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WEC, Avis and road safety
Hitting the open road for an adventure in a new country is an exciting prospect, but unfamiliar environments bring with them some elements of unease. We have collaborated with our partners at The World Endurance Championship (WEC) to look at how racing drivers stay safe on the track, and how you can employ some of their safety tips when driving your rental car on unexplored roads.
Adapt to the conditions
Check your car
Know the rules
What is endurance motor racing and how does it work?
Unlike F1, these are endurance races staged across a range of distances and times, from 1,812km in the quickest time (Qatar), to the furthest distance in six hours on the Imola and Spa-Francorchamps racetracks, to 24 hours at Le Mans. Teams of three drivers compete in a single vehicle with more than 30 team cars at the start line in each race.
Each driver and the team behind them work together to maintain focus, speed and performance over long distances and time periods. Just as with our Avis global vehicle rental operation, smooth, efficient driver changeovers and the pursuit of excellence are critical to success.
Each individual race and the season as a whole require an overall strategy. Teams need the flexibility to adapt to the challenges each race brings for their racing cars out on the track and in the pitlane. Just as with driving o the road, changing weather conditions, fluctuating temperatures and surface conditions are part of the teams' safety considerations.
What kind of cars take part in FIA WEC endurance racing?
Adding to the challenge of FIA WEC, in 2024, two different categories of cars race on the same circuit at the same time, Hypercar and the all-new LMGT3 category. The latter replaces the LMGTE class for amateur drivers that has been on the WEC grid since the series' inaugural season in 2012.
The prototype class (Hypercar) is for manufacturers looking to put their latest developments and innovations to the test. The design of these prototype race cars is focused on technological innovations rather than resemblance to the road car.
The LMGT3 category is for racing cars that look like sports cars and could be driven on the road.
The multi-class races mean that overtaking is for the prototypes. Slower cars are meant to keep to their lane to enable the faster cars to overtake.
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Women in motorsport
At Avis, we continue to celebrate the FIA WEC mission to increase female driver representation in motorsport in line with our own understanding of the importance of driving excellence through teamwork and inclusion. In 2023 the Iron Dames trio of Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey, and Michelle Gatting finally scored the first all-female WEC race win at the 2023 FIA season finale, the 8 Hours of Bahrain held back in November.
Eleven women have been on the start line in the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2019; Sarah Bovy, Tatiana Calderon, Sophia Floersch, Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting, Manuela Gostner, Beitske Visser and Lilou Wadoux (pictured), who collectively have made it into the top 10 numerous times.
In this video, three female endurance motor racing drivers tell us how they are living their dream by working in the world of motorsport. Browse to this page for the top 10 most influential female race car drivers and check out this article for tips on how to break into a career in motorsports.
Women have had other key roles at Le Mans, serving as engineers, stewards, journalists and reporters. British driver Leena Gade became the first female engineer to win the race, with Audi.
Avis Preferred members can enjoy the following benefits
... the more you rent the more perks you'll recieve.
- The chance to win FIA World Endurance Championship tickets. Avis Preferred members get the chance to win tickets (plus parking) to the races. To enter, all you’ll need is your membership number.
- Earn free upgrades and exclusive discounts
- Priority service with every rental – avoid unnecessary waiting with pre-filled documents and dedicated Avis Preferred counters
- The Avis app – get the full Avis app experience, including changing or upgrading your rental enroute to a rental location and being able to choose the exact make and model of vehicle you want.
The 2024 season
The 2024 season sees 14 global manufacturers including Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Isotta Fraschini, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren, Peugeot, Porsche and Toyota go head-to-head on some of the world’s top race circuits. The thrilling championship races last from six to 24 hours.
Wherever you choose to follow the world’s premier endurance sportscar championship, Avis brings you closer to the action. Whether you are travelling trackside ahead of race day via our convenient rental locations in cities, stations, or airports, or checking in via our social channels, we’ll get you up to speed with the full schedule, exclusive content, trackside updates and how to get to WEC.
Booking with Avis is the winning formula for fans planning a road trip to the FIA WEC race destinations. Avis's modern fleet has something for everyone from premium cars and estates for larger groups to smaller ultra fuel-efficient models as well as hybrid and electric vehicles.
When and where is this year’s FIA WEC?
The eight big races in 2024:
- Doha (Qatar) - 2 March
- Imola (Italy) – 21 April
- Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) – 11 May
- Le Mans (France) – 15-16 June
- Sao Paulo (Brazil) – 14 July
- Lone Star Le Mans, Austin, Texas (USA) – 1 September
- Fuji (Japan) – 15 September
- Bahrain (Bahrain) – 2 November
The 24 Hours of Le Mans 2024
When is the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2024?
This year’s Le Mans race took place across Saturday 15th – Sunday 16th June 2024.
Where is the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2024?
Le Mans is held on the Circuit de la Sarthe in the town of Le Mans, around 80 kilometres north of Tours, and south of Alencon.
Did you know? World Endurance Championship races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans have been a testbed for developments in areas such as safety, braking and fuel performance that then become standard on the cars we drive.
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Who is taking part in FIA WEC 2024?
The FIA WEC 2024 season entries include 37 full-season entrants from 8 different countries. There is a record number of teams competing in the Hypercar (19) and LMGT3 (18) categories. Check out the latest news about the FIA WEC 2024.
Famous names are lining up include former F1 World Champion, Britain’s Jenson Button who will drive for Porsche, Mick Schumacher driving for Alpine and seven-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi who drives for BMW in the new LMGT3 category. There also will be an all-female Iron Dames team in the LMGT3 category.