Hello race fans. On a packed weekend for motorsport in general, i's time for the fastest sportscars in the world to hit the track in race trim once again. 
The World Endurance Championship is back in action at Silverstone, with the European Le Mans Series and the Porsche Carrera Cup GB as support acts.
Now, where were we?
Ah yes, LMP1, 2nd/3rd/4th-fastest non-oval circuit racing cars on the planet (depending on who you ask).
Porsche enter 2016 having had a slightly bloodied nose in the first two races of last year, only to disproportionately retaliate and wipe the floor with the opposition for the rest of the season, including the biggest prize of all at Le Mans (won by the car many people thought shouldn't win). Audi won those first two races, but Porsche's second half of the season pushed them into developing a radical new car for 2016 which has been beset by some issues in testing and doesn't seem to be where the team want it. Porsche have developed their 919 from last year to the nth degree and have the advantage of continuity.
Toyota - well, they got the bloodiest nose of all, from champions in 2014 to two podiums last year. They'll be smarting. And they've went away, rethought everything and have built a straight line rocketship that's almost as fast as the Porsche over a lap. Surely their target has to be winning Le Mans at any cost this year. All three cars now run battery-based hybrid systems, Porsche and Toyota in the top 8 MJ class, Audi in 6 MJ (the theoretical maximum for diesel cars under current hybrid + weight regulations). If Ricard is to be trusted, Porsche are still ahead, Toyota have caught up a huge amount, Audi still need to do some work.
As for the privateers, it's going to be Rebellion vs Kolles for 2016 once again, while the ACO is furiously brainstorming (oh no, wait, I meant the other extreme) solutions to keep the privateer LMP1 dream a viability in case the manufacturers bail out.
LMP2 - well, apart from all the cars in the field having Nissan engines, it's anyone's guess. It'll all come down to whoever makes the least mistakes and has the fastest Silver driver.
GTE-Pro - slightly new regulations. Ferrari bring out the 488 and snuff out the glorious wail of the 458 with two turbochargers, Porsche take a step back and support only a semi-factory effort with Proton Competition (now when did we hear this before? 
), Aston Martin have a new car that's gone back to British Racing Green with an awkwardly-positioned diffuser, and... well... there's Ford. The Blue Oval takes on the WEC on the 50th anniversary of the first GT40 victory at Le Mans.
GTE-Am - the class most people will overlook, but still a class I'll be watching because one of my favorite part-time racing drivers is racing in it this year (a certain well-known programmer called D Heinemeier Hansson). And a full-season Corvette C7.R entry. Come on, who can resist the sound of that V8?
45 cars in the ELMS 4-hour race, including some interesting entries with some well-known talent, and the boom in LMP3 realized with over 20 entries in that class alone (!!!!).
Of course, being Silverstone, it's likely to be cold and/or wet and/or blustery and/or sunny and/or ANYTHING. So, if you're at the track this weekend, wrap up warm, grab a raincoat but also consider the possibility of sunlight.
And before the track action starts again, let's remember some of the brilliant action last year:
WEEKEND SCHEDULE (All times BST): http://www.fiawec.co...ce-program.html
WEC Entry List: http://www.fiawec.co...entry-list.html
ELMS Entry List: http://www.europeanl...e=112&year=2016
Live streaming should be available (for a fee) in the WEC app, with the replay available for the next 3 weeks (allegedly) after the race, with messrs Hindy and Goodwin calling the shots as ever. Radio Le Mans commentary will also be available online and (allegedly) on 87.7 FM at the track. Also, check your EPGs for details on whether you can watch the race anywhere else (keep an eye on Motors + Eurosport + BT Sport in the UK).
