WEC 2026

FLRacingFan

FLRacingFan

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Not quite 2026-specific but some big news about the future of the Ford program tonight. Their upcoming LMDh will utilize a Coyote V8 - hell yes! They’ll run an LMP2 machine in ELMS this year to build towards 2027. Interesting to note that entry will be fielded under the Proton banner.

Very fun driver lineup as well, could be even better if they end up taking Matt Campbell away from Porsche as the article indicates.

sportscar365.com

Sargeant, Rockenfeller, Priaulx Confirmed in Ford Hypercar – Sportscar365

First three Ford Hypercar drivers confirmed for 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship top-class debut...
sportscar365.com sportscar365.com

sportscar365.com

Proton to Field LMP2 Entry With Ford, Venture Staff – Sportscar365

Mike Rockenfeller, Seb Priaulx set for season of ELMS LMP2 with Ford Racing-run, Proton-fielded entry...
sportscar365.com sportscar365.com
 
Rumors surging that Honda are finally poised to enter the ARX-06 in WEC competition as soon as 2027, thanks to funding from the Inter Europol team (fresh off a double podium in LMP2 at Daytona). I suspect if it’s real we’ll hear confirmation around Sebring.

www.the-race.com

Honda poised to finally join WEC Hypercar

Honda's been a conspicuous absence from WEC Hypercar - considering how good its Acura brand's IMSA car is. But now it's poised to finally join the fray
www.the-race.com www.the-race.com
 
And now for the bad news:

www.the-race.com

Alpine WEC Hypercar programme in jeopardy

Alpine looks increasingly likely to pull out of the World Endurance Championship after 2026, and could also close its historic Viry-Châtillon base
www.the-race.com www.the-race.com

Wouldn’t be surprised, and not out of the ordinary by the Renault group. It’d be a shame after picking up a win and showing some real performance last season though. It’s a damn good looking and sounding car too.
 
An odd story about Don Panoz: I was in the Sebring paddock about 2000-2001 or so, and moved off to the side to light up a smoke. Don Panoz wanders up and asks to bum a smoke, complaining that you couldn't buy smokes at the track. I was a little surprised seeing as how Don invented the patch, but told him to take a handful.

I ask him why he didn't just use the patch, because after all, he invented it, and he replies "I'm 72. What's it going to do, kill me?" We had a laugh and were off to a good start.

So we're having a smoke together and chatting about the race, and we sort of hit it off. For all that money and all that power, Don was just a regular guy. He showed me his cars and introduced me to the team and spent about a half hour with me just smoking and having a good time. Don was a good dude.
 
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