WEC at Spa this w/e : better than F1 ?

[Deschodt]

I've been watching F1 for about 35 years (that's scary). This season I'm definitely feeling a drop in my interest for the first time - probably because I know Hamilton will run away with it, and I already endured almost a decade of knowing Schumi was gonna run away with it and then Vettel ;-)

This week I caught WEC at Spa and it was *awesome* ! Drivers that aren't divas, cars that may not be as pretty as in the old days but are amazing looking (kinda like an A-10 isn't pretty but yet awesome), and watching those guys go nose to tail or side by side through Eau rouge, wow.... Very glad Fox is broadcasting this in HD, kinda wish they'd have local commentators instead of the British blokes who in their inimitable style never-ever-shut up, but it was a fun race and Porsche came oh so close... I think if F1 is not careful, we could see a resurgence of Sports car racing like in the good old days (80s-90s). Porsche, Audi, Toyota and the usual Aston/Ferraris/911s in GT, I honestly look forward to their next race more than I do the next GP - never thought I'd say that....

[rfuerst911sc]

I just finished watching the race I taped it. Great race with lots of lead changes I love watching cars at Spa. Great track !

[URY914]

And LeMans is next.

[Por_sha911]

F1 is not threatened by other racing series.
The people are there for bragging rights and as a fashion statement. Here's a picture of me standing with... Here's a picture of me at... The F1 weekend is to see and be seen.

[5String43]

I liked it. A lot. As much as I adore F1, I wish it was as competitive and as interesting.

[Texlexic]

I agree great race, but would love to see the hybrids capitalize on all the performance they show in qualy. If Nick Tandy hadn't first put himself inside a GT Porsche and ripped off the nose, then driven through a marshall's stand at speed because he couldn't manage a corner (all during the first stint), they'd have had a better chance at winning.

[Baz]

Great to see Porsche back in the P1 class.

2nd, 3rd, and 6th...and Audi only winning by 13 seconds.....I'll take it!

Can't wait for LeMans!

[Flieger]

The best thing this side of motorcycle racing.

[Deschodt]

Yeah Porsche had a real shot at this one, and any race at SPA is worth my time... I am not sure about speeds but those cars looked more impressive though "eau rouge" than F1s to me, might have been camera angles or the fact they were racing side by side through it...

Tandy wrecked one P-car (against a factory 911 no less, good luck keeping your job buddy), Hartley drove thru a marshall stand and picked up a penalty... The Hulk did well - bet he enjoyed himself... So with 2 self inflicted wounds, the one lead Porsche was beaten by the slower Audi double stinting tires, and even triple stinting on the last stop. Well played Ulrich ! ;-) That's promising for Le Mans - though not as much for Toyota it seems - although it seems Audi is still the most reliable (as well as better on tires). Fascinating stuff though, watching those things whiz by and accelerate like rockets, and pass and repass... They sound better than F1s too ! I don't know, I can relate to those cars more than I can an F1 anymore... Back when F1s screamed with V12s it was something else entirely - now that they have been castrated, hybrid for hybrid, I prefer these.... Not that I'm gonna drop F1 (old habits die hard) but I hope this is the start of a resurgence of Sports car racing... At least there is some uncertainty as to who will win !

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

F1 is not threatened by other racing series.
The people are there for bragging rights and as a fashion statement. Here's a picture of me standing with... Here's a picture of me at... The F1 weekend is to see and be seen.

Exactly. My sons treated me to an F1 weekend in Austin last year, the first one I had ever attended. I was really surprised how many people sat in the infield "suite" and restaraunts and such who clearly were not even watching the race. They couldn't have cared less. As a matter of fact, they probably found the cars annoying, inturrupting their conversations as they were. Come to think of it, maybe that's why Bernie quieted them down a bit...

[TheMentat]

anybody know of a place to download / stream the race after the fact? I can't seem to find a torrent...

[TheMentat]

Originally Posted by TheMentat

anybody know of a place to download / stream the race after the fact? I can't seem to find a torrent...

scratch that... its on youtube if you can believe it

[Aragorn]

Watching that race was like listening to Le Mans overnight coverage from a few years ago. Anyone who followed the ALMS series knew that John Hindhaugh John Hindhaugh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and the Radio Le Mans team Radio Le Mans - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia were the best in the business at commentary for that series. He did a few ALMS races when they were broadcast on ABC a few seasons ago. Now, hearing a WEC race with Radio Le Mans commentators is like the icing on the cake for that series. I watch and suffer through Diffy and crew on Tudor races but wish for the old days of being at an ALMS race and hearing Radio Le Mans over the loudspeakers.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by Flieger

The best thing this side of motorcycle racing.

^Yep.

[JohnJL]

I went in person and it was great. Pics on the other post in this forum.

2015 WEC Round 2 at Spa

[JohnJL]

THis is what happens when Bernie isnt involved...