Mexico Meetings
The 2.6-mile, 17-turn Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit is set to host its first Formula 1 race in 23 years this November, and with the venue back on the FIA’s roster of approved international venues, the FIA’s other premier series will take a look at Mexico City as an option for a future round of the World Endurance Championship (Here’s the start of the 2007 Grand-Am race at the circuit).
WEC CEO Gerard Neveu is scheduled to meet with representatives from Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez later this week during his visit to Mexico for an FIA conference, and was clear in his goals to make the series’ annual visit to Texas for the Lone Star Le Mans event a greater success before considering adding a second North American date.
“I will say that the priority now is to put all the energy, all the power, and our knowledge on the race at COTA to make this race successful,” Neveu told Marshall Pruett. “After that, if we have an opportunity in Mexico at Mexico City, we will continue to discuss if there is an opportunity for another North American round. Immediately, for sure, COTA is the priority. Lone Star Le Mans has to be successful before we add anything new.”
Neveu and the WEC’s permanent North American representative Andrew Craig have explored options in Canada and South America as possible destinations for the manufacturer-rich series to consider in 2016 and beyond. As well, Neveu and ACO president Pierre Fillon have worked closely to build a globetrotting schedule featuring eight events, and pushing the calendar to nine or more races would only take place if WEC entrants benefit from the expansion.
“This is obvious to say that the U.S. market, the North American market, is a very important one for the manufacturers, but, on the other hand, the number of races is limited every season,” Neveu continued. “If there was a good window and there is something which is a value for the paddock, for the fans, for everybody, for sure it is something we will consider to create for the future.
With COTA as the WEC’s primary destination in North America, Craig confirmed Montreal continues to hold interest for the series.
“Canada certainly remains as an option. Manufacturers have made it very clear they have finite resources to grow the schedule. If it were to happen, I think it would be one or the other, instead of Canada and Mexico, in addition to COTA. Montreal continues to be of interest, and Mexico is also a growing market.”
WEC And COTA Discuss Event Growth
FIA World Endurance Championship CEO Gerard Neveu and Circuit of The Americas CEO Jason Dial met on Monday to discuss the series’ upcoming visit in September, and according the Frenchman, the emphasis was to increase size and spectacle of the event.
The sprawling Austin venue will host a third installment of the Lone Star Le Mans weekend where the WEC’s international prototypes and GTs with IMSA’s domestic TUDOR United SportsCar Championship cars will pack almost nine hours of racing into a single day.
Increasing attendance is the first priority for the WEC and COTA, and as part of the process, Neveu flew to Texas to host a breakfast for media outlets from the greater Austin area to raise local awareness.
“As you know, Lone Star Le Mans is a very young event, it was launched two years ago and it takes time to establish a successful event; we have to go step by step,” Neveu told Marshall. “The link with the Texas media is very important. I have to say that this discussion was very productive, very constructive, and they were very interested in the series.
“And we had a very good meeting with COTA. For me, what is important is to continue to work and to build for the future. It takes time, for sure. The most important thing is to make sure we develop year after year.”
Heavy rain and tricky weather dampened the overall turnout for last year’s event, but the general formula of loading COTA’s schedule with sports car racing, music, and other fan-friendly experiences will be expanded in 2015. Adding race-related functions in downtown Austin will also take place in an effort to drive folks to sample the Lone Star Le Mans product
“What we are working to do this year is to have one or two events in the city in downtown Austin,” Neveu continued. “We can bring drivers and guests and we can play together. Austin is a very special place with amazing music and food and parties, and this is the atmosphere we try to include with Lone Star Le Mans to honor the local culture.
“The dynamics of the city is very impressive, and you feel the city has a lot of power and energy. The good thing is to make a connection with that. We can’t stay like a small item outside of the main city. We must be connected with the population and with the people in the street.”
The combined IMSA and WEC format in 2014 saw the TUDOR Championship hold its 2h45m race in the early afternoon, followed by a somewhat lengthy changeover to the WEC-style pit lane setup, and then the WEC closed the event with its six-hour race into darkness.
A concert was held during the changeover period, but it took place at COTA’s outside amphitheater and once it was over, a good portion of the music-loving audience left. Neveu and Dial hope to retain the crowd during this year’s changeover with a simple logistical adjustment.
“We will organize something very special between the two races,” Neveu added.
“TUDOR is racing during the day, and the WEC is starting the race at five and finishing at 11. The question is what can we do between the two races? About the entertainment, I can’t say everything at this moment, but for example, last year we had the driver’s autograph session very early morning because of the timetable.
“This year we are solving the problem; we have taken into consideration the timetable and we have a gap between the two races for two hours. During these two hours we will have a stage on the track in front of the pit lane to do the action, the autographs, the entertainment, and make this a place where everyone can go to find the excitement.”
Plans for every aspect of the Sept. 18-19 Lone Star Le Mans event have yet to be set, but Neveu says Dial and other members involved with the race continue to increase their efforts to make COTA a success for the WEC and IMSA.
“We are working fully together on the race, and I have to say, Andrew Craig – our permanent representative in the United States – is doing a great job because he is working with Jason Dial and everyone at COTA when I cannot be there. It helps me a lot,” he said.
“The team from COTA and the team from WEC are working together, and I feel that we have a trusting relationship. We are sharing the same point of view regarding how to manage a successful event. We have to increase the fans, and we have to establish this event long-term. The WEC goes to many countries, and we need a local team from the racetrack to create success in the local market. I am confident this is what we have with COTA.”
Marshall Pruett
