FIA WEC Calendar 2012

[Blaze_409]

Hello everyon. I just wanted to post an important announcement about the FIA WEC calender. First hre is the season schedule for th eAudi, Peugoet's sqauds etc.

2012 FIA World Endurance Championship Schedule

March 17 - 60th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring (USA)
May 5 - Six Hours of Spa (Belgium)
June 3 - Le Mans Test Day (France)
June 16-17 - 24 Hours of Le Mans (France)
Aug. 26 - Six Hours of Silverstone (UK)
Sept. 16 - Six Hours of Sao Paulo (Brazil)*
Sept. 30 - Six Hours of Mt. Fuji (Japan)
Oct. 20 - Six Hours of Bahrain (Bahrain)
Nov. 11/18 - Six Hours of China (TBA)



1. Petit lemans is missing
2. The 2012 Petit lemans takes place on Saturday October 19 2012.
see the conflict. The WEC round in Bahrain is Sunday October 20. Teams that considered doing the full WEC and Petit Lemans as a prestigious event now cannot do both. Barring customer cars we will porably no see the Audi's and Peugeots and Toyota stateside. Significantly we'll never see the Toyota in the states

unless thse teams decide to field 1 car each at peti while fielding two in Bahrain? Of all places Bahrain??? Bahrain is replacing Petit Lemans? thats blasphemous lol
Is this a boneheaded move by the FIA that is going to kill the ALMS?

Previously we thought that Audi and Peugeot would still come to Petit but onw its loooking unlikely..

I honestly hope that the Bahrain round gets boycotted and no teams attend. Instead all the teams attend Petit Lemans.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

Regardless of the conflict, I doubt you would see the top teams at Petit anyway when/if it's not part of the calendar.

But Bahrain is blasphemous solely because of the country's situation. Hopefully there will be some rioting again and cancellation for both F1 & WEC.

 

[nitrorocks]

I like the schedule, as long as they move Bahrain further so Petite Le Mans is in.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

2. The 2012 Petit lemans takes place on Saturday October 19 2012.
see the conflict. The WEC round in Bahrain is Sunday October 20. Teams that considered doing the full WEC and Petit Lemans as a prestigious event now cannot do both. Barring customer cars we will porably no see the Audi's and Peugeots and Toyota stateside.

I would say that the FIA is eager to avoid a repeat of the days when the Indy 500 was a part of the Formula 1 World Championship. Formula 1 drivers rarely (if ever) competed, and so local drivers often scored World Championship points. Sebring is already a part of the series, so running at Sebring would make the championship dependent on ALMS. They want drivers who are committed to the series to be the ones scoring points - they don't want an ALMS team that is not a part of the WEC scoring points.

And when the WEC was announced, it was made known that there would only be a limited number of races in each region. Three in Europe (Spa, Le Mans and Silverstone), three in Asia (Fuji, Bahrain and China) and two in America (Sebring and Sao Paulo). As the championship gains momentum, the series will no doubt be able to expand to include more rounds. But if the inaugural season is dominated by ALMS teams who are not competing in the WEC, it could kill the WEC in its first year.

I'm also pretty sure that ALMS is not sanctioned by the FIA. All of their races (except Mosport) take place in the United States. Under the FIA rules, it would probably be considered a national championship.

Is this a boneheaded move by the FIA that is going to kill the ALMS?

No, because ALMS already has its own championship. The ILMC does not race at any ALMS events, and that has not hurt ALMS.

I honestly hope that the Bahrain round gets boycotted and no teams attend. Instead all the teams attend Petit Lemans.

Why would they boycott Bahrain? Because Petit Le Mans is not on the calendar?

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

I would say that the FIA is eager to avoid a repeat of the days when the Indy 500 was a part of the Formula 1 World Championship. Formula 1 drivers rarely (if ever) competed, and so local drivers often scored World Championship points. Sebring is already a part of the series, so running at Sebring would make the championship dependent on ALMS. They want drivers who are committed to the series to be the ones scoring points - they don't want an ALMS team that is not a part of the WEC scoring points.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Intercontinental_Le_Mans_Cup#LMP1_standings_2

How many ALMS-only teams do you see in that list? They didn't score points in the ILMC, so if it's the same in WEC, I don't see how this is an issue at all. Not a sensible theory.

There was a rumor Bahrain organizers would pay a lot of the transporting expenses. This is quite blasphemous not only because of Petit but because of Bahrain itself.

But if the inaugural season is dominated by ALMS teams who are not competing in the WEC, it could kill the WEC in its first year.

Looking at the current ALMS grid, it would be a pretty big if.

I'm also pretty sure that ALMS is not sanctioned by the FIA. All of their races (except Mosport) take place in the United States. Under the FIA rules, it would probably be considered a national championship.

I don't know if it's FIA-sanctioned, I would guess no, but if it would be, I don't think it could be a national championship. Or at least it could not be in 2000-2001 when ALMS had races in Europe and in Australia - a national championship (criteria is in the International Sporting Code) can have only one race outside the natural territory and even then it has be to be a neighboring country (common border or maritime).

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Take a look at the calendar: America, Belgium, France, England, Brazil, Japan, Bahrain and China. Notice anything in particular? Each country only has the one race. Could the reason why Petit Le Mans was not included on the calendar be as simple as the FIA only wanting to limit each country to having one race?

I don't think it could be a national championship. Or at least it could not be in 2000-2001 when ALMS had races in Europe and in Australia - a national championship (criteria is in the International Sporting Code) can have only one race outside the natural territory and even then it has be to be a neighboring country (common border or maritime).

Yes. And that was back in 2001. A decade ago. These series are reassessed every year.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

Take a look at the calendar: America, Belgium, France, England, Brazil, Japan, Bahrain and China. Notice anything in particular? Each country only has the one race. Could the reason why Petit Le Mans was not included on the calendar be as simple as the FIA only wanting to limit each country to having one race?

I think that's more just a coincidence and I don't think there's a rule per se.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I think it's more just a coincidence and I don't think there's a rule per se.

Nope, most FIA-sanctioned championships with "World" in the title are usually limited to having one race per country.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Looks good...now I have to fit this in with ILMC, ALMS, Nascar, F1 and Moto GP as well as V8 Supercar.

 

[Blaze_409]

I would say that the FIA is eager to avoid a repeat of the days when the Indy 500 was a part of the Formula 1 World Championship. Formula 1 drivers rarely (if ever) competed, and so local drivers often scored World Championship points. Sebring is already a part of the series, so running at Sebring would make the championship dependent on ALMS. They want drivers who are committed to the series to be the ones scoring points - they don't want an ALMS team that is not a part of the WEC scoring points.

And when the WEC was announced, it was made known that there would only be a limited number of races in each region. Three in Europe (Spa, Le Mans and Silverstone), three in Asia (Fuji, Bahrain and China) and two in America (Sebring and Sao Paulo). As the championship gains momentum, the series will no doubt be able to expand to include more rounds. But if the inaugural season is dominated by ALMS teams who are not competing in the WEC, it could kill the WEC in its first year.

I'm also pretty sure that ALMS is not sanctioned by the FIA. All of their races (except Mosport) take place in the United States. Under the FIA rules, it would probably be considered a national championship.


No, because ALMS already has its own championship. The ILMC does not race at any ALMS events, and that has not hurt ALMS.


Why would they boycott Bahrain? Because Petit Le Mans is not on the calendar?

ILMC raced at sebring and Petit Lemans and brought huge crowds. Now theres no petit. Whoes going to race at Petit to attract the big crowds. undoubtedly their will be the die hard fans but in terms of attracting the medias attention theres is not much to brag about.

In addition. they would Boycott Bahrain because of its ridiculous political situation(check the news:tup. And also because Bahrain is a typical desert tilke track that does not draw crowds.

i never said the ALMS was sanctioned by FIA. alms is sanctioned by IMSA

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

Nope, most FIA-sanctioned championships with "World" in the title are usually limited to having one race per country.

"Most" and "usually"? And except F1 and FIA GT1? Please copy-paste the rule from the Int. Sporting Code or such rule doesn't exist. Only related rule I can find is the one requiring races on three continents.

Also your reasoning for dropping Petit due this supposed rule is weird... if it was a rule, then it would have been clear from the beginning that no Petit.

 

[Blaze_409]

Regardless of the conflict, I doubt you would see the top teams at Petit anyway when/if it's not part of the calendar.

But Bahrain is blasphemous solely because of the country's situation. Hopefully there will be some rioting again and cancellation for both F1 & WEC.

what would make you believe this. Did you know that there was time when the ILMC did not exist? and when Peugeot made the trip to race at Sebring even theough they had no championship affiliation......

Despite what you may think. the big teams went out of there way to attend Sebring and Petit when ILMC/WEC didnt exist.

So what makes you think that should change when it does exist. Its just another race is it not? Great for marketing in America and bragging rights.

I would say that the FIA is eager to avoid a repeat of the days when the Indy 500 was a part of the Formula 1 World Championship. Formula 1 drivers rarely (if ever) competed, and so local drivers often scored World Championship points. Sebring is already a part of the series, so running at Sebring would make the championship dependent on ALMS. They want drivers who are committed to the series to be the ones scoring points - they don't want an ALMS team that is not a part of the WEC scoring points.

ALMS contenders have not in the past and never will score ILMC/WEC points. unless you count the BMW situation with RLL. So i dont understand why that would be an excuse to drop Petit. Sports car racing needs to support itself. Not turn its back on the series that utilize many of the same basic regulations aside from restrictors. Your promoting a sportscar brand. Petit Lemans should have been an WEC round. who will attend the race for overall honors besides Dyson/Muscle Milk?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

In addition. they would Boycott Bahrain because of its ridiculous political situation(check the news:tup.

Then why aren't you demanding that they boycott China, too?

And also because Bahrain is a typical desert tilke track that does not draw crowds.

Which is not a legitimate reason for boycotting a race.

If Bahrain did not clash with Petit Le Mans, then I very much doubt you would be calling for a boycott.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

what would make you believe this. Did you know that there was time when the ILMC did not exist? and when Peugeot made the trip to race at Sebring even theough they had no championship affiliation......

Despite what you may think. the big teams went out of there way to attend Sebring and Petit when ILMC/WEC didnt exist.

So what makes you think that should change when it does exist. Its just another race is it not? Great for marketing in America and bragging rights.

Main reason was to go was to race against the competition (vs. Audi, basically). Now they're going to get eight matchups in a year. Sebring is slightly different, because it's before Le Mans and not after. Only time Peugeot went to Petit when it was not part of ILMC (2010-2011) was in 2009.

 

[Hun200kmh]

Not putting Petit Le Mans in the WEC Calendar is simply stupid. And shows how short lived is people's memory. PLM, despite not being a decades old/traditional race, quickly became a race all sports cars fans in the entire world love and it is, in a way, very much linked (with its owner, Don Panoz), to all that made Sports Cars Racing important again, after the FIA vs ACO mess.

I didn't welcome this WEC, I don't trust the FIA to run or even co-run Sports Cars and I'm very much afraid that this Bahraini nonsense is already FIA related. In any case, PLM should have a reserved slot in any "WEC" (with Sebring, LM and Spa) and this is a big shame.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Not putting Petit Le Mans in the WEC Calendar is simply stupid.

I think it's fairly obvious that the FIA limited each country to one race each. If Petit Le Mans were included Sebring would not have been, and everyone would be upset over that.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Good to see international motorsport return to Fuji Speedway, I rather enjoyed the show F1 put on there a few years ago so I expect the WEC could put on an event just as good. But more importantly, Le Mans isn't on my birthday weekend, finally I wont have to record the racing!

 

[Bellzie]

Now all we need is full race coverage at least in the U.K.

 

[crooky369]

Hopefully the top teams (Audi, Peugeot etc) have a gentleman's agreement to boycott Bahrain and instead race at Road Atlanta.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Hopefully the top teams (Audi, Peugeot etc) have a gentleman's agreement to boycott Bahrain and instead race at Road Atlanta.

I can tell you now that that won't happen.

For one, they won't boycott Bahrain because it clashes with Road Atlanta.

Two, the race in Bahrain is scheduled for Ocotber 2012. The Bahrainis believe their country will be stable enough for the Grand Prix in April. If the Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead, boycotting the October race for political reasons will hold no water.

And three, if they agree to participate in the championship, then they agree to participate in all rounds; if they were to boycott the race, the FIA would impose sanctions on them, which could possibly involve blocking them from competing at all.

 

[nitrorocks]

This is odd. I think it's a good schedule, but since Petite isn't on there, it's just weird. The more tracks the merrier for me. Maybe they aren't going to run Petit just to test the waters of the series, but that is still weird.

 

[crooky369]

I can tell you now that that won't happen.

For one, they won't boycott Bahrain because it clashes with Road Atlanta.

Two, the race in Bahrain is scheduled for Ocotber 2012. The Bahrainis believe their country will be stable enough for the Grand Prix in April. If the Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead, boycotting the October race for political reasons will hold no water.

And three, if they agree to participate in the championship, then they agree to participate in all rounds; if they were to boycott the race, the FIA would impose sanctions on them, which could possibly involve blocking them from competing at all.

I agree it's unlikely to happen but we can only hope. 👍

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/le-mans-zhuhai-notebook/

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I agree it's unlikely to happen but we can only hope. 👍

Hope doesn't come into it. The only reason why a race should be boycotted is on the grounds of safety. No politics, no protesting the calendar - just safety.

 

[Speedster502]

I understand people being upset about the lack of PLM but, I can understand why they aren't running it next year.

They had 52 cars running around a 2.5 mile circuit, I'm sorry but that's way too many for a circuit of that size. At Silverstone we had 47 cars running a 3.6 mile circuit and the traffic was difficult for many of the drivers to contend with. PLM is by far and away the smallest circuit on the entire ILMC calendar, yet it still had one of the largest grids...

Let's face it we're all too happy to see the field grow and flourish like it currently is, but as the field gets bigger we have to accept they can't run the smaller circuits anymore. PLM fits that category in my mind.

In my mind the only questionable aspect about the calendar is firstly; why Bahrain? And secondly why they've made Bahrain clash with Petit Le Mans.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

They consider the Middle East to be an important place for the sport to go. And there's more of a precedent for endurance racing than there is for Formula 1 - for example, Karim Ojjeh is a Saudi Arabian driver who won LMP2 at Le Mans this year with Greaves Motorsport.

As for why the dates clash, the FIA doesn't just decide when the races will happen and the circuit organisers are forced to work around it. Maybe the Bahrainis gave the FIA a handful of provisional dates during negotiations when they felt it was possible to hold the race. And if you look at the actual calendar, there's the race in Japan on September 30th, Bahrain on October 20th, and one of the proposed sates for China is November 18th - so there is one month between events, to give teams times to get organised.

 

[nismo3]

Petit lemans is a great event, its a huge mistake by the wec to go to bahrain. Bahrain has terrible civil rights violations. The people in Bahrain don't even care about f1 or the wec. What a joke. Oh well, its their loss, petit lemans is a true world class event.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Consider this: of the eight races on the calendar, the first four are all established events. Three of the remaining four are brand new events, while one (Fuji) has not been run regularly since 1992. Evidently, the calendar has ben structured in such a way to build momentum to begin with and to keep it going through the new events.

Bahrain has terrible civil rights violations.

So does China. And yet, I don't see you demanding that the Chinese race be relocated. Until such time as you can explain to me why a race in Bahrain is unacceptable when a race in China is perfectly fine, you haven't got a leg to stand on.

 

[nismo3]

I don't think they should be racing in China either. Some of the horrendous stories coming out of Bahrain are sickening. I will not support the wec, and now I wish sebring was not a part if this fiasco.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Do you support the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, the series that the World Endurance Championship is replacing?