So after (almost) 14 years and 13 seasons, the FIA World Endurance Championship reaches its 100th race this weekend and, as befits such a total, there’s no shortage of retrospective reportage to choose from.
Never one to buck a trend, here’s mine! The WEC’s 100th will be my 98th.
I missed, due to ‘day job’ commitments: Interlagos in 2013 and then the late replacement for Interlagos in 2020 at CoTA that clashed with the Asian Le Mans Series double-header in Malaysia and Thailand to which I was already committed.
It’s been quite a personal journey for starters, from squeezing in the races around a pretty big bundle of ‘day job’ responsibilities, to being asked to join a regular booth pairing with John Hindhaugh through some of the glory days of LMP1 Hybrid, whilst working still as a jobbing writer.
To introducing Stephen Kilbey as a regular traveller as his career blossomed;
To John’s decision to step away from WEC, and to his eventual full-time replacement by the now long-time voice of the championship Martin Haven, as we transitioned to a three-person booth with Allan McNish and now Ant Davidson, all whilst gradually stepping clear of full-time writing duties.
The travel can be gruelling, but the camaraderie though throughout has been life-affirming, with encouragement to do more and see more when the mind and body were both screaming ‘must sleep’. Introducing friends and colleagues to the delights of Sebring, Austin, Tokyo, Mexico City, Manama, and much, much more.
We’ve had literally every form of weather, including a rainy free practice in the desert in Qatar, driving snow and hail at Spa and Silverstone, and 40 degree plus heat in Texas. And I always packed the wrong stuff!
On track, we’ve had outstanding battles in pretty much every class. The epic highs of Audi vs Porsche vs Toyota, three and four wide LMP2s on the Kemmel Straight, the astounding highs of GTE Pro and its reliable interpretation of a pub brawl running at 150 mph, and yes, GTE AM with non Pro drivers improving their craft and becoming some of the best known names and faces in the paddock.
Hypercar exploded into life after struggling through COVID, Jim Glickenhaus should be remembered for helping what we have today to have a chance to happen.
LMGT3 too is growing in stature as a hugely entertaining formula, entertaining enough now that our mourning of the epic GTE cars can now be consigned to history and retrospective.
And, importantly, it has been the cocktail of several of the above that has made the WEC so special.
Literally anything can happen if you have 2, 3, or 4 races running concurrently, and it doesn’t often happen, it ALWAYS does.
And, of course, we’ve had some heart-stopping moments too, huge accidents, airborne LMP1s (and a Cadillac Hypercar or two!), squabbling LMP2s that sometimes crossed the line, and GTs that, perfectly correctly, just got on with their race amidst the fray, giving us some stunning moments.
Despite that, the safety standards have been world-class; this writer regards it as a privilege to be doing so in an era that, however hard the hit, the driver has made it out of the car.
There has, of course, been one exception – Simmo will NEVER be forgotten.
Beyond the on-track, there have been friendships forged and fostered, and the odd one or two reduced to ashes too!
There have been huge stories written, others that weren’t and/or couldn’t be. Massive programmes coming – and going, others that didn’t get to make it to the track. On-track careers blossoming, and others calling time.
Through all of it though two things have remained the same. The DSC team has pushed to do ‘more and better’ and the WEC TV team has worked hard to show the championship at its best, embracing the towering expectations of established fans and welcoming legions of new ones.
There have been wins along the way, the championship is now far, FAR better at telling its stories to new audiences, and we’re on air more than we have ever been.
But, like all enthusiasts, we want more – much more – and we continue to ask, usually politely, for the opportunity to do so.
Throughout, the brilliance of the teams and drivers has been a staple, and, with the odd moan, groan, and bump in the road, the WEC paddock, for the global travelling circus that forms it, is an often life-affirmingly pleasant place to be and to do business in.
And there should be time too to say thank you to some of those who often attract criticism:
The rule makers who try to stay ahead of the big brains looking to steal a march, and sometimes succeed!
Event organisers, consider for a moment the scale of the task in hand here!!
Race Control, safety is the priority, it is never forgotten, but Eduardo Freitas – the other voice of the FIA WEC (he’ll hate that and I WILL hear from him of his displeasure – but it’s true!) – is often the target of individual unhappiness, he bears it well and is more often than not happy to discuss any nuances when the artillery barrage has quietened.
The media – well, some of them at least! It wasn’t always a simple matter to squeeze positivity from a ‘show’ that was in extended transition.
And the photographers – hang on, what am I saying! In fairness, from DSC’s travelling gang of snappers and across the room, there is world-class stuff produced at every single race, 3.5 million lucky shots and counting!
Those who know me best understand that for me it always has been, and always will be, a people’s game. The cars are amazing, the racing is often outstanding, but with people, you get moments, and there have been hundreds and hundreds of them:
A kind word from a reader, listener, or viewer, an opportunity to show behind the scenes to fans, particularly to kids – it’s magic.
An explanatory word from someone who might have got into trouble for doing so, a practical joke as perpetrator, or victim, and, more than anything, because I am, after all, just a fan with a notebook or a microphone.
There have been some very special moments:
A hug from TK after his final race.
A moment or two on the Championship-winning podium with Messrs Treluyer, Lotterer, and Fassler;
Candid discussion with Gerard Neveu, Fred Lequie,n and Pierre Fillon;
Seeing young drivers reaction to making it as a Pro after watching their talent blossom;
An almost tear-jerking farewell interview from Ant Davidson as he stepped down (only to find out the following day that he was coming to work with us!);
Countless opportunities to bad mouth the simply lovely Harry Tincknell, every single one of which he has taken in good grace;
Mickey taking with Richard Lietz, a man with a sense of humour drier than the Bahrain desert;
Getting the marching band in the Fuji fan zone to play ‘our song’ and FaceTiming it to Trudie on our anniversary;
Introducing people to people that might help them to move forward, and being asked to help when help was needed.
It is a World Championship, not a family, but by god if you do it properly, there’s plenty of parallels.
Long may it continue!
