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Why the WEC's bombshells won't fix its main problem

The announcement of a WEC superseason promoted shock and intrigue - of the good kind. It's a bold move, but one that doesn't seem to address global sportscar racing's chief concern right now

Gary Watkins Sep 5, 2017, 10:26 AM

Two editions of the Le Mans 24 Hours in one season and two Sebrings in one weekend. Those were the twin bombshells that the World Endurance Championship dropped last weekend as it outlined a vision for a brave new world of a winter season climaxing at the Le Mans 24 Hours each year.

The WEC needed a good news day in the wake of the uncertainty created by Porsche's announcement of its withdrawal from LMP1 at the end of this season. A move to a winter schedule straddling two calendar years and a 12-hour race at Sebring straight after the 'real' Sebring 12 Hours provided that. And the term 'superseason' to describe a transition period through Le Mans in 2018 and '19 and on into the new format was always going to grab the headlines.

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Author Gary Watkins

Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 33rd as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 80 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.

Gary, who also writes for Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton close to the former workshops of the Cooper Formula 1 team but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.