We’re all F1 fanatics here but even with a biggest-ever calendar of 19 races this year that still leaves 33 F1-free weekends.
So what’s the other must-see racing action in 2010 this year? Here’s my top ten picks – name yours below.
British Formula Three, Oulton Park
Rounds one, two and three – 3rd & 5th April
The traditional Easter weekend race at Oulton Park is a must-see for me – the first chance to see the new crop of young drivers fighting it out for honours in the British Formula Three championship.
Two years ago Jaime Alguersuari and team mate Brendon Hartley tangled at the hairpin, leaving Oliver Turvey to win.
Last year got off to an amusing start as Max Chilton jumped the start by a good five seconds and passed my position halfway down the start straight while the rest of the field were still waiting for the green light. Have a look at the video from the race below:
The 2010 British F3 season kicks off the day after the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Formula Two, Silverstone
Rounds one and two, April 16th-18th
The Formula Two championship was re-formed last year and for its second season the cars are being given more power and more grip.
Will this be enough to make a series an essential step on the path to F1 – which it really should be, given its name? We’ll get our first look at the 2010 contenders at Silverstone in May.
Indy Racing League, Indianapolis 500
Round four, May 30th
The Indy Racing League continues to get back on its feet in its third year of re-unification. This year Takuma Sato joins the sport’s former F1 contenders such as Robert Doornbos and Justin Wilson.
The centrepiece Indy 500, held the same day as the Turkish Grand Prix, is essential viewing. Also keep an eye out for the classic Long Beach street race, formerly on the F1 calendar, and the series first visit to the streets of Sao Paolo and Barber Motorsports Park.
Last year’s Indy 500 wasn’t a vintage race but it was a result to remember. Helio Castroneves won the race for the third time having returned to the championship having been investigated for tax evasion:
Le Mans 24 Hours, Circuit de la Sarthe
12th-13th June
Like the Indy 500, a historic race which gets on this list by default. This year’s race is an especially tantalising prospect as Audi prepare to hit back at Peugeot, who finally defeated them last year.
Former F1 champion Nigel Mansell will make his long-overdue first appearance in the race (he originally tried to contend it in the early eighties). And Aston Martin will enter a pair of their gorgeous V12 coupes once again.
Here’s a video of last year’s race getting started. Anyone fancy a 24-hour live blog for this year’s Le Mans?
GP2, Algarve
Rounds seven and eight, 19th-20th June
This year’s GP2 line-up is already looking exciting. iSport duo Davide Valsecchi and Oliver Turvey have shown good form in the Asia series, ART boast Ferrari-backed Jules Bianchi and there’s plenty of promising talent like Sergio Perez and Alexander Rossi elsewhere on the grid.
The championship’s sole foray away from the F1 support schedule takes them back to the fantastic Algarve circuit in Portugal where the series concluded last year. It’s a pity the track hasn’t got an F1 deal, but watching the Formula 1 drivers of tomorrow slug it out over its crests and swoops is the next best thing.
Goodwood Festival of Speed
2nd-4th July
Yes, yes, it’s not really a race – but with an entry list the likes of which Goodwood attracts, who’s complaining?
Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button both appeared last year and hopefully they’ll turn up again for McLaren in 2010.
Hamilton’s hopes of driving Ayrton Senna’s 1988 McLaren up the hill last year were dashed – will he get the chance this year?
Expect plenty of other appearances from contemporary F1 drivers and teams plus loads of classic Grand Prix cars and racers. If you’ve never been to this before, you really are missing something special. Take a look at F1 Fanatic’s coverage from last year:
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009
- My top 40 pictures from the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009
- F1 cars, post-1980 (Goodwood Festival of Speed pictures)
- Williams F1 cars collection (Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009 pictures)
- F1 cars, pre-1980 (Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009 pictures)
- Life L190 – the worst F1 car ever – to run at Goodwood Festival of Speed
- Non-F1 cars at the Goodwood Festival
- 100+ pictures of F1 drivers and cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
American Le Mans Series, Petit Le Mans, Road Atlanta
Round nine, 29th September – 2nd October
One of few opportunities to see the best LMP1 racers in action next year. The 1,000 mile/ten-hour race around the challenging Road Atlanta circuit is also one of the rounds which comprise the new Intercontinental Cup for Le Mans prototypes, the precursor to a new world championship for the cars starting next year:
Le Mans Intercontinental Cup
DTM, Shanghai
Round ten, 30th-31st October
Increasingly, the DTM is the only touring car championship I bother to follow very closely. The WTCC put me off long ago with its ridiculously short races, poor choice of circuits and success ballasting. I still have a soft spot for the BTCC but there’s no denying the championship is a shadow of what it what in its mid-nineties heyday.
It may only boast Mercedes and Audi as manufacturer entrants but DTM’s cars are more dramatic and they race on some great tracks.
This year the championship is heading out to China once again, to a street circuit in Shanghai. Could this new venue be the future for F1’s presence in China, which has struggled to draw a crowd to the remote Shanghai International Circuit?
Hopefully the DTM won’t suffer a repeat of the loose manhole covers that plagued their 2004 visit to the country, as well as A1 Grand Prix’s attempt at holding a street race in Beijing in 2006.
Macau Grand Prix, Guia circuit
20th-21st November
The most coveted of the big F3 races, drawing the cream of the crop from the British, European, Japanese and other championships. This is a proper street circuit, mixing fast straights, tight corners and unforgiving walls.
GT1, San Luis
Round 19 and 20, 5th December
The entry list for the new FIA GT1 world championship reads like a Top Gear episode: Aston Martin DB9, Lamborghini Murcielago R-SV, Maserati MC-12, Nissan GT-R, Ford GT…
The supercar fun gets started at Abu Dhabi in two months’ time and the season wraps up at the gorgeous Potrero de los Funes lakeside circuit in San Luis, Argentina in December.
Have a look at the gorgeous circuit in this video:
Any more?
These are the ten races outside of the F1 championship I most want to see in 2010. But what other events do you think I should make time for? What are you going to be watching this year?
Should I be getting up at midnight to watch Australian Touring Cars? Which races on NASCAR’s mammoth schedule are most worthy of our attention? Is it time I broadened out from four-wheel circuit racing to take in Moto GP and rallying?
Or maybe for you F1 is number one and nothing else will do. Make your case in the comments for which are the must-watch races this year.
Read more: Watch more than just F1 races in 2010
Aleksandar Serbia
21st February 2010, 11:48
I miss Champcar, the days of Zanardi,MOntoya,Tracy,Franchitty, gone, and it was the only series in last two decades that had the lost art of dogfight and overtaking, simply brilliant, just didn’t get with the Burger crowd.
Damon
21st February 2010, 12:07
Agreed!
The mid/late 90s’ IndyCar/ChampCar was the best and the most exciting racing championship there was in the last 20 years.
(PS. I’d add Michael Andretti and Greg More to your list!)
BTCC during that era was also superb.
The Moto GP was that as well – especially the Mick Doohan era 500cc’s.
Pat
21st February 2010, 15:48
Absolutely agree – one of my biggest memories was Montoya & Andretti at the 2000 Michigan 500 (a better track than Indianapolis in my mind) last laps watching it on Eurosport with Ben Edwards commentating – I wish he was commentating on F1 now – I thought his head was going to explode with excitement – one of the most thrilling endings I can remember I was on the edge of my seat with my pulse rate well up : ) view it here – must have volume up :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZQZ6MjtGPQ
Pat
21st February 2010, 15:58
On the down side you see crashes like Kenny Brack’s at Texas Motor Speedway, during which he experienced 214 g’s (a record)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVpux5JxqEk
Damon
21st February 2010, 16:14
For me the most exciting were Zanardi’s amazing battles on street circuits. I remember him once winning a race after having been last after a collision and then working his way up through the field in a unbelievable way.
SoLiD
21st February 2010, 16:44
just to be clear, that’s in IRL not champcar!
Pat
21st February 2010, 20:19
What was IRL SoLiD ?
Chuck
22nd February 2010, 18:22
lol did you have to go there?
Nidzo
22nd February 2010, 15:15
Thank God! I thought I was the only one that miss Champcars. Way much better than Indy!!
Mark Hitchcock
21st February 2010, 11:57
The only V8 race I’ll *definitely* be watching is the Bathurst 1000, awesome track and almost guaranteed a bit of overtaking and a few crashes.
plushpile
21st February 2010, 13:46
Agreed, in fact I’m surprised that Bathurst isn’t on the original list…
Mick Leyden
21st February 2010, 22:39
Yep that was the one I was going to mention. I give most of the V8’s a miss but Bathurst is a very special event, always worth watching.
Bentschke
22nd February 2010, 0:57
There is something about 30 V8 supercars racing for 1000km with awesome crashes and overtaking – and in the last few years you havent been able to take your eyes of the screen in the last 15 laps. Mount Panaroma should be added to the original list – I still think it is THE BEST track of all time. (if you think you know of a better one let me know)
Achilles
22nd February 2010, 6:33
Good to see the Bathurst Fans are letting you know about a first class race Keith. A lot of British, and international Drivers take part, from all disciplines.
Pedja
22nd February 2010, 20:53
I agree. I think that this race is one of ten MUST WATCH in 2010. One of greatest tracks in the world and one of real racing series with real cars made of metal (not from plastic).
I will be watching it and I suggest you do it too.
MPJ1994
21st February 2010, 11:58
You should definatly get up at midnight to watch the V8 Supercars Keith.
Several races I would recomend are:
– Clipsal 500 in Adelaide on the ex-F1 circuit (11-14 March)
– The Phillip Island 500km endurance race (September)
– Bathurst 1000 endrance race around one of the worlds graet circuits (October) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsRMZ42IHI8
– Super Carnivale around Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast. This event is undergoing a major overhall after the A1GP disaster last year. This year it will feature international co-drivers who will drive with the series regualars. Confirmed drivers include David Brabham, Scott Pruit, Mark Blundell and Christian Fittipaldi. Several ex-F1 drivers have also been mentioned as possible drivers. (October)
– Sydney Telstra 500 street circuit around the Sydney 2000 Olympics Venues. (December)
Macca
21st February 2010, 13:16
If he doesn’t get a drive in F1, I can almost guarantee Jacque Villeneuve will be there.
Chris P
21st February 2010, 12:18
Every round of the BTCC is a must watch on ITV4 if not in person!
willonspeed
21st February 2010, 12:21
There’s a mistake in the first paragraph about the DTM.
“what it what in”
Bendana
21st February 2010, 12:22
Personally, I’m gonna be watching he BTCC alongside F1. last year, they showed the end of Le mans, but when you get 6.5 hourse of race coverage on a sunday, you cant really go wrong. I’m hopefully going up to watch the June 20th races at Croft as well.
JProc
21st February 2010, 12:36
Except from just F1 im probaly going to watch motogp more closely this year.
Scribe
21st February 2010, 13:01
I was going to watch mor moto untill a cerain hand got injured and I caught Schumacher syndrome.
Zahir
21st February 2010, 13:38
After that last lap at Catalunya I haven’t been able to keep myself away from moto gp.
There was more overtaking and excitement on that last lap then there was in the whole of the F1 race held there.
banned from J.Allen site
21st February 2010, 13:19
me too. ben spies is a rider that can capture people’s imagination. He cought mine for sure, with his come back, on the last few laps at assen 09.
Dyarab
21st February 2010, 12:49
I know it’s already been ran but what about the 24 Hours at Daytona?
TommyB
21st February 2010, 12:59
I love the Indy 500 and hopefully going to the Le Mans 24hr this year.
If anyone has any tips about Le Mans, what tickets to go for/what to do please let me know thanks :)
Andrew White
21st February 2010, 13:06
Outside F1, I’ll be going to the Festival of Speed and F2 at Brands.
Fer no.65
21st February 2010, 13:07
you might want to see this, Keith
Guillermo Ortelli (my favourite driver in Argentina) driving a borrowed NASCAR (the UPS Ford, i belive):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAbVBjOIn4s
Ledzep4pm
21st February 2010, 13:10
What about the FIA GT1 at Silverstone, £26 for the whole weekend, free grandstand seating, free paddock access.
Brilliant cars and racing for less than £30 who can argue with that
sato113
22nd February 2010, 13:39
yeah and then they charge you a tenner to park the car no doubt…
ajokay
22nd February 2010, 14:24
This is one of the races penciled in for me to attend this year, looks and sounds good!
Macca
21st February 2010, 13:11
One word
*Bathurst*
HG
21st February 2010, 13:16
yep, got to be the race of the whole year.
Pedel to the Vettel
21st February 2010, 13:32
christ…. a 24hr blog for Le mans 24hr, Keith you must be mad lol. I would be interested but i havent got a clue about those drivers and I have only ever watched very small parts in the past. What channel will it be on in the UK? Eurosport????
Pat
21st February 2010, 20:22
Yep Eurosport & Mansell & Sons are having a go :)
Dan Bigham
21st February 2010, 13:43
Definetely going to follow Moto GP, the overtaking and daredevil-ness makes up for the lack of it in F1.
Also will watch a lot of the Le Mans Series races, maybe go to a few!
Calum
21st February 2010, 14:32
Yes, I like Moto GP, is it still being televised by the BBC? If its not on freeview I can’t watch Moto GP this year!
anthony
22nd February 2010, 19:06
moto gp are kings of overtaking,,rossi will duke it out to the line
Calum
21st February 2010, 13:46
Bahrain because it’s the first F1 of the season,
Korea because it’s brand new,
Abu Dhabi because it was only race I missed last year,
Silverstone + Monaco, my faves
HG
21st February 2010, 13:52
i think moto gp has to be right up there keith, sum of the races from the last few years have been the best i have seen in any form of motorsport. Rossi vs. stonner and rossi vs. lorenzo have been fantastic, with more action in some races than F1 sees in season unfortunately, and this season promises to be a ripper with pedrosa looking better and spies to watch out for. And definatly tape the afforementioned v8 rounds if you have the option (although bathurst live is special)
I allways celebrate the race with a massive barbie with all my mates, with lots of sun (usually), banngers and beer. Great times.
David
21st February 2010, 14:00
What a great track, Oulton Park. I’d never seen it before. Really great.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
21st February 2010, 22:52
I have a soft spot for it because it’s near where I grew up – I’m staying near there as I write this, actually. Lots of tracks get dubbed the ‘mini-Nurburgring’ but Oulton Park really deserves it – it’s got some interesting corner combinations and a lot more gradient and camber than you’d expect for a circuit in Cheshire!
It reminds me of Spa in a way in that it doesn’t generally produce great races in the dry but it’s great watching cars being driven at speed around it – especially F3s. Would dearly love to see an F1 car driven in anger around it but can’t see it happening soon.
David Sherwood
22nd February 2010, 8:48
I grew up and still live near Oulton Park and have to agree that it is a classic circuit. Jackie Stewart once said it would make a great F1 track, but the number of trees that would have to be cut down to make the run off areas would never be agreed to.
That said, non-championship F1 did run at Oulton, at the Gold Cup and I have seen, Stewart Surtees, Rindt, Graham Hill and many others battle it out on several occasions in the late 60s and early 70s.
My favourite Oulton memory is one wet summer afternoon in 1970 taking a ride on my motorbike down to the circuit and finding the Tyrell team with the Tyrell 001 and Jackie Stewart testing it. The whole thing was so open, with no barriers between the few bystanders who were there and the car, engineers and Ken and Jackie. We could talk to them and as long as we did not get in the way, our presence even seemed to be appreciated.
Ah, memories.
HG
22nd February 2010, 9:57
thats a great story about tyrell, stewert and oulton park
sato113
22nd February 2010, 10:08
used to play it on toca2 touring cars. great track. love the high speed double apex right hander towards the end.
ajokay
22nd February 2010, 14:30
Ahh yes, the TOCA games. Oulton Park was definately my favourite. The last couple of turns were always really tricky to get right.
sato113
22nd February 2010, 15:24
yeah especially when using the directional arrows instead of the stick (ps1). nothing beat silverstone in the rain on expert difficulty tho.
Richard
21st February 2010, 14:05
Bathurst 1000 Is always a go-er. Brilliant race track just a shame they only race V8 supercars there I’d love to see some open wheelers on that track
Dakar is always on my list to watch
Motogp has some good stuff
But most of all the Isle of Man Electric TT is the most must watch of this year
LewisC
21st February 2010, 14:12
I’ll be going to this. More races than you can shake a stick at over a packed weekend, with priceless cars (and some famous drivers) from different ages, on the brilliant Brands Hatch GP circuit.
http://www.themastersseries.com/
https://tickets.motorsportvision.co.uk/calendar/race-event-details.asp?ProductID=3895
Lenny
21st February 2010, 14:22
Don’t forget about the Isle of Man TT and the Northwest 200!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvwH3Zv1ghE
Absolute Madness!!
Toni Vasconcelos
21st February 2010, 14:45
Hi.I´m from Brazil.I´m a motorsport Jornalist.I like NASCAR.Here in Brazil,we watch NASCAR – Speed channel.The fans growing every day,and two brazilians – a speaker and a comentarist – living in Los Angeles,and we have news from NASCAR almost every day.But my favorit is F1,since 1977…
Thank you
Aleksandar Serbia
21st February 2010, 15:05
Toni, Nascar will never ever never not in a million years get even close to F1, even if u get 10 Brazilians to compete in it and F1 has none, Aytron made damn sure F1 is every Brazilians top moto success! Nascar is a stupid Hamburger sport requiring only balls no brain to run, just like Rodeo.
Senna Deus te abençoe; saúde!
The Comedian 39
21st February 2010, 15:04
I remember a few years ago, in September 2005 I went to Doddington Park to see the World series by Renault.
I have just dug out the guide from the event and the weekend featured ‘Renault Formula UK’, ‘Renault clio Cup’, ‘Eurocup Megane Trophy’, ‘Renault F1 Demostration Laps’ and ‘Renault Historie et Collection demonstartion laps.’ Plus more. Over this weekend there were 10 races, plus 6 demostration events. As well as qualifying sessions and practice. That is a whole weekend sorted. now looking at drivers – Bertrand Baguette and Kamui Kobayashi in the Formula Renault 2.0, Robert Kubica, Markus Winkelhock, Karun Chandhok and pastor Maldonado in the World Series by Renault.
I was 11 then, and it was great. Stars of tomorrow, a variety of cars – past and present.
Pardon my ignorance, but does anyone know if there is still these kind of events?
Tim
21st February 2010, 16:15
The WSR is racing at Silverstone on 18-19 September, not sure of the support package though.
Patrickl
21st February 2010, 15:14
As F3 races goes, I’d say the one in Zandvoort is THE one to watch. They put all different leagues together for one big “masters” event. The best of the up and coming driver all put together.
Often the winner of that event goes on to race in F1 later. For instance Coulthard, Verstappen, Sato, Klien, Hamilton, Paul di Resta, Nico Hülkenberg and Jules Bianchi (not yet in F1, but seems likely)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
21st February 2010, 22:33
The thing with the Zandvoort race is because the Euro F3 guys race their every year they tend to have an advantage there. Macau’s a one-off for drivers from every series, plus it’s such a special track.
wasiF1
21st February 2010, 15:48
No doubt the F1 is the pinnacle of motorsports,but I will follow MotoGP,GP2,Rally (for Kimi) & some other racing as well (if I can make some time)
HounslowBusGarage
21st February 2010, 16:40
I watched the WRC Sweden on Dave yesterday, great coverage. It featured a couple of interviews with Kimi – before and after the event. And do you know what, he actually smiled and chuckled! I think he’s enjoying himself.
steph90
21st February 2010, 17:06
Yeah I noticed that too HBG. I doubt we’ll see him back in F1 but good on him for making the switch.
Patrickl
21st February 2010, 20:16
You know what, I’ve seen interviews with Kimi while he was in F1 and he smiled and chuckled then too …
It’s just in the obligatory press events that he’s quiet. During those it’s a programmed scruipt of what they have to say anyway.
Ylan Marcel
21st February 2010, 15:55
Biggest events i would see in 2010!!!
KingHamilton&co
21st February 2010, 16:15
does anyone know why The British F3 at Oulton is being held on a monday instead of a sunday? or is it some tradition that i’ve ignored all these years (I only watch occasional highlights on MotorsTV see)
Red Andy
21st February 2010, 20:28
Bank Holiday Mondays are often used for motorsport: for example, the Oulton Park Gold Cup spans all three days of the August Bank Holiday weekend. April 5 is a public holiday to celebrate my birthday ;) (also something to do with Easter Monday, I think).
Steve
21st February 2010, 16:31
indycar rocks..
http://www.indycar.com
i love indycar..
great circuits, varied circuits, street, airport, indy, ovals
Pat
21st February 2010, 20:24
Especially at the Texas Motor Speedway – they’re nutters ! :)
Steve
21st February 2010, 16:40
the first race is on the 14th, at sao paulo…..
with the longest straight ever on a street circuit…
goint to be awesome
and you can watch online http://www.indycar.com
Steve
21st February 2010, 16:41
closest 1 – THIRD finish ever
IRL rocks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2ruMyqG_3I
SoLiD
21st February 2010, 16:47
MotoGP is superb action, love it!
I also enjoy nascar, it’s just a different ball game.
Many hardcore F1 fans won’t give it a shot, but I watched it from time to time and started to watch it more and more since Montoya entered.
I really started to enjoy it as a great end to my sunday night :) It’s just different sort of racing, but great to watch imo
GeorgeK
21st February 2010, 16:49
As a change of pace it’s interesting to watch NASCAR when they hit Watkins Glen or the California track. Most of the regular NASCAR drivers do surprisingly well and the “ringers” that come in don’t.
Calum
21st February 2010, 18:52
So not all NAscar races ar oval!! I genuinely didnt know.
Tim
21st February 2010, 16:52
I’d love to be able to get to the F3 at Oulton Park but it just isn’t going to happen this year. The track is wonderful, lots of ups and downs and fast sweeping corners – the nearest a British track gets to Spa. It’s an astonishing track just to walk around and must be quite an experience to drive.
If I’m lucky, I’ll get to the Brands Hatch Historic Superprix on 3-4 July to watch historic F1, F2, F3 and F5000. It does, unfortunately, clash with my wedding anniversary…
gabal
21st February 2010, 17:07
I must say that even though Portimao track looks great with many gradient changes races on it are really dull. Cars were struggling to pass even in GP2 so you can only imagine how bad it would be for F1 cars there.
Mark Hitchcock
21st February 2010, 18:51
I was gonna say that. As cool as it would be to see F1 cars on a track like that…there are barely any overtaking spots so it’d just be a procession with a few crashes.
Red Andy
21st February 2010, 17:12
I will be trying to get to the Brit F3 round at Oulton Park this year. If anyone else is planning to go along maybe Keith could set up a discussion thread like for the F1 races?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
21st February 2010, 22:36
Yeah ‘ll get one up in the forum once it’s fixed :-)
Red Andy
21st February 2010, 22:57
Keith, you are a gentleman and a scholar. :D
steph90
21st February 2010, 17:13
I’ll probably be watching all of them as I’ve now gave up fighting my addiction to motorsport. Le Mans 24 Hours live blog would be perfect. I love the cars, they really (mostly visually I admit) capture my imagination.
Seems to be a good few Moto GP fans here and I cvan understand why as there is usually plenty of thrills. I’ll be watching my first full season of it this year but I confess as entertaining as it is, it just doesn’t grab me like F1 -and most other 4 wheeled sport -does.
MEmo
21st February 2010, 17:15
No NASCAR races? Hahaha.
Steve L
21st February 2010, 17:42
This year, aside from attending my first Indy 500, I will definitely be following the Nurburgring 24 hrs (for those not familiar with it, the N24 is not held on the Grand Prix circuit. It’s on the Nordschleife).
Last year’s starting grid(s) was a total 179. A disappointing grid after 2008’s 229 cars. Sure it’s all GTs, but still. The sheer size of it is was intrigues me. Still does not seem possible to put on an event of that magnitude.
Larry Simms
21st February 2010, 19:06
You’re spot on, Steve. The ‘ring 24 makes some of the things mentioned above seem like playground stuff. BTCC? DTM? Somebody’s joking, I hope.
“The Nurburgring 24 Hours is more difficult to win than Le Mans” is a statement that was made to me by a driver who has won both.
Steve L
21st February 2010, 21:33
Larry, the N24 more difficult to win than Le Mans? No, really ;-)? the Nordschleife makes Le Mans look like a walk in the park. I still have difficulty imagining how the organizers make that event work…but they do and it’s great!
Jarred Walmsley
22nd February 2010, 4:35
How do they manage pitstops with that many cars?
alan
21st February 2010, 18:24
le mans 24 hrs blog? – we would be like zombies – but on eurosport hd this year it is allways great – Bathurst its brilliant – remember when the silk cut Jgs won both of them ??
YeaMon
21st February 2010, 19:06
There’s always a big amount of races I try to watch all year. Obviously all the F1 races, but I make sure to watch Monza, Monaco, Canada, Spa, and Silverstone.
Out of F1 are 24 hours of Le Mans.
24 hours at Daytona
Daytona 500
Michigan Nascar Cup races
Nascar road courses
12 hours of Sebring
Petit Le mans
Indy 500
Some GP2 races
Some V8 supercar races.
David B
21st February 2010, 19:11
We spoke about that lot of times…but I repeat that Potrero is wonderful. I hope F1 can consider to run there, because I see it is quite a difficult track, with no run off areas, but no less than Valencia (jut to say)…so why not???
Nano Rock
21st February 2010, 19:38
great circuit
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
21st February 2010, 22:43
Circuits get ratings which determine which events they are able to hold e.g. from a safety point of view. They need the highest level rating to hold F1 races. I believe Potrero has the second highest rating.
xabregas
21st February 2010, 19:42
I´am, most of all, a f1 fan, but i also like other types of racing. Last year i watch, becides F1, WTCC, BTCC, INDY, the 3 NASCAR divisons ( CUP, TRUCK, NATIONWIDE ), MOTOGP, some races from ALMS, GRAND-AM, GP2, S. LEAGUE, LE MANS 24H. and some recaps of V8 championchip.
The reason i´m telling you that it´s because F1 is far less exciting than some of the ones i wrote before, and i´m whatching F1 since 1979. That time the races were amazing.
Like Keith said, there are lost of racing around the world that should be whatched by motorsports fasns, and not only F1.
sato113
21st February 2010, 20:18
definately gonna try watch more Rallying from the WRC this year.
also BTCC whenever i feel like it. wet races are really fun to watch.
also may well go to the annual dtm at brands hatch.
Pat
21st February 2010, 20:36
These guys are always worth a watch
madmen ! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgutBgcZhFw
Pat
21st February 2010, 20:37
and we think F1 cars corner fast
you can catch em on Motors TV
sato113
22nd February 2010, 13:48
probably the worst form of ‘motor sport’ out there…
theRoswellite
21st February 2010, 21:38
For US West coast fans of racing you could try the American Le Mans series at the Laguna Seca track. It is a 6 hr endurance race on Saturday afternoon-early evening, May 21-23. Also, there is racing on Sunday. A great reason to spend a weekend in the Monterey Bay area!
Neil Tipton
21st February 2010, 21:46
Keith, I reckon you’ve missed a slam dunk – the Supercheap Autos 1000 at Bathurst. Six hours of racing by top drivers in the most spectacular touring cars around, in a series that boasts truly professional teams,a huge native fanbase and all around the spectacular Mount Panorama circuit. What’s not to like?
P.S. The Indy Racing League changed its name to the Indycar Series about four years ago…
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
21st February 2010, 22:44
Yeah but old habits die hard. When is Bathurst this year?
Jarred Walmsley
22nd February 2010, 4:39
Keith, its the 7-10th October Australian so not sure what that will equate to over in Britain.
sato113
22nd February 2010, 10:17
the time zone is different, but not the date!
Kapow32
21st February 2010, 23:34
p.s. the Indy Racing League is still around, it sanctions the Indycar series and the Indy lights series
João Pedro CQ
21st February 2010, 22:02
I’m glad you choosed Portuguese GP2 round at Portimão as a must-watch race. Although, as it was said before here, it hasn’t many overtaking spots, it’s in my country. Here in Portugal people who are fanatic by Formula 1 is just a small group of people. But that is enough to create a petition and I am sure that if F1 had a Grand Prix here the attendance to the event would be great.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
21st February 2010, 22:45
That doesn’t matter when we’re talking about GP2, though, because the cars can follow each other closely. There’s a lesson for F1 there…
RandomChimp
23rd February 2010, 10:30
Yeah, kick out the most professional drivers in exchange for crash-happy noobs.
Or run a single spec series. That wouldn’t be quite such a radical change from what we already have.
Icthyes
22nd February 2010, 0:00
The thought of Hamilton driving in the 1988 McLaren gives me the F1 fanatic equivalent if a raging semi.
I guess now I live in Canada, motorsport coverage will be hard to come by :-(
jose arellano
22nd February 2010, 0:18
did anyone noticed “pechito” lopez overtaking in the last video?
Journeyer
22nd February 2010, 4:23
My ten would be:
1. Le Mans (LMS)
2. Indy 500 (IndyCar)
3. Macau (F3, WTCC)
4. Rally GB (WRC)
5. RoC (mixed)
6. Petit Le Mans (ALMS)
7. Assen TT (MotoGP)
8. Daytona 500 (NASCAR)
9. Bathurst (V8 Supercars)
10. Goodwood (mixed)
A bit of everything for me. I follow all these series in varying degrees, but I try my best not to miss these ten. Daytona last weekend was good, despite pothole-gate.
Jess
22nd February 2010, 4:40
For me Daytona 500. What a race what a finish.
m0tion
22nd February 2010, 7:00
Keith could try the v8 supercar guys for some tickets to Bathurst.
Despite good tv coverage being there makes it forever real.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWtTue8yXLE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMJsGG0QOIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAp_vK1_nZ0&feature=PlayList&p=2FE4C24760D78930&index=25&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL
m0tion
22nd February 2010, 7:09
Sorry last one wasn’t the one i was after
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D-JtvVvESc
wdf2
22nd February 2010, 8:46
We’re thinking of going to Le Mans this year. Any tips on where to spectate / sleep / eat / avoid?
timmyM
22nd February 2010, 9:09
… anyone going to the Goodwood revival?
GP2 Blog
22nd February 2010, 9:21
Alexander Rossi won’t be doing GP2 this year. He’s signed to ART Grand prix to contest the GP3 series (which should also be pretty entertaining).
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
22nd February 2010, 19:10
Bit of a surprise given he’s doing GP2 Asia. Think he’ll go well in GP3.
Daniel
22nd February 2010, 9:58
btcc? any thoughout the season! mainly silverstone!
the Sri Lankan
22nd February 2010, 10:07
also dont forget some races put together by the very creative top gear crew
Marks
22nd February 2010, 20:35
Outside F1, it has to be BTCC. Lights to flag action, lots of overtaking, pushing and shoving. 3 rounds in 1 day, plus all the support races.
Nathan Turner
23rd February 2010, 0:46
I have to say despite all the changes made by the fia in recent years F1 is still the pinnacle of motorsport, and therefore my favourite.
Saying that Le Mans 24 heures is a special event that isn’t matched in any other series. The cars are spectacular and the speeds are just amazing especially when it gets dark and the lights come on ! And it has been fun watching the peugeots and audis battle it out for 24 hours straight.
I would seriously consider a live 24 hour blog for this years event, as long as I’m next to a BIG pot of coffee I’d be okay :p . It would be nice to let people know what’s going on at the great event for all 24 hours on the same site .
Keith , let me know if you think this is a serious proposal , alsoo would anybody be interested in reading such a thing :)
p.s. The btcc is also a cracking series , going to brands for round 2 this year :) should be great!
Dane
23rd February 2010, 2:33
I will attend, or watch, almost all motorsport in 2010. F1s, AusV8’s, WRC, MotoGP, BTCC, Nascar, Indy, even offshore boat racing. If goes fast, Im there
Chaz
2nd March 2010, 20:56
I must be the only person who doesn’t get Le Mans. I mean 24hrs is just to long…
Douglass Moench
5th November 2010, 20:17
Whoa! Photograph searching the search engines all night due to this and that i lastly thought it was right here!