Formula V8 3.5 to join FIA WEC as support race in 2017

[Kristof]

http://clubarnage.blogspot.be/2016/07/formula-v8-35-to-join-fia-wec-as.html

Not sure if this is a good idea. More like throwing a lifeline to a dying series.
Also, formula racing as feeder series to WEC ? Doesn't really makes sense to me.  GT3 Cup ahead of ELMS isn't the success they hoped for (only 10-11 cars), afraid this one won't be one either.

[Boorish Grobian]

Agree Kristof, does seem like a odd pairing.  Mixing single seaters with sports cars can work, the Indycars have shared race weekends with first the ALMS, and now the IMSA Weather Tech series for many years.  But this just seems a bit strange.  We're off to Mid-Ohio this weekend for the Indycar, and Pirelli World Challenge show.  A great many folks there look forward to the PWC GT, and Touring car races as much, if not more than the headliners.
Again, pairing single seaters, GT's, and touring cars seems like a odd mish-mash, but in this case it works superbly.
Fax

[mgmark]

Until last year, the series was powered by the Nissan VQ35 engine, 3.5L V6 - which was a joint Renault/Nissan engine. 

However, Renault withdrew from the series last year and this year and onwards the engine is a 3.5L V8 - made by Gibson Technology in Derbyshire.

That engine in the F3.5V8 series now is based on the Nissan VQ45DE engine, developed by Gibson for NISMO (Japanese Super GT Series) and it has also been used in numerous LMP 2 cars.

Take a look at the entry/finisher lists - the VQ45DE engine literally litters the LMP2 class now and has powered the class winners at Le Mans in 2014, 15 and 16.  Gibson had a goodly presence at Le Mans this year; moreover, while different chassis remain permitted, that engine is the only one that will be allowed in LMP2 from 2017.   Not only that, but the LMP3 cars are powered by the 5L Nisssn VK50VE engine.....

 Suspect all of that has somethnng to do with the tie-in to the WEC as a feeder for LMP2 but, when there is already LMP2 and 3 why single seaters, I have no idea...

MG Mark

[lofty]

The Blancpain sprint series is supported by F Renault which does seem abit wierd but its nice to have a change i suppose. A different engine noise in a weekend cant be bad.