Why not tune into the High Speed Television channel this weekend for a triple helping of top bill endurance racing from some of the world’s greatest venues?
We start with highlights of the 59th running of the Bathurst 1000, the biggest event bar none on Australia’s motorsport calendar. This is more than a just race for the drivers who tackle its 6.2 km of narrow, winding tarmac, but the realisation of a dream, having grown up watching the likes of Brock, Richards, Perkins and Skaife ruling the mountain. Bathurst legends Craig Lowndes and Steven Richards (with 10 wins between them) teamed up for an unforgettable victory last year, but will they be able to scale those heights again with a hungry pack of top home grown talent – including four-time winner Jamie Whincup, Bathurst 12H winner Shane van Gisbergen and Kiwi sensation Scott McLaughlin – hot on their tail? Holden takes on Ford, Volvo and Nissan in an event you won’t want to miss!From Mount Panorama to Mount Fuji, next it’s over to Japan for round 7 of the FIA World Endurance Championship, where the pressure is beginning to mount with only three rounds to go. Can the no. 2 Porsche – which has been outclassed by their team-mates since Le Mans – hold onto their points lead in LMP1? Will Signatech Alpine continue their remarkable run of finishing on the podium in every LMP2 meeting since Spa? And can Aston Martin hold onto the top spot in GTE after sweeping the North American leg of the championship, or will Ferrari wrest it away? There are two strategies to choose from – set your alarms early to catch it live, or enjoy the re-run later in the day with a spot of Sunday lunch. Prime, or option – you decide!
But if that’s not enough endurance racing for you, then you’re in luck as the 24H Series reaches its conclusion with another 24h spectacular at Brno. Another impressive entry of top-drawer GT3 machinery featuring Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche will do battle twice around the clock at the Czech circuit, with separate classes for Porsche Carrera Cup, Ferrari Challenge, KTM GT4 and SEAT TCR machinery ensuring there will be no shortage of drama and intrigue.The classic Hockenheim circuit is our next destination, where the future F1 drivers – quite literally in the case of newly-crowned champion Lance Stroll – will be on show in the final round of the FIA F3 European Championship. A nightmare weekend in Imola for closest rival Maximilian Gunther, combined with two wins for Stroll saw the Canadian wrap up the title with a round to spare, but Gunther’s job isn’t about to get any easier, as George Russell is hot on his tail and threatening the German’s grip on second in the points. With Stroll eager to go out on a high and the battle for second brewing nicely, the final round has all the ingredients for a thriller.Yorkshire is home to some of the finest forest rally stages in Britain and makes for a fitting finale to the MSA British Historic Rally Championship. With 55 stage miles, including a 10-mile stage in the dark to open the event, the Trackrod Historic Cup will provide a stern test for the crews of delightful Escort Mk2s, Datsun 240Zs and the iconic Talbot Sunbeam.Continuing the historic theme, the classic Mille Miglia road rally is the ultimate showcase of priceless 30s, 40s and 50s motoring from top brands including Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Fiat, Jaguar, Lancia, Maserati and Porsche, as they tour the length and breadth of Italy, from Brescia to Rome and back again.If you’re not satisfied after all that, plus snarling GT action from the Britcar Endurance Championship at Oulton Park and the frenetic Fun Cup 2CVs at Anglesey, then perhaps you should start thinking up your resolutions for next year…
Friday 14th October
18:55 – Britcar Endurance Championship, Rd 7, Oulton Park19:25 – Fun Cup, Rd 6, Anglesey20:00 – Top Speed Classic, Mille Miglia20:30 – V de V Endurance Series, Rd 6, Magny-Cours21:35 – British Historic Rally Championship, Rd 9, Trackrod Historic Cup
Saturday 15th October
08:50 – LIVE FIA F3 European Championship, Rd 10, Hockenheim (Race 1)10:30 – LIVE 24H Series, Rd 7, Brno 24 Hours21:30 – Delayed-As-Live FIA F3 European Championship, Rd 10, Hockenheim (Race 2)
Sunday 16th October
02:30 – LIVE FIA World Endurance Championship, Rd 7, 6 Hours of Fuji09:15 – LIVE 24H Series, Rd 7, Brno 24 Hours11:30 – Delayed-As-Live FIA F3 European Championship, Rd 10, Hockenheim (Race 3)14:15 – FIA World Endurance Championship, Rd 7, 6 Hours of Fuji20:30 – Supercars Championship, Rd 11, Bathurst 1000
