231 replies to this topic

[August]

It's time for the WEC season opener. Most technologically advanced race cars and some of the most prestigious car brands at Silverstone!
 

 
Nissan miss this round as well as Rebellion do. Some changes in teams driver line-ups. Nakajima now shares the car with World Champions Buemi & Davidson, in the other Toyota Mike Conway will now partner Wurz & Sarrazin. Oliver Jarvis has taken the Audi seat left by Tom Kristensen. Porsche have their line-up intact. Full entry list.
 
Timetable WEC:

Free Practice 1		Fri 10th Apr - 11h55
Free Practice 2		Fri 10th Apr - 15h55
Free Practrice 3	Sat 11th Apr - 09h00
Qualifying - LMGTE	Sat 11th Apr - 12h00
Qualifying - LMP	Sat 11th Apr - 12h30
Race			Sun 12th Apr - 12h00

Timetable ELMS:

Free Practice 1		Fri 10th Apr - 10h35
Free Practice 2		Fri 10th Apr - 14h10
Qualifying - GTE & GTC	Sat 11th Apr - 11h05
Qualifying - P2 & P3	Sat 11th Apr - 11h30
Race			Sat 11th Apr - 14h30

European F3 is also starting its season at Silverstone.
 
TV/streaming:
 
I think the only official way to watch full race and qualifying is FIA WEC's official pay stream. Eurosport shows the last hour of the race. ELMS will probably have an official free stream.
 

Motors TV channel  is showing the WEC, ELMS and all three F3 races live. I'm not sure if that is available outside of the UK.

 

Fox Sports Racing will have it live in its entirety in Canada, from 7:00AM until 1:00PM. It's on the listings of my Videotron Illico DVR (I'm in Quebec).

 

Fox Sports 1 will also have it from 7:00AM-1:00PM EST in the US.

Edited by August, 09 April 2015 - 18:27.

[Amin]

Motors TV channel  is showing the WEC, ELMS and all three F3 races live. I'm not sure if that is available outside of the UK.

[Victor_RO]

This is going to be truly epic.  Looking forward to watching the onboards from the 2015-spec P1 cars through Maggots/Becketts, should be mindboggling. 

[FullThrottleF1]

I am planning to use the WEC to find out the best places to sit as I am planning to go to the British GP in 2016. Anyone know any good spots?

[thiscocks]

Vale/club grandstand area was good last time I went a couple of years ago

[DampMongoose]

Lovely to see the 1988 programme in the OP, I have the original at home along with the Kouros 1000 from '86 when the Jag won it's first Group C race.  Not going this year though, will try and catch up with the race on MotorsTV. 

[DampMongoose]

I am planning to use the WEC to find out the best places to sit as I am planning to go to the British GP in 2016. Anyone know any good spots?

 

Is the grandstand on the infield at Becketts still there?  I sat in that one for the WEC a few years back it was great for the quick cars where you can see the change in direction and you can look across to the new bit if you sit in the right place.  The grass hump on the infield near the driving school between Village and The Loop was good for overtaking action at the Blancpain.

[Exb]

Grandstands that Silverstone are planning to open this weekend: http://www.silversto...e-championship/

 

The following grandstands* will be open to the public for this event:

Grandstands open all weekend (10 - 12 April)

• Woodcote B (Wheelchair viewing areas available)
• International Pits Straight (Wheelchair viewing areas available)
• Stowe Lakeside (grandstand on the inside of Vale)

Grandstands open on Saturday and Sunday of the event only (11 - 12 April)

• A section of Club Corner
• A section of Becketts
• Village B

Grandstand open on Saturday of the event only (11 April)

• National Pits Straight

There will also be wheelchair accessible viewing areas at Vale and between Wellington Straight and Woodcote Corner.

*Please note that open grandstands are subject to change

[FLB]

 

 

TV/streaming:

 

I think the only official way to watch full race and qualifying is FIA WEC's official pay stream. Eurosport shows the last hour of the race. ELMS will probably have an official free stream.

Fox Sports Racing will have it live in its entirety in Canada, from 7:00AM until 1:00PM. It's on the listings of my Videotron Illico DVR (I'm in Quebec).

[DampMongoose]

It's a shame that attending live there is so little else on the Sunday morning.  It's ok if you're paying for the weekend and camping I guess...

[August]

Motors TV channel  is showing the WEC, ELMS and all three F3 races live. I'm not sure if that is available outside of the UK.

 
 

Fox Sports Racing will have it live in its entirety in Canada, from 7:00AM until 1:00PM. It's on the listings of my Videotron Illico DVR (I'm in Quebec).

 
 
Thanks for information, will add them to the OP.

[molson3530]

Fox Sports Racing will have it live in its entirety in Canada, from 7:00AM until 1:00PM. It's on the listings of my Videotron Illico DVR (I'm in Quebec).

Fox Sports 1 will also have it from 7:00AM-1:00PM EST in the US.

Edited by molson3530, 09 April 2015 - 17:26.

[TimRTC]

It's a shame that attending live there is so little else on the Sunday morning.  It's ok if you're paying for the weekend and camping I guess...

 

It has been like that every year. The COTA race was better, had the 3 hours TUSCC race then the FIA WEC 6 hours, but that went on into the night which I guess Silverstone is not set-up for.

 

 

I am planning to use the WEC to find out the best places to sit as I am planning to go to the British GP in 2016. Anyone know any good spots?

 

I bet club would be great for the F1, can see the grid form up and depart, always a good overtaking spot and you can see the podium too.

 

Woodcote is also good, cars coming down the Wellington Straight and around to the National straight.

 

 

Is the grandstand on the infield at Becketts still there?  I sat in that one for the WEC a few years back it was great for the quick cars where you can see the change in direction and you can look across to the new bit if you sit in the right place.  The grass hump on the infield near the driving school between Village and The Loop was good for overtaking action at the Blancpain.

 

Do you mean Silverstone Six. Great grandstand with views of Becketts and the Loop, but not listed as being open. On a couple of occasions I have found it unlocked at events though, so worth a look.

[TF110]

Any picks? Heres my list

Pole:

Lmp1- Toyota TS040 #1
Lmp2- Oreca 05 KCMG
Gte- Aston Martin Vantage #97

Win:

Lmp1- Toyota TS040 #1
Lmp2- Dome Strakka S103
Gte- Aston Vantage #99

[DampMongoose]

It has been like that every year. The COTA race was better, had the 3 hours TUSCC race then the FIA WEC 6 hours, but that went on into the night which I guess Silverstone is not set-up for.



I bet club would be great for the F1, can see the grid form up and depart, always a good overtaking spot and you can see the podium too.

Woodcote is also good, cars coming down the Wellington Straight and around to the National straight.



Do you mean Silverstone Six. Great grandstand with views of Becketts and the Loop, but not listed as being open. On a couple of occasions I have found it unlocked at events though, so worth a look.

Not sure what its called, it was sort of diagonal to the track? It was after the long wooden floored bit where the national circuit turns off. Doesn't appear on silvertones website satellite view anymore.

Since the group c era I attended the first year of the Toyotas and the last year of pugs in the 6hr and they featured more than one other race on Sunday, single seaters, gts and Nissan lmps were on before the 6hr.

[Dan333SP]

Any picks? Heres my list

Pole:

Lmp1- Toyota TS040 #1
Lmp2- Oreca 05 KCMG
Gte- Aston Martin Vantage #97

Win:

Lmp1- Toyota TS040 #1
Lmp2- Dome Strakka S103
Gte- Aston Vantage #99

 

I hope you're right about the Dome. I love everything that company has produced (except the S101 hybrid, whatever they called that one), and they're the ultimate underdog. Strakka is a great team, so if anyone is going to give Dome a win, it will be them. 1st place in a 6 hour race against well-proven competition, though? I think that may be a stretch for now.

 

Edit: My favorite of the breed:

Edited by Dan333SP, 09 April 2015 - 20:02.

[TimRTC]

Looking at the OP - is a 1000km typically shorter or longer than the 6 Hours?

[DampMongoose]

I think they do 20-25 laps more in 6hrs at Silverstoneif memory serves.

[August]

Looking at the OP - is a 1000km typically shorter or longer than the 6 Hours?

Shorter, for example the 1000km Blancpain race at the Nürburgring (GP circuit) had a 6h limit.

[DanardiF1]

I am planning to use the WEC to find out the best places to sit as I am planning to go to the British GP in 2016. Anyone know any good spots?

 

Well what's best about the WEC race is that you have 6 hours to explore the whole of Silverstone without any real restrictions (obviously not all grandstands are open)... Make sure you take a walk down the Hangar Straight at some point, the fencing isn't very high on the infield side and you are actually quite close to the track, so watching the P1 cars peg it down there is a real experience!

[OvDrone]

My most anticipated race of the weekend.

 

#properhyped

[FullThrottleF1]

Well what's best about the WEC race is that you have 6 hours to explore the whole of Silverstone without any real restrictions (obviously not all grandstands are open)... Make sure you take a walk down the Hangar Straight at some point, the fencing isn't very high on the infield side and you are actually quite close to the track, so watching the P1 cars peg it down there is a real experience!

I'll try that 

[DampMongoose]

I'll try that 

 

 

The grass slope on the sides of the bridge on the Wellington Straight allows you to get a good sense of speed as the quick cars come past also. And definitely the entry to Copse. With the race starting at lunchtime I'd expect you to have walked the entire circuit before it starts ;) 

[Dan333SP]

P1 just finished-

 

8 Audi

17 Porsche    + .144

7 Audi            +  .239

18 Porsche    + .336

2 Toyota        +  .628

1 Toyota        + 1.444

 

As expected, they're extremely close together. Who knows what sort of programs they were running. The #1 Toyota did a good deal more laps than the #2, so it may have been focusing on long run pace. Hopefully come qualifying they are still this close...

Edited by Dan333SP, 10 April 2015 - 13:03.

[KingTiger]

Can the ACO remove the dang shark fin regulation already? They just make the cars so incredibly ugly. DP's don't have them and they manage to not fly up when they spin out of control. 

[MrAerodynamicist]

I am planning to use the WEC to find out the best places to sit as I am planning to go to the British GP in 2016. Anyone know any good spots?

 

If I have the chance, I like to pop around to the outside of the first left-hand kink that starts off Maggots. You're not stood far back from the edge of the circuit, and cars come by at some pace before having to try and hit the right-hand apex. 

[Dan333SP]

Can the ACO remove the dang shark fin regulation already? They just make the cars so incredibly ugly. DP's don't have them and they manage to not fly up when they spin out of control. 

 

They are hideous, but to be honest I bet the teams actually like them because it gives them a perfect billboard for sponsors...

[Richard T]

Catching up with FP1 podcast from RLM in waiting for P2

Question: when will I be able to buy the season pack on the website?! I'm not going to watch the entire season on my phone!

[Atreiu]

Every year I miss good old Silverstone more and more. It was simple and fantastic.

[Ben1445]

I've said it before but I think there needs to be a rep from the other viewpoint... I like shark fins!

If you removed them now, they would look slughtly odd because of the monocoque regulations.

Edited by Ben1445, 10 April 2015 - 14:46.

[F166]

 

 

http://www.jamesgibs...hy.co.uk/?p=698

[Ben1445]

 

 

http://www.jamesgibs...phy.co.uk/?p=69

Ok...so maybe it's just the Audi that would look slightly strange...

Edited by Ben1445, 10 April 2015 - 15:35.

[Richard T]

To answer my own question, I could renew my subscription at http://members.fiawec.com

Edited by Richard T, 10 April 2015 - 15:29.

[Dan333SP]

Yea, the Toyota and Porsche are nice without the fin, though the rear fenders do look a little out of proportion. The Audi looks like a tank, for some reason.

[Ben1445]

At the circuit, the new KCMG Oreca 05 looks gorgeous. 

[Exb]

At the circuit, the new KCMG Oreca 05 looks gorgeous.

This makes me so happy, I love that car (it was my favourite last year) and thought it looked even better from the photos released this year. Can't wait to see it on the track

[DanardiF1]

So the Audi's are only 2-3 seconds off the back of last year's F1 practice times... Really impressive!

[Dan333SP]

That is very impressive. I wonder what type of track would produce the closest lap times between contemporary F1 and LMP1 machines (excluding LM)? My gut would say a really fast track like Monza, but I'm sure the LMP1s lose a ton of time in the braking zones simply because they carry so much more weight around. Maybe Spa?

[Mott1]

Surprised at Audi's turn of speed in practice - neither they or Toyota were on Porsche's level at the Paul Ricard test. Interesting to see how they do in the race, it will give us a better idea what will happen at Le Mans.

 

Disappointed, though, with the organisers' acceptance (to the point of encouragement) of Nissan joining Rebellion on the sidelines. I have some sympathy with a privateer team postponing their first appearance in 2015, as they are often struggling for resources, but not a manufacturer. Poor as Nissan's test was I think the fans deserved better than having another team withdraw from Silverstone: a team which they'd probably looked forward to seeing for the 1st time. Could at least 1 car not have attended? It's alarming to see the decline in P1 and the grid overall continue - the recession's bitten. Look at the 50-car entry of a few years ago and where we are now. 

[DanardiF1]

That is very impressive. I wonder what type of track would produce the closest lap times between contemporary F1 and LMP1 machines (excluding LM)? My gut would say a really fast track like Monza, but I'm sure the LMP1s lose a ton of time in the braking zones simply because they carry so much more weight around. Maybe Spa?

Probably Silverstone and Spa... Both have very little in the way of heavy braking and they have the long fast corners the P1 cars need to stretch their legs.

I'd say that tracks like the Nurburgring would be more favourable for the F1 cars...

[huisne]

Interesting results on the first day, but we cannot really draw any concluisons yet. Last year it also happened that Audi was fast on Friday and ended up P6 in quali. I think we haven't seen the true pace of Porsche and Toyota yet. Then again, Silverstone is a good track for the R18.

I just hope we will have a close race and a close season, with non of the manufacturers running away with it!

[DanardiF1]

If the lead Audi had entered last year's GP2 event at Silverstone, they would've qualified 20th with their 1.41.526... And there's still time to be found this weekend from all 6 manufacturer cars!

[chunder27]

Very clever marketin by Silverstone actually.

 

Having a race on Saturday albiet one noone cares about means theyc an charge more for that day.

 

Supports are uter garbage meaning I will not be going.

 

Had they put on the classic endurance cars I would have gone.  But watchign samey samey rubbish leaves me cold sorry.

 

You cant argue with Silverstone, they will do ANYTHING to increase ticket prices.

[Risil]

I think weekend costs £5 more than Sunday. I agree that two F3 races, qualifying for a 6 hour race and ELMS aren't that thrilling, but for £5 extra? You're probably spending more on petrol getting there.

[huisne]

Wet track in FP3, Audi on top again ahead of Toyota. Quali should be interesting. 

[chunder27]

PLus its raining, and its SIlverstone!

 

They should go to a better track in my opinion, that place is duller than James Allen

[DampMongoose]

PLus its raining, and its SIlverstone!

They should go to a better track in my opinion, that place is duller than James Allen

Admittedly Silverstone is poor for spectating compared to other UK tracks and the modern layout is crap compared to the past, but comparing it to James Allen is a bit harsh!

[Mat13]

As the only race I'll get to see all of this weekend (stupid BBC/Sky), I am properly looking forward to this! Rooting for TS040 #1, although the Audis and Porsches look faster so far?

[Richard T]

So the ELMS and GT cars have now wiped up the last of the water and laid some rubber down. Time to let out the LMP1 monsters!

Edit: first session I follow live this weekend. It's going to be good seeing the new prototypes in motion for the first time

Edited by Richard T, 11 April 2015 - 11:26.

[AllenT]

LMP1 Quali :