 time? Are they racing a different layout?

[Dan333SP]

Man I wish I was there this weekend. The track is fantastic and you'd get to see 3 excellent series with full grids and great cars (these two plus world challenge). Can't knock the beef brisket I had while I was in town for the f1 race in 2012 eithr. I'm loving that ligier coupe as well, so much nicer looking than the DPs.

[Dan333SP]

Also, 917k, they are racing the same layout as the formula 1 cars. I don't think 13 seconds is that unusual? They are around that much slower at Spa than the F1 cars as well, and COTA probably has a bigger advantage for the F1s because it relies more on downforce.

[TF110]

The track was washed away before qualifying, that probably took away some grip. Theyre more restricted in fuel flow compared to F1 as well. Great consistency from Davidson and Buemi.

[Richard T]

Don't know if much would have changed but to bad with the red flag in the end. 

Excited for the race though, someone knows how many laps each cars can do? 

 

Here's what happens when you loose your brakes at the end of Longhorn straight. From CTSC yesterday

[Imateria]

Man, those cars look so slow, until you see one with brake failure and realise how fast they're really going!

 

Surprised the difference between USC poll and WEC LMP2 poll is only 3 seconds, I was kind of expecting it to be a bit more than that.

[Dan333SP]

If I recall, the old DPs were 6-8 seconds slower than P2 cars before unification at tracks like this. I know the DPs were modified to make them a good deal faster this year, so I guess they met in the middle by slowing P2 by 3 seconds and speeding the DPs up by 3-4 seconds a lap as well.

[Risil]

IIRC the P2 cars weren't slowed by the Balance of Performance, but the DPs were given a great big diffuser and a bit more power? However 3 seconds would be explained by the spec Continental tyre used in the American series. Marshall Pruett, who knows a lot about these things, believes that a dedicated P2 control tyre would do more than anything else to equalize the P2/DP competition in TUSC. They're not far off in absolute lap times, but the lightweight P2s take much longer to get tyres up to temperature, which makes yellow flag periods deadly for their chances.

[TimRTC]

Wow it is hot here today! Quite dry though, none of the humidity of yesterday.

http://instagram.com/p/tLD7qoFLvy/

Lots of casual fans which is good to see. Must have promoted it well. Could queue for 30 min for Webber autograph or 10 seconds for Kristensen. Nice open paddock.

[Risil]

Lots of casual fans which is good to see. Must have promoted it well. Could queue for 30 min for Webber autograph or 10 seconds for Kristensen. Nice open paddock.

 

I read that promotion was very poor for the 2013 race and that was something the organizers had worked hard on for the second year. Glad to hear it's had an impact.

[Nonesuch]

Is there some reason they are 13 seconds off an F1 time? Are they racing a different layout?

 

The LMP1 cars are significantly heavier than F1 cars (691kg to 900kg) and built to cover only two or three Grand Prix' short of entire F1 season worth of kilometres in a single day (about 5200 km this year), not to beat F1 cars over a single lap.

 

Looking forward to the race.

 

If I recall correctly it didn't start this late last time around? It'll probably be quite dark by the time they finish.

 

 

 

Edited by Nonesuch, 20 September 2014 - 15:59.

[Risil]

Mad late. But from the point of view of building the series in North America it's good that the WEC is giving Americans the whole day/night thing and screw the Old World.

Edited by Risil, 20 September 2014 - 16:00.

[OSX]

[OSX]

Could some of the mods around here perhaps rename the topic to something more easily readable and easily spottable like say '6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas' or 'WEC - 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas'? No offense August.

[WhiteSGPlayer]

So TUSC is go. 5 minutes in and it's everything I've expected so far.

[Afterburner]

Could some of the mods around here perhaps rename the topic to something more easily readable and easily spottable like say '6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas' or 'WEC - 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas'? No offense August.

The name of the whole event, both races, is 'Lone Star Le Mans'; I think that makes it quite clear the thread is for the whole weekend, personally, but to each their own, I guess.

Happy to see the Honda (Ligier) P2 taking the fight to the DPs on a track with such huge straight. Good battle going on in GTLM right now, too.

Edited by Afterburner, 20 September 2014 - 16:54.

[Risil]

Could some of the mods around here perhaps rename the topic to something more easily readable and easily spottable like say '6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas' or 'WEC - 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas'? No offense August.

 

Who are you, the FIA administrator who made all the races have identical names/distances/formats?

[Afterburner]

I don't think I've ever seen a bumper come off so easily.

EDIT: And now apparently it's raining at the track. Nice.

Edited by Afterburner, 20 September 2014 - 17:29.

[OSX]

The name of the whole event, both races, is 'Lone Star Le Mans'.

Well, if so I guess the topic title is fine-ish then.