In just 50 days, on Friday 10th April, track action will begin at Silverstone for the opening round of the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship. The overall winners of the 6 Hours of Silverstone will receive the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy.
As well as the WEC, the weekend at Silverstone will also host Round 1 of the European Le Mans Series and three races for the FIA F3 European Championship, making it a great weekend of motorsport entertainment for the whole family.
To get ready for the fourth edition of the UK round of the World Endurance Championship, here are 20 interesting facts about the event -
1. The first 6 Hours of Silverstone was a round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in September 2011. The first WEC race at Silverstone took place in August 2012 and was round 4 of the 2012 World Endurance Championship.
2. The first winners of the 6 Hours of Silverstone on 26 August 2012 were Marcel Fassler, Benoit Treluyer and Andre Lotterer driving an Audi R18 e-tron quattro.
3. In 2013 the 6 Hours of Silverstone became the opening race of the season and the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy was awarded to the overall winners for the first time, who were Tom Kristensen, Loic Duval and Allan McNish in an Audi R18 e-tron quattro, the first time Audi’s name has appeared on the Tourist Trophy roll of honour.
4. In 2014 the winners were Anthony Davidson, Sebastien Buemi and Nicolas Lapierre in a Toyota TS040, also the first time Toyota has won the Tourist Trophy
5. In 2012, 2013 and 2014 the winners of the 6 Hours of Silverstone went on to become World Champions.
6. The current lap record was set in April 2013 by Allan McNish (Audi) with a 1m42.767 lap
7. The LMP2 lap record was set in April 2013 by Mike Conway in an ORECA Nissan - 1m49.087
8. Both the LMGTE Pro and Am lap records are held by Aston Martin, both set in April 2013. Pedro Lamy set a 1m59.593 lap for the GTE Pro lap record and Jamie Campbell-Walter set a 2m00.874 lap in the same race in April 2013.
9. Over 100,000 spectators have travelled to Silverstone to see the 6 Hours of Silverstone since 2012.
10. The Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy was first awarded in 1905 to John Napier driving an Arrol-Johnston after a 6-hour race on the Isle of Man.
11. At 110 years old the Tourist Trophy is the oldest motorsport trophy still being contested.
12. Since 1905 the Tourist Trophy has been awarded 65 times and the winners of the 2015 race will be the 66th recipients.
13. Porsche is the only manufacturer competing in the WEC not to have won the Tourist Trophy. Audi has two victories, Toyota one, Nissan two, Aston Martin five and Ferrari the most with six wins.
14. Sir Stirling Moss has won the Tourist Trophy more than any other driver - seven times in all: twice in an Aston Martin (58,59) and twice in a Ferrari (60,61). He also won twice in a Jaguar and once in a Mercedes-Benz.
15. The total distance travelled by the winning WEC car at the end of the 6 hour race was -
• 2012 - 1142.85km / 194 laps
• 2013 - 1160.53km / 197 laps
• 2014 - 983.80km / 167 laps
16. The total race distance covered by the entire 2014 grid was 20176.68km / 3425 laps
17. In LMP2 ORECA won in 2012 and 2013, with Morgan winning in 2014. All three winners were powered by Nissan engines
18. In LMGTE Pro honours are shared between the three manufacturers. Ferrari won in 2012, Aston Martin won in 2013 and Porsche won in 2014.
19. In LMGTE Am Ferrari won in 2012 but in 2013 and 2014 the all Danish entered no95 Aston Martin Vantage was victorious.
20. The track used for the 6 Hours of Silverstone is the 3.660 mile / 5.891km Grand Prix circuit which was opened in 2010.
The 6 Hours of Silverstone will take place on the 10-12 April 2015.
TICKETS: Tickets are now on sale for the 6 Hours of Silverstone with prices from £10 to £35 per day, while a 3-day weekend pass costs just £40. Children 15 years and under are free and all tickets include car parking, unreserved grandstand access, autograph session access, access to the entertainment area and lots more. CLICK HERE to book your tickets today.
SCHEDULE: A great weekend of entertainment is on offer with plenty to see and do for the whole family. CLICK HERE for the event timetable.
Jeff Carter
