What is it like to attend a WEC race?

The Race Weekend Schedule

A WEC weekend consists of three days of action. This is, of course, dependent on the event itself as the 24 Hours of Le Mans runs for longer than just three days, but the standard is that on-track action begins on Friday and ends on Sunday. Although fans come to see the Hypercars compete, there are also Support Series that race over the course of the weekend.

Friday

• Practice day
  
  • All classes have their practice sessions (Free Practice sessions are 90 minutes long)

Fridays are a great day for fans to enjoy the kick-off of a WEC race weekend. Fridays are usually the least busy day, with fans feeling like it’s just them and the drivers at the track. This is a special feeling as it sets WEC events apart from other racing events or even different sporting series. Fans can enjoy the on-track sessions which consist of the WEC drivers and teams participating in their practice sessions, but fans can also watch the support series take to the track. In and around the paddock area will be less busy and fans will have the chance to run into their favorite teams or drivers without the chaos of the crowds that inevitably show up on the Saturday and Sunday of the race weekend.  

Saturday

• Qualifying and Support Races
  
  • Final Free Practice Session
  • Qualifying Session and Hyperpole

Saturday is an action-packed day for fans at a WEC event, primarily focused on Qualifying and Support Races. The day begins with a Final Free Practice Session for the WEC classes, giving teams one last chance to tune their cars before the Qualifying Session and Hyperpole, which determines the starting grid for Sunday's race. Additionally, Saturday is typically the main day for Support Race Action, where fans can watch other exciting series like the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) or single-marque championships compete. The atmosphere around the circuit is electric, with larger crowds, busy Fan Zones featuring driver Q&As, simulators, and activations, setting the stage for the big race on Sunday.

Sunday

• Final warm-up
• Race start
  
  • The race runs until its timed finish
• Victory circle and podium celebrations

​​Sunday is the main event and the most anticipated day of a WEC race weekend! The action kicks off with a brief Final Warm-up session, allowing drivers to confirm their car settings before the Race Start. The race then runs for its timed duration (e.g., 6 hours), providing fans with hours of wheel-to-wheel action and strategic battles between the Hypercars, LMP2s, and LMGT3s. The excitement builds to the finish, followed by the highly anticipated Victory Circle and podium celebrations. This is a fan highlight, as the track often opens up to allow spectators closer to the winning cars and drivers, creating the best racing atmosphere to conclude the weekend.

Fan Access

One of the most unique aspects of attending a WEC race is how close fans are to the action. Race goers are able to get reasonably priced Paddock Passes that allow them to get an inside glimpse of the racing world. Fans can get access into the garages, meet drivers and team members and watch the mechanics work on the cars in real time. It’s a special experience for any race fan as it allows them a sneak peak into what it takes to run a race weekend and gives them unparalleled access that they can’t get at other sporting events. Even if fans opt to not purchase a Paddock Pass, the general admission tickets offer access that can’t be matched with fans being able to explore the whole circuit, wander the Paddock area, stand in line for driver and team autograph sessions and more. 

Over the course of the weekend, there are a variety of events that allow fans to meet and interact with their favorite teams and drivers. See what else happens during a WEC weekend: 

• Paddock Access
  
  • Paddock Access gives fans the opportunity to see the cars and inner-workings of a race weekend up close and in person
• Pit Walk & Autograph Session
  
  • A scheduled Pit Lane Walk is a fan highlight, allowing ticket holders to walk along pit road
  • Fans can meet their favorite drivers and teams during the autograph session
• Explore the Circuit
  
  • Many WEC circuits allow fans to roam General Admission areas freely, encouraging them to find unique viewing spots

Entertainment during a WEC weekend

The atmosphere at a WEC event is that of a proper racing festival. With an incredible on-track display of high-speed action, fans can also expect a variety of activities off-track such as fan zones, support races, musical performances and more!

• Support Race Action
  
  • You can expect to see series like the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), Porsche Sprint Challenge, or other historic and single-marque championships
• The Fan Zone
  
  • Driver Q&A stages with regular appearances.
  • Simulators and pit stop challenges.
  • Show cars and official trophy displays.
• Podium Finish
  
  • The podium celebration is always a fan favorite with the track opening up for fans to get closer to the winning cars and drivers
  • The Victory circle is closed for media personnel only, but fans are able to watch the ceremony taking place

The Iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most iconic racing events in the world. With Hypercars flying down the iconic circuit in pitch black, there are only so many drivers who have been able to say they’ve been victorious there. Unlike the regular WEC and other racing events, this event spans over the course of multiple days with lead up beginning early on in the week. There are numerous iconic events that fans can look forward to such as the public scrutineering, the Driver’s parade and the overall historical essence of this event in racing history.

• Mid-Week Activities
  
  • Scrutineering (technical checks) happens publicly in the city center, giving fans a chance to see the cars and drivers outside of the track
• The Drivers' Parade
  
  • A massive parade featuring all the drivers through the streets of Le Mans town on the Friday before the race
• Nighttime Experience
  
  • Fans can watch the cars race through the night, often accompanied by concerts, fireworks, and massive fan gatherings inside the circuit

Looking for more on WEC?

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