World Endurance politics

Last November the FIM announced they would promote the Wolrd Endurance Championsghip themselves, so ending five years of FG Sports running the series. Italian-owned FG Sport continue to promote WSB.

Britain’s top team in the series is Phase One Endurance. Owner Russell Benney gives his views on the change in the political landscape of the series.

“So, Flammini Group, Octagon and FG Sports have all come and gone as World Endurance promoters and for 2007 its back to the FIM. Good or bad? 

Its not difficult to tell. Can a sports regulator also be a promoter? Some how I doubt it .

Obviously this year will demonstrate the level of competence and commitment the FIM are willing to give to the championship, and the proof will be in how well they do. Initial signs however do not look encouraging. Following the FIM meeting of the 23rd November very little indeed seems to be happening. 

Every day sponsors ask me where to find information on the championship. It’s just not there: no website, no statistics, no TV viewing figures, no summary tapes, no circulation projections, a big fat nothing.

FG Sports had its drawbacks, but at least they appeared to be professional. You might argue that it must all be going on behind the scenes. Is it? I suspect not. 

Simple questions posed following the 23rd Nov meeting remain both un-responded to and unanswered. Will there be adequate team passes? Will there be transferable vehicle passes? Will the fuel price at Le Mans be halved back closer to pump prices? Will basic toilet facilities be maintained during the Le Mans race? Will the race services such as tyre companies be present at Qatar? And what about the return to Superproduction? Will it be in 2008, or ever? The list of questions goes on and on.

Frankly, how can we expect new sponsors to join our sport with such fundamental infrastructure and development questions remaining un-answered.

Whilst the basics such as a championship TV contract remain un-negotiated and the championship website does not exist it is difficult to take the FIM seriously as a promoter. 

Before leaving the subject of promotion, there were certainly aspects that the Italians introduced that were worthy, imaginative and useful. 

FG Sport definitely left the championship healthier than when they came. Imaginative venues and formats were tried; the championship went to Imola, Brno and Vallelunga. There was even a race in China in 2004, and it was great. The media distribution infra structure was like nothing seen before in the WEC; TV coverage, summary tapes, distribution reports…even sponsor promotion packs, this was all good stuff. 

Behind the scenes FG Sport personnel were accessible at each event and promoted the sport on a truly international basis, rather unlike the French race club that existed before. They even spoke English, much to the pleasure of the German, Scandinavian and Dutch teams who were starting to appear in greater numbers. 

Even the factories were showing more interest. Yes, on balance they did a good job. It’s not been a bad five years for Endurance. ! 

Clearly the sport will need a professional promoter. Is the Untied States of America the place to look?