bigbadbrother
09-21-2014, 01:26 AM
John Dagys
Following a three-month summer break, the FIA World Endurance Championship returns to action this weekend in Austin, with the globe-trotting sports car series making its second trip to Circuit of The Americas.
While currently being the championship's one-and-only stop in North America, COTA has become a key race on the calendar, both for the series and its partners, according to FIA WEC CEO Gerard Neveu.
"For all of these manufacturers and partners, the United States is important because this is a major market," Neveu told FOXSports.com. "To be in COTA is also important, with it being a combined weekend with the continental series of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.
"It means that it's a celebration of endurance this weekend. For this reason, it's very important to have a successful event."
Last year's inaugural event had its share of challenges, with low attendance and complications with track management on the shared weekend with the American Le Mans Series.
Neveu, however, helped turn things around for 2014, which has seen the six-hour WEC race shift from Sunday to Saturday evening following the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship event, giving fans nearly nine hours of racing action in a single day.
"We were facing some dissolution regarding the result of the weekend last year," Neveu said. "We feel that this year looks better. We're not at the final point that we're looking for but we've grown up since last year."
Advance ticket sales are up from last year, while hospitality suites have sold out. More entertainment options have been added to this year's event, including a fireworks show and a concert from the Blue Oyster Cult.
Despite the event currently being under only a single-year contract, Neveu said it's their intention to return to COTA next year, with the goal of establishing it as a long-term event.
"We know that in the United States there's not a lot of options for us and for the style of racing we have," he said. "Historically you can say Sebring, Petit Le Mans and Laguna Seca were the logical places to welcome endurance races. But we know that it's technically impossible [now].
"In the end, Austin is a very impressive facility and the Circuit of The Americas is a top, world-standard race track in the USA. It's exactly corresponding to the facilities we're looking for LMP1 or very fast GT cars.
"I think it's the place that we have to be at in the USA. The only difference is that at Sebring, IMSA has been organizing endurance events for many years and there is long [history].
"Austin just started last year. If we can get better figures this year, there is no reason to stop. We have to continue and we have to be passionate and build year after year on the right base, a long-term event."
While Neveu said they're already in advanced discussions to return to COTA next year, the WEC hasn't ruled out adding further rounds in North America, namely Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and the newly renovated Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Circuit in Mexico City, both venues which will feature on the 2015 F1 calendar.
"We are always looking for interesting places around the world," Neveu said. "For sure Montreal and Mexico are on the short list we are looking for because there is an interest.
"But we have to take into consideration many things, such as the slots available, the facilities, the contracts, the local promoter, the interest for the manufacturers and partners, the right opportunity or not.
"This is under discussion now but we will communicate on the new calendar very soon. We also have to consider the situation on the different places."
Neveu said he expects the 2015 schedule to be released during next month's round at Japan's Fuji Speedway, or possibly sooner if everything falls into place.
While there's been talk about an expansion from eight to as many as ten rounds, as well as consideration towards shifting the series towards a winter calendar, where champions would be crowned at Le Mans in June, Neveu wouldn't confirm either possibilities.
"It's always about opportunities and it's about the balance and a compromise between the number of races and the right opportunity you have," he said. "What I'm sure is that we don't like to do one shot.
"The strategy with the promoter and the partner is to try to establish a long-term event. When you decide to go somewhere, you have to be sure you can stay there for enough time."
And if all goes to plan and Saturday's race is deemed a success, it could very well help establish COTA as the U.S home for the WEC in the years to come.
Following a three-month summer break, the FIA World Endurance Championship returns to action this weekend in Austin, with the globe-trotting sports car series making its second trip to Circuit of The Americas.
While currently being the championship's one-and-only stop in North America, COTA has become a key race on the calendar, both for the series and its partners, according to FIA WEC CEO Gerard Neveu.
"For all of these manufacturers and partners, the United States is important because this is a major market," Neveu told FOXSports.com. "To be in COTA is also important, with it being a combined weekend with the continental series of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.
"It means that it's a celebration of endurance this weekend. For this reason, it's very important to have a successful event."
Last year's inaugural event had its share of challenges, with low attendance and complications with track management on the shared weekend with the American Le Mans Series.
Neveu, however, helped turn things around for 2014, which has seen the six-hour WEC race shift from Sunday to Saturday evening following the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship event, giving fans nearly nine hours of racing action in a single day.
"We were facing some dissolution regarding the result of the weekend last year," Neveu said. "We feel that this year looks better. We're not at the final point that we're looking for but we've grown up since last year."
Advance ticket sales are up from last year, while hospitality suites have sold out. More entertainment options have been added to this year's event, including a fireworks show and a concert from the Blue Oyster Cult.
Despite the event currently being under only a single-year contract, Neveu said it's their intention to return to COTA next year, with the goal of establishing it as a long-term event.
"We know that in the United States there's not a lot of options for us and for the style of racing we have," he said. "Historically you can say Sebring, Petit Le Mans and Laguna Seca were the logical places to welcome endurance races. But we know that it's technically impossible [now].
"In the end, Austin is a very impressive facility and the Circuit of The Americas is a top, world-standard race track in the USA. It's exactly corresponding to the facilities we're looking for LMP1 or very fast GT cars.
"I think it's the place that we have to be at in the USA. The only difference is that at Sebring, IMSA has been organizing endurance events for many years and there is long [history].
"Austin just started last year. If we can get better figures this year, there is no reason to stop. We have to continue and we have to be passionate and build year after year on the right base, a long-term event."
While Neveu said they're already in advanced discussions to return to COTA next year, the WEC hasn't ruled out adding further rounds in North America, namely Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and the newly renovated Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Circuit in Mexico City, both venues which will feature on the 2015 F1 calendar.
"We are always looking for interesting places around the world," Neveu said. "For sure Montreal and Mexico are on the short list we are looking for because there is an interest.
"But we have to take into consideration many things, such as the slots available, the facilities, the contracts, the local promoter, the interest for the manufacturers and partners, the right opportunity or not.
"This is under discussion now but we will communicate on the new calendar very soon. We also have to consider the situation on the different places."
Neveu said he expects the 2015 schedule to be released during next month's round at Japan's Fuji Speedway, or possibly sooner if everything falls into place.
While there's been talk about an expansion from eight to as many as ten rounds, as well as consideration towards shifting the series towards a winter calendar, where champions would be crowned at Le Mans in June, Neveu wouldn't confirm either possibilities.
"It's always about opportunities and it's about the balance and a compromise between the number of races and the right opportunity you have," he said. "What I'm sure is that we don't like to do one shot.
"The strategy with the promoter and the partner is to try to establish a long-term event. When you decide to go somewhere, you have to be sure you can stay there for enough time."
And if all goes to plan and Saturday's race is deemed a success, it could very well help establish COTA as the U.S home for the WEC in the years to come.