On Labor Day Weekend 2024, Lone Star Le Mans will return to COTA as the sixth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. A race unlike any other at the Circuit, here are three things that make the endurance format unique. Learn more below and be sure to get your tickets before they sell out!
1) Fixed Time Vs. Fixed Distance
Unlike other formats where drivers aim to conquer a set-distance in the fastest time possible, endurance racing is fixed at a six-hour period during which drivers aim to cover the most distance possible. This tests the endurance of the vehicle equipment and the drivers behind the wheel.
2) Driver Stints
WEC allows teams to divide the six-hour race into stints between up to three different drivers per car. Typically, teams organize switching drivers when cars need to refuel, often around the one-hour mark. These decisions become incredibly consequential to a race where every second is strategic.
3) Car Variety
Endurance series are unique because they feature a wide range of makes and models on the track at the same time. Models can range from hypercars (top-tier prototype cars representing the pinnacle of endurance motorsport) to GTE-Am cars (modified luxury cars to fit the standard on a racetrack). This brings a unique competition to the field, where drivers and manufacturers must decide their strategic approach to a wide performance window.
