The FIA World Endurance Championship is an auto motor racing World Championship organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) and in partnership and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The Championship features multiple classes of cars competing in endurance races, with sports prototypes competing in the Le Mans Prototype categories, and production-based grand tourers competing in the GT Endurance categories. FIA World Champion titles are awarded to the top scoring manufacturers and drivers over the season, while other cups and trophies will be awarded for drivers and private teams. Season 8 opens with the 4 Hours of Silverstone in September 2019 and will culminate with the 24 Hours of Le Mans which will form the WEC finale in June 2020. New for 2019-2020 will be the return to the calendar of Bahrain and São Paulo in Brazil meaning the WEC will visit five continents over the course of the cross-calendar season: Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America and South America. Indeed, the WEC continues to offer teams, drivers, partners and stakeholders a unique stage to compete at some of the world’s best race circuits. It also helps offer manufacturers a real-world relevance to advances in road car design and crossover technology, performance and safety. The comprehensive regulations allow for complex and awe-inspiring sports prototypes, some featuring the latest in hybrid technology, independent chassis and engines suppliers to compete at the highest levels. Furthermore, it allows for some of the world’s top luxury car marques to go head-to-head in the ever-competitive GT categories. The cornerstone of the WEC – the 24 Hours of Le Mans – will see World Champions crowned but drivers must prove their skill throughout the eight-round season, from the shortest race at 4 hours to the longest at 24 hours. In the end, only the world’s best endurance racers who have proved to be top of their game throughout the season will be worthy of being crowned at Le Mans.
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