19

Could have been 20, missed an obvious one

2 words: Failed state.   Can write a (few) book(s) about everything that went and goes wrong over here.


Not sure yet.  ACO is shouting about ELMS & WEC behind closed doors, but they don't have permission so far.
We should know more by June 8th when the nitwits in charge announce further steps to get out of lockdown.

More will follow ... I'd be surprised if we see any of the US teams at LM in September.   
Same goes for teams coming down from Asia I'm afraid.

French government slashed the possibility of the ELMS prologue and first race at Paul Ricard in July.  It's also likely that France won't let (many) tourists in during the summer.
All eyes now on the Belgian government for Spa in August, although no decision about large events will be made here before early June.   And even then it remains to be seen if they even will allow events behind closed doors.

From what I read/hear the ACO wants to have a race before Le Mans, so if Spa is out which options will be open?   Guess at the moment it's only Red Bull Ring which might be able to host ELMS test, first race and WEC race. 

Run Le Mans behind closed doors?  Don't see that happening to be honest.

Belgium should give more information about which events will be labelled as a "mass event" on Friday.  
That should give an insight into whether it will be possible to see any racing at Spa or not before September.

At this time I can't see anything happening to be honest.  There's fear for a second wave of the virus after the summer, at the end of August and in September if everyone comes out of lockdown.  It's still uncertain if and how we will be able to travel in the upcoming months, especially if you have to go from one country to another (like teams, drivers, media if racing starts again); will they force us into quarantine, will we need immunity tests (and what will happen with those who are not immune), drivers & team members will have to be flown in from all continents ...  

2020 might well be a lost year 

  

Road to Le Mans was already confirmed as support race.

New timetable for September.

No scrutineering in town but at the track. 
Drivers Parade still scheduled for Friday afternoon.


Provisional schedule for the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans: 13–20 September
 

Saturday 12 September

18:00 – End of the installation process. The teams are set up in their garages and paddock.
 
Sunday 13 September

08:00-17:30 – Scrutineering – competitors are summoned to attend the administrative checks (Welcome building) and technical inspections (circuit).
 
Monday 14 September

08:00-17:30 – Scrutineering – competitors are summoned to attend the administrative checks (Welcome building) and technical inspections (circuit).
 
Tuesday 15 September

10:00 – Briefings for drivers and marshals in the Welcome building
17:00-18:30 – Pit walk and autograph sessions
 
Wednesday 16 September

13:00-18:00 – First free practice session – FP1
20:00-23:00 – Second free practice session – FP2
23:15-00:00 – Qualifying
N.B. Rookies are required to complete 10 laps during FP1 and FP2.
 

Thursday 17 September

17:00-18:00 – Third free practice session – FP3
20:00-20:30 – 24 Hours Hyperpole
21:00-00:00 – Fourth and final free practice session – FP4
N.B. Drivers are now required to complete 8 night-time laps (compared to 5 previously).
 

Friday 18 September

10:00-20:00 – Pit walk
17:00 – Drivers Parade in the city centre.
 
Saturday 19 September

08:15-08:30 – Warm-Up
12:15-12:30 – Pit Lane opened
12:35-13:20 – Access to the Grid Walk open
13:15-13:40 – Grid Walk cleared
13:40-14:21 – Starting procedure
14:30 – Start of the 88th 24 Hours of Le Mans
 
Sunday 20 September

14:30 – End of the 88th 24 Hours of Le Mans

Shocking news that came in yesterday morning.

I'll miss our long talks about LM, motorsport and everything else ... whether it was on track or by mail.
Knew he had a bit of setback in the recovery of his heart surgery last year, but we were hoping and planning to finally meet up again at the Classic later this year. Guess it'll take some time now before we see each other again Big Man !

Le Mans will never be the same again.

It's March, LM is in June ... nothing to worry about so far.

ELMS test and opening race in Barcelona could be a problem in 4 weeks time if there's an outbreak in Spain.
Monza might be a question mark for the ELMS in May.

All trackside RV spots seem to have sold out last week:
https://www.sebringraceway.com/news/355-earliest-ever-sellout-of-reserved-trackside-rv-spaces-at-sebring?fbclid=IwAR2K2tCtqIuURtuCqR8iqSXZ9Nj_wj0MPqwi-N9Kjhl2k86cKi7SH1k4Mbg

There will be CA members at T10 and the former "Camp Pidge" which is in the midway area, not far from the vendor stands, toilets & showers.
Those spots aren't marked, and basically first come first serve.

- Exit Shanghai and Sao Paolo/COTA
- Monza added as an extra round in Europe
- Enter Kyalami instead of Sao Paolo
- All 6 hours races again, except Bahrain (8h) and Sebring (8h/1000 miles)
- Spa in April again instead of the first weekend of May

2 nice additions with Monza and Kyalami.  Shame Shanghai fell off (as I wanted to do that one in 2020).
Apparently Ferrari pushed hard for Monza, the return of sportscar racing to Kyalami is the one to really look forward to.



- opening race and prologue/official test in Barcelona
- Le Castellet gets former Barcelona and Red Bull Ring (still miss that track) mid-July.
- Silverstone race on Sunday instead of Saturday
- Portimao moved one week earlier (which is interesting as the weekend before Peter Auto organizes the Estoril Classic).
- No news yet on a race "into the dark" as we had in Barcelona this year.  Would be pretty neat if they do that in Le Castellet.


  

It's not called prologue this time but "official test".
Monday and Tuesday (August 31st and September 1st) before the race in Silverstone.  Don't know (yet) if it will be open to the public.

2 other changes for Silverstone: 6 hour race again, and WEC will race on Saturday, ELMS on Sunday. 

Hasn't been announced yet.
2020/2021 schedule will be revealed in Bahrain next month. 


My money is on Paul Ricard (after the ELMS race in July) or Silverstone (a week before the first in September).