14th April 2013, the day that my eyes
were opened properly to a brand new form of Motorsport. Now like many
motorsport fans I tune in to Le Mans when possible but was never a
die hard endurance racing fan. I preferred the shorter sprint races
like you see in the BTCC or Formula 3. But Simraceway had organised
for me to go up to Silverstone for the opening round of the World
Endurance Championship.
I was extremely excited as not only
would this be my first time at the home of British Motorsport but I
was also able to meet the Radio Le Mans team and one of my commentary
inspirations John Hindhaugh along with Jonny Palmer who I had
previously worked with on the BARC finals at Thruxton. This was an
amazing experience as I was allowed inside the booth whilst the live
broadcast was taking place, seeing just how much work goes into it.
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| Me interviewing Anthony Davidson at Silverstone |
That accompanied with the chance to
conduct an interview with Anthony Davidson meant that this was one of
the best weekends I had ever had. But on to the racing.
I don't think anything quite matched
the adrenaline and tension of seeing over 30 cars slowly leave their
grid slots to begin the formation lap. 6 hours of hard and strategic
racing were about to get underway and I couldn't wait. The roar of
the crowd and the silence of the mechanics as they nervously await
the start of the race and hearing the roar of the engines slowly get
louder as the cars circulated their way to the Club chicane. This is
the World Endurance Championship.The sound was just remarkable as the
green flag flew and the four categories of sports cars separated out
and began their individual race.
One factor that makes these races so
tense is traffic. A term used frequently in Formula One to describe
slower cars more than a lap down who have to yield to the leaders.
The World Endurance Championship makes Formula One look like a lonely
country road when it comes to traffic. After just four laps or so the
LMP1's were already navigating their way past the GTE-AM's and it was
just incredible. With the class still fiercely competing and fighting
for positions the LMP1 drivers had to be so nimble when overtaking.
The sheer distance of the event is also
what makes it stand out. 6 hours of racing means that you get such a
different driving style to what you would perhaps see in Formula One
or a similar open wheel series. It's very close and competitive but
also conservative. You don't see drivers going for moves unless they
are absolutely sure they can make it stick.
Strategy is also crucial when it comes
to the WEC. Tires that can last more than one stint with a single
driver provide a major advantage to the team that equips them.
However with each driver having a different driving style and
attacking corners in sometimes a completely unique way it truly is a
gamble to make these tires
It's no wonder that car manufacturers
such as Audi take such pride in their victories throughout the
several endurance series they compete in and of course multiple Le
Mans wins. Where a team finish is as much down to the driver as it is
to the car. If you are pushing a car to its absolute limits for 6
hours with a few pit stop breaks it needs to be the best it can be.
If a car can be better than every other competing manufacturer out
there and avoid mechanical problems then it truly deserves its spot
at the top of the podium. "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday"
is an old saying that certainly backs up this point as Audi have had
Mr McNish voice a few adverts regarding new technology in their road
cars.
Another reason why I enjoyed it so much
is down to the fact that I took a shine to the LMP1 team Rebellion
Racing. Not only did the car sound so incredible it sent chills down
my spine every time it accelerated down the main straight but it is a
pure underdog team. It isn't a manufacturer like Audi or Toyota they
are a privateer team. Meaning that they don't have the funds or
technology to compete with the Manufacturer teams.
Bearing that in mind, they were only a
couple of seconds off of the pace that the two leading LMP1 teams
were setting which is a remarkable feat. Both cars finished behind
one another and achieved the same result at the 6 hours of Spa this
past weekend with the gap if anything a little closer to the big
boys. As many of you will know I am a massive Lotus F1 fan and have
been since a young age (although back then it was because Benneton
had a nice livery) so I have followed them through all of the highs
and lows. The Lotus powered Lola counterpart in the WEC could be
another reason as to why I like them. The livery is almost identical
and one of their drivers is German Ex-F1 star Nick Heidfeld who
ironically used to drive for Lotus.
The team also have a “big
announcement” to make that has been delayed. Now this could be
anything from a new driver to a car upgrade or something as simple as
Gary the mechanic is celebrating his 32nd birthday, who
knows!
Needless to say I was very impressed with the World Endurance Championship and everything about it. It takes all of the emotion and excitement from the shorter races and adds factors like unpredictable weather which could turn a race upside down, the sense of despair when a mechanical breakdown occurs or when your favourite driver spins into the gravel. Not to mention the tension of not knowing what is going to happen as the law of physics take their toll on some of the greatest sports cars this generation.
Not only that but to seal the deal, a 6 hour race came down to the final few laps with Allan McNish storming to victory in his Audi. The British fans went crazy and it really was an amazing feeling to be part of such a passionate fanbase on an occasion that truly deserved to be celebrated.
I was very impressed with the opening two rounds of the World Endurance Championship and really cannot wait for the 24 Hours Of Le Mans. If you haven't watched an endurance race yet due not having the time or being skeptical
I would highly recommend you to do so, you will not be disappointed.
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