A World Class FIA WEC
Recognised throughout the world as the jewel in the crown of world sportscar competition, the 24 Heures du Mans brings together each year the world’s leading manufacturers, teams and drivers, all determined to prove themselves as the best of the best in endurance racing.
The 2013 edition – the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship – was a race which will go down in memory for reasons good and bad. The unpredictable and changeable weather conditions were a major contributing factor to what became a great race for victory in the final hours.
At the close of the 90th anniversary race, the winners were Audi Sport Team Joest in LMP1, OAK Racing in LMP2, Porsche AG Team Manthey in LMGTE Pro and IMSA Performance Matmut in LMGTE Am.
All four winners are full season entrants in the FIA World Endurance Championship which is a perfect demonstration of the level of excellence of the series’ entrants and, furthermore, 10 of the 12 podium places were filled by FIA WEC competitors.
In only its second year, the FIA World Endurance Championship is going from strength to strength, with factory representation from Audi, Toyota, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Porsche and Corvette. In addition world renowned brands such as Honda, Nissan, Lotus, Morgan, ORECA, Lola and Zytek are also challenging for class honours in LMP1 and LMP2.
The eight weeks until the fourth round of the 2013 season, the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo on 1st September, will soon pass and the endurance community will reassemble in Brazil to determine who the winners of the next race will be. Whatever the outcome, the FIA WEC is already a winner!
Fiona Miller
Photo: CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES (LE MANS, SARTHE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY 23RD JUNE 2013, RACE. The LMP1 (top) and LMGTE Am winners, Audi Sport Team Joest and IMSA Performance Matmut.