It’s the weekend, which means it’s time for another round-the-clock slog for you to sink your teeth into. If that sounds unappealingly similar to the five days you just trudged through, don’t worry, as ours has got a delightfully high-octane kick to it. That’s right, we’ve got all the live action from Italy’s favourite endurance race, and much more besides, for your viewing pleasure this weekend!
As promised, we’re paying an extended visit to Mugello in Italy at the end of this week for just our kind of holiday: a round-the-clock, no-nonsense endurance racing extravaganza courtesy of the International Endurance Series’ Mugello 12 Hours. The mammoth grid of GTs, touring cars and ‘24H Series Special’ racers returns after a spectacular thrill ride in Dubai, where the #19 Audi R8 LMS of Belgian Audi Club Team WRT took overall top honours and the A6-Pro category win to secure the German manufacturer’s first ever victory at the relentless race. And now, heading to its spiritual home, the lone Ferrari run by the MJC - Furlonger squad will be looking to settle the scores and replicate the iconic marque’s win at the first event in 2014. Throw in a certain Robert Kubica’s highly anticipated circuit racing return and you have a show that promises to be truly molto bene!
Spa is a place synonymous with many things: stunning forest scenery, great food and, needless to say, legendary motorsport. On this occasion, however, we’re going to point you in the direction of the annual Spa Rally, which neatly throws all the trappings of top-flight international rallying into one glorious melting pot. If you want to see lots of highly talented off-road speed freaks fly through cringingly narrow forest tracks and wide open asphalt both day and night, you’ve come to exactly the right place.
If we’re honest, we don’t think the next chunk of motoring madness will need much explaining. Whilst it does sound like some sort of underground wrestling contest, the clue is still very much in the name for The Tough One, which is, rather unsurprisingly, one of the world’s most gruelling Enduro events. With its endless series of obstacles and nasty quarry terrain, the Shropshire showdown doesn’t give its contestants much of an easy time. Not that we’re unsympathetic, but make sure you tune in and revel in the struggle!
Next up we’re heading to the other side of the world for the fourth round of the Toyota 86 Championship New Zealand at Teretonga Park. The premise is simple – no-nonsense Toyota 86 sportscars and basic tracks – but as with many things in life that bare-bones configuration is oh so effective. Indeed, the skill of the driver and the weight of their right foot have pivotal roles in such a level playing field, so motorsport doesn’t get much purer than this.
If you missed it the first time around, we’re also putting on our highlights of the epic 2016 V8 Supercars season-opener. We’re not going to spoil anything, but trust us when we say it was an unmissable one!
All that, plus our coverage of the latest FIM Superenduro round in Prague, will give you more than enough to fill your stint on the sofa with. Long slogs done right!
Saturday 19th March08:00 – LIVE International Endurance Series, Rd 2, Mugello17:00 – Delayed-as-live Spa Rally19:25 – Toyota 86 Championship New Zealand, Rd 4, Teretonga
