2015 wec round #2 @ spa - discussion (note: spoilers!)

As you might have guessed, the second race of the WEC season was at Spa today.

It was an amazing race with all records being broken. They managed to do the longest distance in any 6 hour race ever, fastest LMP1 time ever at Spa and this everything with cars that have less down-force compared to a few years ago and also significantly less fuel usage.

Of course Audi took the victory but Porsche came very close, it was an amazing battle. Porsche had the outright speed but Audi managed to have a 'clean' race without any issues and also with a good strategy.
The battle for the lead in the GTE Pro category was also amazing until the very end.

Oh, and I've been at the track and will upload pics & some clips from the start & during the race later tonight or tomorrow, really tired and need a good resting-period after walking so much.
ps. the Ferrari's and Corvette were loud as hell, I could feel the ground shaking when the vette passed by.

So, did you watch the race and if you did, what is your opinion? Did you like it, did you hate it?

 

Watched the last hour on TV and some highlights. The penalty of Ferrari No. 51 near the end was absolutly nonsense imho!
Wasn't he fighting for first place in his category? Stupid decision.
Yeah, rules are rules and the mechanic shouldn't have touched the tires but otherwise the Porsche surely would have been damaged! Very strange.
Or did I misunderstood the situation somehow?

The LMP-cars look more and more ugly each year, but just my 2 cent!

 

It was a very good race from what I saw of it.

I think the penalty was not because the mechanic tried to stop the wheel but the wheels where placed in the wrong place or because they went into the live pit area which is against the rules.

was it just me or are the Aston Martins the best sounding cars on the grid?

 

I find it amazing to see such close racing after 6 hours. Really good.
Porsche will be very strong on the straights in Le Mans

 

I'd go for the Ferrari or Corvette.. they're all pretty awesome tbh, but the Ferrari's & Corvette had something special this year. Idk... they just trumped the Astons sound-wise this year.
You could hear the Ferrari's downshift at the end of Kemmel straight/Les Combes when standing at the top of eau-rouge, they were so damn loud.
Standing at the bottom of Eau Rouge gave you the best sounds though. So amazing and loud, if you've got the chance to visit Spa once, do it! Nothing, no game (not even AC), pictures or videos can give you the amazing feeling of walking around the track and experiencing the height differences.

 

The WEC is probably my favourite racing series right now. Both races this year have been awesome.

 

First 2 vids are up. They're small ones but the quality is pretty good imo. Captured everything (pics as well) with my phone (LG G3).



Pics:
https://www.facebook.com/fabda/media_set?set=a.10206384962172955.1073741835.1534971362&type=1


More will follow tomorrow, too damn tired right now, going to bed

 

THIS WAS TODAY???

****

 

I tried to watch but didn't find a good live stream (free) and wasn't been broadcast on TV... sucks.

 

The penalty was due to he tyre rolling (just) into the red area of the pits. Dangerous and all that.

It was a massive shame as that battle was awesome!

 

Yeah bloody pit personel ruined the great race for Vilander and Bruni. But other than that it was quite enjoyable race. And I think they said that not a single tyre puncture in the whole 6h race, that's pretty good.

 

The full thing is on YouTube. Just search for WEC FIA 2015.

 

watched about 3/4 hours on youtube, really great race! love WEC ! too bad we don't have these cars in AC yet, but some of them are coming, so we shall see.
always was big fan of multi class racing

those steering wheels seems to be more complex then those of F1

 

The cars are also more complex than those of F1
That's what I like about the WEC LMP1 category, they get a specific ruleset which they need to follow, however, how you do it is your own choice, just stay within regulations and you're ok.
It's amazing to see and this actually is progress, these cars actually use systems (whether it are headlights, hybrid systems, brakes, engines) that can/will be used in road cars in the near future. Just look at how "efficient" the cars are. They don't use any fuel at all compared to the LMP1's not so long ago. Yet they manage to get the same speeds/results with these cars.

 

Been there this weekend.
What a great event, and on 1 of nicest circuits in the world imo.
U can come very close to the cars and ticket price just 31 euro for 3 days.
Recommend every race fan to go there next year. (they have signed 3year contract so WEC will there next years

Here some pics to spoil u guys

 

would love to go there, if it only was closer,
but they do COTA, don't they? so perhaps that might be my chance (probably won't make it this year though)

love these cars, can't wait to see some of them in AC

 

Yes, I imagine these will also be popular as a form of public and league racing, like the gt2/3 cars.

 

If you ever have a chance to visit Spa, do it. Don't think about it just do it. Hell, make it a small vacation Book a nice hotel here in Belgium or just over the border in Germany and you can visit both the Nordschleife and Spa. To be honest, what you get to see and experience here at Spa during the 6 hour race is unrivaled. It's getting bigger and bigger every year, it's simply amazing.
The tickets are cheap as hell compared to F1 or the 24h race (€ 31,- per person for 3 days including a pit-walk every day and access to the paddock where you might meet some drivers). Downside is €15,- for a parking ticket but it's for 3 days so all in all not too bad if you know that the F1 race costs about €100,- per person and the 24hours around 80 (I think, but more days & 24 hours of racing ofc.)
But yeah, you've got enough time since they did extend the contract for another 3 years and I think it'll be even longer after that due to the success the series is having.


Oh, and to all people who are still thinking whether this is better than F1 or any other racing out there, here's your answer:
https://www.facebook.com/fiawec/videos/907790612610727/?fref=nf

The pass around the outside at pif-paf is unbelievable...

 

yeah, one helluva pass !

this battle was also epic!!


but yeah, would love to go and even better drive on it , but that's making it way more difficult , unless I just rent a car

 

Was there this weekend too. The Ferraris are just mental. They literally are trying to kill you. And the height differences you have to see for yourself. No game or video compares to looking up the Eau Rouge for yourself. Great event, if you got a chance to go, do it.