Why Not FIA-WEC At Road America?

2016 Le Mans winner Romain Dumas at Road America. [Photo by Jack Webster]

By Jack Webster & Eddie LePine

The FIA-WEC circus makes its only US stop next week at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas where American fans will get their only opportunity to see the factory Porsches, Audis and Toyotas that race at Le Mans.

Now, make no mistake, the racetrack in Austin is a fine track with great F1 class facilities. However, Austin, Texas is not exactly the center of the universe as far as sports car racing in the US is concerned and in the years that the FIA-WEC has visited there drawing large crowds has been an on going problem.

Why not Road America? [Photo by Porsche Motorsport]

It would be nice to see these guys back at Elkhart. [Photo by Jack Webster]

2016 Le Mans winner Romain Dumas at Road America. [Photo by Jack Webster]

There is a track in the US that could be a great home for the FIA-WEC for many years to come. It is located in the center of the US, has a great history of drawing large crowds and it is a world class racing facility.

It is Road America.

It is part Spa, it is part Nurburgring, and it is part Le Mans. Drivers love the place, fans love the place. It has a storied history and has held very successful American Le Mans series races, which featured large crowds, and some of the closest and most exciting racing the series ever saw.

Road America draws real racing fans, from around the country and around the world. Milwaukee and Chicago are huge markets, and are just down the road from Elkhart Lake. We think, without a doubt, that a 6 Hour FIA-WEC race at Road America would draw crowds, and big ones at that.

The only real thing Road America seems to lack are garages next to the pit lane. Sebring doesn’t have garages, and that was never a problem in the past when the FIA raced there. Road America could easily provide tents for the teams. The circuit itself presents no problems, as P1 machinery has already raced there in the past and IndyCar races there now.

The FIA-WEC presents the best drivers and cars on the planet and they deserve to race in front of the widest possible audience of racing enthusiast in America.

Road America is the perfect fit for the series and we would love to see them race there. So would a lot of other people. Road America President George Bruggenthies is a great promoter and runs a great track. He would be a great partner for the FIA.

Throw in Brats and Siebkens and you have a sure fire winner.

Eddie LePine & Jack Webster

Jack Webster has been shooting motorsports since the early 1970’s, covering Formula One, CanAm, F5000, TransAm, GrandAm and American Le Mans races, among others. In addition to his photography, he has also worked on racing teams, both in IMSA and IndyCar, so has a complete knowledge of the inner workings of motorsport. Both his photography and writing can be seen here on racingnation.com. Eddie LePine has been involved in motorsports for over 30 years as photographer, columnist, and driver. Eddie also is now a retired racer (well, retired unless a good ride pops up). You can usually find Eddie in the paddock area, deep in conversation with a driver.

racingnation.com

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